BY: HBrun POSTED : Jun 29, 2011, 12:29PM
Youtube: Battlefield 3: Operation Metro Multiplayer Gameplay Trailer (E3)
Welcome to the first in a series of Battleblog posts taking you all the way to the launch of Battlefield 3 on October 25th! In this blog series, youll learn more about every aspect of our biggest shooter ever. First out is an overview of our multiplayer philosophy together with Lead Multiplayer Designer Lars Gustavsson.
When Lars Gustavsson received the mission to lead the design of the multiplayer portion of Battlefield 3, his thoughts went to the fans of the predecessor, 2005s Battlefield 2. He also knew the time was ripe to open up the game to a wider audience.
Hi Lars! What was the initial design goal you and the team set for Battlefield 3 multiplayer?
-- We thought a lot about Battlefield 2 and how Battlefield 3 would relate to it. The mindset at DICE during the development of Battlefield 2 was pretty much: Play the game our way, or play something else. Now, we have made a conscious effort to reverse that mentality. The goal with Battlefield 3 is to offer a vast variety of gameplay experiences and to be inviting to everyone. Were not telling you how to play the game. You choose.
How will that be apparent in Battlefield 3?
-- Part of it is in the variety of game modes and the types of environments you can play in -- from the wide open battlefields that people learned to love in Battlefield 2, to the urban gritty maps with their tighter gameplay focus. Combining these two elements and adding destruction and our social Battlelog hub in the same package is something I believe no one else is capable of and that just makes it doubly entertaining for me to deliver on!
Where did the play our way mentality come from and how did the change come about?
-- I think it emanated from the pride in the unique game modes we created at DICE, like Conquest and Rush. Were still super proud of them, but going into Battlefield 3 we had a frank discussion about our mindset. We discussed the strengths of Battlefield and ended up with a lot of interesting questions. Does teamplay have to be squad based, or can it be in a more general sense of playing together? Am I less of a gamer if I dont want to play in squads? If I want Team Deathmatch? If I want infantry only gameplay? That discussion really was an eye-opener and has changed how we view ourselves and what we set out to do with Battlefield 3.
Battlefield 3 is going to be our best Battlefield yet. The Frostbite 2 game engine not only lets us build spectacular multiplayer maps it also lets us populate those maps with wildly differing kinds of environments. The classic Battlefield multiplayer map would be an open type terrain, fit for tanks, helicopters, and other vehicles to take part in the action. Now, we will take the fight to dense urban environments as well, painting a stark contrast to the more open rural gameplay.
At E3 this year, we brought the Rush mode map Operation Métro for visitors to play hands-on. In many ways, this map illustrates our multiplayer design philosophy for Battlefield 3. Operation Métro starts out in a lush, rolling park outside of the Paris city center. As the attackers push forward and take out the two enemy installations, this is when a normal multiplayer mode in a normal game would end. In Battlefield 3, this is just the beginning of a much larger journey; a journey taking you through a number of distinct and varying environments, each tasking you to re-evaluate your combat tactics and loadouts on the go.
The subway is just one of several large and distinct environments in our Rush mode map Operation Métro.
The E3 Operation Métro briefing highlighting the distinct areas of the map. Click for larger picture.
From the opening park, you need to push underground through a dark, bombed-out metro tunnel section, and then up and out onto the downtown city streets for the final confrontation in front of the Paris stock exchange. This seamless transition in the map between contrasting areas is something that makes it feel like so much more than your typical walled-in multiplayer arena. For a sense of scale, each of the different areas in Operation Métro would be large enough to house a very good Team Deathmatch experience.
Speaking of which. We are bringing Team Deathmatch back to the multiplayer menu! It's been absent since Battlefield 1942, and to quote Lars Gustavsson, It would almost be a criminal offense not to offer TDM to our fans, especially with the tactical destruction and realistic soldier movement that Frostbite 2 brings to the game. Our efforts to let you play Battlefield 3 your way also means that you will have the option to play infantry only matches, for that up close and personal touch.
At DICE we have always been proud about our classic mainstay game modes Conquest and Rush. They embody much of what Battlefield stands for: vast scale and all-out vehicle warfare with an emphasis on teamplay. But focusing almost entirely on these modes have meant sacrificing the pick up and play instant action experience that a tight Team Deathmatch mode delivers.
Fans of the series can rest assured that both Conquest and Rush game modes are back, bolder and more beautiful than ever. Complementing these with Team Deathmatch means there are now even more ways to play Battlefield. From all-out vehicle warfare to tight infantry combat, its all about your current mood and your preferred play style. And this is far from everything we have waiting for you in the multiplayer component of Battlefield 3 -- we will return shortly to talk about more multiplayer modes and new features that change how you can play the game.
One final question for you, Lars: Battlefield 3 obviously has the broadest scope yet in the series. How are you balancing that with catering for the hardcore Battlefield 2 fans?
-- I take on the task humbly. I have the utmost respect for our Battlefield 2 fans, and I know that any feature I scrutinize in the game can be one of their darlings Im messing with. Most of all, Im excited we are finally returning to the core Battlefield series after a six year wait. I was Lead Designer on Battlefield 2 back then, and with Battlefield 3 I think we have the ability and the tools to create something truly amazing.
Stay tuned for BF3 Battleblog #2 next week.
For more information on Battlefield 3, visit the Official Site.
To learn about the Frostbite 2 game engine, visit the Frostbite 2 section on the Battlefield 3 site.
For the latest news on everything Battlefield, follow us on Twitter and our Facebook page.
I just hope they devote as much to large maps. They seem to be focusing on "small, urban environments" in that interview ... to me, that's not why I play Battlefield ... it's reminiscent of Crysis 2 and perhaps they are doing it because they want to update graphics but still have things playable on consoles.
I just hope they devote as much to large maps. They seem to be focusing on "small, urban environments" in that interview ... to me, that's not why I play Battlefield ... it's reminiscent of Crysis 2 and perhaps they are doing it because they want to update graphics but still have things playable on consoles.
3:29 am | by Soupstorm on June 30, 2011 in Battlefield 3, News, PC
A member of our forums, Fliptaku, decided enough was enough, and headed straight for the hottest source of beta news EAs live customer support chat. It seems EA may have begun prepping their support system with new information ahead of a PR announcement. According to the likely-outsourced and possibly-misinformed representative, the beta will be delivered across EAs Origin service to accounts with a registered MOH LE key, as many people have suspected or assumed, and access will be granted via an emailed product key. Unfortunately, he failed to say anything in specific terms about how LE owners will have their purchase validated, if the beta is indeed an open one.
Chatlogs follow, for those interested in such drab things as evidence.
FuShe Pass, that's the size that the Large conquest maps should start at. That doesn't mean Operation Metro size maps shouldn't exist but open field maps should be FuShe Pass or bigger.
For reference, the distance between US Hangar to Chinese Hangar on FuShe is about 1.6km. I'd kinda like to see that be about 2.5 km with the map having a couple more flag areas.
And 96 players too.
Reminds me of this Tweet thread I read the other day...
twitter.com/M0t0rBreath: "@Ronin0ni @x1Bryce1x Karl Magnus confirmed huge maps for MP just as big as the one from the E3 desert mission"
twitter.com/x1Bryce1x: "@M0t0rBreath BC2 had 4k x 4k maps and only 5% was in bounds "Maps" don't mean playable "level" they're taking advantage of semantics."
01 Jul, 2011
There are a number of pre-order offers for Battlefield 3 available now or soon to be available. Some countries have already announced their offers, while others will follow. Your best bet is to check in regularly with your favourite retailer/digital download service.
By the beginning of August, you should be able to find all of these items where they are supposed to be available. Here is what they all are and how to get them.
BREAKDOWN OF PRE-ORDER INCENTIVES FOR BATTLEFIELD 3
Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand
What it is: An entire themed expansion pack the size of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam.
Where to get: You will be eligible to download this expansion pack (once it is released) if you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition at any retailer all over the world.
Available: Release date of Back to Karkand TBC. This expansion pack is not on the disc and is not available day one.
Value: At no extra charge with every pre-order of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition. You will be able to buy it separately if you don't pre-order (date and price TBC).
More info: In this blog post. More to come.
Physical Warfare Pack
What it is: A set of three time-based exclusive items and one early weapon unlock for Battlefield 3.
Where to get: At select retailers all over the world when you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition.
Available: Day 1 if you pre-order. If you do not pre-order, you will get access to this content at no extra charge at a later date.
Value: At no extra charge with your pre-order at select retailers.
More info: In this blog post.
SPECACT Kit Upgrade
What it is: A set of 8 multiplayer skins, one for each class and side in Battlefield 3.
Where to get: At select retailers all over the world when you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition.
Available: Day 1.
Value: At no extra charge with your pre-order at select retailers.
Dog Tag Pack
What it is: A set of 5 unique in-game dog tags to choose from. Dog tags in Battlefield 3 serve as your in-game signature, displayed on screen every time you defeat an enemy. You can also claim the dog tag of your enemies via skillful stealth knife takedowns. This pre-order exclusive pack gives you 5 unique dog tag designs to complement the standard range in the game.
Where to get: At select retailers all over the world when you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition.
Available: Day 1.
Value: At no extra charge with your pre-order at select retailers.
Avatar Battlefield 3 Gear
What it is: Battlefield 3 gear for your Xbox 360 avatar.
Where to get: At select retailers all over the world when you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition.
Available: Day 1.
Value: At no extra charge with your pre-order at select retailers.
Shotgun and Beret for Battlefield Play4Free
What it is: An 870S shotgun and a beret for in-game use in our play-for-free title Battlefield Play4Free.
Where to get: By pre-ordering Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin.
Available: Day 1.
Value: At no extra charge with your pre-order on Origin.
More info: In this blog post.
"SPECACT Kit Upgrade
What it is: A set of 8 multiplayer skins, one for each class and side in Battlefield 3"
Pretty happy they're bringing this back. I couldn't care less about the skins, I just think it's a huge advantage to have 8 class slots instead of 4.
I'm not sure if that's what you're suggesting but my guess is there won't be 8 classes, but instead that there will be 1 skin for US assault, 1 for Russian Assault, and so on.
"SPECACT Kit Upgrade
What it is: A set of 8 multiplayer skins, one for each class and side in Battlefield 3"
Pretty happy they're bringing this back. I couldn't care less about the skins, I just think it's a huge advantage to have 8 class slots instead of 4.
I never bought SPECACT. so...can I still see SPECACT on other players even if I didn't buy it? I don't recall seeing people that looked any different from standard player skins.
7:55 am | by Stadler on July 4, 2011 in Battlefield 3
It’s our pleasure to bring you the high res renders of the US Marines classes in Battlefield 3. The Engineer, Support, Recon and Assault. For those who you in love with the grass wookie from BF2/BC2, looks like you will be a ninja instead. You will notice it looks like the Recon class has either a Iphone, Ipod touch or Zune strapped to his arm. Great to see the amount of detail put toward each individual class. I think we are all waiting anxiously to play this game. Luckily there is only a short amount of time until the Open beta happens. For now, enjoy these images!
If you’d like to view the High res version, when the window opens, Right click and Save as or open in new tab!
Update: For those of you unsure of the validity, compare this ingame to render image.