As part of the massive 2GB update preparing Battlefield 3's incoming 'Back to Karkand' expansion, developer DICE has decided to "super-charge" the PC server browser with a variety of new options. The additions are based on requests and feedback from the game's forums and are currently available via the PC version's Battlelog menu.

"Highlights" include more search options for servers, such as allowing users to spot servers with kill cams and friendly fire enabled or disabled, "3D spotting," and filtering servers by specific countries. Additionally, players can share their "favorite Battle Reports" with friends via social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Read more: Detailed list of recent additions »

Electronic Arts has told Shacknews that 'Online Pass' codes, which are included in select games giving users access to multiplayer components and additional bonuses, are not intended to expire. The publisher says it will work to resolve any issues players have with invalid codes.

Last week, members of the gaming forum NeoGAF noted that one-use codes included in copies of Need for Speed Hot Pursuit were no longer valid, leading some to speculate the codes had an unadvertised expiration date. An earlier report suggested unused codes will expire over time; however, EA tells Shacknews that report was incorrect, saying "as long as EA's servers support that product" included codes should not expire.

Read more: 'Customer service is our top priority' »

[Update] An EA spokesperson has told Shacknews that this report was incorrect. Here's the company's official comment on the expiring online pass situation.

On Friday, Shacknews reported some users were experiencing issues redeeming the one-use 'Online Pass' code included in select EA games to unlock multiplayer features. Though EA has yet to respond to our inquires, the company did offer some explanation for the situation.

Essentially, EA states that "a few titles will have a time limit on their use, even for new purchases."

Read more: Still no explanation for Need for Speed »

Though Electronic Arts games regularly feature an "Online Pass" to activate multiplayer and other features, it would appear that the codes include a hidden expiration date.

Users on EA's own forums have been complaining of the situation since late October, specifically citing issues with Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. Today, there continues to be a problem, according to users on EA's forums and NeoGAF.

Based on our tests with new copies of Needs for Speed Hot Pursuit and Medal of Honor, included one-use codes are no longer working.

Read more: Codes 'invalid' on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 »

The Syndicate reboot is moving the series into FPS territory, meaning you'll be spending a lot of time looking at the game's weapons. EA's new trailer highlights some of the tools of the trade, and shows off the weaponry with brutal aplomb. The soothing lady-robot voice that narrates the video is almost enough to make you forget she uses phrases like "harbingers of doom."

Watch: Agents racking up a high bodycount »

Mass Effect 3 is giving BioWare another chance to include content that was originally planned for Mass Effect 2, according to lead writer Mac Walters. The cut mission took place on the Citadel, which played a major role in the ending of the first game.

"That's the nice thing about trilogies," Walters said. "Sometimes you get a second chance."

Read more: 'What the hell were we thinking?' »

Dante's Inferno may be getting a sequel from Visceral Games, according to a writer who seems to be attached to the project. Joshua Rubin has Assassin's Creed 2 in his list of credits, and has now dropped incredibly obvious clues that he's worked on a Dante's Inferno sequel.

Read more: 'A Major Unannounced Sequel from Visceral' »

Between its license and the reputation of developer BioWare, the impending release of Star Wars: The Old Republic could bring a real threat to Activision Blizzard's MMO dominance. Now Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has chimed in with his thoughts on World of Warcraft's competition.

Read more: 'The economics will always accrue to the benefit of Lucas' »

A developer diary for the upcoming revival of EA's SSX franchise reveals the game's ability to remix music in real-time based on character actions. Whether you're getting big air, grinding, or bailing out, the music in the game will react. According to SSX music producer Freddy Ouano, even music played import into the game from their console will be able to remix on the fly.

As for the game's licensed tracks, the trailer only mentions SSX will include a wide variety ranging from dubstep all the way to metal.

Watch: SSX 'Behind the Music' trailer »

The Stop Online Piracy Act (HR 3261) has been creating a stir over free-speech concerns recently. The bill before the US Congress is ostensibly meant to prevent copyright infringement, but it also broadens the legal definition of "willful infringement" and has raised concerns of free speech suppression and government censorship. Now we've learned that Nintendo, Sony, and EA are counted as supporters of the bill.

Read more: Bill's supporters and opponents »

Steam is easily the biggest PC games portal on the web. With 35 million active users and over 1400 games to download, Valve's early foray into digital distribution has earned it a loyal, passionate following. However, can it maintain its success, especially with the growing number of competitors?

A few analysts were queried about Steam's future, and while no one refutes Steam's continued dominance in the space, a few believe cracks may be showing.

Read more: 'Nowhere to go but down'? »

EA president Frank Gibeau has learned that it doesn't matter where you say something, it will find its way onto Twitter. Speaking at the University of Southern California yesterday, Gibeau reportedly stated, "There is going to be a Battlefield 4," and attendees took the news to social media.

Of course, the continuation of the franchise is an inevitability; however, what does the quote mean for the fate of the Bad Company series--the spin-off from the original Battlefield franchise?

Read more: EA clarifies the comment to Shacknews »

My last experience with SSX was the third game in the series for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, but easing into EA's new game was as smooth as cutting through fresh snow. It feels great and was easy to get back into the flow.

The marquee feature for this generation's SSX revival is EA Canada's use of NASA satellite topographical data to develop real-world mountains within the game. That is stage one of each level's development, gameplay producer Connor Dugan told me. The next stage was "SSX-ifying" each of the locales by adding big jumps, rails, and adding environmental items to differentiate each location at first sight. Alaska, for example, features the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.

Read more: Survive it to trick it in SSX »

The Mass Effect 3 beta was accidentally leaked to those taking part in the Microsoft dashboard preview over the weekend. Though the game was quickly pulled from the service, the all-seeing eyes of the Internet was quick on the draw to learn new campaign mode details.

The biggest revelation are the campaign modes, preset options that accentuate different parts of the game experience. "Action Mode" sets conversation to automatic replies and attunes the game to normal difficulty. "Story Mode" sets manual replies and minimal combat difficulty. "RPG Mode" is the one most Mass Effect fans are used to, setting manual replies and normal difficulty. You can alter the conversation and difficulty settings individually yourself as well.

Read more: 'Still in the early stages of development' »

EA's second fiscal quarter performance was hit with highs and lows. While the company reported a net loss of $340 million for the period ending September 30, 2011, EA did announce that it had shipped "nearly" eight million units of FIFA 12, which makes up half of the game's 16 million ship-to-date lifetime. Sales for the franchise has jumped 25 percent, year-over-year, EA reports.

Net revenue for the company was up to $715 million; however, EA's bottom line did not improve versus the same period last year where it reported a net loss of $201 million. In Q2 2011, EA's operating costs for research and development and marketing and sales jumped versus last year. Combined costs in 2010 were reported at $252 million, whereas 2011 was tagged at $374 million.

Read more: Madden and Bad Company 2 come up big too »

Whatever else you might say about Battlefield 3, you can't deny that the game is (in 1920s parlance) a looker. Its visuals have been the claim to fame throughout EA and DICE's marketing efforts. Now for those curious to see an extremely detailed explanation of how DICE reached this point, Nvidia has released a video of the full keynote speech from its GeForce LAN 6 event, which featured DICE's Johan Andersson explaining the finer points of making games look good, spanning the Battlefield series.

Watch: Over 50 minutes of Battlefield tech-talk »

DICE has made no secret that their efforts have been focused on making Battlefield 3 a great PC game, with high-end graphics and a slew of features geared toward PC players. After playing the game on PS3 during PAX 2011, the results of their PC efforts are immediately evident. It looks better. Controls better. Feels better.

Activating my pre-ordered copy on Origin, I jumped into the game's single-player mode. While I will jump into the online multiplayer as well for my upcoming review, my initial impressions have me worried.

Read more: Looping cutscenes and broken scripted events »

Battlefield 3 is launching today across all platforms, and already EA is popping the champagne. The game has racked up roughly three million pre-orders, guaranteeing an impressive start for its sales figures. But, even with the impressive feat, the game will have to work all the harder to catch up with Call of Duty's mean sales record.

Read more: Tough competition ahead »

As EA's answer to the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise, Battlefield 3 was bound to invite some comparisons. Electronic Arts made no effort to hide the fact, even using "Above and Beyond the Call" as the slogan for the upcoming shooter. Now as the game is on the verge of release, executive producer Patrick Bach has explained some of the philosophy that went into building a new entry in the series.

Read more: How inspired is too inspired? »

The Old Republic is coming mere days before Christmas and on first night of Hanukkah, so chances are pretty good you Star Wars fans will be unwrapping a big box of Jedi this holiday season. Just in case you want to watch your gift get unwrapped before you get a chance to do it yourself, EA has released a new unboxing video for the Collector's Edition of the game.

Watch: Shiny Star Wars bonuses »

Battlefield 3 is very centered on the social networking Battlelog, so much so that the PC version relies on it. And while the service shares some passing similarities to the Autolog from EA's line of racing titles, DICE producer Patrick Loving says the team took cues from social networks and even their shooter competition.

Read more: 'I looked at all the social networks' »

EA's lock on the NFL license has made Madden the de facto football game each year, but some fans pine for the days of a less serious pigskin experience. So good news, casual fans: EA is working on a new NFL Blitz to keep the pick-up-and-play spirit alive. It's currently scheduled to release on January 3, 2012, for $14.99 (or 1200 MSP).

Read more: New features and a first trailer »

The general buzz around Burnout Crash! was that it seemed well-suited for an iPhone game -- Jeff Cannata even mentioned it on Weekend Confirmed a few weeks back. Now EA has now officially announced that the game is destined for the iOS platform this year.

Read more: Touch features added »

You may recall the "No Russian" mission in Modern Warfare 2 kicked up a bit of a kerfuffle. While you didn't have to gun down civilians, you could, and that didn't sit well with some people. EA may have found a way to top that moral ambiguity in Battlefield 3, as outed by the Electronic Software Ratings Board (ESRB).

Be warned, this may contain Battlefield 3 campaign spoilers.

Read more: EA's response to almost-certain controversy »

The console beta of Battlefield 3 lets players form private squads and switch in the middle of a match, but those features are curiously missing from the PC version. Now a DICE representative has assured players that some of those options will be in the finalized version of the PC game, but left the mid-match switching a looming question.

Read more: Private squads coming, mid-match switching uncertain »