Developer DICE has confirmed that ongoing denial of service attacks on the server infrastructure for Battlefield 3 are behind the disruptions to the game's multiplayer component over the last several days.

Despite our security measures, we have been working around the clock to mitigate the impact of an ongoing denial-of-service attack on our Battlefield 3 game infrastructure over the last several days. While the motives are unclear, the focus of the attack has been interference with network communications preventing access to multiplayer gameplay. At this point, no user data is involved. We share your frustration about the impact this has had to our service and the ability for many of you to play Battlefield 3. We are working tirelessly to mitigate the problem.

Although the games servers themselves are hosted by third party companies around the world, their operation is dependent on centralised infrastructure of the Battlelog service for cheat protection, game stat tracking and persistent item unlocks.

The developer behind an ambitious server emulator for Battlefield 3 has opened a sign-up page to alpha test their "Venice Unleashed" software that claims to be able to offer Battlefield 3 players a game server ecosystem unshackled from the restrictions of the official EA and DICE Battlelog service.

Developer NoFate already claims to have unlocked heretofore hidden features in Battlefield 3 such as a native spectator mode and freeform flying in paused game scenes, as well as the ability to modify game mode options that would be locked out on Battlelog (via PC Gamer):

Created by NoFaTe, Venice promises control “over a wide set of features and settings that were initially hidden,” including spectator mode and other “half-implemented or disabled game features.” According to the signup site, Venice also supports the creation of mods and new gamemodes “without the need of performing complicated and game-breaking file modifications.”

Venice emulates BF3′s Blaze networking backend, but it is not a DRM workaround—the Emulator Nexus network repeatedly stresses that a licensed, up-to-date copy of BF3 is required to play. Nexus and NoFaTe are also behind a Battlefield: Bad Company 2 emulator and custom client.

Server emulators are generally frowned upon by games publishers, but the cease and desist action is usually justified as an anti-piracy measure, so we're not sure how EA might response to this particular operation.

Players looking forward to unlocking full mapmaking and total conversion modding for Battlefield 3 should manage their expectations, as the kind of modifications indicated by NoFate are generally just the more rudimentary game hacks like tweaking movement and weapons variables, disabling gameplay elements, or removing visual filters --most of which are thwarted on official servers due to anti-cheat efforts.

You can find more info over on veniceunleashed.net and the emulator nexus forums. The usual warnings about installing PC software from unfamiliar sources apply.

EA has sent word that Origin's Mystery Deal for Australian gamers will be offering DICE's gritty FPS Battlefield 3 for only $5, but only for 12 hours. The deal will start on Friday 19 at 12pm AEST and will end on the same day at 11.59pm AEST and is only for the PC version of Battlefield 3.

The Battlefield 3 army continues to grow quickly, capturing more than 20 million players since release in October 2011 and has been lauded by game critics worldwide for its compelling single player campaign, intense co-op missions and world class, all-out-war multiplayer experience.

If you haven't yet picked up a copy and looking to join the warfare on the cheap side, now is probably the best time as DICE and EA gear up for the release of Battlefield 4 later this year. Grab it here.

The staggered launch for Battlefield 3's latest downloadable content expansion has kicked off, with End Game now available for PlayStation 3 owners of the Battlefield 3: Premium bundle.

Battlefield 3: End Game delivers some of the most high-speed warfare to date across four vast maps. This launch trailer features the new dirt bike, bringing speed and agility to the Battlefield, and the new lightweight AA vehicles, that fight back aerial assaults, and the new dropship which provides support to ground troops with vehicle drop capabilities. Also get a glimpse of Capture the Flag and Air Superiority game modes.

End Game is expected to be the final expansion for the game, and as with previous offerings, access for BF3: Premium owners on PC and Xbox 360 will follow in two weeks time, with the option to purchase it individually coming another two weeks after that.

Watch the launch trailer below.

The fifth and final expansion for Battlefield 3 is nearly upon us, and to celebrate the close launch DICE has unveiled a new premium exclusive trailer giving us a brief glimpse at the four new maps that will be making their way to players.

Operation Riverside, Nebandan Flats, Kiasar Railroad and Sabalan Pipeline make up the new rotation, and of the four maps each one is able to support both Capture the Flag and Air Superiority, the two new modes being included in the expansion. Each map also offers the new dirt bike vehicle, allowing for quick access across the map however offering little in cover.

If you want to find out more about what each map has to offer, check out the official blog here which includes a full breakdown of each map.

Battlefield 3: End Game is out this March.

In a move not seemingly related to any other promotional activities, EA has slashed the price of Battlefield 3's digital download PC version on their Origin store, with a sale that expires on February 27th.

The deal brings the price of vanilla Battlefield 3 down to just AU$9.99 (from $49), and the Battlefield 3: Premium Edition (which includes the full game, all past and present content expansions, and several other perks) down to $39.99 (from $69). Players that already own the base game, and just want the premium extras, can also find that for $29.99 (down from $49).

We've checked out the pricing on the US Origin store via VPN, and the discounts there are identical, save for the full Premium Edition, which is reduced a further $5 down to US$34.99. But for the rest of the products, it actually means the Australian price is technically the lower of the two, owed to our still elevated local exchange rate.

Battlefield 3's End Game DLC expansion is due to launch in March, bringing another four new maps, two more game modes and dirt biking, and will be delivered free for purchasers of the Premium pack. Head over to Origin for the goods.

EA has unveiled new details about the upcoming End Game expansion for DICE's explosive FPS Battlefield 3, showcasing four new maps including quite lengthy descriptions on each.

Operation Riverside, Nebandan Flats, Kiasar Railroad and Sabalan Pipeline make up the new rotation, and of the four maps each one is able to support both Capture the Flag and Air Superiority, the two new modes being included in the expansion. Each map also offers the new dirt bike vehicle, allowing for quick access across the map however offering little in cover.

You can check out the full details over at the official blog here, however check out the screenshots below for a detailed overview of each one, including the new snow map.

DICE has unveiled two new trailers featuring the upcoming End Game content expansion for Battlefield 3, this time showing off the Air Superiority and Capture the Flag modes making their return to the franchise.

Battlefield 3™: End Game delivers some of the most high-speed warfare to date across four vast maps. Race through enemy lines using the new dirt bike, bringing speed and agility to the Battlefield, or fight back aerial assaults with new lightweight AA vehicles. Coordinate lightning fast attacks and defenses in the return of the classic Capture the Flag game mode, or engage in massive dog fights in Air Superiority. In the skies, the new dropship introduces the ability to turn the tide with rapid deployment air drops of troop transports.

KEY FEATURES
Four vast and varied maps designed for high-speed combat and action
Three new vehicles including the fast and agile dirt bikes
New dropship provides support to ground troops with vehicle drop capabilities
Return of the classic Capture the Flag and Air Superiority game modes

Check out the trailers below for a glimpse at the upcoming DLC and what to expect gameplay wise.

Battlefield 3: End Game is due on PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 in March 2013.

The sleuths over on NeoGAF have uncovered a product sheet for Battlefield 3's upcoming End Game content expansion, revealing that the next DLC will mark the return of Capture the Flag and Air Superiority to the franchise, as well as dropships to perform both infantry and vehicle drops (thanks VG247).

Battlefield 3™: End Game delivers some of the most high-speed warfare to date across four vast maps. Race through enemy lines using the new dirt bike, bringing speed and agility to the Battlefield, or fight back aerial assaults with new lightweight AA vehicles. Coordinate lightning fast attacks and defenses in the return of the classic Capture the Flag game mode, or engage in massive dog fights in Air Superiority. In the skies, the new dropship introduces the ability to turn the tide with rapid deployment air drops of troop transports.

KEY FEATURES
Four vast and varied maps designed for high-speed combat and action
Three new vehicles including the fast and agile dirt bikes
New dropship provides support to ground troops with vehicle drop capabilities
Return of the classic Capture the Flag and Air Superiority game modes

Battlefield 3: End Game is due on PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 in March 2013 --likely with a two week headstart on PS3 once again, followed by Battlefield 3: Premium owners on PC and Xbox 360.

Right on schedule, the fourth major downloadable expansion for Battlefield 3 kicks off today, with PlayStation 3 owners that have purchased the BF3 Premium bundle, once again the first to have access to the new content, which features new maps, new weapons, and another new game mode.

Rise from the ashes and fight for survival! In Battlefield 3: Aftermath, players fight for supremacy amongst shattered streets and buildings across four earthquake ravaged maps. This launch trailer features footage from all four maps and features the new crossbow, vehicles, and the new Scavenger game mode where players armed only with a pistol must search the environment for more powerful weapons.

PC and Xbox 360 BF3 Premium players will be able to obtain Aftermath a week later on December 4th, followed by non-premium PS3 players the next week (December 11th), and non-premium PC and X360 one week after that (December 18th).

Check out the two new trailers below for an in-depth look at the DLC contents.