From Dice: 'All game servers will be taken down for updates on Wednesday Apr 21st, at 09:00AM (GMT+2). They should all be back by 11:59AM (GMT+2). During this time window, we will also release the new game client.

Check back after 11:59AM (GMT+2), and try out the new game client! '

Click for the changelist HERE

* UPDATE * check the Weapons Balance List

Note: The Spawn Lag/Spike issue is caused by your anti-virus software. Exclude the 'my documents/bfbc2' map from your scans.
More on this topic HERE

There are 4 kits, one for each class, specific unique uniforms and camouflaged weapons gives you a visual edge. I mean what good is a camouflaged soldier if the gun sticks out like a sore thumb?

Recruited strictly from other high-level Special Operations units such as Delta Force and Spetsnaz, the Special Activities groups – SPECACT - are the elite of the elite, used mainly for covert operations and other high-risk missions in areas where conventional troops cannot be used.
With the 4 kit specific unique uniforms and the camouflaged SPECACT personal M16A2, UMP-45, MG3 and M95 SNIPER you have a visual edge on the Battlefield, showing that you’re a force to be reckoned with. The pack also includes 12 new awards and 4 Achievements.

Wednesday 21st April Xbox 360 players can change how their soldiers look on the Battlefield with the Kit Upgrade DLC

In North America the kit upgrades are only available on Xbox 360 using the Dr Pepper codes printed on special promotional cans.

In Europe and the UK you can get hold of the kit upgrades for:

Xbox Live Marketplace
160 MS points per kit upgrade
440 MS points for bundle pack (all kits)

The kit upgrades will also be coming to PS3 and PC a little later on.
This content will NOT be free on PC.

City Interactive today announced Sniper: Ghost Warrior, an upcoming 'value' priced first person shooter. Based on the covert, shadowy world of the military sniper, Sniper: Ghost Warrior throws players into the chaos of a military coup, as they aid the rebels in restoring the rightful government to the embattled country of Isla Trueno. The game supports a 16 online-multiplayer mode. Sniper is due out this spring (june) on PC and 360.

Arica Harbor Conquest Mode: Take to the streets and put your infantry skills to the test! Capture strategic town positions as Arica Harbor is enhanced with Conquest Mode.

Laguna Presa Rush Mode: Capture and secure M-COM stations in Laguna Presa’s Rush Mode and discover all-new areas of the maps to take on the enemy.

The map pack is available with the VIP code which is included in every new copy of Battlefield: Bad Company 2. Players that do not have a code can purchase one via the in-game store, PC players will get the content as a game update. VIP status is also available to those on consoles without a VIP code through Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network.

To access the map pack content on console with your VIP status, go into the in-game store of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and select the VIP Map Pack 2. The maps will get added to your available map list so you can get straight into the servers and play. PC players will automatically have these maps added to the map rotation by the server providers.

With a scheduled release date of November 2010 the game is still in full development but undisclosed sources over at Activision have stated that "Call of Duty 7 will be set in recent history, between WWII and present day". Besides this information the sources have also confirmed that some missions will take us to Cuba and South America, hinting again in the direction of a Cold War / Vietnam based game.

Also revealed was that in certain missions the players are able to play as a member of SAS (the Special Air Service), the principle special forces unit of the British Army. One of these SAS missions pitches you in close combat during a mission in the Iranian embassy in London during the 1980's.

It has also been confirmed that Call of Duty 7: Black Ops will feature the popular zombie mode, in which players get to shoot down hordes of zombies, a feature that could not be seen in the Infinity Ward produced Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

And last but not least, dedicated servers will also be part of the new Call of Duty game, much to the delight of PC gamers across the world. After Activision fired Vince Zampella and Jason West from Infinity Ward, it seems like they are taking yet another step back from the direction they had taken with Modern Warfare 2 by re-adding dedicated servers.