EA Says Battlefield 3’s Already Sold 5 Million Copies

also interesting to observe the total player counts for each platform... http://bf3stats.com/
As of this post:

Global stats
PC online    182,558
PS3 online   174,328
360 online   241,583

Glad to see someone doing a beat down on the COD/MW franchise. Though
I've got to say that these types of games are no longer all that interesting for 
me.

@Jimbo said:

Hey lil soldier you aint ready for war, C.O.D. too strong for y'all.

Excellent

@Nightriff said:

Oh sorry, completely my bad, I thought Jeff was doing it from what he was saying during the bombcast last week, my fault for not doing any research

Reading the name of the reviewer or even glancing at the animated representation of the reviewer is "research"?

$300 million of revenue... I am sure EA and their retailers are quite happy.

@DonPixel: hell yes, BF3 deserves all the success and acclaim it is given

@BillyMethers: no, that is COMPLETE nonsense. Origin does THIS:

Yay. Conspiracies. So let's see what Origin really does, shall we?

If you hook process monitor onto Origin you will not see Origin scanning anything, independently of how long you use it. So what triggered the OP's screenshot?

Origin on installation will try to find games installed on your harddrive and automatically register them within Origin. It does that in a couple of different ways:

1. It reads the windows games registry
2. It looks for games in Program Files
3. It looks for games in ProgramData (where, for unknown reason the OP's SMS and tax software are storing the data instead of the user profile where that data should go!)
4. it reads the xfire config if it finds one for games

If you look at the screenshot closely you will see that it does not actually read any files. Instead it looks for their existence and recursively walks the directory. It does not read any of your files, at least not judging from this screenshot or anything I have found on my machine.

Lastly if you monitor the network traffic that Origin causes you will see that it does not transmit anything of value to EA. So far I have not seen anything bug login credentials being submitted.

But it's always so much more fun to assume that software is inherently evil. You can hook a syscall monitor on any application and you will see that it operates all over the drive. That's not something unique to Origin. Steam will do the same if you click the "add non steam game" button.

//EDIT: something I forgot: I think people should not run any sysinternals tools without a basic understanding of what they do or at least not jump to conclusions.

@tekmojosaid:

@Nightriff said:

@Brendan: Yes I am aware that the game has already been reviewed, Jeff gave it a 4, just was saying I don't care how well a game sells

Jeff didn't review BF3.

Oh sorry, completely my bad, I thought Jeff was doing it from what he was saying during the bombcast last week, my fault for not doing any research

@BillyMethers said:

Too bad it's loaded with spyware. People have been complaining all over Amazon about how the PC version (Origin) is scanning all of their files and folders, including folders holding their tax returns. I think that's a complete invasion of privacy and some of them even posted screenshots in the comments.

Seriously, don't let Origin on your computer.

Bullshit. I have Origin on PC and it's no more harmful to my computer than Steam. i.e. not much.

Show us some real screenshots of this "spyware" and proof this shit exists. Otherwise, you're just another anti-Origin fearmongerer.

@YukoAsho said:

@tekmojo said:

@Nightriff said:

@Brendan: Yes I am aware that the game has already been reviewed, Jeff gave it a 4, just was saying I don't care how well a game sells

Jeff didn't review BF3.

Indeed. Who's Dave Snider anyway? He one of the interns?

Eh, old friend of the Jeff, Ryan etc. designer of Giant Bomb, code guru and diehard PC gamer.

I'm having an illegal amount of fun with the multiplayer. I haven't yet touched the campaign, and don't plan on ever doing so. I do plan on checking out the co-op eventually, since there are some weapon unlocks associated with it.

Congrats, DICE.

@MaddProdigy said:

The campaign was a total disappointment. The multiplayer on the other hand, flawless.

Not flawless but I'm having a lot of fun and that's what matters.

:O

Awesome. Now they can make Mirror's edge 2.

Holy Crap, I didn't know Bad Company was that popular.

@Mike76x said:

@YukoAsho said:

@ptys said:

I'm surprised Bad Company sold so many! It was a little pathetic of EA to spark this whole head-to-head thing. What, do they want to become the next Activation, with a sh*t load of money and no long term IP's? Makes me very nervous about games like Mass Effect, Dead Space and even Mirrors Edge. Back off, let the games speak for themselves!

Honestly, I find EA much more offensive than Activision. Yeah, Acti's also on the path of franchise fatigue, but at least they let their games speak for themselves and don't make it a point to intentionally go the controversy angle. EA has made it a point to behave in the most shameful manner with everything the do, and I'll be dancing when MW3 still owns them.

Modern Warfare 2 - No Russian airport slaughter controversy

Black Ops - Killing Castro controversy

Well, to be fair, neither of these were shoving it in people's faces. And the Castro thing was only a controversy in Cuba, where the state-controlled media played it up. Down here in South Florida, that was pretty hype.

@Slaneesh said:

Ea was the current Activision before Activisision became "that" Activision

And this is what drives me nuts. Yeah, Activision over-uses their franchises. They don't do anything else, and certainly not anything that would be nearly as exploitative as EA's "shut down the servers in 18 months" strategy, or the Origin fiasco. Activision seems to be hated simply for having popular franchises, and that's a bullshit reason to hate a company.

@AlexW00d said:

What? How is CoD accurate? It has aim assist, to guide your bullets for you, it's not about accuracy, it's about who hits the trigger first. Battlefield on the other hand actually has a working physics model on it's bullets, so you really do have to aim.

I don't think auto-aim is on during multiplayer, and even singleplayer you can (and should, really) turn it off.

The campaign was a total disappointment. The multiplayer on the other hand, flawless.

They'll get my money when I get a new computer that can run it.

Awesome. Now they can make Mirror's edge 2.

@Mike76x said:

@YukoAsho said:

@ptys said:

I'm surprised Bad Company sold so many! It was a little pathetic of EA to spark this whole head-to-head thing. What, do they want to become the next Activation, with a sh*t load of money and no long term IP's? Makes me very nervous about games like Mass Effect, Dead Space and even Mirrors Edge. Back off, let the games speak for themselves!

Honestly, I find EA much more offensive than Activision. Yeah, Acti's also on the path of franchise fatigue, but at least they let their games speak for themselves and don't make it a point to intentionally go the controversy angle. EA has made it a point to behave in the most shameful manner with everything the do, and I'll be dancing when MW3 still owns them.

Modern Warfare 2 - No Russian airport slaughter controversy

Black Ops - Killing Castro controversy

Well, to be fair, neither of these were shoving it in people's faces. And the Castro thing was only a controversy in Cuba, where the state-controlled media played it up. Down here in South Florida, that was pretty hype.

@Slaneesh said:

Ea was the current Activision before Activisision became "that" Activision

And this is what drives me nuts. Yeah, Activision over-uses their franchises. They don't do anything else, and certainly not anything that would be nearly as exploitative as EA's "shut down the servers in 18 months" strategy, or the Origin fiasco. Activision seems to be hated simply for having popular franchises, and that's a bullshit reason to hate a company.

@AlexW00d said:

What? How is CoD accurate? It has aim assist, to guide your bullets for you, it's not about accuracy, it's about who hits the trigger first. Battlefield on the other hand actually has a working physics model on it's bullets, so you really do have to aim.

I don't think auto-aim is on during multiplayer, and even singleplayer you can (and should, really) turn it off.

As some one who played and loved Bad Company 2 I'll say this. The Multiplayer in BF3 is way better. More guns, better hit detection, better destruction, better vehicles, and better animation. I personally liked the single player campaign style of Bad Company and miss that direction but who buys the game for Single player?

@YukoAsho said:

@ptys said:

I'm surprised Bad Company sold so many! It was a little pathetic of EA to spark this whole head-to-head thing. What, do they want to become the next Activation, with a sh*t load of money and no long term IP's? Makes me very nervous about games like Mass Effect, Dead Space and even Mirrors Edge. Back off, let the games speak for themselves!

Honestly, I find EA much more offensive than Activision. Yeah, Acti's also on the path of franchise fatigue, but at least they let their games speak for themselves and don't make it a point to intentionally go the controversy angle. EA has made it a point to behave in the most shameful manner with everything the do, and I'll be dancing when MW3 still owns them.

Modern Warfare 2 - No Russian airport slaughter controversy

Black Ops - Killing Castro controversy

@YukoAsho said:

@ptys said:

I'm surprised Bad Company sold so many! It was a little pathetic of EA to spark this whole head-to-head thing. What, do they want to become the next Activation, with a sh*t load of money and no long term IP's? Makes me very nervous about games like Mass Effect, Dead Space and even Mirrors Edge. Back off, let the games speak for themselves!

Honestly, I find EA much more offensive than Activision. Yeah, Acti's also on the path of franchise fatigue, but at least they let their games speak for themselves and don't make it a point to intentionally go the controversy angle. EA has made it a point to behave in the most shameful manner with everything the do, and I'll be dancing when MW3 still owns them.

Ea was the current Activision before Activisision became "that" Activision

@tekmojo said:

@Nightriff said:

@Brendan: Yes I am aware that the game has already been reviewed, Jeff gave it a 4, just was saying I don't care how well a game sells

Jeff didn't review BF3.

Indeed. Who's Dave Snider anyway? He one of the interns?

@Brendan: Yes I am aware that the game has already been reviewed, Jeff gave it a 4, just was saying I don't care how well a game sells

well good for them I guess. maybe it will help them stay profitable despite The Old Republic.

I'm probably not going to buy either game (bf3 or mw3 that is) till some time late next year

@ptys said:

I'm surprised Bad Company sold so many! It was a little pathetic of EA to spark this whole head-to-head thing. What, do they want to become the next Activation, with a sh*t load of money and no long term IP's? Makes me very nervous about games like Mass Effect, Dead Space and even Mirrors Edge. Back off, let the games speak for themselves!

Honestly, I find EA much more offensive than Activision. Yeah, Acti's also on the path of franchise fatigue, but at least they let their games speak for themselves and don't make it a point to intentionally go the controversy angle. EA has made it a point to behave in the most shameful manner with everything the do, and I'll be dancing when MW3 still owns them.

@patrickklepek: The press release states that the series has sold 40M not 50M.

Developed by DICE in Stockholm, Sweden, the series has sold 40M units life-to-date.

Apart from some lag issues this has been one of the most enjoyable multiplayer experiences I've had in years!

@Brendan: Yes I am aware that the game has already been reviewed, Jeff gave it a 4, just was saying I don't care how well a game sells

@Nightriff said:

Don't care, just because a game sells a lot doesn't mean it's any good, let me see review scores, not how much it sells

You can see review scores. There's a lot of them out there.

@JoelTGM said:

@Nightriff said:

Don't care, just because a game sells a lot doesn't mean it's any good, let me see review scores, not how much it sells

well then go look at review scores. this story was never meant to tell you how good the game is, and it's really really good by the way.

I did read the article and all I'm saying is sells don't tell me, personally, anything about a game which is what EA, what Activision, what Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo want you to think. I want the games to speak for themselves and its sad because in this industry that rarely happens. Example: heard Shadows of the Damned was a surprising game this summer that sold 50 copies where Duke Nukem Forever sold half a mil for being a piece of shit.

@Nightriff said:

Don't care, just because a game sells a lot doesn't mean it's any good, let me see review scores, not how much it sells

I've always held fast to this rule. The best games rarely sell much.

Actually, that's a lie. Most games that sell a shitload are rarely any good. Not all, but most.

Once again, not all.

Why are so many people bashing BF3? People have been telling me it's shit and when I ask them if they have played it they usually all tell me no they haven't played it and they are waiting for COD. They are not even similar in play styles.

I personally love BF3 on PC, and the online is the best it has been.

I guess haters just gon hate.

@Nightriff said:

Don't care, just because a game sells a lot doesn't mean it's any good, let me see review scores, not how much it sells

well then go look at review scores. this story was never meant to tell you how good the game is, and it's really really good by the way.

I'm really trying to not let it bother me but seeing people use twitch and cod in the same sentence hurts my soul. I wish they came up with more accurate term so it's not grouped with quake and ut.

How much did Codblops sell?

@Harkat said:

@2kings said:

Here is the thing. CoD simply controls better, is smoother and feels less "camp-friendly". I feel like BF3 is for "noobs" who will be done with the MP when the next SP game comes out. That's what happened to BFBC and BFBC2. NOT to CoD. Just sayin...

Completely untrue. BC2 remained one of the top played games on Xbox Live all the way up until BF3's launch. As for the controls, COD is a lot more accurate and twitchy, but BF is not about tricky shooting. It's about the broader battle, not about where the bullets land in a firefight between two or three soldiers. The heavier feel nicely compliments that.

What? How is CoD accurate? It has aim assist, to guide your bullets for you, it's not about accuracy, it's about who hits the trigger first. Battlefield on the other hand actually has a working physics model on it's bullets, so you really do have to aim.

Yay videogames!

Holy dicks, that's a lot of Battlefields.

I can see why. The game is great. I can't remember having this much fun with a FPS since Battlefield 1942.

I have banged 4,800 women.

My references are myself.

No, you can totally trust me. I wouldn't mislead about my numbers.

A couple of matches and I made a little video, this is the usual pace of my online gameplay experience. GO GET THIS GAME. 
 

@BillyMethers said:

Too bad it's loaded with spyware. People have been complaining all over Amazon about how the PC version (Origin) is scanning all of their files and folders, including folders holding their tax returns. I think that's a complete invasion of privacy and some of them even posted screenshots in the comments.

Seriously, don't let Origin on your computer.

Well if they don't mind scanning all of my porn and Walking Dead files, then I don't mind.

@blake_brown said:

@SparkEngineer /@Vegetable_Side_Dish

With COD I know what I'm getting, also as a matter of taste I prefer the COD-style of first person gameplay to Battlefield. I like the faster pace, I like the ability to lone wolf it as opposed to having to depend on the numbskulls on my team.

It's entirely possible to ignore your squad and still have a lot of fun with BF3. I did it in BF:BC2, and am doing the same thing this time around. Sure, I'll dump off heals or ammo if I feel like it, but for the most part I'm just running around shooting dudes.

CoD has always felt claustrophobic to me. I just don't get the feeling of immersion BF brings.

Uh... the whole BF vs MW thing has been going strong for years before EA got involved. BF fans were bitter at the first MW for aping tons of elements from BF2/2142 and accepting credit for it. Four years later, it's still a thing.

I'm surprised Bad Company sold so many! It was a little pathetic of EA to spark this whole head-to-head thing. What, do they want to become the next Activation, with a sh*t load of money and no long term IP's? Makes me very nervous about games like Mass Effect, Dead Space and even Mirrors Edge. Back off, let the games speak for themselves!

Don't care, just because a game sells a lot doesn't mean it's any good, let me see review scores, not how much it sells

Battlefield 3 has delivered very well for me, and this is coming from someone who didn't enjoy BC2 that much (though for some stupid reason I clocked a lot of hours in it). There's some dumb stuff in BF3, like Large Conquest Metro aka LOLROCKETSEVERYWHERE and the occasional crash, but overall I've been having a great time with it.

And I'm really surprised at how well it runs on my system given that my video card is a over a year old.

Also, just a PSA, Red Orchestra 2 is still fucking amazing. Actually wish BF3 would take some features from RO2 like their prone to sprint mechanics.