Seems like EA is offering quite an incentive to use their new digital distribution platform. If you pre-order Battlefield 3 through EA’s Origin service, you will gain access to the beta, which is scheduled to start this September.

It’s also unlikely that we will be seeing Battlefield 3 on Steam due to the recent conflict between EA and Valve.

I think this is a very smart move by EA and it should drum up a sizable amount of pre-orders from Origin alone.

We should be seeing more ways to join the beta as it draws closer, but I doubt there will be an easier way to gain access than this.

Origin brings an entire universe of EA games into a single, convenient application.

“Origin lets you purchase and play your favorite EA games – any time and any place you want. With the in-game overlay, you can chat with your friends and browse the web while playing select games.

Origin’s new social features allow you to create a profile, connect and chat with your friends, share your game library, and effortlessly join your friends’ games.

Origin streamlines the download process, for quick, easy installation and use. Direct download of PC games requires the Origin client, and once you have it, you’ll be able to access your game library from virtually anywhere. You can even play your favorite games on other PCs when you’re on the go.

For gamers on the go, Origin services are also available on your mobile device! With the world’s leading mobile gaming portfolio, EA offers mobile gamers an unmatched experience through Origin, including the ability to find and connect with your friends to play and share in a leading edge smartphone environment.” – Origin About Section

Battlefield 3: Limited Edition is currently priced $59.99 at the Origin store and it will be released on October 25, 2011.

Valve co-founder Gabe Newell has spoken out about EA’s digital distribution service, Origin.

In an interview with PC Gamer magazine, Newell confirms that he’s “tried out” the service, and that he came away feeling neutral.

“I think it does some things well. I think there are still some areas where, as a customer, I’d like to see it improve,” Newell said. “It’s not that different from any other system like this. There are positive things and negative things.”

Newell added that he understands that Steam can’t stay on top forever, and that the company has to work hard to remain number one.

“I and everyone at Valve know that you’re only as successful as what you’ve done lately,” he said. “So the idea that Steam is somehow the answer to digital distribution ignores the fact that every two or three years, something is going to change dramatically.”

That something might be the “battlelog” system that is going to be inserted into the Battlefield 3 world. I like to look at it as facebook for Battlefield players. We’ve seen stat tracking done well for years especially like companies like Bungie, but EA and DICE want to take it to the next level.

For PC players you’ll be able to use the facebook-like stat tracking to follow friends and launch games exclusively from the browser. Check the video below for details. It might be enough to entice non-Battlefield players to join the fight.