EA's "on the house' promotion on its Origin service continues to surprise today, offering up the PC version of Battlefield 3 completely free, until June 4th 2014.

Unless you count having to install and register an account for the online distribution services, there's no strings here, just download away.

It's also worth noting that the free offering is for the base BF3 game only, so you won't be getting all the DLC extras, but hey, it's still only a three year old game, and it's free. Have at it.

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.

Recently DICE senior programmer Mikael Kalms had confirmed that an option to turn off the colour grading in the explosive FPS Battlefield 3 would be featured in an upcoming client patch, however news has come that the option will now not be seeing the light of day.

In a post on the forums of Mordor HQ (thanks Blue's News) Mikael confirms that after stating that such an option would be coming, the team at DICE have decided to not include the option, stating that "it is extremely important for us at DICE to have a unique identity in our games."

After discussing this further with my colleagues, we have decided to not implement this feature. This is the studio’s take on this matter, and I support this decision:

"As a studio, it is extremely important for us at DICE to have a unique identity in our games, not only from a gameplay perspective, but visually as well. While we appreciate that some players might want a slightly different look to the game, we are proud of the visual identity of Battlefield 3 and do not wish to change it."

I apologize for getting anybody’s hopes up, and if you have any further questions on this subject, I will refer back to the above statement.

The original statement from Mikael that sparked the interest was that a console-only command would be featured in the PC version of the game, allowing players to turn of the colour grading to decrease the saturation levels. Stating that some things like the IRNV scopes would be distorted due to reliance on the grading, it seemed to be a welcome addition for many. Whether this means it won't happen in the future is unknown, but until then many are continuing to use external programs to change the colour saturation levels.

DICE has released a new trailer premiering the next expansion pack for the action packed FPS Battlefield 3, with hints at a crossbow weapon, earthquakes and a new game mode. Aftermath will also include four new maps, as well as new weapons and vehicles.

This trailer provides a premiere look at our fourth multiplayer expansion pack Battlefield 3: Aftermath, where we throw players into an all-new harrowing environment: The shattered districts, streets and cities of post-earthquake Iran. Players will struggle for supremacy and survival amongst the devastation, with heavily modified vehicles and the all-new crossbow at their disposal.

Battlefield 3: Aftermath features all multiplayer game modes from the base game, plus the all-new Scavenger mode. In Scavenger mode, lost soldiers start equipped with only a knife, one grenade, and sidearm and must search the environment for more powerful weapons to increase their chance at surviving and eventually winning.

The new mode hasn't been classified yet as being a team based mode or simply a free-for-all deathmatch so keep an eye out on that.

Battlefield 3: Aftermath is out starting November 27th for PlayStation 3 Premium members, with other platforms gaining access later. Full launch details are below:

PlayStation 3 Premium members: November 27

Xbox 360 and PC Premium members: December 4

PlayStation 3 players: December 11

Xbox 360 and PC players: December 18

Now that Battlefield 3's Armored Kill DLC has been getting a good workout on all platforms, DICE has detailed a new round of balance tweaks and bug fixes in a server-side patch update due to roll out this evening.

The full changelog can be found over on Battlelog, and includes tweaks to gunship spawn times on rush and conquest mode, the ability to disable the minimap on hardcore servers, and fixes to several bugs and a radio beacon exploit.

Players can expect Battlelog and official games servers to be offline for a 30 minute window at 0800 UTC on October 11th, which equates to 1900 October 11th in Sydney time (1800 in Brisbane).

EA and DICE have officially launched Battlefield 3 Premium Edition, the promised retail bundle version of their well-received shooter, that packs all of the post-launch content updates into a single package, as well as a "head start kit" designed to give newcomers a bit of a boost into the game's many unlocks.

Most surprising is the price point, which EA has marked at A$69.99 for the Australian release on all platforms, unusually not to disparate from the North American release at US$59.99.

The Premium Edition launch coincides with the latest DLC map, weapon and vehicle-pack, Armored Kill, which will be later followed by at least two more expansions: Aftermath, and End Game, in the coming months.

Battlefield 3 Premium Edition is available in Australia today and in New Zealand on September 13 for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. All Battlefield 3 digital expansion packs will be available individually for $23.95(AUD) on the PlayStation Network and on PC at Origin.com, or for 1200 MS Points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. PlayStation 3 players will also receive an additional week of early access to all remaining digital expansion packs

Hit up the completely Australian press release for the rest of the localised details, and stay tuned for our own impressions on the Armored Kill DLC.

DICE has today released a brand new trailer to coincide with the launch of their latest expansion pack, Armored Kill, for PlayStation 3 Premium members. The new pack will feature five new vehicles plus a new game mode titled Tank Superiority, where heavy vehicles clash in order to control key areas of the map.

Battlefield 3: Armored Kill is the next digital expansion pack in the Battlefield 3 series and introduces a host of exclusive in-game content, new vehicles, assignments and more.

Taking vehicular mayhem to the next level as only Battlefield can, Battlefield 3: Armored Kill features 5 new drivable vehicles including mobile artillery, tanks, ATV's complete with over 20 vehicle specific unlocks. Players will also have the ability to spawn in the all-new gunship and rain death from above.

Battlefield 3: Armored Kill also introduces a brand new mode to the Battlefield franchise, Tank Superiority, where heavy vehicles clash in order to control key areas of the map.

Alongside the release of the new DLC is a quite large patch for all platforms, featuring a range of fixes and tweaks which you can find over here. Make sure you check out the explosive trailer below (HD here) and let us know your thoughts on the new expansion pack.

Battlefield 3: Armored Kill will be available on September 11th for PC and Xbox 360 Premium members. Standard players will be able to access the DLC on September 18th for PlayStation 3 and September 25th for PC and Xbox 360.

DICE has today revealed the lengthy patch notes for the latest update to the building crumbling FPS, Battlefield 3. This patch will be coinciding with the release of Armored Kill, the next DLC map pack that is boasting the largest map in Battlefield history. While the patch notes are quite lengthy, here is a just a snippet of some of the major changes coming to the game:

Removed flares from gunner position in helicopters. With the right combination of unlocks, an attack helicopter could be effectively invulnerable to lock on missiles. Removing the flares from the gunner balances the attack helicopter against ground fire.

Belt Fed Machine guns are now more accurate when standing and firing while aiming. This affects the M240, M249, Type88, Pecheneg, and LSAT.

Removed burst fire from the L85 and added Single Shot to the L86 as is authentic for these weapons.

You can check out the full list of changes over on the official blog post. For those wanting to know how big the update will be for each system; the PS3 update will be 1.53GB, the Xbox 360 update will be 1.44GB and the PC update will be ~2.2GB.

The upcoming patch will be available to all on September 4th. Battlefield 3: Armored Kill will be available for PlayStation 3 on September 4th for Premium members and September 11th for PC and Xbox 360 Premium members. Standard players will be able to access the DLC on September 18th for PlayStation 3 and September 25th for PC and Xbox 360.

The official Battlefield 3 site has updated with a release schedule for the game's next downloadable content expansion launch, clarifying the September 2012 target for the new vehicular-focused maps.

As expected --and as we saw with the previous Close Quarters DLC-- playing on PlayStation 3 rewards players with a one week headstart, and buying into the Battlefield Premium bundle scores another week. Here's the breakdown:

Battlefield 3 Premium Members	PlayStation 3	Sept 4th
Battlefield 3 Premium Members	Xbox 360 and PC	Sept 11th
Battlefield 3 Players	PlayStation 3	Sept 18th
Battlefield 3 Players	Xbox 360 and PC	Sept 25th

Armored Kill promises four new maps: one of which is the series' largest battlefield to-date, several new vehicles: including tanks, ATVs and mobile artilery, and a new game mode: Tank Superiority.

EA and DICE have shot through three new screens for their forthcoming Armored Kill DLC for Battlefield 3, showcasing the game's unparallelled visuals once more, along with examples of what we all know and love about the Battlefield 3 multiplayer experience - emergent gameplay.

Armored Kill arrives in September for the massively popular shooter, and features new, heavy vehicles and artillery among much more.

Click the thumbnails below for a closer look at the new screens.

DICE has today released some tantalising news about the next DLC for the destruction heavy FPS, Battlefield 3. Titled Aftermath, the new DLC will feature four new maps, each one designed around post-earthquake ridden villages.

et amongst the shattered districts, streets and surrounding villages of a post-earthquake Tehran Battlefield 3: Aftermath depicts a continuing struggle for supremacy and survival amongst the devastation.

With operational capacity severely compromised the opposing forces must adapt and engage in vertical and horizontal urban combat amongst the dust and rubble with cracks and fissures in the terrain providing unexpected cover and paths to objectives. Additional support comes in the form of heavily modified troop transports and civilian vehicles specially adapted to deliver deadly force to the enemy.

Sticking with the theme of not just maps but new heavily modified military and civilian vehicles, the DLC will also include a new game mode and of course new achievements, assignments and dog tags.

No release date has been given yet, but you can check out the sole screenshot below that gives you a concept idea of just what to expect in Aftermath.