Battlefield Hardline
Visitors try out Electronic Arts' new game software Battlefield Hardline at Tokyo Game Show 2014 in Makuhari, east of Tokyo September 18, 2014. About 421 companies and organizations are participating in the Tokyo Games Show 2014, which will be held until September 21. Reuters/Yuya Shino

With less than a month before its release date, “Battlefield Hardline” has finally gone gold. Fans can basically rejoice that there won’t be any foreseeable delays, as “gone gold” means that initial development from the studio’s end is already done.

Right now, the game is already undergoing mass production and shipping. The official “Battlefield” Twitter account has announced this, specifying that this is the case for all platforms and all the regions that the game will be releasing.

This is not the only bit of good news from the developer. In a press release sent to International Business Times Australia, it was also announced that those playing on the Xbox One will get the chance to play the title first. “Battlefield Hardline” will be joining the roster of games that can be played via the EA Access.

Players can go through 10 hours of “Battlefield Hardline” game time as early as five days before launch. Best to free up gaming calendars starting March 12, particularly for those with an EA Access subscription. The access will include multiplayer, prologue and the first episode of the “Battlefield Hardline” single-player campaign. Any progress made can be carried over to the full game upon purchase.

“Battlefield Hardline” has come a long way, despite the delays and beta issues. Developer Visceral Games had a "Battlefield" blog post that delves into how the idea came to be from the experience of “Battlefield Hardline” writer Tom Bissell. Interestingly, according to Bissell, he had initially almost turned down the project because of what he felt would be a lack of opportunity for storytelling. There’s also the fact about his being vocal about being fed up with military shooters.

Thankfully, the developer had something different in mind during the initial meeting, one that delved into a world of cops and robbers. It will be a game that had gray characters—a little bit of good, a little bit of bad in all of them. It will be more about a characters people in situations and showing them just who they are. In short, it’s people over plot type of story.

“Video games are at their storytelling best when they introduce you to memorable people and give you memorable things to do, and everyone at Visceral did their best to ensure the ‘Battlefield Hardline’ campaign had plenty of both,” said Bissell.

Bissell also touched one some points that players may want to watch out for. One example is how players will need to be observant when it comes to combat encounters or any possibility for such. In other words, think, plan, and strategize before going guns a-blazing. Plus, those who love to see Easter eggs—as if the hilarious reload animation Easter eggs aren’t enough—but even the guards’ conversations will contain some hints to previous games and iterations.

“Battlefield Hardline” is set for release on March 17. It will be available in Australia on March 19 and March 20 in New Zealand for all five platforms, PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

"Battlefield Hardline" EA Access (Credit: YouTube/Xbox)

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Have feedback or game tips? Leave a message at g.galang@ibtimes.com.au