A PLETHORA OF GOOD NEWS TODAY!!!!

First off, news about the admin control panel for BC2.. A much awaited piece of info!!!

"A lot of people are asking about server administration. What's up there?

A little background
Since the Frostbite engine had not yet been used for any PC titles, there had been no need for advanced server administration tools. BFBC2 PC changed that however.
There was a sort of "server console" thing, but it was intended for developer use only. Something easier to use and more stable was necessary when we came closer to release it to the PC users.


So what are we doing?
We are creating a separate command console, which is stable, and where the commands will not change. This will be the Remote Administration interface for BFBC2 PC. BF2 console commands have been a good source of inspiration
The Remote Administration interface is accessible over a network port on the game server.

While we ensure that there is a solid administration interface, we are not creating any fancy tools. Why not? Because the community will do a much better job! RSPs have already been using the interface for weeks, and several people are working on user friendly tools. We will continue to improve the protocol with functions that are necessary to make good tools.


When Closed Beta Server R5 (yes, we have already patched the game servers 3 times. I love our new patching system) is released, the RSPs will be allowed to expose the Remote Administration interface on their servers to the public... and we will publish the FULL protocol specification. You have my word on that.



Stay tuned."



And a little juicy tidbit on the 10 maps at release!!

"PANAMA CANAL
Units in contact are being rotated out as a result of combat fatigue. Weeks
of fighting have left the harbor in ruins and the surrounding area littered
with destroyed equipment. Armored movement is hampered and deadly kill
zones mare the ground. U.S Forces are staging an assault of the industrial
port with the objective to seize, retain and exploit the area. Control of
the canal will allow larger-scale Strategic Operations along the South West
Pacific coast.

VALPARAISO VILLAGE
The American capture of Valparaiso is the next phase in their strategic
plan to repel Russian Forces from Chile. Any U.S. invasion will inevitably
consist of a land assault through the outlying jungle areas and an
amphibious landing of infantry and armored forces along the coast. The U.S
objective is the Power Station on the outskirts of the city. If the installation can be captured and services cut off, the liberation of the city will inevitably follow suit.

LAGUNA ALTA
Several days ago a large Russian counter attack overran U.S. Camp
"Christopher" and destroyed a supply train carrying vital equipment. U.S
Forces are mustering to recapture the area. They are trying to establish a
buffer zone near the woodlands so their Battle Group can move unimpeded
across the bridge connecting the opposing high ground. Intelligence reports
and Recon patrols have exposed a large number of Russian troops and IFV?s
that have reinforced the camp since the attack occurred.

ISLA INOCENTES
U.S. Forces are desperate to open a supply route for an Armored Battle
Group engaged in fighting further inland. A Russian Artillery base
controls the area and counters any breakout actions launched. The base is
well defended and has been successful in repelling previous attacks.
Destruction of the base and control of the woodlands will allow U.S
Amphibious Forces to land and open a second front, which is critical in
their plan to liberate South America.

ATACAMA DESERT
A Russian Naval Group is preparing a massive amphibious assault. Defending the shore are 3 U.S fortifications and a string of artillery defenses. Should the Russians establish a beachhead and overrun U.S. positions, they will be free to advance further inland. With weather deteriorating and sandstorms approaching, U.S. Command has consolidated all available forces to meet the Russian threat. As a result of the open ground, a large-scale armor battle supported by attack helicopters seems likely.

ARICA HARBOR (ps3 beta map)
Following the results of the armor assault at Atacama, U.S Command insists
on a similar action to capture the port of Arica. The assault group will
launch a "break through" action directly at the Russian base. If the fight
dictates, the Battle Group will cut directly through the town located on
the axis of advance. Collateral damage is of no consequence. The Russian
base must be destroyed in order to cross the desert and reach the port.
Heavy casualties are expected on both sides.

WHITE PASS
As the weather has cleared and snowfall relented, Russian Forces are
massing for an assault on White Pass and the satellite relay station
located there. The local town has not been attacked, but Russian units have
probed defenses in the surrounding woods. The sector has strategic value to U.S Forces as it allows control of inland routes. Should the area fall into
Russian hands, a line of advance will present itself directly to Nelson
Bay.

NELSON BAY
Winter has hit hard. The river has frozen allowing heavy equipment and
personnel to operate throughout the sector. However, the extreme weather
and surrounding woods make it unlikely that any assault will consist of
heavy armor. Satellite reconnaissance indicates Russian Special Forces and
airborne units have been pulled away from South America and are gathering on mass. A nighttime assault is eminent. Nelson Bay harbors an underground U.S submarine base that will be defended at all cost.

LAGUNA PRESA
The valley and surrounding mountains possess a strategic value in the
battle for South America. Construction of the nearby Dam was halted when
hostilities broke out, but its presence is still a significant factor.
Airborne operations are limited but infantry assault supported by light
armor vehicles is likely by both armies. U.S Forces are massing all
available units to stage a defense and have wired the dam to prevent it
from falling into Russian hands.

PORT VALDEZ (pc beta map)
Russian Forces are posed to attack the harbor in an attempt to seize the
Trans Alaskan Pipeline. Without regard to arctic conditions, the area has
been probed by Russian Pathfinders indicating an airborne assault is
planned. U.S interrogation of captured Russian paras revealed that MBTs
will be, or have been, airlifted into the area. All armor assets and attack
helicopters are being diverted to the sector. No fallback exists for either
side. This engagement will decide the outcome of the war."



In other news. It's unofficially unofficial, but it would apprear Bad Company 2 has gone gold today..

ENJOY MY BRUTHA'S!!