Update: Thanks to JPanzerj and Pedro9basket we now have more information on UK pre-order bonuses and a FAQ on pre-ordering bonuses and the Open Beta
Time has passed since EA and DICE revealed their plans to get pre-orders from the UK residents through the Physical Warfare Pack. Now there are quite some bonuses for the US Citizens to pre-order Battlefield 3 depending on which store or retailer they choose.
So far the following incentives have been announced (Note all of them are the Limited Edition and therefore include the Back to Karkand Expansion free of charge):
- (US) GameStop pre-order
- Includes the Physical Warfare pack. If the customer is part of their PowerUp Rewards, he or she will get a free Prima Battlefield 3 strategy guide as well.
- (US) Amazon Battlefield 3 pre-order:
- If the customer pre-orders on Amazon, he or she will receive an exclusive set of dog tags for multiplayer.
- (US) Best Buy Battlefield 3 pre-order
- Best Buy offers a set of new multiplayer skins — the SPECACT Kit. The customer will receive a code to unlock 8 new multiplayer skins when the game is released.
- (UK) GAME Group pre-order
- Includes the Physical Warfare pack. Note this was the first announcement of a pre-order bonus
- (UK) Amazon
- Offers the SPECACT kit with eight unique multiplayer skins, one for each class
- (UK) Play.com bonus
- The customer will recieve a set of exclusive multiplayer dog tags to customize their soldiers
Also announced was their offer from their new Origin site (both US and UK; may be quite generous or outrageous depending in your POV):
- EARLY Open Beta for Battlefield 3 (Origin Exclusive)
- Players who pre-order the game from Origin will be granted early access to the Open Beta for Battlefield 3 when it goes live in September 2011.
- Pre-load and Get Ready to Play at Launch
- If the customer pre-orders the PC Digital version of Battlefield 3 Limited Edition through Origin he or she can pre-load the game before it launches. Preloading insures means the purchaser can play the minute Battlefield 3 releases instead of waiting to install.
Afterwards the Battlefield Blog released a FAQ concerning the pre-order bonuses and the Open Beta:
Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand
What it is: An entire themed expansion pack the size of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam.
Where to get: You will be eligible to download this expansion pack (once it is released) if you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition at Origin or at any retailer all over the world.
Available: The release date of Back to Karkand is not yet announced. This expansion pack is not on the disc and is not available on the launch date of the base game. Everyone (pre-orderers and those who buy it separately) will be able to start playing Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand at the same date.
Cost: At no extra charge with every pre-order of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition. You will be able to buy it separately for $14,99 if you don't pre-order (release date not yet announced).
More info: In this blog post.
Physical Warfare Pack What it is: A set of three time-based exclusive items and one early weapon unlock for Battlefield 3. Where to get: By pre-ordering Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin or at select retailers all over the world. Available: Day 1 if you pre-order. You will get access to this content at no extra charge at a later date if you don't pre-order (date to be announced) Cost: At no extra charge with your pre-order at Origin and select retailers. More info: In this blog post.
SPECACT Kit Upgrade What it is: A set of 8 multiplayer skins, one for each class and side in Battlefield 3. Where to get: At select retailers all over the world when you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition. Available: Day 1. Cost: At no extra charge with your pre-order at select retailers.
Dog Tag Pack What it is: A set of 10 unique in-game dog tags to choose from. Dog tags in Battlefield 3 serve as your in-game signature, displayed on screen every time you defeat an enemy. You can also claim the dog tag of your enemies via skillful stealth knife takedowns. This pre-order exclusive pack gives you 10 unique dog tag designs to complement the standard range in the game. Where to get: At select retailers all over the world when you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition. Available: Day 1. Cost: At no extra charge with your pre-order at select retailers. More info: In this blog post.
Avatar Battlefield 3 Gear What it is: Battlefield 3 gear for your console avatar. Where to get: At select retailers all over the world when you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition. Available: Day 1. Cost: At no extra charge with your pre-order at select retailers.
Shotgun and Beret for Battlefield Play4Free What it is: An 870S shotgun and a beret for in-game use in our play-for-free title Battlefield Play4Free. Where to get: By pre-ordering Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin. Available: Day 1. Cost: At no extra charge with your pre-order on Origin. More info: In this blog post.
48 Hour Early Access to the Open Beta What it is: A 2 day (48 hours) early access to the Battlefield 3 Open Beta starting in September 2011. Where to get: By pre-ordering the digital download PC version of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin or by being a first-hand Medal of Honor: Limited Edition or Medal of Honor: Tier 1 Edition player. Available: 48 hours before the Open Beta goes public for everyone.
FAQ on the Open Beta How early is early access? Early access to the Open Beta is 48 hours before the public is allowed to enter.
How will my early access to the Open Beta be delivered if I am eligible? This will be communicated later. Stay tuned.
Who can participate in the Open Beta? The Battlefield 3 Open Beta will be available to all, on all platforms, in September.
Can I get early access to the Open Beta by pre-ordering Battlefield 3 on Origin? Yes, if you pre-order the digital download PC version of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin. This will also entitle you to the pre-order items Physical Warfare Pack plus the Shotgun and Beret for Battlefield Play4Free -- see above.
I bought Medal of Honor Limited Edition/Tier 1 Edition and was promised entry to the Battlefield 3 Beta -- is that a different Beta than the Open Beta just announced? No, it is the same Open Beta, but as a first-hand buyer of Medal of Honor: Limited Edition/Tier 1 Edition, you will have 48 hours early access.
What if I bought Medal of Honor: Limited Edition/Tier 1 Edition as a digital download -- do I still get early access to the Open Beta? Yes.
What are the exact dates for the Open Beta? The exact dates for the Open Beta will be announced later.
What if I pre-ordered the digital download version of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin before they announced the early access to the Open Beta -- do I still get this early access? Yes.
Seems that EA and DICE are really doing a great effort on rewarding players who pre-order and encourage pre-order sales.
On a site note, this is my first news blog, and my first blog at all so please pardon and mark my mistakes. Also note that English is not my native language so I apologize for any incoherence.
Sources:
http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/08/02/battlefield-3-pre-order-bonuses-announced-for-the-us/
http://www.bluesnews.com/s/124170/battlefield-3-origin-preorders-include-beta-access