DICE have posted word on the official Battlefield blog of the latest BF3 patch, due in a few short days for the PlayStation 3 version on March 27th CET (so Wednesday March 28th here in Australia) with PC and Xbox 360 to follow in the coming weeks.

Chief among the changes is long-awaited improvements to the PC's "commo-rose" interface -- the hot-menu used for sending quick voice commands to your team that had been clumsy to the point of uselessness since the game's launch last October.

For console players, the biggest deal this time around is the introduction of server rentals -- a feature that the PC version has had since launch, however since third party providers aren't able to run BF3 console servers like they can for PC (EA DICE run all BF3 console servers via an exclusive deal with i3D) this hasn't previously been an option for PS3 and X360 players. More details on just how this will work on consoles is expected in the next few days.

As always, the patch also includes an exhaustive list of gameplay balance changes and bug fixes far too numerous to list here. So hit up the patch notes for a complete breakdown (and to rage at SOFLAM being even further disincentivised).

Following this one, the next major update for Battlefield 3 will likely accompany the upcoming Close Quarters DLC in June.