We have recently seen quite a big increase in online games, which focus on co-operative play and show that a singleplayer mode isn't something mandatory in today's world. Titles like Valve's Team Fortress 2 are extremely popular and will certainly stay that way for quite some time.

But Electronic Arts wants to approach this online market with a few innovative concepts, and has tasked its DICE studio, responsible for the recent Mirror's Edge title and for the extremely popular Battlefield franchise, to create an online game that will be distributed for free. The costs of maintenance and support would be funded through various micro transactions and ads that would be displayed when the game starts.

This future title, Battlefield Heroes, was slated for a release this year, but, due to some major changes in its design, has now been postponed until next year, when the DICE team will deliver a great online shooter experience. Aleksander Grondal, the producer, has talked with GamaSutra about the game modes that will be implemented, and if some of the things employed in other full Battlefield titles would find their way in this new game.

“Currently we only have one game mode, and that's like a conquest mode, but it's more about actually shooting people, to be honest. You can go and capture flags if you want to – and the arrow on the screen points you to the flag. It directs you toward the action, because they're usually fighting over it, but if you want, you can just go and shoot people in the face, and that's perfectly fine. We don't want to force you to do anything. You can play the game however you feel confident with it.”

Although it does seem like a pretty fun mode, a lot of people might certainly want some innovative aspects of the gameplay, which would attract new players. Team Fortress 2 appeals through the variety of modes, and some analysts think that Valve's recipe needs to be replicated by EA if it wants its game to become popular with fans.