Battlefield 3 beta begins today

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 27 September, 2011

Keys to be sent from lunchtime.

The hotly anticipated Battlefield 3 beta begins today for those who pre-ordered the PC game through Origin, and Medal of Honor Limited Edition owners.

EA will send out keys from lunchtime today to those who fall under those categories.

When will you receive your email with your key? Don't bother asking, developer DICE said - the system is run by a computer, not by human beings.

"Please don't ask about 'when do I get my email' etc," gameplay designer Gustav Halling pleaded.

"We don't know, this is an automated system that sends a bunch out every hour starting around lunch today."

Keys will be sent "around 1pm-3pm CET on PC and Xbox 360" Battlefield community manager Daniel Matros said. That's 12pm-2pm in the UK.

DICE is "awaiting further messaging on PS3".

You do not need the Medal of Honor disc to play the Battlefield 3 beta, but you will need to have entered the online code for Medal of Honor on your account. Haven't done that? Best get cracking.

For everyone else, the Battlefield 3 beta goes live on Thursday, 29th September.

The featured game mode is Rush, and the featured map is Operation Metro.

The open beta ends on 10th October.

On PlayStation 3, the beta will appear automatically on the PlayStation Network Store. On Xbox 360, it will automatically appear on Xbox Live Marketplace. On PC, it will automatically appear in the Origin application's demo page.

On console, you simply download the beta and play. On PC, you first need to install the Origin client and then install the beta from within the Origin client. Origin is not required to play on PS3 or Xbox 360, DICE said. But for PC, Origin will be used to distribute the beta installation and run the game and therefore is necessary to play.

You won't be able to carry forward your stats from the beta into the final version of the game. "We are still fine tuning the ranking system and we don't want to give beta players an unfair advantage when Battlefield 3 launches," DICE explained. You will keep your soldier name, though.

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.

You may also like...

Comments (102) Latest comment 8 months ago

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

  • TwinPeaksBob #1 8 months ago

    When do I get my email?
    Edited by TwinPeaksBob at 27/09/11 @ 09:01

  • night735 #2 8 months ago

    When do I get my email?

  • Bradach #3 8 months ago

    I have a feeling I'm going to be playing this game for years!

  • RodHull #4 8 months ago

    Bad news folks, the "computer" who's sending out the beta keys has apparently phoned in sick (bird flu).

  • bobfish09 #5 8 months ago

    I assume you need to add MoH to Origin?

  • markyHD #6 8 months ago

    PS3 Beta is online now!!!!! Go get it. I used the search engine "battlefield" and the beta is there. 1173MB. Go go go

  • TonyCB #7 8 months ago

    markyHD

    Thanks for that my friend - am downloading now!

  • christourlord #8 8 months ago

    </social life>

  • carlitoswagon #9 8 months ago

    The old job might have to take a back seat for a while.

  • gm914 #10 8 months ago

    Unless your job is in a back seat....

  • Puriel #11 8 months ago

    come on over to the ea bf3 forum where the fanboys think ea/dice will send round a big breasted swedish blonde burd to buff your helmet if you never ever question dice and its MOH:LE beta access fuck up.

    I love battlefield but some of these twats over there are truely the definition of fanboy

  • Bradach #12 8 months ago

    @marky
    You still have to have early access. I was hoping it was some sort of mistake or something. My account is 'not eligible' :(

  • Arsecake_Baker #13 8 months ago

    Been waiting for my beta invite since the launch of MoH LE, friends got theirs over two months ago, got in contact with tech support who assured me the email would arrive today!

    /not holding breath

  • SFG_Clan #14 8 months ago

    Nothing up on Xbox Live as of yet.

    Hopefully I get my email at some point while im off at uni, so that I can come home to a nice relaxing game of Battlefield 3.

  • Tryhard #15 8 months ago

    Emails sent out 11am to 2pm UK GMT.They have removed the LAV from Operation Metro beta.Where am I supposed to go to toilet now? Battlefield and it is an Infantry Only map now dagnabbit Dice.

  • billli11 #16 8 months ago

    F you EA
    Where my F-ing E-mail!!

  • atthegates #17 8 months ago

    if anyone has a spare 360 key please let me know. Worth a shot. I bet i'm going to be the only person to engage in this shameless begging today.

  • Chaser #18 8 months ago

    Would be nice if I could even log in to origin, using any of my EA accounts just result in a crash... *sigh*

  • TheVoice #19 8 months ago

    When you say "You do not need the Medal of Honor disc to play the Battlefield 3 beta, but you will need to have entered the online code for Medal of Honor on your account.", does that mean you need to have entered the code in the game (to unlock the multiplayer stuff in MoH), or is there another page where it needs to be entered?

  • Fightclubber #20 8 months ago

    I bought MOH when it came out but like any sane man I sent it back to the pit of doom. Will I still get an email or do you still need to have a copy of that nightmare?

  • Al_Swearengen #21 8 months ago

    @TheVoice and @FightClubber

    If you used the pre-order code to unlock the MP7 when you first got MoH then you should be eligible. I'm unclear though as to whether the code is sent to the email address associated with your gamertag or the one registed to your EA account (if you have one I guess)

  • Tryhard #22 8 months ago

    PS owners do not need a code.But must have played MOH LE online,infact they are downloading and playing right now.Everyone else who is a MOH LE owner has to wait for an email code from EA.Which go out 12-2pm UK GMT.You do not need the MOH LE disc to play.

  • superstu1337 #23 8 months ago

    Y'all had better pray over I get a freakin email!

  • gremly #24 8 months ago

    Less than 10 minuets now...It hurts waiting for these damn keys XD

  • eltonpr0n #25 8 months ago

    Been playing for nearly an hour on PSN now. Still no PC email which is the version I am really interested.

    If you own MOH LE then search Battlefield 3 on the PS3 store. It is there and you can download it and play it. Of course the beta could be fully visible on the store now.

  • deadstoned #26 8 months ago

    Wish we had Caspian Border instead of Operation Metro again :-/

  • P1GEONPOO #27 8 months ago

    Im sure the owners of MOH thought this day would never come. Enjoy.

  • BSMR #28 8 months ago

    So it's a demo.

  • Ranger101 #29 8 months ago

    @eltonpr0n

    What's it like on the PS3?

  • Bravestinsane #30 8 months ago

    29th for me =(

    56/60

  • harzo #31 8 months ago

    I am not amused... I pre-ordered this on Origin on PC yesterday thinking I would get early access....and I missed this 'deal' by 1 day. Not amused! I tried EA support and they were as welcoming and helpful as a fart in a spacesuit.

  • Quixz #32 8 months ago

    If I don't get my E-mail my preorder will be CANCELLED!

  • revan8 #33 8 months ago

    Real good work. No e mail and not even on marketplace

  • Scopeh #34 8 months ago

    @Quixz

    lol..such a drama queen

  • ashmatuk #35 8 months ago

    Some people need to calm down a bit. If you dont get the email, you can still enter in a couple of days.

  • PYF #36 8 months ago

    Nothing yet nnnnnnggggg...

  • SKPREDATOR #37 8 months ago

    They have 7 mins to deliver keys, time scale was 12 pm - 2 pm, what a let down ea/dice

  • AmpH #38 8 months ago

    Downloading...

  • ejstyles #39 8 months ago

    I'm going to play my Tier 1 Edition of Medal of Honor to get over the lack of e-mail. I wish I knew it was for a mere two day head start in that Beta...
    Edited by ejstyles at 27/09/11 @ 14:09

  • Snufkin #40 8 months ago

    Blimey people, take a breath and get some perspective - if you don't happen to get in to the beta 2 days early THE WORLD WILL NOT IMPLODE. I cannot stress that enough - HUMANITY WILL PREVAIL.

  • Jordanuk #41 8 months ago

    Well to be totally honest, I Pre-Ordered both MoH:LE and Battlefield3:LE as soon as they were released, And i was fully expecting to be playing right now, Not sitting checking my emails waiting for a Key... Yes, Its just a game, And yes, Its only the beta, But after months of waiting and all this posting "you WILL get 2 days early access" malarky and to be let down, Again by Ea/DICE its very sad they cant uphold their end of the deal :(

  • xour #42 8 months ago

    I thought about playin some MoH to kill time, then remembered it's pretty shit. Don't mind if I have to wait a couple more days, but would have rather not been told a certain time if they aint gonna stick to it....any sign of it on XBL?

  • Puriel #43 8 months ago

    usual DICE/EA clusterfuck......wouldn't be battlefield if it didn't work for a beta launch.


    looking forward to the full game launch now.

  • Cammer #44 8 months ago

    So disappointing not to receive a key on time.

    Can't think of anything worse tbh. Lost all interest in the game now

  • Killerbee #45 8 months ago

    Well, the PS3 Beta is very much live.

    If you activated your online pass for Medal of Honor Ltd Ed, you simply need to download the Beta from the PSN Store (do a search for Battlefield 3 if you can't find it) and you're in. It's a 1173MB download and there's no need for access codes or anything like that. Presumably it just recognises your PSN ID as someone who played MOH.

    Anyway, I've managed to grab a few games in the last hour and it seems very, very good so far.

    The map - Operation Metro in Rush mode - is the same as the PC Alpha. I think some of the extremities of the outside areas of the map have been shrunk a little between PC and console, but it's nothing you're ever going to mind or notice. One thing that does seem to have been dropped is the APC that featured in the first area in the alpha - I'm not sure whether this is a console thing or DICE just decided to alter the map, but although it's a shame you don't get to try out any vehicles in the Beta, it doesn't really have much impact. The subway tunnels seem to be pretty much the same, at least.

    The core gameplay feels very much like Bad Company 2 if I'm honest, but I'd say it's certainly improved graphically and very definitely improved in terms of character animations - now when you jump over walls, you see your character's legs as he vaults over, and other characters are similarly well animated. Seeing someone dive into a room, firing their gun as they slide into prone position is really very neat indeed. Oh yes, the prone seems to be the most obvious change from BFBC2 - one long press of the right stick sends you prone (a short press does crouch and toggles; X (jump) will stand you up) and though it works exactly as you'd expect, it really does add to the gameplay.

    Weapons feel, and especially sound very meaty and the core gunplay is great. Spotting works as before, but the additional feature of Suppressing fire seems really well implemented. I'm not sure if this has been tweaked since the Alpha, but I was much more aware of when I was able to use it and when someone was using it on me. Plus the fact you get points for (effectively) missing your target is a nice touch!

    Squad features are all intact and you get points for having your squadmates spawn on you, so there's a real incentive to stay alive in a good position. Unlocks so far seem to be similar to BFBC2 - you unlock weapons and gadgets for your chosen class, plus there's a general profile progression to take you up the ranks. Thankfully ACOG sights were the first thing I unlocked for the Assault class and obviously that really helped me not get my arse handed to me repeatedly.

    Other little tweaks like the way your vision gets dazzled by enemies' gun mounted torches or laser sights are also pretty cool (even if you end up dead seconds later).

    Oh, and the whole thing was rock solid, steady and reliable. No discernable lag or connection problems. All in all, I'm utterly sold on it - and I can't wait to get the full game and play some more maps.

  • Fightclubber #46 8 months ago

    Oh Cammer get a fucking grip, jesus. NO DEMO? WELL FUCK THIS GAME AND FUCK THIS LIFE

  • Uncompetative #47 8 months ago

    "Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so."

    - Douglas Adams

  • SKPREDATOR #48 8 months ago

    This is a conversation i had with EA live chat five mins ago

    Monica: Hi, my name is Monica. How may I help you?
    chris h: hi we were told that bf3 beta keys would be in inboxes between 12pm and 2 pm on the pc but there is nothing there
    Monica:
    Do not worry if you are eligible you will get it with in 5 hours in your mail where your game is entitled
    chris h: im in the uk is that five hours from now or 5 hours from 12 pm
    Monica: 3-4 hours from now
    chris h: i dont mean to be a pest but there are a lot of unhappy ppl out there on the forums at the moment
    Monica: This is just due to delay in release of beta , Beta is not yet released
    chris h: when will it actually appear on origin?
    Monica: You will get the key in your mail and you need to redeem that key on origin
    chris h: so i n about four or five hours the keys should be in uk mail boxes?
    Monica: Yes
    chris h: ok thank you
    Monica: Thank you for your participation in the Chat Support.
    Take care, Bye!
    chris h: bye
    You have disconnected.

  • Jordanuk #49 8 months ago

    Thank you SKYPREDATOR for the update... Atleast lets hope they can manage to get these keys out in the next few hours, Very disapointing otherwise.

  • TaruKeys #50 8 months ago

    I've been playing Bad Company 2 a lot in the last few weeks on PC to be in shape for the beta. September 29th can't come soon enough! I'm wondering what I'm going to do this weekend hmmmm!
    Edited by TaruKeys at 27/09/11 @ 14:35

  • silentclerk #51 8 months ago

    I got a code from my employer but the website redirects me to the battlefield homepage, anybody know the website that you can enter you code? Thanks.

  • xour #52 8 months ago

    well fuck me. My code just came through for 360.

  • kadooosh #53 8 months ago

    Just got my email!
    Slightky excited.

  • AmpH #54 8 months ago

    Matchmaking... takes for ever.

  • PYF #55 8 months ago

    Just got mine. Epic win!

  • Uncompetative #56 8 months ago

    Just got my invitation. 14:51 British Summer Time

  • Fightclubber #57 8 months ago

    Dont understand why Live cant do what PSN is doing and just have the beta up on the dashboard. I bought MOH a while back and just entered the code that came with it, cant remember any email shiz

  • AmpH #58 8 months ago

    I'm scratching my ass waiting for a match to make.

  • Tryhard #59 8 months ago

    Just got mine time 14.57 for 360 UK.

  • Lukree #60 8 months ago

    Got mail! Luckily missus is having her dance lesson today!

  • Fightclubber #61 8 months ago

    You lot getting codes, are you simply getting them because you entered the code you got with your copies of MOH? Or did you have to sign up with anything online?
    Edited by Fightclubber at 27/09/11 @ 15:08

  • AmpH #62 8 months ago

    Pre ordered on origin

  • DeadlyByDesign #63 8 months ago

    Any feedback so far guys? Anyone actually get into a Game yet?

  • mattk84 #64 8 months ago

    @Fightclubber

    They are MOH LE owners. AFAIK no codes for console for the rest of us. I'll happily wait until Thursday as I'm working up to rank 50 on BC2 and reckon I can do it before full game release.

  • Killerbee #65 8 months ago

    Emails are going out now. Just had mine arrive which says:

    Hi ,

    To thank you for buing Medal of Honor Limited Edition/Tier 1 Edition, we would like to invite you to join the PlayStation®3 Open Beta 48 hours early.

    The purpose of the Open Beta is to give you an early look at Battlefield 3 as well as give us a chance to get your feedback. Make sure to visit battlelog.battlefield.com for forums, powerful social features, a feed of your friends' progress and achievements and detailed player stats and leader boards.

    BATTLEFIELD 3 OPEN BETA
    EARLY ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS

    Dates: September 27th - October 10th
    Platform: PlayStation 3

    Starting on the 29th, you can also test the Open Beta on Xbox 360® or PC

    HOW TO JOIN THE BATTLEFIELD 3 Open Beta:

    1) Go to the PlayStation®Network Store on your console
    2) From storefront,click on View All By Title, click on B
    3) Click on Battlefield. All content will appear here

    Thanks for your participation.

    The DICE team

  • Killerbee #66 8 months ago

    @Deadly #63

    See my post #45!

    It's very good.

  • AmpH #67 8 months ago

    Matchmaking... for about half an hour now. So no, DeadlyByDesign (on PC)
    Edited by AmpH at 27/09/11 @ 15:17

  • wehmut #68 8 months ago

    Still downloading the game (360), can't wait to try it out

  • mattk84 #69 8 months ago

    Killerbee thanks for the mini review. Glad to hear points are rewarded for squad mates spawning on you as it encourages another tactical aspect.
    Sounds like the learning curve could be vertical come Thursday tho for the rest of us with no unlocks!

  • carlitoswagon #70 8 months ago

    Downloading 360 version as we speak. Fuck am I looking forward to this.

  • Tryhard #71 8 months ago

    Yeah mine should be finished downloading in time for me to go to work.

  • TwinPeaksBob #72 8 months ago

    Also got mine for 360. Downloading now:) (Norway)

  • AmpH #73 8 months ago

    It's funny how they say get into the action immediately: I'm still waiting...

  • Quixz #74 8 months ago

    Got my code and played the game for a little bit. I don't if it just me but I don't like the new the HUD and the game feels a bit clunky(could be lag).

    I wont be cancelling my preorders after all :)))

  • wehmut #75 8 months ago

    I've only managed to get in one game and it was bloody laggy.
    Now everytime i try to start a match I get :" The connection with EA online was lost"
    Not a very good start =(

  • DisneyJon #76 8 months ago

    No code for me and I registered the 360 t1 edition of moh.....

  • Uncompetative #77 8 months ago

    "Just a heads up to you all. Currently the EA Online servers are experiencing some issues which affect the ability of Xbox 360 users to play the game. Our IT team is working on it and I’ll keep you updated when I get an ETA."

    - Daniel Matros

    [link url=http://www.tweetdeck.com/twitter/zh1nt0/~gdd8A
    ]http://www.tweetdeck.com/twitter/zh1nt0/...[/link]

    Would someone please explain to me why EA don't use Xbox LIVE for their Xbox titles, you know, like everybudy else?

  • mattk84 #78 8 months ago

    Lets not forget it is a beta hence the issues. As long as they sort the issues in the next few days or certainly for end oct I'll be happy.

  • merseymal #79 8 months ago

    £39.99 on Origin. £29.99 from GAME. Personally don't think access to beta now is worth an extra tenner.

  • revan8 #80 8 months ago

    I got my xbox code at 2:40pm. That why couldn't find it on marketplace, you only download it through code redemption. Playing now, awesome.

  • carlitoswagon #81 8 months ago

    Having the same ea server connection message with 360. Not unexpected and hoping it'll be up and running later. Hopefully this'll help sort out the servers before full release.

    Looks like most are in the same boat.

  • abot #82 8 months ago

    For those who haven't received their email - check your spam filters.

  • AmpH #83 8 months ago

    My server filter settings must be set to do not connect.

  • abot #84 8 months ago

    Tweet from @Battlefield

    In the EU & expecting a #BF3Beta early access email? It should now be in your inbox (or spam filter). If not, contact support.ea.com #BF3
    Edited by abot at 27/09/11 @ 16:49

  • Fightclubber #85 8 months ago

    I bought MOH on release does that mean I will get a beta code or not? How are the 360 players getting codes, did you have to sign up for them or do you still need the MOH disc?

  • jedi99 #86 8 months ago

    I had the copy of Medal of Honor Limeted Edition but sold it on ebay and didn't think I'd get a key but I got my email about 14:30hrs. Downloading on the PC now. I'm sure everybody and their aunt will be trying to get on so the servers are going to be stuffed!!

  • revan8 #87 8 months ago

    3 games in on xbox. Sound, lighting, gameplay awesome. But. Graphics average, especially after playing gears3 and prone is annoying, everyone doing it at every defensible position. Worrying.

  • revan8 #88 8 months ago

    Sorry, can't get over graphics. Textures low res. Literally worse than bc2.

  • Uncompetative #89 8 months ago

    @revan8 #89

    Not surprised about the graphics, comparison shots of 360 Crysis look kneecapped compared to the PC.

    I'd like to know what the 'mantling' is like - i.e. do you stumble, stick and fail to climb over low rocks? Yet to play here.

    Downloaded this hours ago, but just get booted. Ho hum.

  • revan8 #90 8 months ago

    Prone seriously annoying. Oh and for xbox users it only let's me play if I choose mode rush then maps any.

  • Iain815 #91 8 months ago

    Hang on, the only map is Operation Metro? I thought we were getting a new map in the beta?

  • xuiton #92 8 months ago

    wow very sad you went on a live chat because you didn't get an your beta invite email yet.

  • evilrobot #93 8 months ago

    Post deleted at 22:12:53 08-05-2012

  • thebaron #94 8 months ago

    great way to start the Beta - "unable to connect to EA servers" lol

  • Uncompetative #95 8 months ago

    Finally got to play my first game at 8pm British Summer Time.

    Five hours of trying since the download at "lunchtime".

    No screen tearing and the 'mantling' works well.

    Looks about as nice as Crysis 2.

    Crashed when I entered the tunnel on my second game. Won't let me in again.

    Early opinion: Good game. Bad Servers

    EA should use Erlang based technology like Black Ops, or just stick with Xbox LIVE for their 360 titles.

  • GaryStew1980 #96 8 months ago

    Not a happy camper still no sign of a code, I must be one of the few people in the world who still has a Tier 1 copy of Medal of Honor. One of the main reasons i bought MOH to start with was access to the Beta.

  • xXJAKEBROXx #97 8 months ago

    If i changed my e-mail address today, will the key transfer over to my new e-mail address?

  • tonixuk #98 8 months ago

    Played it last night and very disappointed! Graphics are poor after playing gears. Also lots of things annoying me about it already! Oh well saves me 40 quid

  • slickster #99 8 months ago

    This is so funny you xbox fanboys cant get on EA servers lol and you pay £39.99 a year. you should of downloaded the ps3 beta its working perfect and guys psn is FREEEEEEE. LOL

  • username84 #100 8 months ago

    @slickster

    This may be the case but at least our bank details aren't all over the internet. And Xbox live works.

  • Architect_z #101 8 months ago

    Everyone needs to shut up, and play BF3 coz its freaking awesome.

  • oOParaOo #102 8 months ago

    And here it is... Ayoops Capian Border commentary : taxi!!!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A27gmTYcHJQ