We’ve known for a while now that players who purchased specially marked packages of Killzone 3 were going to be entering the Socom 4 multiplayer beta. We’ve also known that UK PlayStation Plus members would also be getting into the beta for free.

Beyond that, details about the Socom 4 multiplayer beta have been virtually non-existent until now, so this news should make all PlayStation Plus members happy - not just those in the jolly ol’ UK.

The beta will play host to all four multiplayer modes that will be shipped with Socom 4. The modes include Suppression, Last Defense, Uplink, and the newly unveiled fourth mode Bomb Squad.

Bomb Squad puts players in charge of a Spec Ops team charged with diffusing a number of explosives that have been placed around the map by insurgents. A time limit ensures that players will be sweating it just like in The Hurt Locker. The mode introduces the new Bomb Technician character, who is charged with diffusing the explosives.

The player controlling the Bomb Technician will be granted heavy armor, an automatic shotgun, and a mobile grenade launcher, ensuring that he’s a force to be reckoned with. All this power comes with some drawback, of course, as the Bomb Technician is vulnerable with his back turned - when he’s busy disarming bombs. Success will depend on the teams ability to protect their Bomb Technician as he does his thing.

A few images have been released along with the Bomb Technician news to show off how awesome he looks:

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These multiplayer modes will be available on two different maps, Port Authority and Assault & Battery. Both of these maps will be available in their Standard and Classic variants as well.

There are 4 different ways to get into the Socom 4 beta and, as a result, the scheduling is a little bit complicated. Included below is a list of all the beta dates and the requirements for entry:

  • On March 15th, 2011 a private beta goes live. Eligible players will be contacted soon. Beginning March 22nd, PlayStation Plus members will gain access to the beta. On March 29th, anyone with a beta code included with Killzone 3 gains entry. Starting April 5th, the beta will be freely downloadable to anyone via PlayStation Network.

On April 13, 2011 the beta will close as the servers shut down in preparation for the game’s PS3 exclusive release on April 19, 2011. Good news if you’re a Socom addict; withdrawal will only last about a week.

Are you looking forward to the beta? How are you going to be getting in?

When Socom 4 ships on April 13, 2011 exclusively for the PS3, there will be both a standard Socom 4 release and the much beefier Full Deployment Edition. The Full Deployment Edition comes packed with a full PlayStation Move setup and Sony’s new PlayStation Move sharp shooter.

Source: Socom Blog