It’s a first-of-its-kind, fusion of actual set pieces and online flash interface, where you will get to command real-life model tanks mounted with webcams and laser LEDs. Gamers will battle their way to top of the scoreboard and to win Battlefield Bad Company™ 2 and Razer™ products (applicable for Singapore residents only)! In the game, players take control of model tanks (4 at a time), and do battle within a diorama, set up at a Cineplex in Singapore.

Head over to http://tankcommander.ea.com.sg to command you own tank between 11:00 and 22:00 (Singapore Time) that is 2:00 GMT to 14:00 GMT, 3:00 CET to 15:00 CET and 18:00 PST to 6:00 PST daily!

A word of warning though, players outside of Singapore may experience considerably more lag.

When you play the beta, you will find that there are a multitude of different more or less effective tactics that you can use on Arica Harbor for both attackers and defenders.

If you look closely on the level features, and use your creativity with destruction, you will soon see the results of your battle plans.

Today, DICE leveldesigner Inge Jøran “Pirelli” Holberg, have picked a few tactics you could try to improve your success rate on the battlefield as a defender and to spur your own creativity on the field.

1^st base

Near the border control gates, you will find that the ground on each side of the road allows you to place your tank in a dug in position that lowers your profile in the terrain, and adds protection for your tank from oncoming fire.

2^nd base

Destroy just one hole in the crate house towards construction site, and get a great view on the objective where you can kill enemies that are rushing in, trying to set a charge. Don’t destroy more of the wall than you absolutely need..

3^rd base

In order to get into this position unseen by enemy, one thing you could do is to use a military tactic called ”mouseholing”. To do this, destroy the wagon side walls close to where you spawn on the bridge, jump inside and start destroying walls only on the end of each wagon until you can see wagon containing the objective. This will create a relatively safe tunnel to the target that you are to protect.

Destroy the walls of the train wagons enough that you can get a strategic position inside the neighboring train wagon, overlooking the objective. Not only are you protected from mortar strikes, but you also have cover to protect you from oncoming swarms of enemies in there as some of the train's cargo is still intact.

4^th base

As long as the plank stack is not destroyed, you can use the stack to jump up on the container, and have cover and a good overview of the objective.

5^th base

Destroy the walls of the construction site towards the barracks (one steel plate and one brick wall). This will turn the barracks into a real nice strategic position where you can guard the objective on the second floor of the construction site as you now can see it from the barrack windows.. 

Have fun!!

Each of the Bonuses we've carefully selected represents one of the cornerstones of the Battlefield experience: Teamplay, Vehicles, and Veterans.  We handpicked Specializations that enhance the abilities of Veterans and Newcomers alike.  Let's explore the gameplay possibilities in the Limited Edition of Battlefield Bad Company 2.

The Vehicle Motion Sensor reveals the position of nearby enemies, allowing you to avoid driving into hidden ambushes.  Rolling into a base in a vehicle equipped with the sensor will also report enemy positions on the minimap for nearby teammates!  The Improved Vehicle Armor specialization upgrades the protective plating on all vehicles to give your vehicle that extra edge in heavy firefights.  Additionally while many vehicle specializations only function for the driver of a vehicle, the Improved Vehicle Armor and Vehicle Motion Sensor specializations will function if they are equipped by any member of the vehicle crew.  So even if you don't enjoy flying or driving, hopping into your friend's vehicle will still grant both you and your friend extra protection.  Of course you also get to man the secondary guns to dish out your own firepower.

The Supreme Vehicle Firepower specialization greatly expands the types of targets tanks and helicopters can engage effectively.  In Main Battle Tanks like the M1A2 and the T90 the Firepower specialization upgrades the vehicle with a coaxial machine gun to improve the MBT's anti-infantry abilities.  The driver's position of the Mobile AA vehicle is also upgraded with a hull mounted machine gun to supplement the default 20mm automatic grenade launcher.  For Light Tanks like the M3A3 or the BMD3 Supreme Vehicle Firepower allows the driver to fire TOW Guided Antiarmor missiles.  Often the deciding factor in armor battles TOWs are also great for punching a hole in buildings before pumping 30mm chain gun rounds inside.  Air vehicles are not left out of the mix, the Vehicle Firepower Package upgrades the gunner's position of the AH64 and the Mi28 with the same TOW Guided AntiArmor missile.  Combined with the pilot's rockets this package can quickly eliminate enemy armor that threatens your teammates.

Featured both in the original Battlefield 1942 and it's spiritual successor Battlefield 1943 the M1911 Pistol and the M1A1 Submachine Gun are true Battlefield classics.  Though not as powerful as the Engineer's modern SMGs and Carbines the M1A1 SMG is unlockable for all 4 classes on the Battlefield.  The mobility granted by the M1A1 allows close range run and gun tactics, especially effective for members of a hard-hitting and fast-moving squad.  Battlefield Veterans will also appreciate the stopping power of the .45 caliber M1911 Pistol.  An American classic, the M1911 is still favored by special forces units around the world almost 100 years after it's inception.  Another sidearm the Tracer Dart Pistol can be equipped as a pistol, allowing all classes to aid their Engineers in destroying enemy vehicles.  When a Tracer Dart is placed on an enemy vehicle friendly RPGs can lock on and track those targets, letting your teammates engage armor safely from cover.  It’s a great aid to your team even for classes like Assault or Medic who lack antivehicle arms.

We think this combination of Weapons and Specializations will provide all types of Battlefield fans with a worthy Day One Advantage.  Whether you're a Tanker or a Pilot, a Teamplayer or a Lone Wolf, Assault, Recon, Engineer or Medic these tools will serve you well on the Battlefield of Bad Company 2.

Alan 'Demize99' Kertz

Gameplay Designer, Battlefield: Bad Company 2

With Battlefield’s rich vehicle pedigree we simply weren’t satisfied with just providing new rides in Battlefield: Bad Company 2.  We took our existing rides back to the mechanics for tuning and expanded Vehicle Combat even further by adding customization and new gameplay features.

For the first time in Battlefield history we’re adding customization to the Battlefield Vehicle Combat.  In Bad Company 2 players can earn customizable vehicle upgrades that let them tune a vehicle towards their own play style.  Vehicle Specializations allow players chose between Enhanced Armor, an Upgraded Weapon package, Smoke Grenades to hide, an Electronic Warfare package to locate nearby enemies, or an Optics Upgrade to zoom in on targets.  These upgrades can give a vulnerable tanker the means to escape, defeat, or outlive his opponents.  Finding the right Vehicle Specialization to fit each play style is crucial to success in Vehicle Combat.

While standing toe to toe and slugging it out is always a valid tactic in any skirmish, the experienced Battlefield player knows that there’s tons more depth to who wins and who loses than just accurate fire.  To bring greater depth to Bad Company 2’s Vehicle Combat we turned the page back and drew inspiration from the original Battlefield 1942.  Tank shells that hit armor at extreme angles will glance off doing less damage, while direct hits deal critical damage.  Armor thickness also varies significantly between the front, sides, and rear of armored vehicles.  A hit that front armor simply shrugs off can quickly become a problem if the same shot is delivered from behind.  You’ll need to watch your back and mind your flanks to stay ahead of the competition.

Of course teamwork is the ultimate trump card to any tactic; the best tanker drivers work with their Engineers to achieve total victory in Battlefield: Bad Company 2.  We’ll talk more about how Vehicles and Infantry work together to build a balanced Battlefield in the near future.

Alan ‘Demize99’ Kertz
Gameplay Designer, Battlefield: Bad Company 2

For Battlefield: Bad Company 2 we wanted to take Battlefield’s traditionally deep vehicle experience and bring it to a whole new level.  In order to do this we analyzed every aspect of our vehicle warfare.  We pushed the pedal down on Jeeps, increasing their top speed, and making them livelier.  We crafted a new control system for Helicopters so more players soar over the Battlefield.  We tuned the Tanks, giving them more torque for climbing and smashing through light obstacles.  Every single aspect of Bad Company’s original vehicles were tweaked, tuned, and rebalanced.  But simply improving our already impressive stable of vehicles was not enough.  We wanted to give new tactics and strategy to players via all new rides.

In Bad Company 2 a whole 4 man squad, plus a pilot, can take to the sky via the new UH-60 transport helicopter.  This 5 seat vehicle can suppress any hot LZ with dual miniguns, each controlled by a gunner on either side of the helicopter.  The additional 2 passengers can contribute their own kit’s fire power through the chopper’s open doors.  Of course the UH-60 will have to watch out for the new BMD-AA Mobile Anti-Aircraft vehicle.

The BMD-AA is a Light Tank absolutely blistering with weaponry.  The turret mounted dual 23mm AA cannons tears helicopters to pieces with rapid fire bursts.  However the AA gunner must sit exposed to enemy fire in order to operate the weapon.  The driver packs the explosive power of a 30mm Grenade Machinegun, and two additional passengers are each fully protected inside, with rapid fire machine guns to suppress nearby infantry.

Also making its debut on the Battlefield are smaller, faster vehicles.  The Quad Bike carries 2 teammates with quickness and agility across the battlefield in record time.  Its small size allows it to slip through gaps and between trees in the forest to escape pursuers or reach that next objective.  On the sea, a 2 man Personal Water Craft gives a quicker, stealthier option for crossing open water.  While neither vehicle sports arms of their own, the passenger has full access to all of his kit weapons.  The high speed of the Quad Bike and PWC give players a new tactical choice on the battlefield.

Of course new and improved vehicles aren’t the only things we’re adding to the Ultimate Vehicle Warfare.  Keep watching the Battlefield Blog for more details on the vehicles in Battlefield: Bad Company 2.

Alan ‘Demize99’ Kertz
Gameplay Designer, Battlefield: Bad Company 2