EA set to release free ad-supported game downloads

The large game distributor Electronic Arts has announced that it will be offering a brand new free Battlefield game that is completely ad-supported.

The new game, Battlefield Heroes, will be available free of charge starting this summer and will generate all its revenue from ad support and micro-transactions.

"Online gaming garners a massive audience," commented Gerhard Florin, executive vice president of publishing at EA.

"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."

The company even promised regular content updates for players that should "customize" the experience.

"There's something here for all types of players � be it our core Battlefield fans or casual gamers," added Ben Cousins, senior producer at EA DICE.

"With the new online model, we will continually add new content to keep the game fresh and keep players engaged, while integrating player feedback in real time. As a game developer, it is such a cool new way to make games."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 21 Jan 2008 18:52

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19 comments

armorthis

This new battlefield looks to be a rip-off of TF2

21.1.2008 20:19 #1

DXR88

Haha ad supported games. you go to join a sever then your hit with ads and pop-ups. need to get you game on maximize your performance
With maxiderm haha. good idea though it could go bad if ad spammers figure out how to add the ads.

21.1.2008 20:20 #2

Mindless5

This could be a good idea, depending on how it's executed. Games are already filled with ads anyway, but we (the consumer) are still paying top-dollar.

21.1.2008 20:49 #3

windsong

No thanks.

I'll stay offline then.

21.1.2008 21:44 #4

ZimHosein

Originally posted by Mindless5: This could be a good idea, depending on how it's executed. Games are already filled with ads anyway, but we (the consumer) are still paying top-dollar.I agree to a point since numerous games "we" already pay for contain advertisements. I am curious to know how EA plans to implement this as well Mindless5.

22.1.2008 00:12 #5

vinny13

Meh... EA has been pretty crap lately..

22.1.2008 01:41 #6

Paladore

Why do you people always need to be negative.....Whats wrong with at "FREE" add supported game? EA sucks, advertisments suck....dont play it. For a free game just be happy its free instead of paying like $20 a month for WoW or EQ or any other online game....

22.1.2008 02:40 #7

Paladore

22.1.2008 02:40 #8

thekingo7

Personally I'm getting a little sick of all your BITCHING! So what if they want to put adds in THEIR game. What allegiance do they hold with you guys? I think they are going to choose putting a small add in a game versus not feeding their family. Let me repeat, a FREE game. A game that doesn't force you to play. And usually these so called "ads" are no worse than nagware. They ask if you want to try the protect, you click no, and your off on your merry little way playing a new free game.

22.1.2008 07:49 #9

7thsinger

Agree with kingo7 here. There's no one forcing any of you to sit down and play.

If you're that upset with some nagware, don't play. But, those little ads are the whole reason the game will be available free.

*shrugs*

So why spend so much time complaining about it?

22.1.2008 08:43 #10

spydah

EA has sucked for the last 5 years mostly with their sports titles but still a FREE game is still FREE. I will take anything for FREE.

22.1.2008 10:11 #11

goodswipe

LMAO, exactly like someone stated before about people complaining... "I think you guys would complain and bitch about anything, even if it was over the fact that Jenna Jameson used lotion and not Vaseline for your hj!" But hey, we need those people around to keep forums active right?

Free games with ads, I'm all for it.

22.1.2008 12:03 #12

BcMester

Just look at EA's Need for Speed series, especially the ones since Underground 1. They are FULL of ads, and not just the cars (e.g. who in their right mind would use a Punto for racing if it wasn't paid for to be included in the game!? O_o ), there are many billboards advertising real life products, the game's phone messaging system is supported by a well known real life carrier, etc. AND on top of that, they still charge like 45 euros for the bloody game! I don't know, but if they make me watch all that shit anyway then I'd rather do it for free than for �45...

22.1.2008 13:05 #13

banned2X

Many bitch about the Ads in games thinking that they're getting "slammed" and "force fed" and "brainwashed" but that is just stupid, crazy and downright ignorant. I love ads in the games...........makes them appear more realistic. I just finished Rainbow Six Vegas and six months after installing I had an update that apparently installed in-game poster ads in several of the gaming scenes that were for the movie "One Missed Call". I'm like "that's frakkin' cool!" because I bought the game loooooong before that movie was due out. It's not like your playing the game and they pop up and stop you from playing. BF 2 had ads and they were just incorporated in the playing.

22.1.2008 14:56 #14

maryjayne

Free games with ads is a good idea. However, if enough revenue is generated from these ads to support the game, then what is to stop the gaming industry's business model to shifting to producing only ad supported games?

When I get on my PC to play a game, I do not want to see advertisments before, during, or after gameplay, which is why I selectively purchase my games.

22.1.2008 15:50 #15

snowlock

Originally posted by Paladore: Why do you people always need to be negative.....Whats wrong with at "FREE" add supported game? EA sucks, advertisments suck....dont play it. For a free game just be happy its free instead of paying like $20 a month for WoW or EQ or any other online game....
that's exactly what i thought when i read this. eventually i might get to try something mmo if this sort of idea works its way down.

22.1.2008 17:19 #16

SamNz

Originally posted by vinny13: Meh... EA has been pretty crap lately..nfs:prostreet it suckd balls

23.1.2008 05:54 #17

ZippyDSM

Its all in how its handled....

23.1.2008 14:47 #18

borhan9

I get a feeling that this is pretty much like the life online game that people make money on :) not sure but i guess free is always going to apeal to the consumer.

18.2.2008 01:05 #19

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