The real reason is probably that they're not sure about how much profit they'd be able to make off Australian gamers, and it costs money to submit a game for rating to the OFLC.

well that sucks, its not like they have localize it for austrlia or ship any physical goods here

It'll be because of the in game advertising model they're using. You might remember the in game ads in a number of previous titles weren't ever activated in the versions released here. I can't remember the exact reason given. Because the ads are the primary revenue stream for the game, its not particularly surprising that they've decided not to release it here.

What about Canada? We like games too, especially free ones.

What about Canada? Why do you guys so seldom remember Canada in your list of countries? Grr.

It's probably because it's ad supported. Remember how the laws here stopped BF2142 from having ads? If they can't have ads then there's ZERO reason to release it here.

Its nice to be constantly reminded how little we really mean to the big game developers.

I supose I should care, but I just don't...

EA looks like they are copying off the same
as USA tv shows for free that arent
viewable in non USA connections
and the Ubisoft recent 'free games' that were
ad driven that were released , hugely popular
then changed so only people in the USA could
register to download it .

Also a few EA games titles had to be changed
(BF2142 , NFS Carbon) to remove the IGA from it
since its ILLEGAL in Australia .

If they had to remove the IGA system from
this and any other IGA free game then they
wouldnt be earning any income from IGA
and it would become a freeware game.

Which if EA games actually released
a free games as freeware it might increase
sales of other software and make them look
to be a better business . Since atm most older
gamers know that EA games is un orignal , buys
another games instead of coming up with new ideas
by themselfs and ruin all series they release
(eg NFS,BF,etc)

How about Canada?

Did they just lump in Canada with the US, or will we not be able to play it either?

Lets hope 'for now' is only a little while. I was genuinely looking forward to this.

Thats too bad but I hope we outsiders eventually get access. There are lots of hardcore gamers outside of the EU and US who would love this title.

*claps*

EA have done it again! They wonder why everyone hates them and doesn't give a shit about piracy. When you deny people a FREE game you're just stepping over the line.

But honestly, they're kidding themselves if they think people won't find a way around this within 10 seconds. In the end they're only hurting themselves.

EA again proving that their top five priorities are money, money, money, money and indeed money.

Given this is supposed to be showcasing the ad based free to play service why not alienate a potentially large market with a ridiculously short sighted financial decision?

I mean we all know that people will be happily playing versions of this days after launch (if not before), and the ones who aren't willing or able to get into that scene will just move onto the next big release.

If this gets released at a later date it'll just become another back catalogue game picked up by the odd group of people.

A recent post in the developer blog debunks this rumour.

http://www.battlefield-heroes.com/dev-blog

@franz: Actually, what happened was a miscommunication between EA here and the US. When the story was posted, the information was coming straight from the publisher. The developer has since cleared this up.

Ive had it with EA's attitude to Australia, I thought tide had changed with Warhammer online having an Australian server. Is it just me but i have had enough of EA and DICE, though i loved the bf series ;(