Battlefield Hardline Premium takes a new approach to season passes for add-ons

By Adam Rosenberg March 2, 2015

battlefield hardline patch priority issues interrogate — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Battlefield Hardline is taking a very different approach to pre-selling its post-release downloadable content. The series’ now-standard Premium membership returns, but it’s now tied to an unexpected set of extras, some of which are standard features in other games.

Premium subscribers gain privileged access to cosmetic customization for their masks and guns, along with expanded stats, the ability to compete in Premium-only tournaments, and a “Legendary” system that allows players to reset their maxed out level progression in exchange for an in-game badge of honor, similar to Call of Duty’s “Prestige” system. Benefits also include 12 Gold Battlepacks (which bestow in-game customization items), bonus customization items, priority position in server queues for online matches, and access to “double XP, in-game missions, and more Battlefield Hardline Premium exclusive events.”

All of that is on top of the four expansion packs, each of which will also be sold separately to non-Premium subscribers. The packs add “new multiplayer maps, modes, vehicles, in-game content and a story themed throughout all four.”

Here’s the official rundown of DLC descriptions and release timeframes:

Battlefield Hardline: Criminal Activity – Players have to make a name for themselves in fast-paced, highly-destructible new maps littered with small-time crime jobs. Available summer 2015.
Battlefield Hardline: Robbery – Take down the opposition head on and progress through key locations with major cinematic action. Available summer 2015.
Battlefield Hardline: Getaway – This is frantic, high-speed chases that immerse players deeper in the heist. Available fall 2015.
Battlefield Hardline: Betrayal – There is a rat in every operation and players will have to find out who to trust. Available winter early 2016.

Most of what’s on offer isn’t new for Battlefield, or for DLC season passes of this sort. The Battlepacks, special access to in-game events, and server queue priority are all standard. The Prestige system and the use of masks as customization items are new, but weapon camouflage was a regular feature in past games. It’s a surprise to see that locked behind a paywall now.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…

Gaming

Nintendo Switch 2: release date rumors, features we want, and more

Prime Day Nintendo Switch Deals

Rumors of a Nintendo Switch 2 (or Switch Pro) have been circulating for years. Whispers of the next-gen Nintendo console first started when The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was initially teased in 2019, gained steam when the Switch OLED launched in 2021, and are increasing now that the standard Switch has been out for six years.

There's no doubt that the Nintendo Switch is a fantastic console -- it has a unique and impressive game library (with more upcoming games slated for this year), the number of features included with Nintendo Switch Online is constantly improving, and it's still our favorite portable console -- but it isn't without its flaws. There's enough room for improvement to warrant an entirely new console in the near future. Nintendo recently announced that we wouldn't see a Switch upgrade in the next fiscal year, meaning the absolute earliest we get a look at a new Nintendo console would be in late 2024.

Gaming

Is Manor Lords cross-platform?

Two armies clash in Manor Lords.

Building and managing your own medieval utopia is a lonely job. Sure, you have a population of citizens to grow and order around, but they can't compare with another actual human player. At least at launch, Manor Lords is a PC exclusive, and it's also going to be coming to Xbox consoles as well so even more people can get in on the city-building fun. We can expect basically any modern game to allow for cross-platform play, but what if Manor Lords is stuck in the Middle Ages? Here's everything you need to know about cross-platform support for the latest and greatest management simulator.
Is Manor Lords cross-platform?
Without beating around the bush, no, Manor Lords has no cross-platform support. Even when the game is available on Steam, PC Game Pass, and Xbox consoles, there will be no way to play with others on different platforms. In fact, you can't play with people on the same platform, either. Manor Lords has no multiplayer component whatsoever -- either co-op or competitive -- so there's no reason for this feature to be included.

Sadly, you shouldn't expect any multiplayer to come to the game later. A developer released an FAQ prior to the game's launch and responded to a question regarding multiplayer, stating: "The focus is on a refined single-player experience, with no multiplayer or cooperative modes planned at the moment."

Gaming

How to increase your approval rating in Manor Lords

A medieval market in Manor Lords.

Building your population in Manor Lords is one thing, but making sure they want to stick around and continue to grow is the real challenge. You could have the ideal design for a village, or the perfect tactical mind for conquering the entire map, but if your approval rating is too low, you won't survive your first winter.

Happy people are the grease that makes your kingdom an efficient machine, but what is it that people value? It can be hard to tell at times why your approval rating isn't going up, or worse going down while playing your first few games. We've zoomed in on all our citizens to learn exactly what you need to do to increase your approval rating.