battlefield-3
Latest
Battlefield 3 effectively banned in Iran
A new report picked up by the Associated Press suggests Battlefield 3, which partially takes place in Tehran, has been prohibited from stores, even though EA has no official resellers in the region and many stores didn't bother hunting for stock in the first place. However, local police have apparently already raided a few shops for selling pirated copies of the game. "We understand that the story of a videogame is hypothetical," an online petition filed by an Iranian youth group read. "We believe the game is purposely released at a time when the US is pushing the international community into fearing Iran." If there's a silver lining in this, it's that a lot of Iranians won't be subjected to Battlefield 3's lackluster single-player campaign.
You're gonna need an extra blowtorch for all the vehicles in Battlefield 3's 'Gulf of Oman' map
With the massive quantity of land and air vehicles being added to Battlefield 3's multiplayer in the "Gulf of Oman" map -- part of this December's "Back to Karkand" DLC pack -- we'd suggest packing two oversized engineer pockets full of blowtorches for all that repairing you'll be doing. Points!
Battlefield 3, NFS: The Run for $30; many others discounted in Origin Cyber Monday sale
Origin may be the new kid on the block, but that doesn't mean it was born yesterday. EA clearly realizes that its digital-only game service needs to compete with the other digital retailers, as evidenced by its overtly aggressive pricing on today's Cyber Monday sales: Battlefield 3 for $30, as well as Need for Speed: The Run, not to mention package savings that rival Steam's. Beyond the games available for PC, a variety of the publisher's iOS slash mobile titles are also getting deep cuts, all of which end around midnight tonight. If you were waiting patiently for a heavily discounted copy of Risk for your iPad, now is the time!
EA giving Battlefield 1943 vouchers to PS3 Battlefield 3 owners
"There have been some misunderstandings around Battlefield 1943 and Battlefield 3." That's according to a rather diplomatic missive posted on EA's support website. If it was your understanding, shall we say, that PlayStation 3 copies of Battlefield 3 would include a free download of DICE's downloadable skirmish, you may have been disappointed to find that freebie ... slightly amiss. After deflecting the deal with a lame DLC consolation -- and hearing about a class-action lawsuit -- EA has decided to dole out vouchers for the MIA Battlefield 1943. The process requires you to log in to EA's redemption portal, 1943redemption.battlefield.com, with your Origin ID and request a download code for your region. Codes will be available for European customers as of November 26th, and for Americans on December 10th. With all that done, you'd better find some time to play it!
Battlefield 3 patched for PC, server-side; consoles waiting on certification
Battlefield 3's first, er, second major patch is now live server-side and for PC, with console updates coming as soon as the patch finishes the certification process. There's no mention of the tactical flashlight fix, but patch notes confirm that squad selection has received a significant upgrade. Changes to squad functionality, detailed on the Battlefield blog, include the removal of "find me a squad" and other streamlining enhancements. Squads that are empty will now show up in white and occupied squads in blue, so it'll be easier for friends to quickly select a room to join together. We've placed the full patch notes after the break, since EA decided you need a Battlelog account to view it otherwise (and we know plenty of people who still can't get that mess to work).
Battlefield 3 patch cooking on PC for this week, consoles to follow 'shortly after' [updated]
Battlefield 3 developer DICE is currently working on a patch for all versions of its just released game, set to improve "polish, stability, weapons balancing, squad control functionality, user interface enhancements, and several feature enhancements that address feedback the community has provided to date." The studio's blog post on the matter also specifically calls out the PC's "negative mouse acceleration" problem as an issue the update will address. It also stands to reason that the tactical light issue and the PS3 digital edition's Battlelog problem will be fixed, but we asked EA for clarification. While the patch will arrive on PCs some time "next week" -- the post was published last Friday, so that's this week -- the bulk of the game's community on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 unfortunately won't see the patch until it gets through certification. DICE estimates that will be "shortly after the PC update." Regardless, more patch info and a launch date is promised for this week, when we'll hopefully hear more solid news about the console patch as well. Update: This post originally stated that the patch was due "next week," though the news from DICE was announced last Friday. We've since updated the post and headline to reflect the accurate launch projection for the PC patch (this week!) and apologize for any inconvenience.
EA facing class-action lawsuit over lack of BF 1943 in BF3
Remember how EA originally planned to include a free copy of Battlefield 1943 with every new PS3 copy of Battlefield 3? So do a lot of other people, and they're so upset over EA's replacement "bonus" that they've filed a class-action lawsuit against the publisher, according to Kotaku. Rather than monetary compensation, the firm representing those involved with the lawsuit (Edelson McGuire) is looking only for the free copies of Battlefield 1943 originally advertised; a promise which EA "could not, and never intended, to keep," according to the firm. As is the way with any legal proceeding involving the entertainment industry, it'll likely be years before any sort of progress is made in either direction.
Battlefield 3's 'Back to Karkand' expansion clearly has a problem with structures
In case you didn't believe DICE when the studio informed us that Battlefield 3's destruction engine would be more destruction-ey in the upcoming "Back to Karkand" expansion, the latest trailer should convince you. Just look at all that debris!
EA finally responds to forum bans also banning Origin game access
EA has proven that it's not afraid to bring the banhammer down on Origin users who defy their Terms of Service; though its stringent adherence to that policy has, on occasion, provided cause for concern. In March, a user on the Dragon Age 2 forums was banned for breaking the forum's rules, only to find out he'd been prohibited from using his purchased copy of the game as well. Though EA reinstated his Origin access and chalked it up to a system error, Rock, Paper, Shotgun reported that it was not an isolated incident. EA has never explicitly said that handing out Origin bans alongside forum bans was its modus operandi; however, RPS finally received an official statement on the bans from EA Corporate Communications' John Reseburg. According to him, "when someone violates our Terms of Service, we are forced to take actions that can include suspensions and other measures." That's not a clear confirmation of the policy, though Reseburg later added, "We have listened to our customers and are planning a policy update which will include more equitable rules on suspensions – we want to make sure the time fits the crime." It seems utterly bizarre that EA wouldn't be explicitly clear about a policy that carries as heavy a punishment as this. We can understand wanting to keep a forum free from the blight of obscenity, but if that comes at the cost of preventing legitimate purchasers of EA's products from accessing said games, those purchasers deserve to know about it ahead of time. As it stands now, Reseburg simply suggests, "any user with a question about suspensions or our policies to please contact us at (866) 543-5435 so we can address their specific situation."
Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 tech compared by Digital Foundry
Denizens of the internet have pitted Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 against each other in all manner of arenas -- story, multiplayer, level design, slow-motion door breaching sequences -- but what about WHO HAS THE BEST INTERFACE LATENCY? Digital Foundry tackles one of gaming's fiercest rivalries in a way that's more educational than incendiary, focusing on the ways in which the technology powering each franchise has evolved over the years. With sophisticated lighting techniques and more granular destruction, DICE's Frostbite 2 engine seems primed to embrace a next generation of systems, while Infinity Ward's slick performer maintains its seductive framerate on consoles and lightning-fast controls. It's presented as another round between two shooter giants, but the commentary on the underlying technology, which is demonstrably different despite similar scenarios and subject matter, is a good reminder of how much time, research and investment is poured into EA and Activision's flagship products -- beyond the boisterous marketing.
DICE plans to fix Battlefield 3's magic tactical light
While playing Battlefield 3, have you ever been killed by what appears to be a magical floating light, perhaps some omnipotent deity? Chances are you were actually gunned down by someone using a very powerful flashlight attachment, known simply as the "tactical light." We knew DICE was planning to reduce the light's effectiveness, but now DICE core gameplay designer Alan Kertz has tweeted some screens to illustrate the changes, which you can see above. Speaking on Don't Revive Me Bro podcast (9:25), Kertz explained that the change is the result of "direct community feedback." It seems that many players find the godlight to be "negatively affecting their gameplay experience" and, thus far, the response to the images has been "overwhelmingly positive." We'll have to take him at his word because, frankly, our retinas are still adjusting.
Battlefield 3 bans issued across all platforms
EA has dishonorably discharged "hundreds" of Battlefield 3 cheaters and boosters. The publisher has banned and stats-wiped offending accounts that used known exploits. The company is still on the hunt, saying it has a "zero tolerance policy for cheating," so consider that fair warning. The known glitches involve players earning tens of thousands of points in a round. If you happen to have experienced the "invincibility glitch" in a round, you likely didn't earn yourself enough points to garner attention on radar and a smack from the banhammer. DICE is currently working on a patch for Battlefield 3, which should likely resolve known glitches, and will reduce the distance of those horribly annoying, blinding flashlights. Guys, seriously, keep those things pointed at the enemy!
Modern Warfare 3 nukes UK charts, many seek refuge in Skyrim
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the game that sold 6.5 million copies on its first day, couldn't help but be at the top of the UK charts last week (filed under: duh!). In the region, MW3 had sales that put it on even footing with last year's Call of Duty: Black Ops in terms of units sold, but it grossed more revenue in its opening weekend than the prior entry. It's not all modern warfare -- there's also plenty of the fantastic, medieval variety going on. Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim placed second, but merely because it launched in the shadow of MW3. Skyrim sold twice as many units as Fallout: New Vegas, the publisher's previous largest launch. Skyrim also became the fifth largest launch of the year, follwing MW3, FIFA 12, Battlefield 3 and slightly behind Gears of War 3. Find the UK top ten after the break.
October NPD: 3DS rising, a good month for games with 'Bat' in the title (Update: BF3, Batman, RAGE numbers)
Microsoft claims another month on top for the Xbox 360, with 393,000 units sold for the NPD's October sales period, 20% up year over year and, in the words of MS Chief of Staff for Interactive Entertainment Business Aaron Greenberg, the system's "biggest October ever." Following up is ... the 3DS, randomly bouncing back two months after its price drop, with "over 250,000" sold, according to Nintendo. Try to look shocked when we tell you that Battlefield 3 topped the software chart. The top six games on NPD's sales chart are all October releases, with Batman: Arkham City, NBA 2K12, Rage, Just Dance 3, and -- believe it or not -- super-hardcore, unfriendly RPG Dark Souls all placing. Find the full top ten after the break.
Battlefield 3's 'Back to Karkand' will be part of regular map rotation
With everything we thought we knew about the "Back to Karkand" expansion for Battlefield 3, we were surprised when the official @Battlefield Twitter noted (since deleted) the DLC would be "a separate map rotation," like the Vietnam expansion for Battlefield: Bad Company 2. EA informs us the official message from the company was incorrect. The PR director for Battlefield 3 told Joystiq, "Back to Karkand maps will be part of the same rotation as the base maps." We asked if this would hold true for all future Battlefield 3 DLC, but were informed the company hasn't announced details for future DLC and is currently focused on launching Karkand. The Back to Karkand content will be available sometime in December for $15, or free to those who pre-ordered the Limited Edition copy of the game.%Gallery-137898%
Downloadable PS3 Battlefield 3 suffering Battlelog issues, EA working on a patch
Did you know EA released Battlefield 3 digitally on PSN in Europe on October 27? That's pretty cool ... in theory, anyway. In execution, the launch of the PSN version has been marred by issues with the Battlelog service. "EA have confirmed that there are issues with the digital build of Battlefield 3 (on the PS Store) which will be affecting people trying sign into Battlelog," Playstation Community Team member "RabidWalker" said on the EU forum. "They are currently working on a patch for this, although no ETA has been given at the moment." Eurogamer mentions the theory that the issue is caused by incompatibility with Online Pass. The PSN version can't be bought used, the theory suggests, and the requirement was insufficiently patched out of the game. Online Pass issues interacting with stat tracking service issues -- if that's the case, it would be two features that didn't exist just a couple years ago, teaming up to make a game unplayable. To the future!
Live activity last week: Battlefield 3 fails to topple Black Ops
In a game industry where "We sold this many!" can mean "We put this many in a box and sent them to people!" hard comparisons of popularity can be tough. So even though it's not an ideal metric, we thought it at least worth mentioning that Battlefield 3 failed to take the top spot in the Xbox Live activity charts from Call of Duty: Black Ops in the week of Oct. 31. Of course, Battlefield 3 was plagued by a multitude of technical problems in its opening week, which can't have helped its standing. We're far more interested in how it'll fair this week, when we'll also see if Modern Warfare 3 can bring down its predecessor in a way that Battlefield 3 failed to.
A platform, Karkand, and Battlefield 3
I hope you like Battlefield 3, because based on my trip to EA's Redwood Shores offices yesterday, you're going to be getting a lot more of it. In a brief presentation prior to some extended time with next month's Back to Karkand DLC, the word "service" was used more than once. EA sees Battlefield 3 as a platform to deliver more content and Back to Karkand is the first salvo in that strategy.%Gallery-137898%
Call of Duty and Battlefield face off in timeline
A new infographic by Visual.ly does a good job comparing the success of the Call of Duty and Battlefield franchises. We use the term "comparing" here very loosely, as when the two are put side to side, there is no comparison when it comes to sales, despite EA's (recently toned down) rhetoric on the subject. The timeline covers the sales and Metacritic ratings of the two franchises' multiple iterations over the near decade of their existence. It ends with EA's reported 5 million sales of Battlefield 3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launches tomorrow and, if recent history is any indication, it should be another Battlefield-obliterating sales juggernaut.
Get Battlefield 3 server status updates
EA has launched a "current server status" page for Battlefield 3, which should help alleviate the need to check the @Battlefield Twitter account every time the publisher's servers get temperamental. If the server status says it's up and you're still having connection issues, then be sure to check those ports for optimal server connection. If all else fails, Modern Warfare 3 will be out tomorrow.
