Peter Moore: Battlefield 3 Begins

Welcome to the Battlefield!  Today we launched Battlefield 3, a groundbreaking game and more importantly, a game-changing service.

If you haven’t already played, you’re going to be stunned by Battlefield 3.  It’s the most authentic, gritty and yet mesmerizingly beautiful first person shooter that EA has ever delivered.  The Frostbite 2 engine resets the bar for what you should expect from a war simulation game in terms of stunning animation, massive scale, dramatic visuals, precise audio and intense destruction.   Our teams at DICE have put their heart and soul into this game for the past three years, so it’s incredibly exciting to finally see Battlefield 3 out and in the hands of gamers across the world.

But what really makes today so exciting is that we’re just getting started. 

I’ll let you in on a not-very-well-kept secret:  just because the game is now available, development doesn’t stop here.  Games with the scope and vision of a Battlefield 3 can’t be contained on just a disc or single download.  We now shift part of our organizational structure to focus on Battlefield 3 as a service – a Live team, supporting everything about Battlefield 3 from its patches, updates, and communities to the creation and delivery of new content on an ongoing basis.

Battlelog.  Data aggregation.  Live updates.  Cloud saves.  Expansion packs.  These are just some of the connected services that comprise the live Battlefield 3 experience, starting today.  And that won’t change as we go through the year, with new updates and services to make the game even richer. 

With Battlelog you’ve got anytime, anywhere access to an online information hub for everything you do inside Battlefield 3.  Your aggregated gameplay stats, your achievements, your platoon, your community, are all part of Battlelog.

Through Origin you are connected directly to our Live team, delivering updates, patches and new content faster and with fewer steps.  You can also take advantage of Cloud Storage for Battlefield 3 with game saves that you can access from multiple PCs.

New content will also be just around the corner, starting just one month after launch with the Back to Karkand Expansion Pack – four new maps, new vehicles and weapons just one month after launch.

All of this and more point to the fact that today is really a beginning.  So much more is on the way, and we’ll be there every step of the way to make sure that, for a long time to come, you’re enjoying every second of our masterpiece, Battlefield 3.

Battlefield 3 Launches With Record-Breaking Force

We hope you’ve got some MREs stashed away, because Battlefield 3 just began its assault. With three million in pre-sales and over 60 industry awards already under its belt, the third title in the Battlefield series is officially the biggest FPS launch in EA history.

Today’s launch isn’t the only milestone for Battlefield 3; the beta shot down past stats as well. Over nine million players experienced the game’s September beta, collectively setting new social online play records for EA. In FPS terms, that’s over 42 billion shots fired and 1.6 billion kills registered. Good thing virtual bullets are free.

While we’re sure many of you are already gunning your way to glory – maybe you’re even firing up your PC as we post this – it’s not too late for those who aren’t. Order your copy of Battlefield 3 on Origin and start climbing the leaderboards today.

Mass Effect 3 Demo Announced: Get Early Access

Good news, Shep-fans – you may get to scratch that itchy trigger finger sooner than expected. Last night, BioWare announced plans to release an official Mass Effect 3 demo for January, and Battlefield 3 players will be among the first to get access.

Each copy of Battlefield 3 going out on October 25 includes an insert with an invitation to the multi-player portion of the Mass Effect 3 demo. But if you didn’t pre-order a copy, don’t worry; BioWare will be announcing additional ways to get early access to the demo in November and December. The demo is also slated to include a single-player segment, packed with all the galaxy-saving goodness of the previous two titles.

Ready to pick up your rifle and put the hurt on some Reapers? Pre-order your copy of Mass Effect 3 on Origin to get the game and three free bonuses: an N7 Arsenal Pack, a Robotic Dog, and the Squadmate Alternate Outfit Pack.

The Sims 3 Pets Has Arrived

While adopting a pet usually means giving up some freedoms – like the freedom to wear something not covered in cat hair – The Sims 3 Pets is all about adding to them. Starting with today’s launch, Sims 3 players can choose their purr-fect companion from a brand new digital menagerie that includes dogs, cats, and even horses.

Whether you like them barking, meowing, or neighing, there’s a pet for every Sim. The Sims 3 Pets introduces a multitude of animal breeds and species to choose from, along with the ability to tailor every facet of your pet. Choose their traits, personalities, and wishes, and then unleash them on a world filled with brand new locations.

Ready to play fetch? Download The Sims 3 Pets from Origin and start training your pet

Go For A Ride With The Vehicles Of Battlefield 3

Forget the planes, trains, and automobiles of yesteryear. In the near-future setting of Battlefield 3, it's all about jets, tanks, and helicopters. By land or by air, there's no better way to tap into the destructive potential of the Frostbite 2 engine than in these vehicles.

Since its inception, vehicles have been one of the signature hallmarks of the Battlefield series and Battlefield 3 is no exception. Get behind the wheel or flight stick of the most advanced combat vehicles out there in the newest video. You'll get a look at intense aerial dogfights, rolling tank assaults, and helicopters lighting up ground targets.
Battlefield 3 is the latest entry in the critically acclaimed first-person-shooter franchise, and combines intense infantry combat with a wide range of vehicles on sprawling maps filled with destructible environments. The award-winning game comes out October 28th, so pre-order your copy of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin today to receive the Physical Warfare pack and other awesome exclusives.

Order The Sims 3 Pets On Origin For Exclusive Animal Costumes

If you're starting to worry about what your Sim will wear for Halloween, Origin has the perfect solution to your dilemma. Two exclusive dog and cat themed costumes for The Sims 3 are yours, free, when you order The Sims 3 Pets on Origin.

The Paws and Whiskers Costume Set includes 1 cat and 1 dog costume for toddler, teen, and adult Sims for a grand total of 6 new outfits. They're all yours when you order either The Sims 3 Pets Expansion Pack or The Sims 3 Plus Pets on Origin.

So what are you waiting for? Head over to Origin and pre-order your copy of The Sims 3 Pets, today!

Special Edition Of Mass Effect Comic Book Released

Mass Effect fans attending New York Comic-Con have an exclusive comic they can look forward to getting their hands on. During the show (October 13th-16th) attendees will have the chance to pick up an exclusive special edition of Mass Effect: Invasion #1, signed by Mass Effect Lead Writer Mac Walters and featuring brand new cover art designed by the Mass Effect team!

The new comic series from BioWare and Dark Horse Comics unveils the harrowing events that follow the conclusion of Commander Shepard’s journey in Mass Effect 2. It tells the unforgettable story follows the merciless and self-appointed queen of Omega, Aria T’Loak. Omega is known as being the seedy underbelly of the galaxy, and Aria has no qualms about opening up the space station to organizations with questionable intentions, including pro-human Cerberus. But when Cerberus unleashes an unnerving new danger, Aria must defend against a menace that threatens the entire station.

Penned by Mass Effect lead writer Mac Walters with an original script by John Jackson Miller (Star Wars: Knight Errant) and stunning original art by Omar Francia (Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2), Mass Effect: Invasion is a comic series that fans of the Mass Effect universe won’t want to miss.

The special edition will is limited, so fans should hurry to pick up their copy during NYCC! If you aren’t one of the lucky ones attending NYCC, the regular edition of Mass Effect: Invasion #1 will be available at comic book retailers starting on October 19th. Revisiting the Mass Effect universe in this latest comic is sure to get you pumped for the continuation of Shepard's story. Pre-order your copy of Mass Effect 3 on Origin and get ready to continue the fight against the Reapers.

Crysis 1 Arrives on Consoles

In 2007, Crysis wowed PC gamers with its cutting-edge engine that pushed even top-tier gaming rigs to their very limits. Now console gamers have a chance to experience the white-knuckle action of this open world first-person shooter for themselves.

The critically acclaimed original has been remade in CryEngine 3, the same technology powering the stunning Crysis 2. The new engine provides a wealth of enhancements over the PC predecessor including a new lighting system, fine-tuned combat mechanics, and Nanosuit controls optimized for gamepads. In addition, you can enjoy all these improvements in jaw-dropping 3D thanks to full stereoscopic 3D support.

Crysis takes place in the year 2019, when United States scientists make an alarming discovery on an island in the South China Sea. The North Korean government suddenly shuts down the area and all communications are lost. In response, an elite team of US Delta Force Operators is sent in to investigate. You play as Nomad, a U.S. soldier equipped with a cutting-edge Nanosuit, which provides formidable combat capabilities. While fighting against the North Korean military, a far graver threat appears when a massive alien vessel reveals itself in the middle of the island. Forced to join forces with North Koreans, Nomad must engage the extraterrestrial threat in lush tropical jungles, frozen landscapes, and the heart of the alien ship itself.

Get ready to strap on your Nanosuit and fight for control of the island through the entire epic single-player campaign. Crysis is available now on PlayStation Network for $19.99 and Xbox Live for 1600 Microsoft Points.

Never Fight Alone With Battlefield 3 Platoons

Wars are fought by soldiers but are won by teamwork. Coordination and communication are critical to success on the field of battle. Battlefield 3's detailed Battlelog makes it easy to organize and track the progress of your closest in-game allies with the Platoon system.

Platoons are the evolution of gaming clans and allow you to monitor vital statistics of every member's progress. Accessible on console, web, and mobile platforms, it provides an array of useful features for improving your game. Track your Platoon's aggregated stats to see which weapons your teammates are most accurate with and monitor their vehicular performance across land, sea, and air.

In addition to fresh details on the Platoon system, the latest Battleblog post features a video with DICE Executive Producer Patrick Bach and Battlelog Producer Fredrik Löving in which they talk about how Battlelog will revolutionize the way you play. You can explore Battlelog and a selection of the Platoon features currently available right now by joining the Battlefield 3 open beta.

This latest entry in the critically acclaimed Battlefield franchise combines intense infantry combat with a wide range of vehicles on sprawling maps filled with destructible environments. Battlefield 3 comes out October 25th, so pre-order your copy of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin today to receive the Physical Warfare pack and other awesome exclusives.