You might have heard of BattleForge, an upcoming RTS game that is sure to have the attention of Command & Conquer and Magic: The Gathering fans alike, thanks to its fusion of the mechanics of both real-time strategy and card collecting.  Well, turns out, now you can get your hands on the beta, today, free—and it's fully-functional.

The open beta players will have access to all 200 BattleForge cards and all maps in the game. Everyone who takes part in the beta will get the bonus, upgraded Firedancer unit that will be available after launch. Players who pre-order BattleForge from participating retailers will receive four, exclusive units, one from each faction to jump start their decks.

Check out the beta at www.battleforge.com today, or visit the full press release after the jump.

EA LAUNCHES OPEN BETA FOR ONLINE REAL-TIME STRATEGY GAME BATTLEFORGE

Redwood City, CA. – March 10, 2009 – Phenomic™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) studio, today announced that the real-time strategy (RTS) game BattleForge™ will open its beta for all players today. Starting today, all players will be able to enter the genre-changing world of BattleForge and experience the thrill of virtual cards coming to life in epic, online RTS battles before the game goes live on March 24th, 2009.

The open beta players will have access to all 200 BattleForge cards and all maps in the game. Everyone who takes part in the beta will get the bonus, upgraded Firedancer unit that will be available after launch. Players who pre-order BattleForge from participating retailers will receive four, exclusive units, one from each faction to jump start their decks.

BattleForge combines fast-paced strategy with a digital trading card mechanic in a dynamic online environment. Players use virtual trading cards to build custom armies and lay waste to their foes. Combining the strategic, real-time gameplay of classics such as Command & ConquerTM with a fully enabled, online collectible community, BattleForge is a breath of fresh air in the strategy genre. With an all-new style of play that is more accessible for casual gamers, BattleForge also offers a rich, deep gameplay experience that veteran RTS players seek. The collectable cards are the tools of war -- each representing a spell, building or unit that is conjured directly onto the battlefield in stunning 3D graphics.

BattleForge features single-player scenarios and cooperative scenarios for 2 to 12 players, as well as Player vs. Player (PvP) ranked and unranked duels. With co-op play, guilds, chat rooms, and a robust marketplace featuring direct trade, an auction hall, and in-game mail, BattleForge is the first RTS to combine the social and community aspects of an MMO with an exciting RTS. Let the battles begin!

BattleForge ships March 24th, 2009 for the PC. For more information, visit www.battleforge.com.