http://store.origin.com/store/ea/html/pbPage.origin-deals?easid=Origin_SHOOTERACTIONPROMO_Web_Hero_BuyNow

EA's Origin is currently running a sale on a variety of action games and their DLC, including Battlefield 3, Tomb Raider and Assassin's Creed 3. The sale includes physical copies on Windows PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as well as digital copies sold through Origin; the discounts are as high as 50 percent off. Here are some of the highlights:

Battlefield 3: $9.99 (PC download), $19.99 (PC, PS3, 360 retail)
Battlefield 3 Premium Edition: $29.99 (PC download), $34.99 (PC, PS3, 360 retail)
Tomb Raider: $24.99 (PC download)
Tomb Raider Survival Edition: $28.99 (PC download)
Assassin's Creed 3: $24.99 (PC download)
Dead Space 3: $29.99 (PC download), $39.99 (PC, PS3, 360 retail)
Darksiders 2: $24.99 (PC download)

Before the release of Battlefield 3 DICE stated that no mod tools would be released because they were "too complicated" for people to use. Now, two years later, a modder named NoFate is defying that statement with a tool called Venice Unleashed which will allow players to create custom server rule sets, disable graphical effects, develop mods, and enables many hidden features such as a spectator mode.

http://enlist.veniceunleashed.net/

Red 5 Studios today announced that its free-to-play open world shooter, Firefall, will enter Open Beta on July 9th, allowing millions of gamers to join the Chosen warfront and experience Firefall's skill-based vertical combat.

Now that the $35,000 Counterattack Mapping Contest for Red Orchestra 2 has concluded and helped us find the best community made maps on Steam Workshop, Tripwire Interactive has worked with the original map makers to polish them up and add them into the game as Official Custom Maps. Today we are releasing four of those maps for Red Orchestra 2 completely free - they will be automatically added to your game through Steam. And, to make sure that everyone gets a chance to try them out, we're making Red Orchestra 2 free to play for the weekend (Thu 4 Apr through Sun 7 Apr). Just head for Steam, download the game and play.

These are some of the best maps you'll see - adding some great new gameplay. All are included for free for everyone who owns the game. Don't forget there are more great community maps and content on Steam Workshop, so head on over there now! We've also got a trailer for the pack - with the content produced by the community, to show off what they enjoy! You can view it on Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/63339846) or Youtube (http://youtu.be/voD9_V2oJ3w)

Those who pre-order the game at participating retailers will automatically receive a "premium expansion pack at no additional cost", the publisher said, without offering more specific details.

EA also revealed Battlefield 4 Digital Deluxe, an Origin exclusive special edition which will include the base game and bonus in-game digital items. Players that pre-order it will also receive the premium expansion pack and access to the Battlefield 4 multiplayer beta.

Earlier today, EA confirmed a Battlefield 4 release date window of autumn 2013 on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. DICE also said it's not actively looking at bringing Battlefield 4 to Wii U and hasn't confirmed plans to launch the game on next-gen consoles.

From the evidence on display at Battlefield 4's first reveal of its FPS in the Skandia Teatern in Stockholm last night, EA seems to be after two things. First, it wants to lay an unshakable claim to having one of this year's biggest releases. Second, and admittedly, this is extrapolating, to an extent; it wants to eclipse its competition.

Make no mistake, Battlefield is still chasing Call Of Duty's brass ring; a feat that its developer DICE almost achieved back in 2011 with the last iteration in the series. Battlefield 3 earned universal acclaim from its layered and gargantuan online multiplayer, but its Achilles' Heel - and what many considered held it back from the lofty heights of its competitor - was its tepid and forgettable single-player campaign.

"With Battlefield 3 I felt like we did so many things right," says DICE's Creative Director Lars Gustavsson. "It hurt to hear people saying things like 'it wasn't really all there - you forgot some of the pieces of the Battlefield formula'."