Battlefield 3 Premium Pricing Details, Double XP Weekend

Electronic Arts have sent through the New Zealand pricing information for the recently announced Battlefield Premium service. Premium, which grants access to digital expansion packs and other downloadable content, was unveiled at E3 in Los Angeles last week.

For $59.99 (PC), $79.95 (PS3), or 4000 Microsoft Points (around $80, Xbox 360) Battlefield 3 Premium members get five themed digital expansion packs, including early access to Armored Kill (coming in September), Aftermath (December), and End Game (March 2013). They'll also gain access to several unique in-game items, including the ACB-90 knife, exclusive soldier and weapon camos, assignments, events, and more.

NZGamer.com reader Kiwi161 let us know about some slight hiccups in pricing the service in New Zealand, during which the price was temporarily set at $89.95 on PlayStation 3. We approached EA for comment, and they responded:

"We've been happy to hear the enthusiastic Australian and New Zealand Battlefield fan response to the game changing content and services offered in Battlefield 3 Premium, and equally appreciate their constructive feedback on launch pricing in the region.

After further consideration we will be changing our pricing strategy to bring the Battlefield 3 Premium service for PlayStation 3 into closer alignment with local market pricing.

Starting today, PlayStation 3 fans in Australia will be able to purchase Battlefield 3 Premium for 64.95 and in New Zealand for 79.95.

For Australian and New Zealand fans who purchased Battlefield 3 Premium at our initial launch pricing: PlayStation will be refunding the difference. Stay tuned for more details."

In the US, the service costs $50 ($64) on all three platforms. In Australia, the pricing is segmented in much the same way as it is in New Zealand, with the PC price set at $49.99 ($64), PlayStation 3 at $64.95 ($83), and Xbox 360 at 4000 points which, if purchased in Australia, will cost you around $80 ($103).

Players who have already purchased the "Back to Karkand" expansion, which is also included in Battlefield Premium, will not be offered a discount or any form of refund.

Additionally, Electronic Arts have announced that this weekend all Battlefield 3 players will be able to rank up faster thanks to a special double XP weekend. Beginning Saturday, June 16 at 7:01PM (NZT) and continuing through Monday, June 18 at 6:59PM (NZT), all players will earn Double XP in matches across all maps and modes on ranked servers including the newly released Close Quarters digital expansion pack.

Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 3 Premium are available now in Australia and New Zealand for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.