Shooter fans hankering for some hands-on time with DICE's upcoming single and multiplayer game Battefield: Bad Company 2, you'll be able to get in on the action with a multiplayer beta in a couple weeks, provided you have a PS3. PC owners will have to wait until December, while Xbox 360 owners will have to wait for the demo (set for each platform) come early next year.

So, how do you get a key? A limited amount will be sent out to Best Buy and GameStop outlets for North Americans. Pre-ordering will nab you one, if you make it in time -- the PS3 beta begins November 19 (PC doesn't have an exact date at the moment). For Europe and Asia, nothing has been announced yet, but check the Battlefield blog (link below) in the coming weeks for an announcement.

As for what you can expect: 24-player battles on the Arica Harbor map in one of the four multiplayer modes, called Rush. Arica should have a healthy balance of vehicle and infantry combat between the American assault unit and Russian army base, all spread out between a desert town and an industrial area.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be released March 2 and 5 in NA and Europe, respectively, on all platforms.