NFL greats recreate combat scenarios in the new web series Battlefield: Operation Gridiron

By Ryan Fleming October 5, 2011

In one of the more unusual—but interesting—marketing gimmicks for an upcoming game, EA and Spike TV have come together to create a new reality TV show merging football, military combat and video games into one. The show, Battlefield: Operation Gridiron, features four of the most recognizable football players active today, and trains them to survive in a combat scenarios modeled after the upcoming Battlefield 3 game.

The contestants/combatants are: New Orleans Saints Quarterback and former Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees, Arizona Cardinals Wide Receiver and five-time Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald, Green Bay Packers Linebacker and two-time Pro Bowler Clay Matthews III, and Minnesota Vikings Defensive End and three time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection Jared Allen.

Using tactics from Battlefield 3, the four were taken to a secret location and given special combat training by Special Forces operatives. After the training was complete, the four were then given tasks similar to missions found in Battlefield 3.

“Taking to the battlefield in these real life war settings was really exciting and eye-opening,” Brees said. “Every day men and women face challenges similar to what we tackled in this show but with potential dire consequences. Filming this show once again reinforced my respect for the soldiers who fight every day for our freedom.”

The series will air as three webisodes, leading up to the finale on October 24, which will debut on Spike TV at midnight. The first webisode can be seen on the Battlefield 3 Facebook page, and the subsequent episodes will debut there each Tuesday at 9am PST.

So in an ironic twist, people that gamers have been playing as for years in Madden (and in an uncredited fashion in NCAA Football) will now themselves play out the actions of characters from another game. Sweet irony. Head over to the Facebook Battlefield 3 page and decide for yourself, then look for Battlefield 3 on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 on October 25.

Topics

Entertainment

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ryan Fleming is the Gaming and Cinema Editor for Digital Trends. He joined the DT staff in 2009 after spending time covering…

Gaming

How to revive dead companions in Baldur’s Gate 3

Withers offering services to the player in Baldur's Gate 3.

You're given a good bit of leeway during battles in Baldur's Gate 3 before you or a companion actually bites the dust for good. While in battle, if a teammate does take enough damage to drop, they aren't dead then and there. Instead, they will be downed with a chance to roll every turn to get back up. If they roll successfully three times, the battle ends, or you use another character to pick them up, they're good. If they fail that roll three times, however, they will be completely dead. That can be harsh when you've become attached to certain characters and want to further their stories, so you'll be looking for any way you can to bring them back. Thankfully you do have a few options for reviving companions in Baldur's Gate 3, but just like respeccing, they aren't so obvious.
Pay Withers to bring them back

Withers is a friendly undead you can find in a secret room in the Dank Crypt found inside the Overgrown Ruins. After finding and speaking to him in his sarcophagus, he will offer you various services, one of which is bringing back any dead companions. He won't do this out of the kindness of his heart (probably because it isn't beating) and will charge you a heavy fine of 200 gold to do so. Still, that's a small price to pay to bring back a beloved character. Once paid, that character will appear in your camp where they would normally be, so there's no need to go back to their corpse and find them.
Use a scroll of Revivfy or learn it

Gaming

Every video game delay that has happened in 2023 so far

The player skates toward the moon in Skate Story.

Few things feel as inevitable in the video game industry as delays. Ever since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, game delays have only become more and more common as developers find previously set timelines unrealistic and adjust their release plans accordingly. More than halfway through 2023, we've already seen some notable AAA games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Skull & Bones, and Pragmata delayed pretty heavily. Because video game release date delays are so common, it can be tough to keep track of every game that has had its launch date shifted in some way.
That's why, just as we did in 2021 and 2022, Digital Trends is rounding up every game delay that's announced throughout 2023. Here are the high-profile ones that have happened so far, listed chronologically by their new intended release dates.
The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR (March 16)

As Until Dawn: Rush of Blood is one of the best games for PlayStation VR, The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, Supermassive Games' PlayStation VR2 successor, is a highly anticipated launch title for the upcoming VR headset. Unfortunately, it will no longer make PlayStation VR2's February 22 launch and will instead be released on March 16. On Twitter, a message from Supermassive Games says this delay will ensure that players "receive the most polished, terrifying experience possible" at release. The game was released on that date to mixed reviews.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key (March 24)

Gaming

Is Remnant 2 cross-platform?

Three characters shoot at a boss in Remnant 2.

Aside from the focus on firearms and integrating some randomly generated environments, the Remnant series sets itself apart from other souls-like games mainly with its focus on co-op. Both titles encourage you to team up with two friends to fight your way through the mutated monsters that await. After so many years of progress in terms of multiplatform games incorporating full cross-platform support, you might assume Remnant 2 will follow suit and let you make a group with anyone regardless of what platform they're on. However, the truth may be a bit more disappointing. Before you make plans with your squad, here's what you need to know about Remnant 2's cross-platform support.
Is Remnant 2 cross-platform?

Unfortunately, Remnant 2 does not have cross-platform play between PS5, Xbox Series X or PC -- and there's no word about it being added in the future.