Battlefield 1943 Breaking Sales Records as a Downloadable Game

Battlefield 1943 is proving to be an unprecedented success for Electronic Arts. The downloadable game has been purchased more than 600,000 times on the Playstation Store and Xbox Live Marketplace. As a result, it broke several records as a Playstation Network and Xbox Live Arcade title.

Battlefield 1943 is part of the popular multiplayer-focused series. First released in 2002 with Battlefield 1942, the games feature a massive battlefield that can hold up to dozens of players. You can pick between different classes, each with one with his unique abilities in addition to strengths and weaknesses. Finally, you can pilot different vehicular weapons in the land, sea and air.

Battlefield 1943 is the direct sequel to Battlefield 1942. The Playstation Network and Xbox Live Arcade title is actually more a remake of the multiplayer mode from the series, however, instead of an actual next mainline Battlefield game.

Battlefield 1943 only has three maps with another unlockable one for airborne dog-fighting only. It is also simplified in terms of classes with only three options: infantryman, rifleman and scout. Finally, only four types of vehicles are in Battlefield 1943: aircrafts, jeeps, tanks and landing crafts.

Partly because of its simplified, more focused approach, Battlefield 1943 became a hit with many critics. However, not even Electronic Arts were suspecting how well the downloadable game could have done when it was released. Because of that, the servers couldn't handle the initial load of new Battlefield 1943 players on Xbox Live. It would eventually be patched up.

Battlefield 1943 benefited from the popular Battlefield brand name. The Playstation Network and Xbox Live Arcade title is also reasonable priced at $14.99 on the Playstation Store and 1200 Microsoft Points on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Finally, it has a high-production value despite being a downloadable title.

Because of the above factors, Battlefield 1943 ended up breaking first day and first week sales records on both the Playstation Store and Xbox Live Marketplace. It tops Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix for the distinction. At 600,000 copies sold so far, Battlefield 1943 could be the start of more big publishers following in Electronic Arts' lead on the digital distribution route.

The Playstation Network and Xbox Live Arcade are usually a platform where small publishers and developers can strive on. With the success of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix and now Battlefield 1943, it could be interesting if there will be more high-profile gaming companies producing downloadable-only titles in the near future.

For now, Electronic Arts is reaping the rewards of the record-breaking Battlefield 1943 on the Playstation Network of the Playstation 3 and Xbox Live Arcade of the Xbox 360.