MyEvilMonkeys: I'm ok with the shortcut unlocks if you put a big flag on that player that says I'm a rich little brat that can't level up like the rest of us and gives everyone a score bonus for killing the noob.



enRAGEEE: Congrats.. U just made the whole unlock concept useless. Booo!



Kamov: Was cool till the very end, then the bundles appeared… c'mon, seriously? Months unlocking stuff and now every n00b can just buy them with cash? BF3 in cash cow mode already? Pathetic.

Vehicle Shortcut: $18

Engineer Shortcut: $7 Support Shortcut: $7 Assault Shortcut: $7 Recon Shortcut: $7 Kit Shortcut: $25 Ground Vehicle Shortcut: $10 Air Vehicle Shortcut: $10 Co-Op Weapons Shortcut: $5 Ultimate Shortcut: $25

Yesterday we released new content for Battlefield 3 that included the ability for players to purchase a shortcut that unlocks earnable content in the game. The shortcuts are meant to encourage players to brave new territory. We want to offer newcomers a chance to catch up with the veterans that have been playing the game for the last five months. These shortcuts do not create an unfair advantage for any players – new or veteran. In fact, withholding these shortcuts would actually put newcomers in a pretty steep uphill climb, splitting the community.



We understand that everyone plays differently. Some gamers want to earn the unlocks, and they can continue to do so. Others have been wishing for a shortcut, which is now available. We're happy to be able to serve both types of players.

Today is the day DICE slaps its huge patch on Battlefield 3 , bringing long-awaited Commo-Rose features, honking jeeps, and paid "Shortcuts" that allow players to unlock everything in the game with cash instead of effort! Wait.As inconceivable as it sounds, Electronic Arts and DICE are quietly trying to slip a new business model into Battlefield 3 this morning, and in this editor's opinion, it's a cash grab that completely undermines Battlefield's loyal, long-time players.DICE has been talking about today's BF3 patch since January, providing insight into the many tweaks and new features it planned to bring. But never once did it mention "Shortcut Bundles." It saved that little gem for the last paragraph of a lengthy post on the Battlefield Blog last night:"Today, we are also offering 10 different shortcut items for sale for Battlefield 3 on PC. If you're new to the game, this is the perfect way to gain some ground on the veterans online. Or if you'd love to get your hands on those AA missiles for jets instantly, this is for you."I've been playing Battlefield since the very first wing-riding days of 1942, and today's Shortcut Bundles addition is potentially the worst thing to ever happen to the franchise. Here's why: in the era of ranking and unlocks, playersall of the weapons and equipment they use in Battlefield 3 by actually playing the game -- playing for many, many hours. And all of those guns and gadgets they unlock are their own reward. By selling these items, the time and effort that tens of thousands of players have put into the game is totally undermined and the integrity of the franchise is compromised. And Battlefield fans are not happy about it. Here are just a handful of the reactions posted on the BF Blog:How much can you pay to play Battlefield 3? Here's a rundown on the Shortcut Bundles now on sale through Origin:Perhaps the biggest question is what does the future hold? Will these Shortcut Bundles now be available when the next Battlefield game is released, forcing players to decide whether to earn their unlocks or open their wallets on launch day -- paying up to $25 more for an already $60 game because they feel compelled to keep up with the competition? Were EA and DICE even thinking that far ahead when they made this decision? It certainly doesn't look like they were.This is a decision made in the boardroom that looks good to executives who have never actually played Battlefield. Either that or they simply don't care that the integrity of the franchise has been compromised.Electronic Arts issued the following statement to GameSpy in response to this editorial:I love green, just look at my stellar wardrobe. That color love extends to cash, but even with my deep, near insatiable lust for money, I think EA made a serious misstep. Will you be paying for unlocks to catch up or are you upset EA and DICE are now giving players the opportunity to do so?