While Microsoft has gotten all buddy buddy with Activision and Call of Duty, it looks like Sony is trying to one up them with Battlefield Bad Company 2.  The two have just announced that the Battlefield Bad Company 2 beta will kick off later this month, on November 19, exclusively for the PS3.  North American PS3 owners can gain access by pre-ordering the game at GameStop, while there will be other ways for international gamers to access the game.

The beta will feature one map, the Arica Harbor map, and the new Rush gameplay mode.  Arica Harbor is a very expansive set piece, flowing from barren desert to the more industrial harbor area, with a heavy focus on vehicle combat turning into intensive infantry struggles in the closed quarters of the harbor.

"With Battlefield: Bad Company 2 we're looking to raise the bar across all aspects of our multiplayer experience, setting a new standard for online play," says Patrick Bach, Senior Producer on Battlefield: Bad Company 2. "From the graphics to the vehicles, weapons and destruction, we are delivering the best online multiplayer game next year, and we want gamers to experience it themselves by playing the beta and demo."

The beta opens up to PC owners in December, and will be accessible by 360 owners in the new year.  Battlefield Bad Company 2 will be available across all three platforms in March, 2010.