Sony to release Killzone 3 multiplayer as a free download

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 24 February, 2012

UPDATE: Sony releases more information, announces double XP weekend.

UPDATE: Sony has released more information about the free Killzone 3 multiplayer experience due out next week.

The standalone version of Killzone 3's online, released to celebrate Killzone 3's first anniversary, includes the Guerrilla Warfare, Warzone and Operations game modes, all the original Killzone 3 maps and all the Killzone 3 DLC maps.

You can play any of the maps and modes until you reach the rank of Sergeant. If you want to keep playing, attain higher ranks, and earn any of Killzone 3 multiplayer's four exclusive new trophies, you have to unlock the full version for only $15 (UK/EU price TBA).

If you unlock the full version you get a 24-hour double XP bonus, three free unlock points, the ability to set up clans and custom games, and access to the Botzone mode.

Meanwhile, Guerrilla announced an "anniversary treat" for those who already own Killzone 3 or who buy the full version of the multiplayer.

Next weekend is a double XP weekend, starting Friday, 2nd March, at 5pm UK time. It ends on Monday, 5th March at 10am UK time. The trial version of Killzone 3 multiplayer is excluded from the double XP weekend.

Guerrilla put out a new Killzone 3 multiplayer trailer, below.

ORIGINAL STORY: Sony will release the Killzone 3 multiplayer as a free download.

Next week you'll be able to download the multiplayer portion of the PS3 exclusive FPS for free from the PlayStation Network, the latest episode of the PlayStation Blogcast has revealed.

It goes live on Tuesday, 28th February in the US. Presumably it launches in Europe a day later, on Wednesday, 29th February. We're checking with Sony now.

The standalone offering includes all the maps, but there's a catch - an unspecified level cap. There will be a limit on what rank players can achieve in the free experience, and a limit on the number of skills and unlockable weapons available.

To unlock the full Killzone 3 multiplayer, you have to pay $14.99.

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 (64) Latest comment 3 months ago

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

  • Stifler #1 3 months ago

    Seems like a good idea. I've skipped KZ3 but I'll download something thats free and try it :)

  • Ultrasoundwave #2 3 months ago

    This is very good news - KZ3 Multiplayer is fantastic. The more players the better!

  • TheNonk #3 3 months ago

    It's not something I've invested much time in but I like its weighty feel.

  • TheNonk #4 3 months ago

    Vita version for cross play?

  • Triggerhappytel #5 3 months ago

    I really liked the KZ3 multiplayer, but fucking camping invisible snipers ruined it for me. I'll probably go back and give it another whirl though; see if it has been tweaked and re-balanced since I last played.

    Edit - negged for saying I didn't like invisible camping snipers? I bought the game on release and put hours into the MP, but on certain maps it was too heavily weighted in favour of what I felt was an unfair mechanic.
    Edited by Triggerhappytel at 24/02/12 @ 09:06

  • Golgo #6 3 months ago

    That's actually not a bad idea, I think. Was thinking of getting it again for MP anyway. Are there still a lot of folk playing online?

  • Gambit1977 #7 3 months ago

    Make this VITA compatible pleeeasee! Save me using Remote play.
    Actually a really good idea, shame it's an older game as I can't see it garnering many new fans, but it opens the door to a great new way of marketing games.

  • Greasemonkey #8 3 months ago

    Excellent idea now can you kindly do the same with MAG.

  • pigsy2400 #9 3 months ago

    this sort of release is what marks sony differently from MS in my opinion, and I am a xbox360 owner, not a ps3 one!!

  • Bigmac1910 #10 3 months ago

    This is actually a cool idea, unfortunately I didn't enjoy the multiplayer.

  • saintedd #11 3 months ago

    How about some free DLC for all the folk that paid full price for it or are they just screwed over again.

  • youhavenomail #12 3 months ago

    KZ3 is up there with Battlefield 3 as my most enjoyed FPS multiplayer from last year. It would be great to see it come back strong.

    A lot of games that have fallen to COD's tyranny could benefit from this kind of thing.

  • GamesConnoisseur #13 3 months ago

    Vita compatibility please as above, and free capped rank for online game would be a real boost to Vita... At least in the West.

  • jeffersonricardocoel #14 3 months ago

    Great initiative. I want more free-to-play games in my PS3!

  • Bradach #15 3 months ago

    This game is outstanding with move btw

  • TheEarlOfZinger #16 3 months ago

    wow, game on. Thanks Sony/Guerrilla.

    Is it any good?...

  • Whitster #17 3 months ago

    @saintedd How about the fact that you got to play a full version of the game over a year ago, as opposed to what amounts to a demo thats being given out free now.

  • flameboy84 #18 3 months ago

    It's a great business model idea and certainly one more companies should try. Makes sense to try it out on an older title and see how it works before perhaps doing it for new titles.

  • kirankara #19 3 months ago

    @saintedd Behave son,
    how old is the game, and they still dont get the campaign or to move beyond a limited ranking and number of weapons.

    Wont really add much in terms of large numbers of people, but might convince a few to have a go, and carry on playing.

    loved mp myself, but with issues it had, i lost interest and people were deserting all the time, so gave up, especially when I thought BF3 would be great. Might give this another go, but will pick up copy, as its available for peanuts second hand anyway.
    Edited by kirankara at 24/02/12 @ 09:25

  • saintedd #20 3 months ago

    Hey i think it's great of them to do this and i do like the game. I see no harm in asking for a map pack for folk that paid for it ,would have been nice and may even bring in a lot more people

  • Golgo #21 3 months ago

    ^ The thing about picking up a second hand copy for £15 is all well and good, but it won't have the dlc map packs, whereas the PSN MP-only version - apparently - will.

  • jonbwfc #22 3 months ago

    It goes live on Tuesday, 28th February in the US. Presumably it launches in Europe a day later, on Wednesday, 29th February.
    Hahaha. Yeah, good luck with that.

  • britscott #23 3 months ago

    @jonbwfc Why good luck with that? You do realise this is a leap year?

  • BritishBlue1 #24 3 months ago

    They should make Killzone 2 and all it's map packs free in my opinion, for me it is the best Killzone on PS3, despite all the ribbing it recieved it had a character all it's own.
    The multiplayer maps are superior to KZ3 which felt too small for my liking. Pyrrhus Rises is still one of my favourite MP maps of all time, I remember when I first played it and my team were edging across one of the choke points while exchanging grenades, bullets and bodies, combine that with the whole atmosphere of that map...sublime.

  • repeater #25 3 months ago

    This is a great idea. I bought KZ3 a month after release and haven't even touched the single player campaign yet - the multiplayer is excellent. I wish they could release another map pack though, that (in conjunction with these news) might bring me to dust it off again!

  • anthonypappa #26 3 months ago

    i neg anyone who edits and complains that they have been negged... i mean, really!

    anyway, this is a great idea, good thinking - i missed out on KZ3 also. will now try it - though if i like it, i'd probably just buy the full game for not much more, rather than unlock only the multiplayer.

  • NoTheMama #27 3 months ago

    Havent played K3 yet, so i'll be giving this a whirl.
    I gotta say, this is a flat-out brilliant move by Sony.

  • NotSoSlim #28 3 months ago

    @mensar Dead franchise? Alright mate

  • FanBoysSuck #29 3 months ago

    That's pretty damn cool, I really like the multiplayer on KZ3. How many map packs were released for it? If they're charging what is essentailly the price for all of them I'll snap this up :)

  • CaptainQuint #30 3 months ago

    Fucking brilliant idea. The online portion was excellent.

    But what about people like me who have played and traded it in? Will my stats show?

  • king26 #31 3 months ago

    Only BF3 offers a better online shooter experience than KZ imo. Unfortunately numbers have dropped over the last few months which is a real shame. Well done Sony.

  • TheEarlOfZinger #32 3 months ago

    @BritishBlue1

    Pyrrhus Rises, terrible map, That's the big circular one with the bridge / dust blowing about, Invisible sniper fest.

  • Afro_Matt #33 3 months ago

    If sony do this for a number of titles then that would be truly awesome, it would be a brilliant move by them. However I cant help feeling a tad bit hard done by having bought the game only a year ago. Perhaps it wouldnt be too hard to ask for maybe one map pack....pretty please sony :)

  • Colin8703 #34 3 months ago

    Great idea. Sure you can pick the full game up for £15 but I'll give it a download and maybe invest.

  • super_monty #35 3 months ago

    K3 is amazing online better than most games, I have it why don't I play it?!!!!

  • super_monty #36 3 months ago

    @Afro_Matt

    I was wondering how it works if you have the game already. I would be amazing if you get all the map packs for free. Sony could really earn some points here.

  • mcmothercruncher #37 3 months ago

    Will certainly download this'un.

    However, if I can assume that the usual dollar to pound conversion holds true here, £15, or, heck even £12 is a bit much from my point of view. It's one half of a game that can be picked up second hand for about that much. Minus DLC of course, but it's not like there isn't a shit load to do before you'd need to consider buying the DLC and, generally I'm bored by then and don't bother anyway.

    Online prices, considering you never own the disc and packaging and considering Sony haven't had to pay to store and distribute this stuff is still about 20% too high for me.

  • lolercopter #38 3 months ago

    Is this free as in free, or PlayStation Plus "free"? Interesting nonetheless.

  • propalex #39 3 months ago

    Ah... the more the merrier. Bring it on folks! There's a bullet for everyone one of you ^^

  • PixelPirate #40 3 months ago

    This is a good idea, I approve of the free to play, then pay to get "full access" when its sensible like this.

    I do not approve of horse armor.

  • TheBusterMan #41 3 months ago

    Good idea.Probs work out about a tenner here to unlock the cap.Trouble is,you can get the whole game used for that now.

  • TheBusterMan #42 3 months ago

    @4cough Anyone who starts thier comment with LOL is Kerrrrap.

  • Lucodeath #43 3 months ago

    I forgot I have this, played it through once an thats it.

  • Ace-Reject #44 3 months ago

    Killzone is really good online, really great with move too

  • kirankara #45 3 months ago

    @TheBusterMan minus all the dlc of course. It works for me as I have the dlc already, well most of it, so wil pick up 2nd hand copy again i think

  • TURBOKILLFACE53 #46 3 months ago

    They need to do this with MAG, no one plays it anymore but i miss the huge scale of the battles. BF3 12 a side is getting a bit shit!

  • alcides #47 3 months ago

    "i neg anyone who edits and complains that they have been negged... i mean, really!"

    Do you mean you can't trust them with being earnest in that they modify their first statement? I think everyone should have the right to either be mistaken or press their case. A negative rating is after all, an answer, and a criticism at that! Comming from an anonymous commenter, too. So if people feel righteous in negging other people on arguably valid points, let them argue about it, but don't blame people for responding to feedback.

  • cianchristopher #48 3 months ago

    It's a great idea. But, in all honesty - they should have left it entirely free, without the level cap. It's unlikely that they'll make too much money from this as it is. The game's sales period is over.

  • neosalad #49 3 months ago

    Bought Killzone 3 just before xmas, but still havent got round to playing it yet... along with a growing pile of other games...
    Would be nice of sony to make the mp maps are free for those that have a retail copy of the game, but probbaly not..

    Interesting idea though as this could get a lot more people interested in future games if it works well, and people enjoy a game they previously didnt play or didnt buy.

  • gamerindia #50 3 months ago

    @BritishBlue1
    Make that Phyruss Rise, Corinth Crossing and Visari Hammer.

  • Golgo #51 3 months ago

    Nice update there: lots of lovely juicy details, including something - it seems - for those who still have the retail version. But, is this now officially confirmed for EU?
    Edited by Golgo at 24/02/12 @ 15:29

  • patch #52 3 months ago

    Next weekend is a double XP weekend, starting Friday, 24th February 201 5pm UK time. It ends on Monday, 5th March at 10am UK time. The trial version of Killzone 3 multiplayer is excluded from the double XP weekend.

    Double xp starts on March 2nd and ends March 5th, otherwise it would be a loooong weekend :)

  • rojjer #53 3 months ago

    just in time for the PSN downtime - yay!

  • wyp100 #54 3 months ago

    @patch You're absolutely right :)

  • Ryze #55 3 months ago

    Excellent stuff. Move compatible?

    If only Move had a right analogue, or means of moving the viewpoint independently of the targeting reticule.

    :)

  • shadowlp #56 3 months ago

    Celver idea, think its a model FPS's could be using in the future, cod being a glaringly obvious one for me, so many people dont touch single player or spec ops so sell multiplayer seperately.

  • Marky264 #57 3 months ago

    Great, But still doesn't suffice for getting rid of Metal Gear Online :( Really sad it's stopping in June best make the most of it till then! KZ3 will have to do as a Replacement as I'm dead bored of Call of Duty. Might try BF3 as well as I haven't got round to playing that yet! :)

  • sfp_noodle #58 3 months ago

    This game needs new maps. I stopped playing it around August last year after 6 months straight of non-stop online play. Best online FPS of last year for me. After a flurry of new and old map packs Guerilla just seemed to kill off support for the game. By killing off support I mean not releasing extra DLC because there hasn't been a new map pack for around 8 months now.

    I know there have been various tweaks in that period but I really want new map packs to get me playing again. Please release some new maps Guerilla as I've maxed out all my classes and double XP is of no interest to me. I want new playgrounds to wreck havoc in!
    Edited by sfp_noodle at 24/02/12 @ 17:02

  • juliankennedy23 #59 3 months ago

    Great job Sony and a good way to keep multiplayer viable past a year.

  • FuzzyDuck #60 3 months ago

    I've no interest in Killzone, but this is a nifty idea!

  • You_shlaaaag #61 3 months ago

    Despite having traded in KZ3 a while ago, I must admit this is a great idea. Online Passes as they are at the moment are an utter ballache. Give people a taster and if they want the whole package THEN charge them for it. It would be a great compromise in light of the whole "combating pre-owned" stories doing the rounds recently.

    Fairplay Sony.

  • super_monty #62 3 months ago

    @Marky264

    I have tried and tried getting into MGO but its takes forever. I am still pissed off at them taking EOJ offline it was the perfect Sunday afternoon game for me, how hard would that have been to have made it peer to peer.

  • DiamondIce #63 3 months ago

    That is great news. I haven't been able to play KZ3 online because the disk hardly ever reads on my PS3.

  • Aphexman #64 3 months ago

    Any refund for those who bought dlc?