EA has decided to make its core Battlefield game free to play with its new "Battlefield Play4Free" title.
The giant publisher has previously released Battlefield Heroes as a free to play, microtransaction-supported casual game, but this is the first it releases a free to play hardcore shooter.
Battlefield Play4Free is based on Battlefield 2 and Bad Company. The new game is a 32 players FPS that takes place in the most popular maps from previous Battlefield games.
"We broke new ground in 2009 with the launch of Battlefield Heroes; a game that has 6M registered players worldwide," said James Salt, senior producer on Battlefield Play4Free. "Now we are complementing that arcade shooter with a core, realistic Battlefield shooter experience that fans have been clamouring for. Battlefield Play4Free is for serious shooter fans who are looking for a premium - but free - experience that rivals top console titles."
Battlefield Play4Free will enter closed beta next month and is scheduled for release in Spring. Meanwhile, Battlefield 3 is still on track for release next year.
