More goodies are in store for Bad Company 2 fans, as EA has announced a new 4-player co-op mode called Onslaught. Like all other DLC for Bad Company 2, this barely counts as an expansion, as the same old maps will be used, just remixed slightly. Following on the heels of two relatively useless map packs that simply unlocked pre-existing content, it would be nice if DICE would actually deliver some new elements. Here’s the scoop:

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Onslaught mode can be played with up to four players across four multiplayer maps – Valparaiso, Atacama Desert, Isla Inocentes, and Nelson Bay – redesigned with new lighting, time of day, added vehicles and other effects. Each map has a dedicated gameplay focus, requiring different levels of teamwork in order to complete the objectives against an onslaught of enemy AI. Vehicle warfare comes to the forefront in Atacama Desert while Nelson Bay focuses squarely on infantry assault. Players can compete in squads and check individual progress via the dedicated Onslaught leaderboards.

“We’re thrilled to bring something new and fresh to Battlefield: Bad Company 2 while still keeping Battlefield’s signature gameplay intact,” says Patrick Bach, Senior Producer at DICE. “We want to consistently support the over 4 million fans playing the game with new ways to get into multiplayer and also challenge the elite players with new experiences to improve their performance online. Effective squad play is the key to success in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer and this new mode will provide players with a dedicated environment to test their team skills and rank against the competition.”

It’s taken far too long, but a patch is finally heading towards the Xbox 360 and PS3 that will address a ton of issues that have plagued the game since the day of release. Unlike our PC brothers, who seemingly receive a great new patch every other day, the console has yet to see a single issue addressed. On May 11, the update will hit, bringing with it the following changes:

Increased the base range of all Automatic and Semiautomatic weapons for more consistent close range combat.

Slightly increased the damage of Semiautomatic rifles over long range for more consistent damage output.

Increased the zoomed burst accuracy of LMGs and decreased LMG accuracy when moving to reduce LMG run and gun.

Decreased the base damage of the M60 and XM8 LMGs to bring them in line with the other LMG damage values.

Decreased the damage of the PKM over long range to balance it with other LMGs.

Increased the base damage of the Type88 LMG to balance it with other LMGs.

Slightly reduced the base damage of the M16 and G3 to balance the increased range.

Slightly increased the damage of the AEK971, F2000, AN94, and AUG over long range to balance them with other Assault Rifles.

Reduced the lethal blast range of the 40mm grenade and M2CG to highlight their role as a secondary weapon against infantry.

Slightly Reduced the max range of the 40mm shotgun to balance it with other shotguns.

Slightly increased the base damage of shotgun rounds and reduced their range to clarify ideal shotgun combat distance.

Reduced the base damage of the PP2000 to balance the increased range.

Increased the damage of the 9A91 over long range to balance its lower magazine size.

Increased the damage and range of the M9, M93 pistols to make them more desirable as a secondary weapon.

Increased the range of the MP443 pistol to make it more desirable as a secondary weapon.

Increased the damage of the MP412 over long range to balance its low rate of fire.

Slightly reduced the rate of fire of the M1911 pistol to balance it with other pistols.

Increased the repair and overheat speeds of the Power Tool. Now overheats sooner but repairs the same amount before overheating.

Increased the maximum number of Motion Sensors that can be carried from 2 to 3 and increased the speed which new sensors are acquired from ammo boxes.

Significantly increased the speed of the Tracer Dart projectile to make it more effective against airborne targets.

Increased the reload time of the Mortar Strike and reduced the damage it does to heavily armored vehicles.

Decreased the range of Bolt Action Sniper and Pump Shotgun Slug rounds when using Magnum Ammo for better Kit Balance, especially in Hardcore.

Slightly increased the Health of soldiers in Hardcore for better Kit Balance.

Increased the benefit from the Medkit Heal+ specialization to make it more desirable as a Specialization.

Decreased the benefit from Vehicle Reload Speed to balance it against other Vehicle Specializations.

Slightly decreased the benefit from accuracy specializations to balance the changes to range and accuracy tweaks.

Fixed a bug where the BMD3 would take extra damage to the front armor.

Reduced the explosive damage from Attack Helicopter cannons.

Increased the damage of AA guns against all targets. The AA gun should be much more effective against infantry on Port Valdez.

Slightly increased the damage of the UZI at long range.

The AKs74u now has more felt recoil when aiming.

The G3, VSS, and all SemiAutomatic rifles now settle slightly faster between shots when aiming.

The PKM, Type 88LMG, G3, An94, and 40mm shotgun have returned to their former glory.

Increased the damage of the MG3 to bring it in line with the rest of the LMGs.

Fixed a bug where the Saiga12 with slugs would do too much damage at long range.

Fixed a bug where the SVU would do too little damage at long range.

Fixed a bug where M95 rounds would not kill armored targets with headshots.

In an article on CNN about the future of 3D, DICE lets it be known they have plans for incorporating 3D into Battlefield: Bad Company 2. While no platform is mentioned, I think it is safe to assume the PS3 and PC is involved, as that is the only two platforms knowingly working on 3D. Microsoft’s intentions for 3D remain unclear.

Patrick Bach, senior producer at game developer DICE, said whether it is this technology or another, gaming is headed for 3-D soon. DICE and its owner, Electronic Arts, will be upgrading their new game, “Battlefield: Bad Company 2,” into a 3-D game with a patch.

“Special hardware will be a hurdle. But we want people to experience the game in 3-D,” Bach said. “We wouldn’t add this if it didn’t add to the game.”

Eisler said developers don’t have to do anything extra to make their games work in three dimensions. The “NVIDIA 3D Vision” process automatically transforms nearly 400 PC games into full stereoscopic 3-D right out of the box, without the need for special game patches, he said.

But he said many companies are going the extra step to make their titles look better in 3-D by adding such enhancements as out-of-screen effects and showing in-game movies and backgrounds in 3-D.

“In ‘Bad Company 2′, for example, they have rendered all their cut scenes in 3-D as well,” Eisler said. “They have done a stellar job with their game.”

Source

Trying to coordinate your clan in Battlefield Bad Company 2 in a pre-game meeting and wish you had access to actual 3D maps? Wish answered. Now you aim your pointer at the wall like a real general and bark out orders, chomp on your cigar, and tell that trouble-maker Higgs to pipe-down in the front row, James Cameron style.

Want to see what the BFBC2 maps look like from above? Want to plan your next game? Want to see all the places the enemy or you can hide? Well now you can. We have uploaded and made available the Map Kit file for download. It includes overhead views of all the maps for you to use in any way you like and is available NOW.

You can download the map kit from the US and UK version of: http://www.battlefieldbadcompany2.com/downloads