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Playdate: Engadget plays the 'Battlefield: Hardline' beta on PS4! (update: game over!)
Welcome, ladygeeks and gentlenerds, to the new era of gaming. The one where you get to watch, and comment, as other people livestream gameplay from next-gen consoles. Because games! They're fun!
Can Electronic Arts make a 'Battlefield' game that works?
I stopped playing Battlefield this year. Why did I stop playing the massively popular first-person shooter? Because it never works when it launches. For those who haven't experienced the promise and defeat of a Battlefield launch, it goes as such: A multiplayer beta precedes the launch, often by a slim few months, which is chalked up to server testing. Players enjoy the beta, which is sometimes buggy, but often stable enough. And hey, it's a beta. The game launches; millions of players splash into online servers; and it becomes unplayable for days, weeks and often months at a time. Battlefield games come out every year. This was not always the case, but in the past four years, we've seen three Battlefield games. Zero of those three worked at launch (I actually wrote about this back when Battlefield 3 came out, at our sister site Joystiq). Battlefield 4 launched last October; it just started operating consistently. At E3 2014, EA announced this year's entry in the series: Battlefield Hardline. It's with this tremendous amount of baggage that I approached our interview with Battlefield studio head Karl Magnus Troedsson.
DICE's upcoming 'Mirror's Edge' sequel features new parkour controls, tighter combat
Remember that Mirror's Edge sequel DICE showed off at last year's E3? Yeah, well we're no closer to an actual release date for the title, but the studio did show off some more rendered footage at Electronic Arts' press event. The focus this time around is on the all-new move set the team's built into Faith, the game's protagonist. DICE consulted with actual parkour artists to include a new range of controls tied into actual combat. DICE also promised there'll be more in the way of player involvement with the story and a focus on the who and why behind Faith and the other "runners" occupying the game's world. We've got the full trailer, so head on past the break to check it out.
'Star Wars: Battlefront' is coming in spring 2015
Sweden-based developer DICE -- best known for the Battlefield series -- is making Star Wars: Battlefront. Working closely with Lucasfilm, the game launches in spring 2015. Sadly, that's about all that EA and DICE had to say. You can check out the trailer from today's media briefing today after the break.
Battlefield Hardline makes a break for it in October
A new Battlefield Hardline video unveils what's presumably an October 21 release date, given the game was already due in the fall. EA published the trailer this morning after - you guessed it - it leaked a little earlier. There are no official details yet regards platforms. The new Battlefield has been leakier than a vegetable trade fair, with trailers, assets and details all spilling ahead of next week's official unveiling. In terms of what's confirmed, Dead Space studio Visceral Games is developing Hardline with assistance from DICE, and the game will steer away from Battlefield's military roots to depict the more urban war between criminals and cops. We'll find out what EA has left up its sleeve for Hardline at the publisher's E3 conference on June 9. [Image: EA]
Rumor: Battlefield Hardline beta lined up for PS4
EA is bringing a beta of Battlefield Hardline to PS4, if an IGN report proves accurate. The site said it learned readers had received PS4 beta codes from Sony after they'd RSVP-ed attendance to one of the company's E3 screenings at cinemas. According to their reports, the beta grants access to two game modes and a map called "High Tension." Additionally, an unnamed IGN source said the beta is indeed coming to the Sony system. News of a possible console beta isn't surprising following yesterday's leaked video, the latest in what's been a Titanic old time for the EA shooter. The video, pulled by EA, showed alleged footage of a PC beta, and it followed last week's spring of assets and an internal, six-months-old trailer. It's now confirmed Visceral Games is leading Battlefield Hardline development on both single-player and multiplayer, with series studio DICE assisting. The crime-centric game launches this fall, while EA will finally showcase it officially at next week's E3 conference. [Image: EA]
Roger that: Battlefield 4 gets netcode improvement patch
*The following is a transcript of a recorded conversation from a U.S. military base.* Private Rogers: That "major" update to Battlefield 4's netcode that DICE VP Karl Magnus Troedsson mentioned last week is ready to launch, major! Major Clarence: Roger, Roger. Are we green, general? General Victor: You have clearance, Clarence. The Battlefield 4 netcode update is now live on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, and will be released to PS4 and Xbox One systems later this week. In tests, it showed a roughly 60 percent reduction in delay. The patch also contains various bug fixes and tweaks to gameplay, such as reduced camera shake induced by being near an explosion. *You finish reading the notes and think to yourself, "It sure is fortunate that these military professionals said all this information out loud, even though it likely seemed extraneous at the time."*
'Major' update to Battlefield 4 netcode in the works
With a new Battlefield game on the horizon, series creator DICE has stepped out ahead of "too soon" backlash to say that support for Battlefield 4 will continue. "We've always dared to try new settings and experiences with Battlefield and seeing this new one take shape is a long lasting dream come true," writes DICE VP Karl Magnus Troedsson. "That said, I want to be sure you all understand that introducing Hardline in no way means we're done working on Battlefield 4." Given its notoriously botched launch, critics of Battlefield 4 might say that work never really finished. Battlefield: Hardline, which pits the police against crooks in urban shootouts, is not being developed by DICE but Visceral Games, best known for the Dead Space series. While EA's horror team tackles the new shooter, DICE will work on a "major" update to Battlefield 4's netcode, Troedsson says.
Love is a Battlefield 3 that's free for a week on Origin
If you make games free, they will come. Battlefield 3 (of dreams) is next up as Origin's On the House freebie, and you can get it for free right now. DICE's military shooter - remember when Battlefield was a military shooter? - will remain free on the PC portal until June 3. EA's also extending the freedom of Plants vs. Zombies, so you've now got until June 16 to grab Popcap's flower struggle for free. [Image: EA]
You can now buy Battlefield 4 item packs with real money
Battlefield 4 developer DICE is now opening up the option for players to purchase in-game content using real money. Starting today, the game's three types of battlepacks can be picked up; $1 for Bronze packs, $2 for Silver ones and $3 for Gold packs. Battlepack tiers vary in the number and rarity of the items within, bronze packs including three items while the gold battlepacks feature five. The packs will still be awarded to players through regular gameplay progression. In-game goodies found in the packs include accessories, knives, profile pictures, emblem shapes, dog tags, experience point boosts and paints The battlepacks are available to purchase through Origin, the developer's Battlelog site, Battlefield 4's in-game store as well as through the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Store. The next game in the series is reportedly known as Battlefield Hardline and is being developed by Visceral Games, according to assets leaked by EA earlier today. [Image: Electronic Arts]
Fans spy Battlefield Hardline assets, revealing police-themed shooter
The next entry in EA's Battlefield franchise abandons the series' traditional military setting in favor of the urban battlegrounds patrolled by civilian police officers, according to a handful of assets leaked by the publisher alongside its latest Battlelog update. Unlike past entries in the series, Battlefield Hardline will not be developed by DICE, but is instead being crafted by Dead Space developer Visceral Games. Despite this, and the change of setting, the game includes at least four distinct character classes, a multiplayer map dubbed "Downtown" and game modes with such names as "Blood Money" and "Bomb Squad." The fan-favorite "Carrier Assault" mode was also listed among the Battlefield Hardline assets. The Battlefield Daily Twitter feed also found images representing the awards to be found in Battlefield Hardline. Each icon looks similar to those found in Battlefield 4, though in lieu of that game's military theme, these awards feature handcuffs, bags of cash (complete with cartoonish money symbols) and a grappling hook - implements you'd expect to see in a bank heist, but not in a Chinese warzone. There's currently no word on when Battlefield Hardline might debut, though it seems very likely that EA will share more on the game at the upcoming E3 conference. We've attempted to contact the publisher in the meantime, in the hopes that it might want to shed light on things a bit early, but have so far received no response. [Image: EA]
Battlefield 4 PS3 20-hour trial lauches today for Plus members
20 hours of unpaid access to Battlefield 4 is today's unusual serving of PlayStation Plus for PS3 owners in North America. The new initiative grants full access to the DICE shooter on Sony's last-gen console, including single-player and multiplayer. The 20 hours are denoted as "playable" from the first moment you launch it, though it's unclear if that's accumulative or not. Of course it doesn't matter if you play it for 20 hours straight, in which case good for you - you're living the dream! Plus members can also grab five-star platformer Limbo, with last year's Vita version hitting the service today as well. [Image: EA]
Battlefield 4: Naval Strike now available to non-Premium masses
It looks like the Megalodon has a whole new batch of victims incoming. After being released an exclusive for Premium members, Battlefield 4's Naval Strike DLC is now available for purchase for all. The content is available on PC, Xbox One, PS4, PS3 and Xbox 360. Naval Strike adds four new maps; a hovercraft vehicle; new Carrier Assault mode, which is inspired by Battlefield 2142's Titan Mode; and the aforementioned giant shark attack. Battlefield 4's Naval Strike DLC is priced at $15. [Images: DICE]
EA won't let a server shutdown turn out the lights on old Battlefield games
Video games and movies crib ideas from each other quite a bit these days, but seeing Electronic Arts go back and save some of its fallen comrades is a bit unexpected. The outfit's announced that in the wake of GameSpy's back-end multiplayer tech going dark, it's transitioning three Battlefield games to different servers so they can (virtually) live to fight another day. Which ones specifically? Battlefield 2142, Battlefield 2 and the superb Battlefield Bad Company 2. As IGN notes, though, plenty of EA's games that are listed are annual sequels and may not see the same treatment. However, this shows signs that GameSpy's closure won't kill everything under its umbrella. We've reached out to EA for confirmation and a statement about why these three games were picked over others, and will update this post should we hear back. In the meantime, if you feel like celebrating, we recommend a few rounds of squad rush on "Port Valdez" -- it's good for the soul.
Battlefield 4's Megalodon finally surfaces in Naval Strike expansion
Though dedicated fans have been scouring every inch of Battlefield 4 since its debut last October, no one has yet offered real evidence of the existence of the gigantic Megalodon within EA's shooter - until now. The footage above comes courtesy of YouTube user "jackfrags" who lays out simple instructions on how to spawn the giant beast within your own Battlefield 4 match. First, you must be playing on the Nansha Strike map which was included with the recent Naval Strike DLC pack. Second, you must find nine other willing players to swim with you out to a specific buoy near the main island. Third, you must all be comfortable with having a giant, supposedly extinct sea creature crush you with its massive bulk. If that sounds like too much work, just watch that clip again. You won't get the thrill of virtually being there, but it's the only way to really appreciate the inexplicable yet undeniably impressive explosion that accompanies the Megalodon crashing back into the sea. [Image: EA]
Battlefield 4 'Naval Strike' DLC now approaching PC waters
DICE isn't keeping PC marines on standby for the latest Battlefield 4 content as long as expected. The delayed "Naval Strike" DLC was projected to hit PC sometime in early April, but the studio announced it's rolling out on the platform today for the shooter's Premium members. DICE originally delayed the content because it was concerned about potential performance issues on mid-to-high-end PCs. Naval Strike introduces new maps, weapons, gadgets and assignments to Battlefield 4, as well as a hovercraft vehicle and a brand new Village People rhythm mini-game. Okay, we made that last one up, but it really does introduce a new Carrier Assault mode in which teams do battle and try to sink each other's aircraft carriers. [Image: EA]
Delayed Battlefield 4 'Naval Strike' DLC rolling out on Xbox One
The Battlefield 4 'Naval Strike' DLC is sailing towards Premium members on Xbox One after DICE delayed it earlier in the week to address animation issues. However, PC players are still waiting on the update, and DICE is pinning its arrival for "early April." "We have delayed the PC version of Naval Strike because we are concerned that the combination of the pack and planned PC updates would increase performance issues on mid-range to high-end PCs," reads an update on the Battlefield Blog. "We are working hard to resolve that issue now." When it finally docks on PC, Naval Strike will bring four new maps, ten assignments, five weapons, two gadgets, and a hovercraft vehicle to Battlefield 4. The DLC also features a new Carrier Assault mode in which opposing sides fight to sink each other's aircraft carrier while keeping their own one afloat. [Image: EA]
Battlefield 4 'Naval Strike' delayed on PC, Battlelog updated
Battlefield 4 Premium members on consoles can grab the game's third expansion, Naval Strike, today. The PC version has been delayed because developer DICE has "detected an issue and it needs to be solved." The PC version won't receive a release date until the company feels it meets "the highest quality level possible." That's certainly a new approach. The Battlelog companion app has also received an update. It includes several solid fixes to the game's overall experience, including the long overdue ability to open Battlepacks and view already accessed content. At this rate, Battlefield 4 should have its development pipeline all cleaned up just in time for the next installment's launch. [Image: EA]
Battlefield 4 Naval Strike DLC hits open ocean March 25
Put your mind at ease, Battlefield 4 players. You can make a stand, lend a hand, protect the motherland and join your fellow man IN THE NAVY in the game's Naval Strike DLC on March 25. The DLC will feature four new maps, five weapons, two gadgets, a hovercraft vehicle, ten assignments and a new Carrier Assault mode where players compete to sink the enemy's aircraft carrier first. Battlefield 4 Premium members will be the first with access to the content, while non-Premium members will have to wait until April 8 to become a macho, macho man ... in the Navy.
Platoon support now available to all Battlefield 4 soldiers
Following its initial debut at the end of last month, DICE has now revealed that Battlefield 4's platoons are available to anyone playing the game, whether they paid extra for a Premium membership or not. Though the developer has saddled the feature with a genre-appropriate name, the "platoons" found in Battlefield 4 are essentially identical to the "clans" found in many other online games. Each platoon features a unique name tag and emblem, as well as a private Battlelog feed. Up to 100 players can join a single platoon, and each virtual soldier's success on the battlefield will contribute to the group's overall rank. Those hoping to create their own platoon of hardened online warriors will find full details under the "Home" tab on the Battlelog website, while those hoping to join a ready-made group of likeminded virtual killers should pay a visit to the "Platoons" section of the Battlefield 4 forums. [Image: EA]
