Battlefield 3's 'Back to Karkand' expansion arrives on PS3 Dec. 6, 360 and PC on Dec. 13

by Ben Gilbert on Dec 1st 2011 3:47PM

As promised, EA and DICE are delivering Battlefield 3's first expansion, "Back to Karkand," in December, though today we learned from the Battlefield blog that there's a specific date: December 6. Given that all of Battlefield 3's expansions will arrive one week early on PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360 and PC versions of said DLC won't arrive until December 13.

If you've missed the variety of videos showcasing Back to Karkand, the pack is composed of four maps from previous Battlefield games, all remade in Battlefield 3's "Frostbite 2.0" game engine. Put more simply: there will be a few more places to murder folks online, as well as a variety of new vehicles with which to do so.

The pack will be free for folks who picked up the "Limited Edition" version of BF3 at launch, and will cost $15 for the have-nots.

Source: Battlefield Blog

Tags: back-to-karkand, battlefield-3, dice, dlc, downloadable-content, ea, ea-dice, electronic-arts, microsoft, pc, playstation, playstation-network, ps3, psn, q4-2011, release-date, xbl, xbox, xbox-live

Reader Comments (73)

Oh that's just a few days away! I was thinking towards the end of December. These more destructible maps look just like the nudge I needed to take a break from my skyrim addiction. Can't wait.

@Joystiq PS3 BF3 biomass

If anyone wants to form a little Joystiq squad feel free to add me on ps3: (all lower case) johnnynumber5. I'm not very good at killing but I'm a good support player who regularly enjoys repairing damaged things ... And I use a headset. Love to play with people who aren't totally random & who are hopefully way better than me. I haven't played in a while and I want to go back to karkand ... For the 1st time.

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell

My mic is broken but, I'll add you on Battlelog until I get a new one. Joysitq should start a BF3 platoon!

aSpicyTaco: Battlelog
aSpicyTaco_ :PSN

@Mr Hett
I agree they had or have a bunch of people for BC2 why not BF3?
it'd be nice to have some team work and stuff.

Gamertag: A Red Robe

@Mr Hett

PSN: ZeroGravity315

I'd love to play with some competent teammates!

@Those that replied

I'll add you all to PSN after work. I'm good at taking direction as well! Soldier here ready for duty!

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell

add me my psn is waxkiller05
battlelog is the same as psn.

i mostly do support/assualt with med kits! yay med kits!

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell

I've had you on my friendslist for a while and I don't think I have played more than 1 or 2 games with you....gonna have to squad up....

@Mr Hett I just made a platoon and did a mock up of the default avatar, search for Joystiq (Ps3) and apply.

@Mr Hett loving my battlefield experience so far. Playing with fellow joystiqers sounds like a blast. You guys should add my PSN: Crisissky (i didnt make it up lol)

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by psn: sadamoto, battlelog: laharl

At least Xbox 360 owners can looks forward to the Dashboard update on the 6th!

@Warlock234
Or, like me, you can look forward to both on the same day :)
Although, I'm honestly not bothered about a dashboard update lol

@Warlock234

Don't forget the November 3DS update too!

Developers/publishers should really stop doing this. It's kind of lame that they release it on any platform earlier. I'm a PC player, and I'd like to see any kind of DLC released simultaneously (unless because of a real complication) across all platforms.

@Dionkey I disagree simply because I am a ps3 user and can't wait to be playing this next week!!

@Sled Haha, that's understandable, but would it really matter if it was released everywhere else, too?

@Dionkey Thatd make too much sense lol. Besides, then they wouldn't be able to make all this competition crap between bf and cod.
Although I'm happy it's only a week, unlike cod maps where ps3 and pc users get it a month later. And I'm not even sure I want this map pack right now, 1200msp feels a tad too expensive for old maps and some weapons (MY opinion, before you guys jump down my throat).

BTW, I'm super excited for the new dashboard update :D

@Dionkey Tell that to Activision.

@Dionkey ONLY a week timed exclusive?

I hope sony didn't pay for that. Because if they did....

-FAIL.

@StarcasM They did. No company would segregate their consumers like that. They wanna make as much money as soon as possible, so waiting a week for the other customers didn't come free/ "out of the goodness of their heart"

@trickybuz93 That makes it even worse. I'm sure the 360 has the most sales over both the ps3 an pc, so it doesn't add up.

A month, yeah. But a week??

@StarcasM

The PS3 freebie was originally supposed to be free copies of BF 1943. So, I seriously doubt Sony paid specifically for this. In fact, Sony & EA have had this partnership for years now. That's why every EA ad has Playstation at the end. There are numerous examples with exclusive PS3 content in games like Dead Space 2, Dantes Inferno, Mirrors Edge & Medal of Honor.

@Dionkey - I agree 100% and I'm not just saying that because this is a situation where I have to wait. I feel the same way about timed exclusives for the 360. PS3 & PC should get those at the same time as well whenever possible (if it's a delay on a platform because of a technical issue, that's a different story).

If anyone is down to play bf3 on pc with me add me. My name is the same as my joystiq account. I'm all about team work and shooting down helicopters in my tank!

@SackDanDruff ... Profile name/gamertag.....WIN. lol

@SackDanDruff

i'm on pc too looking for people to play with, my EA tag is "xneuromancer"

@SackDanDruff

ZerosharkXVII, any other soldiers on PC want to get their teamwork on I am down

@SackDanDruff ... LOL. Too funny. I'm on XBL xXGreenLightXx

15 for four maps?

Sounds like COD.

Does anything else come with it? I got standard edition in the mail today, and Idk if 15 is worth it, or if i should just wait for a sale on PSN.

@OGC
10 new weapons and a new game mode.

I think we (PS3 players) also get BF:1943 on Dec. 6th.

@OGC more guns, n a shit load of new vehicles

@OGC
I believe there are new weapons and vehicles as well

@OGC There are new vehicles on the Karkand maps, and new weapons in the pack that can be used in all the maps once they're unlocked. They've also added a new game mode that's like a cross between Conquest and Rush.

@ansalon929 doesnt matter how many guns or vehicles they give us, its still 4 maps for $15 and overpriced.

how bout they work on fixing the VOIP and the squad issues first. id love to join a game and actually stay with my friends when we squad up before we get into a match.

@Mr Bungo

that new mode sounds like it could be cool, and new vehicles is always a plus. I still cant get over four maps for 15 dollars though lol oh well, to each his own, i'll just wait.

@OGC

Yeah the price is a bit high. I hope it goes on sale before March (new Ghost Recon!) because it looks fun.

I double checked and we get 1943 on Dec. 10th. Sorry for the confusion.

@OGC

4 maps, 10 new guns, 4 new vehicles, new ribbons, new dogtags, new game mode... Based on the competition's price point which is exactly the same for only the maps, this is a pretty good deal for those without the LE.

@packy17

I hear ya. But I dont really care about the dogtags or weapons, as i'll probably be focusing on leveling up some other weapon i like. Although i do want to try out the MP5, just not that much. Vehicles i think is a cool add, as well as the new mode combining rush and conquest.

But I care about the maps the most, and 15 for 4 isn't value for me personally, though i do see the objective value compared to just maps on COD.

Idk, I'm going to try out BF3 tonight and see if i like it or not. It's been a toss up between this and MW3 for me honestly, as there are certain things that i like about each game, yet i dont want to buy 2 military shooters. I only paid 28 for BF3 so I won't feel that bad if it doesnt meet my own expectations.

@OGC

Remember those 4 maps aren't always the same version or size. These maps are TREMENDOUS and with each different mode you play they change. A single map has different variations/zones for Rush, Conquest, Squad Rush, AND Team Deathmatch. $15 is WELL worth it, especially when you throw in new vehicles, weapons, modes and features...it's a no-brainer.

Shit...by Activisions standards Karkand is a $60 game.

I could care less who gets it first long as it's quality..

I've been loving this game.

/360 user

nice

I'm a little grumpy about the whole delayed release thing. PS3 owners aren't getting any kind of reward, they're getting something they were always entitled to. Instead PC and XBOX owners get penalized for the balls up and then PS3 owners get their vouchers for 1943 anyway!

I love battlefield and don't mean to criticise but it is just illogical and silly.

@trickyd
Ya? They pulled the same crap with Black Ops, only with the 360 getting it a MONTH earlier. I'm sure you wouldn't complain if it were the other way around anyways.

@trickyd Relax, Timed exclusives aren't going anywhere.. Look at MW3, that's Timed Exclusive to the 360. -Much longer than a week though!

So it's really no big deal. If I still had BF3, I wouldn't even sweat it.

@trickyd
Pretty sad when people cry about having to wait a whole week.

@(Unverified)

Yeah, but it made business sense. It was like a reward to all those supported the game on the leading platform. What excuse is there EA to do timed exclusivity on the PS3 this time around? To my knowledge I think BF3 has sold 800,000 more copies on the 360 than the PS3. Sounds very stupid on EA's part that they would do this, potentially alienating their largest platform at the moment.

@leobebes

They probs do it for that reason (as well as the screw up).
Give more love to the PS3 that bought less to make them feel special.

LOL is more popular in Europe, yet US gets more love, a fair few things are infact more popular in Europe yet other countries get the love. (and perhaps vice versa)

(*resists the PC whine :D*)

@leobebes

This is nothing new. Sony & EA have had a "strategic" partnership for years now. Additional content in just about every PS3 release (MoH, DS2, MIrrors Edge etc etc) and PS3 at the end of every EA Sports & Game advertisement. Also, if you actually just tried to rationalize the COD thing on 360 as being a "reward" then you are either daft, deluded, dumb, high or uninformed. Pretty much everything is always about money. They announced the partnerships extension at E3 but didn't disclose details.

TLDR - Stop sitting down while you pee

Honestly if COD did this everyone would hate it, we already know people would dump on it only because it's COD.
I haven't picked up BF3 or MW3 yet, but I will soon.
Maybe BF3 will someday have a gameplay mode for jets only called dogfight or something? Yeah DICE, think about that.

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Battlefield 3

Battlefield 3's 'Back to Karkand' expansion arrives on PS3 Dec. 6, 360 and PC on Dec. 13

Reader Comments (73)

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 3:52PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 3:58PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:07PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:20PM ansalon929 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 5:12PM Critikal315 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 5:23PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 5:53PM bigblue02005 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 6:59PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Dec 2nd 2011 1:26AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 2nd 2011 8:29PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 2nd 2011 8:49PM chrono said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 3:53PM Warlock234 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:00PM Pete207 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:11PM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 3:58PM Dionkey said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:03PM Sled said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:06PM Dionkey said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:46PM trickybuz93 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:50PM Resident Evil 6 Puppy Madness said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:55PM StarcasM said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 5:18PM trickybuz93 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 6:24PM StarcasM said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 7:12PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 7:28PM Mcmax3000 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:02PM SackDanDruff said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:22PM GreenLight said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:42PM alu said

Posted: Dec 2nd 2011 7:29AM Zeroshark said

Posted: Dec 2nd 2011 8:46AM GreenLight said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:02PM OGC said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:05PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:06PM adr916 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:06PM ansalon929 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:08PM Mr Bungo said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:19PM 8bitartist said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:27PM OGC said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:36PM Mr Hett said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 7:50PM packy17 said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 8:08PM OGC said

Posted: Dec 2nd 2011 4:42AM Untouchable4rc said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:08PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:12PM TheGood said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:13PM trickyd said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:33PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:57PM StarcasM said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 5:08PM Klearwater Killer said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 5:44PM leobebes said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 6:11PM Shiz said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 7:25PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Dec 1st 2011 4:18PM BlackRoyMustang said

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