Battlefield 4 Beta Goes Live: How To Download, And What You Need To Know About The Next Big Thing In Gaming

Battlefield 4 beta is now live on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC for players eligible for early access, EA has announced. Here's what you need to know about the next big thing in gaming, from how to download the game to the differences from Battlefield 3.

For fans of the Battlefield series, Battlefield 4 beta is open to download for gamers who want to help EA identify any bugs before the official North American release on October 29, The Las Vegas Guardian reports.

The current gameplay of Battlefield 4 beta is slightly different compared to 2011′s Battlefield 3, but the main components remain the same, the publication notes.

Battlefield 4 is a first-person shooter with two visual panels, a map and ammo and health meters.

According to The Las Vegas Guardian, the differences in the new game include dual-scoped weapons with various firing modes, such as automatic and single-fire. Gamers can target their weapons that also alerts other players, in order to get help, both in single-player and multi-player modes.

Survival tactics have evolved in the new edition as well, with the ability to crouch and counter frontal attacks; shoot while swimming, and dive underwater to avoid enemy attacks. In single-player mode, the player can also use vehicles to travel across mini-sandbox chapters in the game.

So how do you know if you're one of the lucky gamers that gets to be a beta tester for Battlefield 4? Between the dates of October 1 to October 4, certain lucky gamers can try out both the Conquest and Domination game modes as a part of the Seige of Shanghai map.

To be eligible as a Beta tester for the PC, you need to download Origin and check your listings under "My Games." On October 4, testers should all be able to access the Open Battlefield 4 Beta for PC, The Las Vegas Guardian reports

PlayStation 3 gamers will also have access to Beta testing starting today. Simply enter the PS Store and search for "Battlefield 4."

XBox 360 players can access the Beta program through Xbox Live's Games section. In order for Xbox players to be eligible for the demo, they need to have a Battlefield 3 Premium or Medal of Honor Warfighter Limited Edition Online Pass. If eligible, the Battlefield 4 icon will be on the Xbox Live dashboard; access this icon to download the Beta. On October 4, Open Battlefield will also be available for testing, The Las Vegas Guardian reports..

EA explains their reasoning for opening up the beta version: "The Beta gives us a chance to properly test our servers, the back end, and configure the multiplayer components of the game. By taking part, you will help us in ensuring a smooth launch for Battlefield 4. You'll also have the option to feedback directly to us with any gameplay ideas, bugs you find, and other thoughts on the Beta experience."