Just a week to wait

Battlefield fans don't have long to wait for the multiplayer-based 1943: DICE writes today the game will be released July 8 on Xbox LIVE Marketplace (1200 MS Points, or $15), and July 9 on the PlayStation Network -- no word is given on the PC version, strangely, though the date was originally pegged for summer along with its console counterparts.

The game will be based around aerial dogfights, trench combat and sea warfare, and is set to reinvent the classic maps from 1942 -- Wake Island, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Coral Sea are inspired by their predecessor and will feature a striking lack of cover.

The Coral Sea map will only be unlocked once the 43 million community kill incentive is released -- probably a little easier than it sounds given the 24-player support.

“Battlefield 1943 is going to change consumer expectations of what a downloadable game can be. By offering Frostbite’s next generation destruction technology with a full Vehicle Warfare FPS multiplayer experience at a mere 560MB, Battlefield 1943 sets a new standard,” said Gordon Van Dyke, Producer on Battlefield 1943. “Our goal is to blow people away with a fully accessible, retail-calibre game for veteran Battlefield fans and shooter fans alike to enjoy for only £9.99.”

Wake Island has already been video featured -- today we bring you Guadalcanal.