Question and Answer for Battlefield 3 Physical Warfare Pack

[CptainCrunch]

It seems that the heat is still up on the regional Physical Warfare Pack that can be pre-ordered in the UK. The image below shows the items you can receive:

Here is the Q&A from the Battlefield Blog:

Q: Is the Physical Warfare Pack available in all regions, or just in the UK?
A: It will be available worldwide at select retailers. It was first announced in the UK. Exact details for other countries and retailers will be announced at a later date.

Q: Will Physical Warfare Pack imbalance the game?
A: The three exclusive items in the Physical Warfare Pack were specifically chosen not to be overpowered or imbalance or break the game in any way.

Q: Why do I want the Physical Warfare Pack?
A: Owning these items will give you a more varied arsenal, but it will not give you a significant advantage on the battlefield.

Q: Is the Back to Karkand expansion pack exclusive to pre-orders?
A: No. You can also buy it separately if you do not pre-order Battlefield 3. Back to Karkand will be available the exact same date after the launch of Battlefield 3 no matter if you pre-ordered or buy it separately.

Q: When will the Back to Karkand expansion pack be released?
A: We have not yet announced the Back to Karkand expansion pack release date.

Q: How much does the Back to Karkand Expansion pack cost?
A: We have not yet announced a price. However, it will be included in the Limited Edition at no extra charge.

Q: Do I have to choose between Back to Karkand and the Physical Warfare Pack as my pre-order bonus?
A: No. There is no way you can pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition and not end up with the Back to Karkand expansion pack at no extra charge. On top of this, select retailers all over the world will carry the Physical Warfare Pack. Exact details for other countries and retailers will be announced at a later date.

Q: Why do you offer pre-order bonus items?
A: Because we believe in rewarding our core fanbase with special offers -- such as giving them the Back to Karkand expansion pack at no extra charge.

Those are all the questions and answers about this pack. It was originally thought that each region would receive different items, but it now sounds like that is not the case. Also, the physical warfare pack is only available for select retailers and no word yet on who the rest of the retailers are. There is also no answer on those that pre-ordered before the announcement of these add-ons and if those pre-orders are included in this deal.

It also seems the Q&A has not calmed the crowds down as you can click the source link below to read the comments, which are not very friendly.

So what are your thoughts on this? Still too many questions? Does this seem like a crazy idea? Don't care one way or another?

Source

[BlueAngel7]

There's been a big fuss about this on the EA Battlefield forums, but I don't see what the big deal is. If it's not going to imbalance the game, it's just like having different gun skins.

[Vreki]

Re: Question and Answer for Battlefield 3 Physical Warfare Pack

There's been a big fuss about this on the EA Battlefield forums, but I don't see what the big deal is. If it's not going to imbalance the game, it's just like having different gun skins.

No its not, The flechette and supressor are more than visuals.
And then there is the whole map pack thing.

The way I look at it, there is a limited number of development resources available. The more resources they set aside for preorder-bonus ,the less there is for the regular game.
So effectively they are punishing those who do not wish to buy the cat in the bag by crippling their game.

[SgtMattBaker]

I hate Pre-Order bonuses.

[eradicator8]

I seriously doubt it will effect the development of the standard game that they add this bonus. The whole unlock system is already firmly implanted in the game. Adding 4 specific to a serial key I cannot see will take up a lot of resources.
Definately not in a way that it will cribble the game.
I still think that it would be funny that each player could have unlocks unobtainable by others. As long as it does not unbalance the game too much.

[Vreki]

Re: Question and Answer for Battlefield 3 Physical Warfare Pack

I seriously doubt it will effect the development of the standard game that they add this bonus. The whole unlock system is already firmly implanted in the game. Adding 4 specific to a serial key I cannot see will take up a lot of resources.
Definately not in a way that it will cribble the game.
I still think that it would be funny that each player could have unlocks unobtainable by others. As long as it does not unbalance the game too much.

I agree that the unlocks doesn't take up much time, I was thinking about the "Back to Karkand" map pack.
The unlocks are a problem because they keep functionality from ordinary buyers. And we have no way of knowing how important that functionality is before the game goes live, and preorders are no longer possible.

[jimykx]

Re: Question and Answer for Battlefield 3 Physical Warfare Pack

If i preorder it at a local store do i also get the back to karkand??!?!?!

[CptainCrunch]

Re: Question and Answer for Battlefield 3 Physical Warfare Pack

If i preorder it at a local store do i also get the back to karkand??!?!?!

Yes, I would think as long as its the Limited Edition. Its still a pre-order and thats the only requirement to get BTK.

Crunch

[The_Eliminator]

Re: Question and Answer for Battlefield 3 Physical Warfare Pack

The thing that annoys me about these type of pre-order bonuses is the fact that only certain people within a certain region can get it. If i dont have access to that store then i dont even have the option of maybe purchasing the physical warfare pack. Next thing you know all different stores around the world have their own pre-order bonuses and you either have to pre-order 10 copies of the game and cancel 9 of them of just not have the option to get any at all.

You would have thought that EA trying to market their new Origin digital downloading suite they would offer any and all pre-order bonuses for BF3 through that as a thank you for ordering through them.

[sithdemon]

While I'm not a fan of this practice lets be clear about what is happening with these pre-orders.

The Back to karkand pack will be a separate DLC after release, or possibly tied to used copies for a extra price. It's just free with pre-orders.

As for the weapons and weapon add ons.

First the DAO-12: is only early access

The DAO-12 fletchette ammo: Yes this is a exclusive, however other weapons will be able to employ this ammo type. It's also suppose to be lower damage, but will go through thin cover and soldiers.

The SKS flash suppressor: Yes this is a exclusive, however it's unknown if other weapons will be able to attach a similar add on to their weapons. However looking at Bad company 2, weapon attachments were pretty universal, and even the m14 and g3 got the 4x scope and red dot sights after release.

The Type 88 LMG: This is a exclusive weapon, the hope is that it's balanced along the lines of the other LGMs, we have to trust in dice for this.

So over all It's not a huge advantage when you take a sober look at it, ideally it's just a bit more variety. And if any of these items are a significant advantage, the hope would be that they would be patched to be in line with the rest of the weapons post release.

I think the community would have been happier if they just went the Bad company 2 route and just made these items early access, and then yes pre-order customers get a advantage off the bat, but then everyone else catches up.

But from the publishers (EA) and the Stores perspective that's a pretty weak pre-order incentive, so I'm sure pressure was applied to DICE to offer a true carrot to dangle in front of people.

The other hope is that like with many exclusives they might be available as DLC of some sorts at some point in the future. Either for a fee or free.

I for one will be pre-ordering the game on steam once it's available, because I've seen enough to know I'll have fun with it. Do I understand the need to put pressure on companies to correct behavior especially since it can lead to worse practices in the future. And this is the right time for this pressure, EA needs positive press to help shift the tide to Battlefield.

EA has been trying to calm people down with these FAQs and press interviews, so we know the pressure is on for them.

[Anarchy1]

Re: Question and Answer for Battlefield 3 Physical Warfare Pack

I agree that the unlocks doesn't take up much time, I was thinking about the "Back to Karkand" map pack.
The unlocks are a problem because they keep functionality from ordinary buyers. And we have no way of knowing how important that functionality is before the game goes live, and preorders are no longer possible.

Actually, I doubt it will take up any main game development time. A small team is working on four additional maps alongside the main mapping team. The DLC maps won't be finished until after the main maps are. Once the main maps are finished, the whole mapping team will switch over to the DLC maps and finish those up. Since the DLC maps don't have to be finished before the game is released, there is no rush for them to work on them hard before the main maps are finished (which has to be done a few months before the game is released). Typically, once the main maps are finished, the team would immediately start work on any DLC maps anyway.

So in truth, they would lose very little development time. If anything, they would lose some DLC development time, which isn't a big deal.

[DunkinSPE]

Phase 1. Create Physical Warfare Pack

Phase 2. ?

Phase 3. Profit

:weo:

[thejeran]

Alrite, something I've been confused on. Does BTK come standard on PC? I thought I heard that somewhere so I was deciding it wasn't worth it to pre-order since Ill be gone on release.

[jimykx]

Re: Question and Answer for Battlefield 3 Physical Warfare Pack

I'm afraid of preordering it at my local store, since i might preorder it and once i go there to pick it up some days after release they might give me a copy of the original game that has no BTK instead of a limited edition. Can you give me an official link saying that every preorder is a limited edition so that if that happens i can show them and make a big fuss about it?

Edit:
Ah alright, it's at the main site preorder http://www.battlefield.com/battlefie.../bf3-pre-order

[-Shifty-]

Re: Question and Answer for Battlefield 3 Physical Warfare Pack

I could not care less about the physical warfare pack. It won't change a darn thing and you're paying for ugly useless weapons.

It's the nostalgia of Strike at Karkand that gets me. I cannot wait to play it again.