Seeing all of this, Electronic Arts and DICE are wanting to come out of the gate with all guns blazing. For starters, upon the game’s launch in North America (March 2nd), two massive multiplayer maps will unlocked and downloadable. These are the Laguna Alta map playable in Conquest mode and the Nelson Bay map playable in Rush mode, which raises the game’s multiplayer map library to 10. Later in March though, DICE will be releasing a free map pack which includes the Arica Harbor map for Conquest mode and the Laguna Presa map for Rush mode. Codes for this map pack will be in the game’s launch case.

“Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will redefine online modern warfare on March 2. We are deeply committed to the FPS community and Battlefield fans worldwide,” said Patrick Bach, Senior Producer for Battlefield: Bad Company 2. “These first two map packs are just the beginning. We’re planning ongoing support for the community by always keeping the experience fresh and ensuring the best possible gameplay experience.”

Hmm, I don’t think it is any coincidence that they mentioned ‘modern warfare’. Anyways, Battlefield Bad Company 2 will be in stores March 2nd in North America and on March 4th for Europe on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC. As an added bonus, those that reserve the game will get a free upgrade to the Limited Edition of the game (while supplies last).

For more information on Battlefield: Bad Company 2, visit http://www.badcompany2.ea.com.

-Rank Increase to level 50, with rewards for this rank

-New playable characters Louie McGraff and Oscar Calraca

-20 new trials*

-A third weapon upgrade for each weapon

-five additional masks*

*Some items are only available after a player attains a rank of 41 or higher

If you are surprised that the first DLC’s focus is multiplayer, know that future packs will add to the single player experience.

More information on BioShock 2 can be found at any of the game’s many websites: http://www.bioshock2game.com, http://www.cultofrapture.com, and http://www.somethinginthesea.com.

Civilization V takes this definitive strategy game series in new directions with the introduction of hexagon tiles allowing for deeper strategy, more realistic gameplay and stunning organic landscapes for players to explore as they expand their empire. The brand new engine orchestrates a spectacular visual experience that brings players closer to the Civ experience than ever, featuring fully animated leaders interacting with players from a screen-filling diplomatic scene and speaking in their native language for the first time. Wars between empires feel massive as armies dominate the landscape, and combat is more exciting and intense than ever before. The addition of ranged bombardment allows players to fire weapons from behind the front lines, challenging players to develop clever new strategies to guarantee victory on the battlefield. In addition to the new gameplay features debuting in Civilization V, an extensive suite of community, modding and multiplayer elements will also make an appearance.

“Sid Meier’s Civilization franchise has been recognized as one of the greatest PC game franchises of all time with millions of units sold worldwide,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “Civilization V takes the franchise further by offering players a more immersive experience with deeper strategies; heightened tactical combat; vast, realistic landscapes to explore, battle over and claim as their own; and an in-game community hub where Civ fans can share content and compete against each other without leaving the game. This marks a new era that will forever change the franchise responsible for sleep deprivation and reduced productivity for nearly two decades.”

“Each new version of Civilization presents exciting challenges for our team,” said Sid Meier, director of creative development at Firaxis Games. “Thankfully, ideas on how to bring new and fun experiences to Civ players never seem to stop flowing. From fully animated leaders and realistic landscapes, new combat tactics, expanded diplomacy and shared mods, we’re excited for players to see the new vision our team at Firaxis has brought to the series.”

For more information on Sid Meier’s Civilization V, visit http://www.civilization.com.

Anyways here are the screens, as promised.

 

“After the success of the PS3 beta, we’re excited to provide gamers — especially our long-supporting, rabidly passionate PC fans — with another opportunity to get into the game before release,” says Patrick Bach, Senior Producer on Battlefield: Bad Company 2. “Our fans have been a huge part of the franchise’s success and we can’t wait for everyone to experience the amazing gameplay and unforgettable Battlefield moments in Battlefield: Bad Company 2.”

The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 console demo and PC beta will feature Port Valdez, a new vehicle focused map where up to 24 players (32 on PC) will compete against each other as either the US or Russian armies in the game’s Rush multiplayer mode. Players will have access to five land and three air vehicles where the Russian side can use everything in their arsenal including Main Battle Tanks as well as the fast-moving Quad Bikes and Mobile Armored AA. The fight will also be packed with plenty of infantry combat fought alongside the waterline towards a great oil industrial landscape in the Alaskan mountains.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be in stores on March 2, 2010 in North America and March 4, 2010 in Europe for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and the PC. The Limited Edition can be pre-ordered now on all platforms at no extra cost, with participating retailers worldwide (while supplies last).

More information on Battlefield: Bad Company 2 can be found at http://www.battlefield.com.

It will be officially named 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa and will be released on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, PSP and mobile systems in April before the tournament in June.

EA SPORTS 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa will feature all the emotion and passion of the fiercest national rivalries battling on the world’s biggest stage, with all 199 national teams that took part in qualification, all 10 official stadiums to be used in South Africa and stadiums from each qualifying region. Gamers will be able to play as their home nation from qualification right through to a virtual reproduction of the FIFA World Cup Final and feel what it is like to score the goal that lifts a nation. Everything fans love about the World Cup will come to life in spectacular detail, including confetti rain, streamers, & fireworks—just like the official tournament.

For the first time ever in a videogame compete in a full and authentic online World Cup tournament. Carry the hopes and dreams of a nation into battle against fans from rival countries, from the group stage through the knockout rounds to the chance to be crowned 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa champion. For fans of nations that failed to qualify for South Africa this is the chance to replay and re-write history. Plus, gameplay innovations capture the journey from qualification to the final tournament with home and away strategies for every nation, situational tactics in-game, and altitude effects that fatigue players faster and even impact the flight of the ball.

Presented in an art style that celebrates the cultural vibrancy of the first FIFA World Cup to be held in Africa, EA SPORTS 2010 FIFA World Cup on the Wii is an action-packed soccer game that brings friends together in their living rooms to compete for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Travel around the world virtually to take on all 32 nations competing in South Africa in head-to-head challenges in Zakumi’s Dream Team mode. Start the journey with random players and then build your team by stealing an opposition player after each victory. Win a challenge and pick a player until you have conquered the world. Plus, take your team to a friend’s house on your Wii Remote.

More information for each iteration of the game can be found at http://www.easports.com.

This one demonstrates Bad Company 2’s hectic and chaotic multiplayer:

And a couple screens:

 

The better news of this confirmation is that BioWare completely intends for the third game to come out on Xbox 360 and PC, and not the next generation of consoles. This may seem obvious but the cycle rate for consoles is about 5 years; that would put the next Xbox release in this year (the 360 came out in 2005). However, I do not think we will be getting a new system this year but another one before the next Mass Effect is much more likely.

The first DLC from The Cerberus Network will be available on day one, January 26th, and will have new missions and in-game items. This mission will have Zaeed, who is recruitable for Shepard’s group of world-savers.

After the game’s launch, there will be another DLC pack for Mass Effect 2- it includes the Hammerhead, a new vehicle in the game. This agile hover tank features improved handling on rough terrain and maneuvers deftly in combat — a necessity for players traveling across harsh planetary environments throughout the galaxy. In addition to this new vehicle, BioWare will release new missions and unique in-game items, including Cerberus Assault Armor which boost shields, health and heavy weapon ammo and the M-22 Eviscerator Shotgun.

Mass Effect 2 will be out a week from today, January 26th. It will be rated ‘M’ for Mature and be available on Xbox 360 and Windows PC. If you want to keep in touch with BioWare, they have a Twitter feed for Mass Effect 2 at http://twitter.com/masseffect2. You can also check out the game’s website at http://masseffect.bioware.com.