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Battlefield 4 patched on Xbox One, again
The next-gen versions of Battlefield 4 should hopefully be in parity and stable following today's Xbox One patch. The PS4 version has been – based on our experience over the past two days, at least – at its most stable yet. We dare not use the word "fixed." Let's say we're cautiously optimistic. Full details of the patch are after the break.
Three Battlefield 4 updates follow Xbox One's bug-squashing lead
In its ongoing quest to stamp out the bugs that plague Battlefield 4, developer DICE has launched a new update for the game - actually, make that three updates: one for PlayStation 3, one for PlayStation 4 and one for the Xbox 360. Battlelog offers extensive explanations for each patch, so we'll cover the highlights. The PlayStation 3 game should now crash less frequently as well as allow players to more easily connect to online games. This patch also goes a long ways toward snuffing players' ability to trade kills and thus artificially pad their stats, though DICE continues to work on a permanent solution to this problem. The Xbox 360 game is likewise receiving stability improvements, both online and off. It, too, is seeing a fix for the kill-trading issue, though perhaps more crucially, it also squashes multiple bugs that could leave a player stranded at the respawn screen after attempting to return to battle. Unsurprisingly, stability improvements are directly cited in the PlayStation 4 patch, along with a number of fixes now said to be in place to prevent more common crashing scenarios. Kill trading has been fixed here too, though more notably the patch is also said to remove the periodic audio drops players experience from time to time. These patches follow hot on the heels of an Xbox One patch designed to fix many of the same issues outlined today. All of these updates are free of charge, and should be downloaded to your game the next time you fire up your console of choice.
Battlefield 4 PC update eliminates kill trading
A new update for the PC version of Battlefield 4 is currently available for download. Arguably the biggest improvement is the elimination of "kill trading." Before, when two players both seemingly fired at each other at the same time, both would drop dead in unison. EA has now adjusted the netcode to account for this, so there should be far less "kill trading" in multiplayer matches. The update also addresses some bugs having to do with vehicle turrets dishing out too much damage when a certain specialization was equipped and another issue where players in Defuse matches would mysteriously get kicked out of the match and into Spectator mode. EA also squashed a few problems involving Nvidia drivers. Also of note: If you've got SLI enabled on your graphics card, this update may cause flickering and for some graphical overlays to get stuck on-screen. EA is aware of the issues and hopes to resolve them in another future update.
Battlefield 4 Xbox One patch fixes one-hit kills, save file corruption bug
EA DICE has released a new patch for the Xbox One version of Battlefield 4 that fixes several crashes and other bugs affecting the game's multiplayer component. The Xbox One update addresses a persistent "one-hit kill" bug, bringing the port up to speed with the recently patched PC and PS4 versions. The update additionally "reduces the probability" of single-player save file corruption, which emerged as a widespread complaint among players after the game's launch last month. Battlefield 4 shipped with several major issues on next-gen platforms, rendering some multiplayer modes unplayable prior to recent updates. The game's problems are severe enough to warrant the attention of law firm Holzer Holzer & Fistel, which recently launched an investigation to determine if Electronic Arts misled investors regarding the game's estimated revenue and market impact.
Delayed Battlefield 4 Xbox One update may arrive 'late this week'
The update planned to end crashing and save file loss in the Xbox One iteration of Battlefield 4 continues to be delayed, but developer DICE has revealed a near-term window in which it hopes the patch will debut. Like the PlayStation 4 game, the Xbox One version of Battlefield 4 was scheduled for an update to fix its ongoing crashing and online instability issues. That patch should have appeared during the week of December 2, but for reasons not made public never did. Instead, DICE has decided to roll the changes of that patch into the game's next update, which should appear at the end of this week or the beginning of next. "The update that was originally meant to go live the week of Dec 2 was delayed, but we decided to bring those fixes to the next upcoming Xbox One update," stated DICE representative "trydling" in the studio's latest Battlelog update. "This new combined Xbox One patch is currently in testing and certification, and we will release it as soon as possible. We are hoping to get it live late this week or early next week. We will keep you updated." It's unknown exactly what this patch will fix, though we're told that full details will be made available shortly before the update appears. For the moment, DICE will only say that it "will focus on stability and some of the feedback we've seen from the community, including a fix for the one-hit kill bug and Commander EMP blur effect."
Law firm investigating EA for allegedly misleading investors with Battlefield 4
Law firm Holzer Holzer & Fistel, LLC has launched an investigation to determine whether Electronic Arts deliberately misled investors regarding "the development and sales of the Company's Battlefield 4 video game and the game's impact on EA's revenue and projects moving forward." The investigation targets public statements the company made regarding Battlefield 4 between July 24 and December 4 of this year. The firm requests contact from shareholders who purchased EA stock between these two dates for legal consultation. Battlefield 4 saw a troubled launch, requiring several patches to fix lingering issues across multiple platforms. EA has since prioritized Battlefield 4 bugfixing within its DICE studio, putting the team's other projects on the backburner until the game's issues can be resolved. Holzer Holzer & Fistel previously targeted now-defunct publisher THQ in an investigation alleging that the company withheld information from investors regarding decreased sales of its uDraw tablet.
Battlefield 4 patched on PS4, should stabilize 'large amount of the client crashes'
My dearest Emily, These weeks of frustration are hopefully drawing to a close. A communication from Battlefield 4 developer DICE says the PlayStation 4 version has received a patch that "should remove a large amount of the client crashes" currently being experienced on the console since launch. My heart longs for your affection and for this cruelty to pass us. The constant crashing, which would occur in part when bringing up Battlelog in-game, when using the BattleScreen and when destroying vehicles, are all said to have been fixed, too. I wish and hope this to be true. There is more in the report, but for now I must return to the Battlefield and see if I can recapture the thousands upon thousands of points I've lost due to instability. Forever yours, Lance Corporal XxSmokesMadBluntz420xX
Battlefield 4 PC update addresses server crashes, frame rate issues [Update: Issues tracker added]
DICE updated Battlefield 4 on PC this week to address a number of server and client crashing issues. The developer patched the game yesterday, addressing "one of the most frequently occurring client crashes" in addition to other bugs related to frame rate and collisions. The update rectifies one particular bug where players were able to be shot while behind cover and changing their characters' stance, as the transitions between poses would occasionally lead to a "multiple frame desync." Among the other fixes introduced in this week's patch is the issue of grenades bouncing back from containers with open doors. Additionally, DICE fixed a bug that awarded teams a win in a round of Defuse mode by killing every attacker without disarming the bomb, providing it was disarmed in the previous round. The developer issued patches for Battlefield 4's PS4 and PS3 versions last week following EA's statement of commitment to fixing the game's numerous issues. DICE already patched up a one-hit-kill glitch in the game on both PS4 and PC. Update: Additionally, DICE rolled out a Battlefield 4 issues tracker thread in its official forums. The forum post includes a rather large list of problems in the game, the platforms each issue affects and their statuses. The status sections include three levels: "investigating," "fixing" and "fix live." The developer noted that the issue tracker is not a comprehensive list of problems in the game, and that while it has always maintained such a tracker behind the scenes in its projects, this is the first time it opted to make it public.
Battlefield 4 patched for PS3, 'small patch' for PS4
Battlefield 4 developer DICE has rolled out a pair of patches to PlayStation platforms that should help alleviate the work needed to fix the game. The significant PlayStation 3 patch is currently available in "all territories except North America." The studio is shooting to get the NA version live "as soon as possible." The PlayStation 4 patch is a field dressing. It fixes the "one-hit kill" bug, enables audio in video capture and should fix a crash that occurs when "having a very large amounts of Friends." Let's gloss over the face that a core competence of Battlefield is supposed to be playing with lots of friends. DICE notes, "We are already working on the next PS4 update that will contain more fixes and have a bigger focus on game stability. Stay tuned." The Xbox One patch is still planned for this week.
EA: Fixing Battlefield 4 a priority for DICE above other projects
DICE has halted all work on everything but Battlefield 4 until the issues plaguing the game have been resolved, publisher EA has claimed. DICE is currently working on the Mirror's Edge reboot and the upcoming Star Wars: Battlefront game, as well as the remaining Battlefield 4 expansions. What this means for those games and the state of the developer's pipeline remains to be seen. "We know we still have a ways to go with fixing the game – it is absolutely our #1 priority. The team at DICE is working non-stop to update the game," an EA representative told IGN. "We know many of our players are frustrated, and we feel your pain. We will not stop until this is right." As for releasing China Rising, the first of five major expansion packs planned for Battlefield 4, during these ongoing issues, EA told IGN the expansion was "already in the final stages of development by the time issues began with Battlefield 4," so the company "decided to fulfill our promise to deliver it this week." EA has issued several patches for Battlefield 4 since its launch, including a fix for the one-hit kill glitch that has been seen in the PC version – the same patch that has since been delayed for PS4 – and improvements to the still-a-bit-shaky online stability of the PS4 game. As a result of issues across all platforms, DICE decided to reward those who've stuck with Battlefield 4 through the hard times with a double XP fan appreciation event, which ends tomorrow.
Battlefield 4 patch delayed for PS4, China Rising out today
Battlefield 4 isn't stable across platforms, but that's not going to stop the first piece of downloadable content. China Rising, the first of five expansion packs, is available now for Premium members, who paid an extra $50 on top of a game that kinda-sorta works when it wants to. For the regular enlisted who only paid $60 for the game, it should be available in two weeks. Battlefield 4: Second Assault, the second expansion that launched exclusively for Xbox One Premium members on November 22, is available now to download for all Xbox One players. There is still no release date for Second Assault on other platforms beyond "coming soon." Also, the patch for the unstable PlayStation 4 version has been delayed. "The PS4 game update that was originally meant to go live Dec 3 is undergoing some additional testing and will be rescheduled for a later date. We will get back with final details as soon as we have verification that the update is good to go," posted developer DICE. The PC and Xbox One patches are still planned for this week.
Battlefield 4 update hits PC and PS4 tomorrow, fixes 'one-hit kill' glitch
EA DICE will release an update for the PlayStation 4 and PC versions of Battlefield 4 tomorrow, addressing a one-hit kill glitch that has plagued the game since launch, among other fixes and improvements. The patch will eliminate reported instances of a single bullet dealing damage multiple times upon impact, often resulting in one-hit kills. The PC version will see additional fixes that target audio bugs and screen blurring, while the PS4 patch will enable audio playback in video captures and fix crashes relating to large Friends lists. The PC patch will deploy at 1:00 a.m. PST on December 3, while the PS4 update will be available "in the afternoon EU time."
Battlefield 4 'one-hit kill' bug on PC to be squashed next week
In the PC version of Battlefield 4, there's a bug where damage from a single bullet is applied multiple times – essentially a "one-hit kill" glitch. DICE is aware of the issue and hopes to resolve it in an upcoming patch planned for the week of December 2. The patch will also fix an issue with audio randomly dropping during multiplayer matches and a consistent crash bug that occurs when exiting out to the main menu while within the single-player campaign. Finally, the patch will adjust the network and computer performance screen: players can test their network connection and computer performance on this screen and receive recommendations from the game on how to improve each. The PS4 version of Battlefield 4 was updated earlier this week. We found the new version to be a much smoother experience, allowing us to freely play both Conquest and Rush modes without any crashes or network disconnects. The server browser, however, still seems to be an issue on the platform.
Battlefield 4 online performance improved on PS4
After a very rocky start on the PlayStation 4, it appears that Battlefield 4's online play is improving on Sony's new console. A new patch just deployed for the PS4 version of Battlefield 4 seems to have cleared up many of the game's online issues, including disconnects, crashes and corrupted save files. I did encounter one seemingly endless loading screen, but after restarting the game I personally managed to play several games of Conquest, Rush and Conquest Large without issue. Joystiq's Earnest Cavalli, who has lost a total of four save files, managed to play three Conquest matches without any crashes or corrupted saves. Playing the Xbox One version earlier today, I experienced one crash but was otherwise able to play Rush, Conquest and Conquest Large with no significant problems. There was one moment when the Kinect decided to interpret some in-game sound as "Xbox, go home," thus disconnecting me from my session, but that's hardly Battlefield's fault. The server browser is still experiencing problems on both Xbox One and PS4, specifically that it can't seem to locate Conquest matches at all. Applying a filter to locate Conquest matches simply returns no results, regardless of any other restrictions placed on the filter. For now, if you want to play Conquest, it looks like you're stuck using the Quick Match option. Other game types, including Conquest Large, show up in the server browser without any problems. Let us know how your PS4 and Xbox One Battlefield 4 experience has been in the comments.
EA deploys Battlefield 4 patch on PS4 to combat crashing
EA has issued an update for Battlefield 4 on the PS4 just now. This update is primarily aimed at curbing the rampant crashes players have been experiencing, but also addresses single-player campaign save file corruption issues and a particular connection bug involving PlayStation Plus. Battlefield 4 has had a rough go at it on PS4. Since the console's debut, the PS4 version has suffered from numerous crashes. This resulted in EA announcing a fan appreciation event for this coming weekend, where all online players will get double XP and a special M1911 pistol scope previously only available for use by the DICE team.
Console bundles, Battlefield 4 highlight GameStop's Black Friday preview
GameStop isn't quite ready to reveal its full swath of Black Friday deals, but the company has offered a preview including discounted consoles, cheap recent hits, and a sale on all used games. On Black Friday, if you walk into a GameStop (and aren't crushed by an unruly mob), you'll find a 250GB Xbox 360 with Halo 4 and Tomb Raider priced at $200. Sharing that price tag is a PlayStation 3 bundle which includes a 250GB console as well as copies of Batman: Arkham Origins and The Last of Us. If you already have one of these consoles, GameStop is also offering big discounts on two recent games: Just Dance 4 will be available for $15, while Battlefield 4 will feature a $25 price tag. If you'd prefer something a bit more dated, however, GameStop is also planning a "buy two, get one free" deal on all used games in the store. The discounts listed above are only the highlights of GameStop's Black Friday deals. The retailer has yet to publicly release its ad, though the store does offer a site where interested consumers can sign up to receive the ad just as soon as it's ready to debut. While GameStop will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, the store will reopen on 12:01AM, Black Friday. Most likely this means that you'll need to visit your local store as early as possible to ensure savings, but those who'd rather sleep in can instead sign up to be notified when GameStop issues its forthcoming Cyber Monday ad.
Amazon reveals Black Friday lineup, deals run from November 25 - 29
Now that ThirftyNerd has found Amazon's gaming lineup for its five-day Black Friday Deals Week, you can properly prepare for the dates and times you'll be sprinting through digital checkouts. The sale will run from November 25 - 29, with its first deal launching at 12:10pm Eastern Time. Unfortunately, the prices for each offer have not been shared, but they'll probably all sell out in minutes anyway. Because Black Friday. Amazon's November 25 lineup will include deals on Xbox 360 and PS3 copies of Borderlands 2: Game of the Year Edition, DmC: Devil May Cry and Batman: Arkham City Game of the Year Edition. The Xbox 360 version of LEGO: Lord of the Rings will also be offered. November 26 will bring with it the Nvidia Shield, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for the Wii U, MLB 13 The Show and 4 GB memory cards for the Vita, and Xbox 360 and PS3 copies of Street Fighter X Tekken. On November 27, PS3 and 360 copies of Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen, Dead Space 3 and Remember Me will be available. Vanilla Resident Evil 5 will be up for grabs for Xbox 360 owners, but PS3 users will instead have a shot at Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition. The Xbox 360 version of Red Dead Redemption: Game of the Year Edition will also be offered, as will Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask for the 3DS.
Gaming deals: $200 Batman, The Last of Us PS3 bundle, Xbox One games, Battlefield 4 for PS4 $50
Black Friday is making our wallets cower as it looms in the distance, but why wait until then to start your financial downfall? Kmart is currently offering a 250GB PS3 with The Last of Us and Batman: Arkham Origins for $200. If you've already jumped into the current console generation, Amazon is selling select Xbox One games for $50, including Dead Rising 3, Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse: Son of Rome, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and ... Angry Birds: Star Wars. If you'd prefer to play on the PS4 and are generally optimistic, you can also buy Battlefield 4 for PS4 for $50 and hope that its issues are resolved before it reaches your doorstep. Since we're talking deals, Steam users can pick up Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit and Rage for $4.99 each this weekend, the latter of which can be played for free until 4pm Eastern Time. The ARMA series and most of its DLC can also be had for 80 percent off, meaning you can pick up Steam's ARMA selection for $18.98. Update: Amazon is also offering select games from the PS4 launch lineup for $50 apiece, including Knack, Need for Speed: Rivals, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Madden NFL 25 and FIFA 14. [Thanks, Jack!]
Battlefield 4 double XP event Nov. 28 - Dec. 5 over server issues
A special "Battlefield Appreciation" event for Battlefield 4 will be hosted November 28 through December 5, DICE general manager Karl Magnus Troedsson announced in a press release to the media. During that timeframe, all players that complete an online multiplayer match will receive double the amount of XP. Troedsson expressed his displeasure in the game's issues following its launch, which included a DDOS attack on the Battlefield 4 PC servers and numerous crashing issues on PS4. "While some platforms have had only minor problems, others have had more than their fair share of issues. Resolving the launch issues is our #1 priority," Troedsson wrote. "In fact, we are so serious that we have the entire team working to stabilize the game and we will not move on to other projects until we are sure that Battlefield 4 meets – and exceeds – your expectations. It is the right thing to do." To end the event, players that log in to the game on December 5 will receive a M1911 pistol scope, usable in every class in the game, formerly reserved for those on the DICE development team.
Battlefield 4 PC servers hit by DDOS, while crashes plague PS4 version
This past weekend was a rough one for Battlefield 4, with DDoS attacks hitting the PC game and myriad crashes infesting the newly-launched PS4 version. Over the past few days, it has been nigh-impossible to connect to servers in the PC iteration of Battlefield 4 thanks to an unnamed group attacking EA's Origin servers. Initially the publisher posted a statement to the main page of Battlelog stating that attacks were occurring and that the company was working to mitigate them, but as Kotaku reports, this message has since been removed. Despite this, one of the game's community representatives offers the following in the game's forums: "[W]e are being targeted by a DDOS, but working on fixing it asap. Im sorry somebody is ruining your and my day. Rest assured we are doing our best to mitigate the situation though." The PlayStation 4 game saw even worse issues, with players reporting crashes, a total inability to connect to Battlefield 4's "Conquest" game type and periodically deleted save games. EA's immediate response involved adding a new server and issuing a sizable patch, but as I can personally attest, the crashes and deleted save files continue to be an issue for some players. On Sunday, the publisher posted a message to its Help site pinning the blame on the PS4's recent 1.50 firmware update. Specifically, it claimed that "this update ... results in stability issues while playing games on the system," and that all games are affected, not just Battlefield 4. This message has since been retracted, and in its place you'll now find a simple, "The message on EA's Help site was posted in error."
