Over the weekend, word came up that EA was planning to charge for weapons in its upcoming combat shooter Battlefield: Bad Company.

Is it true? In short, yes. EA today confirmed that five of the weapons will be free to consumers that purchase the Gold Edition of the game. Not planning on purchasing the Gold Edition? The weapons included in it will be available for purchase in the standard version at a “small individualized price per item.”

Five more weapons will be given away via a series of pre-promotional events. If you miss the promotional events, EA plans to make the weapons available to players free of charge at an unspecified date after launch.

EA says gameplay balancing concerns are a non issue, noting that “more weapons offer players more choices but do not create an advantage/disadvantage for players who do not opt to buy new items.”

EA Explains Battlefield Microtransactions [Game|Life]

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Read more: EA Does Away With Pay-To-Play Weaponry In Battlefield: Bad Company,  Battlefield: Bad Company Dated, Hits June 23,  EA To Charge For Weapons In Battlefield: Bad Company,  EA: Conquest Mode Coming To Bad Company This Week,  Electronic Arts Details Bad Company Promotional Campaign