Battlefield 3 multiplayer beta begins September 29

EA has announced plans to deploy the Battlefield 3 multiplayer beta next Thursday, September 29. The testing will be open to all players, however those who pre-order the digital PC version or a Limited Edition of 2010's Medal of Honor from EA's online Origin store will receive early access to the pre-release party starting September 27.

The open beta will run until October 10. It will be conducted in BF3's Operation Metro map, a Paris locale where players will “work their way from lush parks on the outskirts of the city to a dark, bombed-out metro station, to the vibrant streets around the Paris stock exchange.” The game will feature two teams facing off in Rush Mode, with one side tasked with ambushing M-COM stations while the other attempts to hold them off.

Above: A sample of the online chaos to come

Beta players will also be privy to the EA's online Battlelog service, which will be available for free upon launch and give virtual combatants access to social networking features, stat tracking, rare badges, and a free M1911 pistol.

For better or worse, DICE's Alan Kertz recently confirmed via Twitter that any stats or unlocks earned in the betawill not carry overto the full game when it releases for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC on October 25 in North America, and October 28 in the UK.

Sep 20, 2011