@Paul - We've tried to diversify a couple of times now, and guess what happened? It failed on both attempts.
People aren't committing to any game but BF, and until they do, diversifying isn't going to work.
The reality is that LAN gaming in general is dropping off, with MW2 also not supporting LAN play. That doesn't help us or the DL deal, but it seems to be the way that things are moving. Blame the growth of game consoles if you like, or the rampant increase of piracy on the PC, but developers are becoming more and more reluctant to add LAN support in games. Look at Blizzards two big titles that are in development; both Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2 will be shipping without LAN support.
Some more details on the LAN thing, from a DICE developer:
You need to log into the game using an Internet connection in the first place so if your LAN doesn't have Internet you won't be able to play BFBC2 anyway.
Also yes at this point there is no LAN option for BFBC2 and no immediate plans to add it into the game. Larger LAN events like Multiplay's i-Series are also RSP's so as someone mentioned getting your LAN event sponsored or run by an RSP is the closest you will get to LAN gaming at this time. The LAN will still need Internet connections to run the game though.
__________________
Associate Producer
Battlefield 1942, Battlefield Vietnam, Battlefield 2, Battlefield 2142, Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
Follow Battlefield on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/OfficialBF2 and
http://twitter.com/OfficialBF2142 and
http://twitter.com/OfficialBFBC2