Battlefield Hardline getting Competitive Matchmaking this month

For those of you still playing Battlefield Hardline (perhaps while waiting for this year's installment), Electronic Arts has announced something that should at least hold your interest in the game for a few more months — competitive matchmaking.

Arriving alongside Battlefield Hardline: Getaway this month will be a Competitive Match system that will open up the ability to "compete in skill-based 5v5 matches, with regularly refreshed seasons, leaderboards, and winners." Competitive Match play will be divided into two to three week-long seasons; each season featuring a themed map/mode rotation created byd eveloper Visceral. You'll be able to play solo or with a squad (console only), and you'll be matched with players of similar skill.

Of course, your Skill Rating will adjust in real time as you win or lose. In fact, it will be recalculated after every match, EA says. The most competitive players will vie for the top spots in the season's leaderboard, with the Top 5 players being granted an exclusive upgrade to their Kill Card. The number one player will be "celebrated for all to see," though EA didn't elaborate on that.

There will be two leagues in Competitive Match, a Standard League for all players to compete in, and a Premium League, which is only available to Battlefield Hardline Premium members. As the name and requirements suggest, the Premium League features maps and modes from the base game as well as all of the maps released through Hardline's expansion packs.

Electronic Arts recently announced a new focus on eSports with the creation of a new Competitive Gaming Division. It will be led by Peter Moore, who will move from COO to Executive Vice President and Chief Competition Officer.