EA reveals free game, Battlefield Heroes

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 22nd January 2008
Comments (19) Stumble
Battlefield Heroes will adopt a cartoony presentation similar to that in games like Team Fortress 2 and XIII.

Battlefield Heroes will adopt a cartoony presentation similar to that in games like Team Fortress 2 and XIII.

EA has today announced that it will be releasing a free-to-play game in the Battlefield series later this year, titled Battlefield Heroes.

Battlefield Heroes will be a radical departure from the norm for both Electronic Arts and the Battlefield Franchise, most obviously because it will drop the serious and realistic presentation of previous games in favour of a more Team Fortress 2 inspired look, complete with cel-shaded characters.

The game will be offered as a completely free download and will be available to fans in summer of this year.

EA will still make money from the game however, mainly through in-game advertising and microtransactions. While the advertising bit is fairly predictable and sounds like a fair ol' cop, the microtransactions part of the game hasn't yet been elaborated on and our initial reaction is cynicism.

"People want to play games in new ways, with easier access that is quick to the fun. With Battlefield Heroes, EA brings its first major franchise to North America and Europe with a new distribution model and pricing structure adapted to the evolving way that people play," said Gerhard Florin, EVP Publishing Americas-Europe at EA in a public statement.

What do you think to the idea of in-game advertising in free and retail games? Will you be picking up a copy of Battlefield Heroes or will you let is pass you by? Let us know in the forums.
Quote will. 22nd January 2008, 10:28
Micro transactions = buying weapons/armour/character customisation I would imagine, for a free game though, that's fair enough.

Way to go EA!
Quote AlexB 22nd January 2008, 10:32
Agreed.

Free + Advertising = OK.
Paid for + No ads = OK
Paid for + Ads = No!
Quote steveo_mcg 22nd January 2008, 10:46
Might give it a try, but it would have to be pretty good to pull me away from tf2 (even ep2 hasn't managed that). I think its good that they are being up front about it, but tbh the only other game i played with in game adds (iga?) was quake wars and tbh i didn't really notice it untill i was hunkered down in ambush and got a bit bored so had a look around near the slip gate, there was a huge poster for gillette razors.
Quote Stickeh 22nd January 2008, 11:02
This is good on EA for releasing a game free of charge with advertising, god knows how long the gaming community have been shouting for a game like this.
Lets just hope the game is as good as it can be, and not, just because its free, worse than the rest of the battlefield incarnations and bug ridden, wait this is EA we can dream though right?

Its a bit....weird for them to be going the cel-shader route, but its a copy off of TF2's success no doubt, and a greater appeal to younger audience?
Quote Jamie 22nd January 2008, 11:29
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stickeh
Its a bit....weird for them to be going the cel-shader route, but its a copy off of TF2's success no doubt, and a greater appeal to younger audience?

That's a shame really because I don't want to play a game full of screaming kids. CoD4 is bad enough when you get some ear splitting voice in your ears.
Quote DXR_13KE 22nd January 2008, 11:47
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexB
Agreed.

Free + Advertising = OK.
Paid for + No ads = OK
Paid for + Ads = No!

i am with you.....
Quote Notional 22nd January 2008, 12:27
Nice TeamBattle FortressField. Now with ingame commercials. Blah!
Quote indigo_prime 22nd January 2008, 12:57
EA on the cartoon game bandwagon, not unusual.

EA scalping more money from people for something they will support for a short while and then drop like a hot potato, not unusual.

They're too big and clumsy an organisation to come up with something groundbreaking themselves.

Leeches
Quote AcidJiles 22nd January 2008, 13:03
All depends on the quality of the game and how limited your gaming will be with out buying things
Quote Redbeaver 22nd January 2008, 13:58
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexB
Agreed.

Free + Advertising = OK.
Paid for + No ads = OK
Paid for + Ads = No!

couldnt said it any better.

of course, it all still depends on how good the game actually is. if its fun to play, runs fast on my rig, lots of people playing, i dont see why not...
Quote speedfreek 22nd January 2008, 14:39
Dont worry, it will probably have spyware.
Quote CardJoe 22nd January 2008, 15:21
Well sure, but there is a downside you know - it has guns and violence in it!
Quote Mister_X 22nd January 2008, 16:02
I'll certainly give it a go, sounds interesting and I'm a big fan of the BF universe. But micropayments smack of splash the cash for better guns, no thanks
If you can pay for cosmetic things like skins, fair play. but paying more to get a competative edge is just plain wrong. But Its early days i guess, reserve jugement till the details are released in full.
Quote mrplow 22nd January 2008, 17:10
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexB
Agreed.

Free + Advertising = OK.
Paid for + No ads = OK
Paid for + Ads = No!

That's what I hate so much about Sky TV...
Quote pendragon 22nd January 2008, 18:16
i'm still wondering what "microtransactions" will mean
Quote completemadness 22nd January 2008, 19:36
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexB
Agreed.

Free + Advertising = OK.
Paid for + No ads = OK
Paid for + Ads = No!
Very true

Could finally be a good move by EA, depending on the microtransaction bit ....
Quote mrb_no1 22nd January 2008, 19:50
Sounds like a little tide me over....i cant see the game being prolific, will appeal to Battlefield fans who want something a little different until bf3: Bad Company finally comes out. I'm a BF hardcore but wont be playing 'heroes' as i have the orange box also and tf2 is good enough to attract my sole interest in that type of game, plus i wont be paying for any extra content in tf2 (all came free with my 2900 from *saphire*(typo?) so i'll stay with that and just bide my time playing bf2, 2142 and tf2/portal for fps's 'n' wait until bad company comes out, presuming something hasnt happened to it that i didnt know about.

peace
Quote sub routine 23rd January 2008, 09:21
ok so I'm a big battlefield fan i still spend hours on bf2 but NO ADVERTS please!!

hehe micro transactions?? I mean NO WAY it's basically pay to play. Buying the big pwing kick ass gun or use a pistol for free and get pwned??
You never know they may tie it in with the adverts.......cola ads unlock cans you can buy with super speed boost.

head and shouder adds have un-lockable shampoo at the time that make you sooo dazzling that the opposition are stunned.

Thigh master adds just 12 easy payments to boost your characters speed. pah!!!!

Also how will big stupid flashy adds effect gameplay?
Quote sub routine 23rd January 2008, 09:24
hehehehe teams fight to control dispensing points where you can buy whatever is being advertised at the time..

EA..Battlefield Heros......... January sales expansion pack :D :D :D
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