The good folks over at DICE and EA are unleashing the expansion pack of Battlefield 2: Special Forces on users, just in time for the Christmas holiday. There's lots of tidings and good cheer in the multiplayer action, we're sure. We managed to catch up with associate producer Michael Doran to ask him all about the expansion, as well as other things related to Battlefield 2.

GD: Were you thoroughly entertained by the wild success of Battlefield 2 on the PC, as well as its attention on the Xbox and PS2?

Michael: To be fair, after working on Battlefield 2 for three years, I think everyone on the team had high expectations for the title. I believe I do speak for everyone involved when I say that we are very grateful for the great community support and commercial success we've seen since launch. I can't really speak to the console versions of Battlefield as those were built by a completely separate team, but I do play a lot of Battlefield 2: Modern Combat multiplayer in my spare time, and it's quite a blast.

GD: Tell us about this expansion pack. What can we expect to find in this follow-up?

Michael: Battlefield 2: Special Forces features 6 new armies, 10 new vehicles and 8 new maps. Some of the big new features are night maps / night vision, as well as the zip line and grappling hook.

GD: Will the emphasis remain on multiplayer, or have things been added to give the single player mode a bit more boost?

Michael: The emphasis for this Battlefield game like any other before it is on delivering a great multiplayer experience in open environments with lots of vehicles. Single player support is included, and it is similar to what we offered with Battlefield 2, but it's on the new maps.

GD: What would you say is the sweetest new addition in this expansion pack? A weapon of choice, a vehicle?

Michael: My two favorite parts of Battlefield 2: Special Forces would be the zip line / grappling hook. These two features add a lot of mobility to the infantry game, and they make new tactics possible - using the zip line from a roof to cross a chokepoint and get behind enemy lines, etc.

GD: What new features would you say will addict players the most? Anything that will addict hardcore fans even further? Or perhaps draw in new ones?

Michael: Again, I think that the biggest change to the game will be the zip line and grappling hook. The great thing about these features is that their usability is only limited by how creative the player is. Grappling hooks can be used to reach higher areas of maps that are especially effective perches from which to launch the zip line. Using both the zip line and grappling hook in conjunction with each other fits very well with squad based gameplay, which is a focus of Battlefield 2 / Battlefield 2: Special Forces.

GD: Is it possible we'll see this expansion pack arrive for consoles? Perhaps as a download? Or maybe in the upcoming Xbox 360 edition?

Michael: Not likely as console and PC versions are completely different and original titles.

GD: Thanks, Michael.