Free Bad Company 2 DLC dated

DICE has revealed more of the "extensive" DLC planned for Battlefield: Bad Company 2.

Due 30th March are two new maps, Arica Harbor and Laguna Presa. More importantly, they're free to anyone who redeemed a VIP code inside a first-hand copy of BFBC2.

Arica Harbor, playable in Conquest mode, follows a US strike on a Russian base. Laguna Persa, playable in Rush mode, presents a South American valley and within it a Dam, which the US forces must protect.

"VIP members will be able to expand on the deep and ever changing sandbox experience, which in itself provides near endless hours of entertainment, by having new content to keep things fresh.

"It also plays a vital part in making sure you, the players get proper value for the money you've invested in Battlefield: Bad Company 2," wrote executive producer KM Troedsson on the Battlefield blog.

"This is why these map packs are available at no extra cost, contradicting the industry standard and what our direct competitors are doing. Of course, it also helps avoid segmenting the community, making sure everyone can play together having the same maps available.

"There will be future paid downloadable content as well but these packs will focus on expanding other parts of the game experience rather than the selection of maps available for the basic game modes. We're dedicated to taking care of this product for a long time - helping you avoid 'mapathy' without getting nickel-and-dimed," he added, in a thinly veiled reference to Infinity Ward's DLC plans for Modern Warfare 2, which are being promoted with a jokey Mapathy website. IW plans to release its "Stimulus Package" for MW2 on 30th March as well.