Battlefield 3 DLC Will Hit PS3 First

Microsoft's not the only one lining up exclusive downloadable content for their console. Today DICE announced that Battlefield 3 add-ons will be released on the PS3 before any other platform.

"You’ll be happy to know that beginning with our first expansion pack Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand (to be released later this year), all full-blown upcoming expansion packs for the game will appear one week early exclusively on PS3, brought to you by Sony!" said DICE product manager Tommy Rydling on the PlayStation.Blog.

Back to Karkand features updated versions of four maps from Battlefield 2: Strike at Karkand, Gulf of Oman, Wake Island and Sharqi Peninsula. Several vehicles and weapons from BF2, along with unique dog tags and new Trophies, are included in the expansion as well. You'll get access to Karkand by pre-ordering the game.

Sony's agreement with EA for BF3 DLC mirrors the partnership between Microsoft and Activision. For the past couple years, all Call of Duty DLC has been released on the Xbox 360 at least a month earlier than other platforms. No word on whether EA and Sony's agreement on BF3 extends beyond this game.

BF3 is due on October 25th in North America and on the 28th in Europe. DICE plans to launch an open beta for the shooter on September 29th on the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. If you bought the Limited or Tier 1 Edition of Medal of Honor, you'll get access on the 27th. Early access will also be granted to those who pre-order the digital PC version through Origin.