Following BattleForge's recent shift to a free-to-play model, publisher Electronic Arts has begun issuing tips to help players get acquainted with Phenomic's PC trading card-strategy game hybrid. First up is the multiplayer map "Passage To Darkness."

We've also got the walkthrough in handy .PDF form and the free installation client for BattleForge over on FileShack, if you fancy a better look at the game.

Following the retail release of BattleForge (PC) in late March, developer EA Phenomic today released a "Play 4 Free" version of the unique trading card-strategy game hybrid.

The installation client is now available from FileShack and BattleForge.com, offering those that download "full access to the BattleForge game, including all community features, scenarios, the recently launched Renegade campaign." Alongside a single-player campaign, the game sports multiplayer for up to 12 online players.

The "Play 4 Free" edition starts players off with 32 cards, with more cards available through micro-transactions or by trading with other players. The retail version, which packs 64 cards and 3000 BattleForge Points for more, will continue to be sold at $30.

The latest sales charts for PC software are in, showing that, during the week of March 22, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King lead retail U.S. sales--ending the lengthy three-week rule of Empire: Total War.

As for Direct2Drive, BattleForge was that week's most popular digital download.

Remember, NPD's list only accounts for brick and mortar retailers in the United States, while Direct2Drive's list is only representative of one particular digital download outlet.

NPD's Top Ten (3/22 - 3/28)

1. World Of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King / Blizzard / $33
2. Empire: Total War / Creative Assembly / $46
3. The Sims 2 Double Deluxe / EA Maxis / $20
4. World Of Warcraft Battle Chest / Blizzard / $33
5. Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II / Relic / $47... Read more

As EA Phenomic prepares to release its unique trading card strategy game BattleForge on March 24, it today launched an open beta for the PC title at BattleForge.com.

The beta allows everyone to sample the game's full catalog of cards and maps. After the title launches, beta participants will receive a bonus upgraded Firedancer unit.

Mixing the real-time strategy genre with the customization and social aspects of trading card games, the game is described by EA as a "genre-changing world" and "the first RTS to combine the social and community aspects of an MMO with an exciting RTS."

Along with online multiplayer and cooperative play for up to 12 players, the full game will also sport single-player scenarios, guild support and an auction hall.

Electronic Arts strategy game studio Phenomic today announced that its fantasy strategy / virtual trading card game BattleForge will ship March 24 in North America and Europe. In BattleForge, trading cards are used for spells, buildings and units, allowing players to customize armies and combine factions. Due to the card play nature, the game has no base building or production queues.

In addition to a singleplayer campaign that can be played in co-op mode, the game also features ranked player vs player battles, guild support, an auction hall, as well as a marketplace to trade cards.

Phenomic is still accepting beta signups at BattleForgeCardHunt.com.

EA planted this tree-filled BattleForge trailer on our laps today. For those confused by the generic name, BattleForge is EA Phenomic's RTS/trading card hybrid.

If you like what you see, you can pre-order the game to jump straight into the beta. Otherwise, you'll be waiting until early 2009 for the PC release.

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Electronic Arts studio Phenomic today announced that an open beta for its upcoming real-time strategy / trading card game BattleForge will start November 7.

People interested in testing sign up at BattleForgeCardHunt.com, with North Americans guaranteed entry if they have the game pre-ordered. Shipping early 2009 for PC, BattleForge uses virtual trading cards representing units, buildings and spells that can be used during singleplayer or online multiplayer -- including co-op -- matches.

The Creative Assembly's futuristic military RTS game Stormrise, EA Phenomic's RTS-CCG hybrid BattleForge and NHN's RPG Cloud 9 will all support DirectX 10.1 upon their release on the PC platform, hardware maker AMD announced today.

According to AMD, only its ATI Radeon HD 3000 and ATI Radeon HD 4800 cards currently support the DirectX 10.1 technology.

Upon its announcement, Stormrise--the latest title from Total War series maker Creative Assembly--was said to be "built from the ground up specifically for high def consoles" with controls that would "revolutionise the way RTS games are played."

Stormrise is slated to hit next year, with Sega Europe CTO Chris Southall labeling it as "one of next year's most technologically advanced titles." BattleForge, meanwhile, is expected to arrive this fall, with NHN yet to detail a firm release date for Cloud 9.

With the game recently announced, Electronic Arts showed the first glimpse of EA Phenomic's RTS-TCG hybrid BattleForge (PC) at its recent Spring Break event.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Though at first glance appearing to be much like Blizzard's WarCraft III (PC) or any other fantasy RTS title, BattleForge plays very differently. Rather than rely on anchored structures and bases to churn out armies and units, BattleForge uses a deck of up to 20 cards to create units and cast spells free of micromanagement... Read more

Fresh from EA's Spring Break event are a bonanza of screenshots from the publisher's lineup, including Mass Effect PC, Warhammer Online and more.

Be sure to scope out the full post, as there is simply far too much media to contain on the front page, and don't forget to check out the whole of our EA Spring Break coverage.

Left 4 Dead (PC, X360)
Valve, Turtle Rock Studios / November 2008

Battlefield Heroes (PC)
EA DICE / Summer

Battlefield: Bad Company (PS3, X360)
EA DICE / June 23, 2008

... Read more

Publisher Electronic Arts today announced BattleForge, an online PC real-time strategy game that has players assembling their forces through virtual trading cards.

Developed by SpellForce and Siedler creator EA Phenomic, the fantasy-based game is slated to arrive this fall. As with other online trading card titles, players will be able to win and trade cards, as well as buy new cards through micro-transactions.

The company was quick to point out that the retail release of BattleForge will include the "complete game," and that microtransactions will not be required to play the game.

"BattleForge is the next step in compelling RTS gameplay by taking the battles completely online," boasted executive producer Richard Leinfellner.

"With co-op play, challenging tournaments, Guilds, chat rooms and a robust marketplace for trading and buying your cards," he continued, "BattleForge is the first RTS to add integral social and community components to an exciting fantasy RTS."