EA details first Battlefield 3 expansion

By Fred Dutton Published 10 May, 2011

Back to Karkand collects classic maps.

Battlefield 3 developer DICE has detailed the game's day one Back to Karkand expansion.

The pack includes four classic Battlefield 2 maps: Strike at Karkand, Wake Island, Gulf of Oman and the Sharqi Peninsula, all re-mastered using the new Frostbite 2 engine. On top of that, you'll also get classic Battlefield 2 weapons and vehicles, unique rewards and new achievements.

To get hold of the free expansion, you'll need to pre-order the Limited Edition version of the game through any retailer, including the EA Store.

"These are evidently some of the very best maps we have ever built. We have unquestionable data and feedback from the community saying so," explained lead designer Niklas Fegraeus in an interview on the Battlefield blog.

Fegraeus also shed some light on how the revamped maps will play out now that they've had the Frostbite 2 treatment.

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"From a gameplay perspective, destruction is the biggest addition compared to the original map in Battlefield 2 back in 2005," he said, referring to Strike at Karkand.

"I remember this particular building by the square in the original where players could defend very effectively. Now, with the destructive power of Frostbite 2, someone can just RPG that building and expose the defenders within.

"At the same time, we need to be careful not to add destruction that breaks the tried and tested game flow of the map."

For more on Battlefield 3, due out on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 towards the end of the year, have a read of our recent hands-on preview.

Picture of Fred.

About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (29) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • jamielfc25 #1 1 year ago

    But...I don't want to order through the EA store :(

  • GooseUK #2 1 year ago

    yes!

  • t8yman #3 1 year ago

    put it on the disc ffs.

  • beef_spread #4 1 year ago

    £40!? Someone want to join my shady pyramid scheme? Each investor is guarranteed a 5 hour game time slot on a bi-weekly basis

  • Iliad #5 1 year ago

    You don't need to order through the EA Store as far as I can tell, as the Limited Edition is available to pre-order through GAME online, which I have done!

  • ronuds #6 1 year ago

    @t8yman

    It probably is already on the disc! You'll just get a code to unlock it.

    Pre-order through the EA store, though? What a load of crap! You can keep your lousy maps.

  • milki-tea #7 1 year ago

    what the fuck?! detailing money grabbing pointless DLC 6 months before the release of the ACTUAL game... hows about releasing videos/details of what Battlefield 3 will fucking look/play like on Xbox 360 or PS3. (the game consoles where 99% of consumers will be playing this game ffs)

  • God_Octo #8 1 year ago

    Play.com are doing it as well, so I guess its just EA trying to trick people into buying it from them. And then signing up to their silly online thing.

  • metallicorphan #9 1 year ago

    I pre-ordered from GAME and i asked them if the pre-order map pack was included and they said yes


    i Can't wait for Frostbite 2.0 on Wake Island which is my favourite map,and seeing the map brought up to date to present day as well,it's going to be great!!

    Edited by metallicorphan at 10/05/11 @ 18:33

  • Eraysor #10 1 year ago

    Gulf of Oman is a glorious map, much better than Karkand!

  • Hunam #11 1 year ago

    *ANY* pre-order gets the maps.

  • coojam #12 1 year ago

    Most places you can preorder and get this DLC. ShopTo.net, for example.

  • Lukree #13 1 year ago

    I pre-ordered already ages ago from the EA store, but for this you need some sort of ridiculous limited shitbag, right?!?!

    WTF

  • aphex187 #14 1 year ago

    @milki-tea that comment makes you an idiot.

  • bdc #15 1 year ago

    Yes, let's split the community by splitting the game up. Fucking idiot mongoloids at EA, seriously.

    What happens to those who buy the game after launch? They lose out on content despite paying the same amount of money. How anyone thinks this is remotely a good idea is beyond me. Fucking despicable.

  • icematt12 #16 1 year ago

    Might be worth mentioning that pre-ordering on EA Store also gives a beret and shotgun in BF P4F (forgot to add PC only). After all, facts are important.

    Pre-ordered at Game before PSN brought down to get these maps. Their website hasn't failed me yet.
    Edited by icematt12 at 10/05/11 @ 20:23

  • CaptainQuint #17 1 year ago

    I bet there will be a code in the box when I buy it from Morrisons. Same as las time.

    If not, they can fuck off.

  • ballshock #18 1 year ago

    going to have spend over 500 for a good PC it seems........

  • TormDK #19 1 year ago

    "What happens to those who buy the game after launch? They lose out on content despite paying the same amount of money. How anyone thinks this is remotely a good idea is beyond me. Fucking despicable."

    Nope, they will be able to buy it as normal DLC. Just like pretty much every other game with DLC as an incentive to preorder currently does.

  • tiny_Eggy #20 1 year ago

    Conceptart looks more like the mosque on Mashtuur city. Seems a bit silly to already seperate MP bases on day 1.

  • gman7714 #21 1 year ago

    Decided to pre-order this today having recently played BFBC2 MP for the first time recently and thoroughly enjoying it.

    It will be interesting to see what COD has to offer this year too. I don't understand all the hate for COD (Acti I can understand however).

    COD4 was ace, MW2 was more of the same and BLOPS has been pretty solid too. I didn't rate WAW. But I guess I'm the target demographic for COD which is an easy to pick up and play razzathon for all ages (though preferably over 18's!).



  • deadstoned #22 1 year ago

    Limited edition can be bought anyway, except steam right now I believe.

  • skabba1972 #23 1 year ago

    @milki-tea how do work out 99%? So only 1% of sales are for PC which will look better and play better :)

  • kevwinter #24 1 year ago

    Other maps are ok, but for me this is purchase purely for Sharqi Peninsula.

  • orangpelupa #25 1 year ago

    this will split the player like BFBC2 vietnam Vs BFBC2 regular.....

    hopefully a month after release, the pre order map become unlocked for everyone. so the player not splitted for too long.

  • Blazewamp #26 1 year ago

    chances are if you preorder it atm it will be limited Edition same as they did with BC2 and MOH limited edition for same price as full game. it just a way to try and get more pre orders

  • Jonny5Alive7 #27 1 year ago

    Strike at Karkand was always a classic for me, really intense close street battles. It did become a grenade fest once people had learnt it though.

  • kristo #28 1 year ago

    I'll wait til its offered on steam. It's steam or nothing.

  • spunkythefunkymunkey #29 1 year ago

    @those moaning at milki-tea, yes he did slightly exaggerate the figures, but let's be honest, the majority of sales will be over the 2 consoles, and they haven't yet showed what it will look like on anything but a top end gaming PC. There is no way it will look that good on most folks PC's never mind on consoles.