Speaking with Shacknews, Electronic Arts has clarified reports of pay-to-play weaponry in the upcoming release of EA DICE's Battlefield: Bad Company (PS3, X360).

Responding to reports that ten weapons in the Xbox 360 multiplayer beta of the title were marked as purchasable from the Xbox Live Marketplace, a representative explained that some of the weapons would be made available as part of pre-launch promotional programs.

"Battlefield: Bad Company will release five unique weapons free of charge through five different promotional programs prior to launch," the rep noted. "EA will again make these weapons available to players free of charge after launch, in case anyone missed the pre-launch promotions."

The other five weapons will be made available to players who purchase the Gold Edition of Battlefield: Bad Company, which will be released alongside the standard retail release this June. "For players who do not purchase the Gold Edition of the game, they can still buy the five weapons at a small individualized price per item," the representative continued.

"All weapons are balanced for gameplay," they added. "More weapons offer players more choices but do not create an advantage/disadvantage for players who do not opt to buy new items."

A glance at the unlockable arsenal in the newly released beta for EA DICE's Battlefield: Bad Company (PS3, X360) reveals weapons will be up for purchase on the Xbox Live Marketplace, Game|Life reports.

The Unlocks section of the game's menu system lists a variety of weapons, ten of which read "buy this weapon on Xbox Live Marketplace" when highlighted. The game also displays a model of the weapon which can be rotated and viewed at any angle, leading some to speculate that the weapons are already packed in the game data.

While many elements in the beta versions of many titles are often changed or scrapped prior to retail release, the inclusion of a microtransaction seems an unlikely candidate for overhaul as Bad Company nears its June release.

Another EA DICE online shooter, Battlefield Heroes (PC), was recently confirmed to include microtransactions to support its free-to-play pricing structure.

Shacknews has reached EA for comment, but the company has not responded as of this writing.

EA DICE's first-person shooter Battlefield: Bad Company and its destructible environments will arrive on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in June, publisher Electronic Arts has revealed.

An Xbox Live beta will begin on March 25, allowing select users early access to the game's multiplayer component and two of its maps. Retailer GameStop will distribute beta keys to the first 5,000 people that pre-order the title.

"We're really excited about this beta since it gives us a chance to let a wider audience play our new multiplayer game [mode], Gold Rush," said senior producer Karl-Magnus. "The feedback coming back from something like this is crucial for us as developers and will help us with the final changes and polish in the game."

For more on Battlefield: Bad Company and its Gold Rush multiplayer mode, scope out our recent impressions and check out the multiplayer tutorial movie below.

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Capcom announced its intentions to release a beta for Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (PS3, X360) alongside an upcoming Xbox Live Arcade title, GameSpot reports.

The company revealed that the eight-week beta program will be accessible to Gold Xbox Live subscribers via purchase of its upcoming Commandos 3 on Xbox Live Arcade this spring. Commando 3 will be priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10).

The beta will allow gamers to play online as either Ken or Ryu on a single stage. Aimed as a stress test to gauge the title's network functionality prior to its full release on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network later this year, the HD Remix beta will be unlocked shortly after Commandos 3's release.

Capcom also revealed on its official blog that SSF2T HD Remix's art style has been revamped, owing to difficulties in production with the previously ... Read more

The first expansion pack for the PC edition of Command & Conquer 3 is in manufacturing and will arrive at retailers on March 26, publisher Electronic Arts has announced.

Developed by EALA, the studio behind Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (PC, X360), Kane's Wrath includes 13 new missions, 6 new sub-factions, and a key to the PC beta for the recently unveiled Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (PC, PS3, X360). Details on the beta are set to arrive in the summer.

An stand-alone Xbox 360 release of the expansion will arrive in the summer, complete with a new radial interface and an exclusive challenge mode.

Indie developer GarageGames has opened the floodgates on its web-gaming application InstantAction.com.

While an official announcement is not due for another day or so, a GarageGames representative confirmed to Shacknews that anyone who signs up for the beta via the service's official site will be able to instantly access the beta.

The beta currently contains four titles from multiple studios--Marble Blast Online, ScrewJumper, Think Tanks, and Cyclomite--with a prototype version of TRIBES spiritual sequel Fallen Empire: Legions slated to arrive by the month's end.

For more on InstantAction and its upcoming titles, check out our past coverage.

Publisher Konami has revealed that the beta for Metal Gear Online, the 16-person multiplayer component of Kojima Productions' Metal Gear Solid 4 (PS3), will begin on April 21.

As previously announced, players will be able gain access by pre-ordering Metal Gear Solid 4 from major retailers. The pre-order program will begin in April, with consumers receiving a limited edition DVD, entitled Metal Gear Saga 2.0, that contains a download code for the beta.

At present, the beta is expected to run for about two weeks, according to a post by Konami PR director Michael Shelling on official PlayStation blog. He also noted that the participation of "additional promotional partners" could open the test to those who don't pre-order.

A PlayStation 3 exclusive, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots hits retailers worldwide Thursday, June 12. It will contain five Metal Gear Online maps, which Konami has repeatedly described as a "starter pack." For more on both efforts, scope out Nick Breckon's hands-on impression of Metal Gear Solid 4 and Metal Gear Online.

Kojima Productions' anticipated PS3 tactical sequel Metal Gear Solid 4 is set for a late Q2 release this year.

The news comes from Sony's Destination PlayStation conference held earlier today. Kotaku is reporting a target release date of June 12, 2008 for the title.

A beta for the online component of the game, Metal Gear Solid Online, will begin in April. Those who preorder Metal Gear Solid 4 will receive access to the test.

Sony also announced a new PlayStation 3 bundle themed around the game. The $499 package includes a copy of Metal Gear Solid 4, one of the new DualShock 3 rumble-supported controllers, and an 80GB PlayStation 3 console.

The bundled console will feature some backwards compatibility, the hardware being similar to that found in the 80GB Motorstorm bundle, according to a comment made by SCEA's Al De Leon on the PlayStation blog.

Those hoping to relive the glory days of Q3Test are in luck: id Software's web-based Quake 3 throwback Quake Live is now open for beta signups on the official website.

Quake Live will be a free multiplayer FPS accessed through a single web portal--quakelive.com--which will also offer free friends lists, sponsored events, tournaments, and matchmaking services.

Update: Media Molecule has discussed the possibility of a beta in the late spring, SCEA tells Shacknews, though nothing is set in stone at this time. The company also clarified that the fall Blu-ray release will be global.

Original Story: During a real-time demonstration of Media Molecule's highly-anticipated user-driven cooperative platformer LittleBigPlanet (PS3) today at a Sony event at CES in Las Vegas, it was revealed that the game is currently planned for a fall 2008 release. Previously, the game was expected early this year.

The news comes as official confirmation of previous rumors on which Sony refused to comment.

At one point, the game froze mid-demonstration, prompting a representative to note that LittleBigPlanet has not yet reached alpha state. Alpha generally... Read more

The planned public beta for Guerilla Games' oft-trumpeted PS3-exclusive FPS Killzone 2 won't be arriving this year, Sony Computer Entertainment has confirmed.

"We are hoping to do a beta but I don't think we'll have anything ready before this year is over," an SCEA representative told PlayStation Universe. "It is something we are working on for next year."

"Of course there is going to be a public beta," lead tester Seb Downie stated earlier this year. "I have always said that any game that has an online mode needs to go through a public beta to ensure it works as intended."

Both the Killzone 2 beta and the full game are expected to release at some point in 2008.

Epic VP Mark Rein issued a short statement late tonight, confirming that a PC beta demo for his company's upcoming shooter Unreal Tournament 3 could be released as early as this week.

"The development team feels they're pretty close to being ready to release this," said Rein on the Epic forums, "so it could come out this week but for safety sake I'd say it should be out within two weeks."

According to Rein, the beta will feature standard online play, as well as an offline instant-action mode, allowing players to face off against the Epic team's oft-touted AI bots.

"The purpose of the Beta Demo is to test the game on a large variety of hardware configurations and get gameplay feedback from the community," he added.

Shacknews is currently attending an Unreal Tournament 3 press event at Epic headquarters in Cary, North Carolina, so be sure to check back later in the week for impressions of the new game "from the makers of Gears of War."

GameStop and Valve today announced that gamers who pre-order the retail PC edition of Valve's upcoming Orange Box mega compilation will receive the same deal as their Steam counterparts: immediate access to the Team Fortress 2 beta that is currently underway, 10% off the package's $49.99 MSRP, and the Orange Box-themed rendition of PopCap's casual gaming sensation Peggle.

A similar discount also applies to those who pre-order the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions of The Orange Box, which carry an MSRP of $59.99, making them $54.99 after the markdown. The promotion runs until Orange Box releases on PC and Xbox 360 October 10. The EA UK-ported PlayStation 3 edition will follow at a later date.

Containing the whole of Half-Life 2 experience to date--Half Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode One, and Half-Life 2: Episode Two--The Orange Box also packs the cartoon-esque class-based multiplayer shooter Team Fortress 2 and the brain-melting puzzler Portal.

Despite the delay of the PlayStation 3 social networking service PlayStation Home to spring 2008, gamers will still get their chance to create their own virtual avatar and explore the online world before the year's end.

Speaking to GameSpot, SCE Worldwide Studios head Phil Harrison explained the service was still set to enter a wide, and presumably open, beta test later this year.

"We will still be opening in late November/early December for general beta testing," he said. "So, the commercial start of Home will be pushed out later, but you will still get the experience this year."

An ever-expanding closed beta test of Home is currently underway for select members of the PlayStation Network.

In a move that's starting to seem rather familiar, those who pre-order Ironclad's 4x space strategy game Sins of a Solar Empire through TotalGaming.net can participate in the third phase of the title's beta test, which brings multiplayer to the mix.

Beginning Thursday, September 20, the beta is open to anyone who pre-purchases the game before September 26 and supports up to ten players through either LAN or the Ironclad Online network. Along with multiplayer, the latest beta build adds new ships and bases, a new exploration system, cultural system updates, improved research mechanics, and environmental features--including space anomalies, a new planet type and planetoids--in addition to several bug fixes and tweaks.

Sins of a Solar Empire is slated to arrive on PC in February 2008.

After several hiccups and unexpected delays, the beta for Valve's Team Fortress 2 (PC) launched late last night.

Anyone who pre-purchases the $44.99 Orange Box compilation via Steam can now play the colorful class-based multiplayer shooter, which officially releases alongside Half-Life 2 Episode Two and Portal on October 10 in PC and Xbox 360 varieties. The bundle also packs Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2 Episode One, and will hit PlayStation 3 a bit after the other two versions arrive.

Multiple password-protected Shack servers have been set up by caring and generous Shackers for Shackbattle skirmish love. Members of the Shacknews Steam Community are instructed to hop in Group Chat for the password and more details. Those interested in joining the Shacknews Group are urged to respond to this post with their Steam ID.

The first of many Shackbattles has been formally scheduled for this evening. Scope out the Shacknews Group page for exact details on tonight's match, and keep checking back for future events.

Update 5: It works! The Team Fortress 2 beta is now available for play.

Update 4: Users attempting to launch the ostensibly released Team Fortress 2 beta, including Shacknews editors, are finding the game client refusing to launch. Attempting to launch the game simply returns a Steam dialogue box reading, "Preparing to launch Team Fortress 2..."

Update 3: Content files for the Team Fortress 2 beta are currently being unlocked via Steam. If your Steam client is not decrypting the files, restart your client.

Update 2: Again in the Shacknews chatroom on The Steam Community, Valve Employee PatrickM has given a further update regarding the status of the Team Fortress 2 beta. About ten minutes ago, he stated, "20 mins folks, so contents [sic] being pushed out to the servers."

Update: Speaking in a Shacknews group chat room on The Steam Community, Valve employee Erik Johnson has revealed that the maddeningly unreleased Team Fortress 2 beta is almost here. Valve is having difficulties with the dedicated Linux server software, causing a delay.

Currently, the Windows server software is available through the HLDS Update tool available on the Steam website, but the Linux software is not ready. If the company cannot get the Linux server up within "the next hour or two," it will simply release the game for play on Windows servers only.

"We're really close, just a few issues with the Linux server. We just released the Win32 server, so if people are running those, they can get started," said Johnson. "If we don't make it with linux in the next hour or two, we'll just fire away with what we have and get linux out as soon as we can."

Original story: The beta for Valve's Team Fortress 2 begins today for gamers who pre-purchased The Orange Box through Steam. Soldiers, Spies, Scouts, Engineers, and others will soon be able to commence blowing their cartoonish comrades into meaty chunks.

We'll update this story as soon as the beta goes live. Shackers, be sure to comment when the beta launches and you're up and running, so everyone else will know the specific level of awesome you experience.

The Team Fortress sequel ten years in the making takes the nine original classes of Team Fortress and adds a slick layer... Read more

Flagship Studios has opened beta sign-ups for its upcoming PC dungeon crawler Hellgate: London on the game's official site.

Applicants need only enter their e-mail address, though the site notes that there is no guarantee of obtaining an invite. Duplicate entries may result in disqualification, and those who participated in the alpha test need not apply.

With the next round of testing set to begin in the incredibly vague "not too-distant future," those hungry for their first taste of Hellgate: London before it ships October 31 may be best served by pre-ordering at select retailers--including Best Buy, GameStop, and Wal-Mart--and thus securing their spot in the pre-order beta that begins today.

Care of Hellgate: London's official site, new details have appeared regarding the opportunities available to those who pre-order Flagship Studios' PC dungeon crawler before it ships on October 31.

With the aide of the handy dandy pre-order cards provided by select retailers, players will be able to participate in a beta that runs from September 17 to October 7. Depending on where they pre-order from, gamers will receive one of three different colors for their armor--yellow (Best Buy), rust red (GameStop), and silver (Wal-Mart)--in the final game.

Pre-ordering customers are also eligible to purchase a $149.99 lifetime subscription for Hellgate: London before November 30. Though not required for online play, subscription grants players new in-game content, 12 character slots rather than 3, access to a Diablo II-esque Hardcore mode, ... Read more

Valve has just announced that PC gamers who pre-purchase its upcoming ultra-compilation The Orange Box via Steam will gain access to the Team Fortress 2 beta next week on September 17. Following Steam tradition, the pre-order price for the package knocks 10% off the overall price, making it only $44.95.

The Orange Box--which includes Half Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episodes One and Two, Team Fortress 2, and Portal--hits PC and Xbox 360 on October 9. The PlayStation 3 version, which is being handled by EA UK, will follow at a later date.

Though PC gamers will no doubt scoff at the idea of re-purchasing titles already in their Steam repertoire, listings in the online store indicate that, bought individually, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal, and Team Fortress 2 would amass a charge of almost $80--nearly double the package price. The store also indicates that current owners of Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One may sell "give" their newfound extra copy to a "friend" with the Orange Box gift program.

Furthermore, Valve and PopCap have teamed to create a ... Read more