Battlefield 3 DLC "not overpowered"

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 13 June, 2011

EA defends pre-order bonuses amid outcry.

Amid a player revolt over pre-order bonuses, EA has insisted Battlefield 3 downloadable weapons are not designed to be overpowered or imbalanced.

This morning it emerged that nearly two thousand fans had voted to express their dissatisfaction at exclusive weapons and maps to be given away to people who pre-order the Limited Edition: Physical Warfare Pack. They claim it provides an unfair advantage.

The Limited Edition: Physical Warfare Pack features exclusive "powerful weapons and items": Type 88 light machine gun with bi-pod, SKS sniper rifle flash suppressor, armour-piercing flechette ammo for the DAO-12 semi-automatic shotgun and day-one access to the DAO-12 semi-automatic shotgun. Also included is the Back to Karkand add-on, which offers four re-created maps from Battlefield 2.

EA this afternoon defended the offer.

"The three exclusive items in the Physical Warfare Pack were specifically chosen not to be overpowered or imbalance or break the game in any way," the publisher said.

"Owning these items will give you a more varied arsenal, but it will not give you a significant advantage on the battlefield."

So why offer pre-order bonus items?

"Because we believe in rewarding our core fanbase with special offers - such as giving them the Back to Karkand expansion pack at no extra charge."

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (45) Latest comment 12 months ago

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

  • Moonprince #1 12 months ago

    So i expect this will sell in the millions.

    And there's a big fuss over what 2k people think... :\

  • RodHull #2 12 months ago

    Pah. Toots the Unicorn or GTFO.

  • hiddenranbir #3 12 months ago

    Need a shoulder to cry on?

  • Collymilad #4 12 months ago

    Who cares?

    Anyone who pre-orders a game that doesn't have "Grand Theft Auto" in the title obviously doesn't have the intelligence to be that much of a threat on the Battlefield anyway.

    Guffaw.

  • Jay-ITFC #5 12 months ago

    So why offer pre-order bonus items?

    "Because we believe in rewarding our shareholders, looking for as many pre-order and day one purchases as possible whilst fighting against the issues of pre-owned and piracy."

    *fixed*

  • ubergine #6 12 months ago

    Storm in a DLC cup.

  • Xardan #7 12 months ago

    Dont listen to their lies.

    EA is the devil!

    THE DEVIL!!!

  • darkmorgado #8 12 months ago

    So why offer pre-order bonus items?

    Because the retailers are dying and now demand content exclusive to their store before they push your game.

  • dsmx #9 12 months ago

    If the DLC isn't overpowered why offer it, what would be the point in having it?

  • randompanda #10 12 months ago

    dsmx - He actually says in the statement that it's for variety.

  • InvisibleCrane #11 12 months ago

    "So why offer pre-order bonus items?

    "Because we believe in rewarding our shareholders, looking for as many pre-order and day one purchases as possible whilst fighting against the issues of pre-owned and piracy."

    *fixed*"

    I really hate this "fixed" attitude some people have around here

  • CaptainQuint #12 12 months ago

    "I really love this "fixed" attitude some people have around here."

    Fixed.

  • hiddenranbir #13 12 months ago

    I blame Bob the fucking Builder.

  • stoopidgreg #14 12 months ago

    I'm pretty sure BC2 had the same kind of pre-order bonuses. They will no doubt unlock the weapons and upgrades after the first few weeks as they really have no reason not to. I don't see them charging seperately for 1 gun and 2 minor upgrades so they will have to release them for free, only you'll have to rank-up to unlock them rather than them being unlocked on day 1.
    Edited by stoopidgreg at 13/06/11 @ 18:38

  • ircaddicts #15 12 months ago

    who cares its only some LAME FPS. its not like its Important or anything.

  • Bagpuss #16 12 months ago

    They dont get it do they....

    PC Gamers just DONT WANT DLC....period.

    Let it stay in kiddie console land where the sheep feed on it....

  • Tryhard #17 12 months ago

    If the BF3 Type 88 LMG is anything like its BC2 version.Then having this in your arsenal does not make you overpowered.

  • des #18 12 months ago

    EA=shit
    business as usual

  • el_pollo_diablo #19 12 months ago

    EA, either something is 'valuable' or it isn't. You can't please everyone here so decide.

  • arcam #20 12 months ago

    Because the retailers are dying and now demand content exclusive to their store before they push your game.

    Retailers don't demand it, they pay for it. It's a retailer marketing expense like any other.

  • coolbritannia #21 12 months ago

    "Wait, so you're not core if you don't pre-order? That's ridiculous."

    No it's not, it's very unridiculous!

  • icematt12 #22 12 months ago

    I was going to fix their comment with rewarding customers who shop at certain stores, but Jay-ITFC's is so much better. My point if you want to reward all then it should be in all versions.

    I must be wiping stuff from my eyes because I seem to be losing any loyalty I have. Like I said on IGN yesterday when they reported Robin pre-order for Arkham City, I can get it for under £30. Why would I pay an extra tenner to get Robin now (should it be available over here, no doubt Game exclusive at £39.99 minimum if it is) but wait until sometime before this time next year and get it a couple of quid.

    I understand where these 2k are coming from but find their fight doomed before it has begun. I am someone who does have it pre-ordered with the weapons but am thinking of just shopping around for a good price for the LE.

    *Well, that's my goal of 3 articles in one post done, now for some games to play*

  • arcam #23 12 months ago

    As someone with close to 300 hours on BF2, I'm looking forward to this too much to boycott it. So instead my personal protest will be not pre-ordering. I cannot in good conscience endorse this shit.

  • whome #24 12 months ago

    "They dont get it do they.... "

    in the same way that PC gamers don't get DLC is not going away.

  • arcam #25 12 months ago

    in the same way that PC gamers don't get DLC is not going away.

    Downloadable content started on the PC many, many years ago, it's not that that's the problem. It's how that content is currently being packaged, priced and presented by publishers like EA that people take issue with.

  • GooseUK #26 12 months ago

    Can't remember my last pre-order. Probably Perfect Dark N64.

    Games don't sell out, if one place runs out ASDA will have them anyway.

    I seriously can't be arsed to preorder the game for some new weapons because I like to pick my games up at Sainsburies, after work on Friday so I can conveniently pick up a huge pizza and a crate of beer at the same time.

  • Haunted_Tree #27 12 months ago

    Those who live in glass houses shouldn't fire off semi-automatic shotguns ...

    EA made a big deal about being different from COD: Elite but they are just as willing for you to suck on their teat.

  • PaulieWaulie #28 12 months ago

    Post deleted at 14:23:40 06-01-2012

  • scottycam #29 12 months ago

    So all these people who are claiming its unfair and overpowered already have the game then?

    That's what I thought....

  • arcam #30 12 months ago

    http://twitter.com/#!/notch/status/80221...

  • shave_my_donkey #31 12 months ago

    those 2000 'fans' were probably cod fan boys just looking to cause shit. i dont care if a couple people on the servers have more powerful weapons, everyone will catch up to their level after a couple days anyway. as regarding the extra maps....its EA, they will sell them to us later, dont worry

  • whome #32 12 months ago

    "Downloadable content started on the PC many, many years ago, it's not that that's the problem. It's how that content is currently being packaged, priced and presented by publishers like EA that people take issue with. "

    lots of publishers are doing the same, not just the one gamers love to hate, and yes "DLC" has always existed in some form, if it's on a disc it's ok. There's plenty of DLC on Steam, presumably it sells well even if it is the root of all evil, but I suspect those that think that spend more time signing petitions and bitching & moaning about games than playing them.

  • Gastrian #33 12 months ago

    Post deleted at 17:56:43 13-04-2012

  • Tipsy #34 12 months ago

    I'm not opposed to DLC but it takes the piss to charge for DLC under development before the game came out, and have people who don't pre-order subsidise the DLC for people who did.

  • Gastrian #35 12 months ago

    Post deleted at 17:56:43 13-04-2012

  • BloodSaint #36 12 months ago

    Get over it... A weapon and a few perks is gona make you Rambo in Battlefield??? I don't think so... Grow up.

  • Graveland #37 12 months ago

    I can't wait to kill suckers when I have my SKS sniper rifle flash suppressor equipped. They'll think the game is bugged because I'll be invisible and suddenly - pow! - you drop dead from a round from the invisible assassin master. I be creepin', and you be weepin'!

    I'm almost certain that when I'm playing the game cases of domestic violence will increase as enraged noobs vent their anger on their partners when they get killed for the 80th time without seeing me. All because the SKS sniper rifle flash suppressor makes the player invisible, like a Predator!

    Or in reality, these weapons will be largely ignored by the few who have them as they will quickly realise that there are much better guns to use and that these unlocks are simply marketing ploys with no real advantage.
    Edited by Graveland at 14/06/11 @ 08:02

  • carlitoswagon #38 12 months ago

    Impossible to please eveyone, especially the high volume of handbag weilding 'core' gamers who moan about every and all decisions made by publishers/developers pre-release. Some additional content for pre-orders, extra maps. How fucking dare they......the scum :/

    Dry your fucking eyes please.

  • Sherriff #39 12 months ago

    Graveland, you've made my morning "I be creepin', and you be weepin'!" awesome :-)

  • Raptaur #40 12 months ago

    Bagpuss
    13/06/11 @ 19:00

    They dont get it do they....

    PC Gamers just DONT WANT DLC....period.

    Let it stay in kiddie console land where the sheep feed on it....


    Oh look at how big you've got, all grownup now and not playing on consoles anymore... you're such a big boy now!

  • metallicol #41 12 months ago

    i'm more concerned about this

    "Also included is the Back to Karkand add-on, which offers four re-created maps from Battlefield 2."

    so, that means I have to pay extra for those maps if I don't pre-order the game?

  • DAN.E.B #42 12 months ago

    "EA made a big deal about being different from COD: Elite but they are just as willing for you to suck on their teat"

    Thing is its not their "teat" we are being made to suck!

  • Bibbo #43 12 months ago

    If you don't pre order. Just go into a shop. Any shop, and buy the limited edition. It DOES NOT cost anything extra.

    Chances are those early unlocks, will unlock after a few ranks anyway.

    Christ, have you seen the outcry on the Battlefield Blog? Makes me ashamed sometimes to be a Battlefield player.



    Edited by Bibbo at 14/06/11 @ 10:40

  • Agent_Orange #44 12 months ago

    I gotta say that tank battle video is amaaaaazing

  • cyber_nicco #45 12 months ago

    I just pre-ordered it. No, seriously. :)

    I figure that I'm going to get it when it comes out anyway, so why not do it now and get some free maps? I think the naysayers are going a bit overboard, as this is a company just trying to sell its product. They're simply giving a small incentive to jump in.

    I know this won't be a popular opinion, but that's okay with me.