Battlefield 3

[Malakili]

I want to believe!

Seriously though, the marketing campaign for this game is absolutely terrible and every time I actually see the videos it makes me want to stay away, but then I remind myself, 64 player multiplayer, return of planes, etc.   I'm hoping it doesn't require the EA Origins software though. That would be a deal breaker.

[Engels]

I dunno, that tank video was pretty good marketing.

[Sky]

It was good marketing for the graphics, maybe. And it HAD to be the single player. It was just a big open flat plain of tank mosh pit that would get old in minutes. I thought it looked pretty, but have zero interest in playing it because it looked boring.

[Malakili]

It was good marketing for the graphics, maybe. And it HAD to be the single player. It was just a big open flat plain of tank mosh pit that would get old in minutes. I thought it looked pretty, but have zero interest in playing it because it looked boring.

Yeah, this is about how I feel about it as well.  It was single player, that is confirmed, but the single player in a Battlefield game isn't really the point anyway.  There is nothing about that seemed worth playing, it was great to watch, but I'm not going to buy a game because its nice to watch, I'm going to buy it because its nice to play.

[Speedy Cerviche]

I'd have to guess they are showing SP teaser stuff now to pump it up as a CoD/MoH beater, then MP marketing of old-style BF will be the hook for closer to release. I'd save the real kickass videos of Wake Island style combined arms maps for later.

[Malakili]

I'd have to guess they are showing SP teaser stuff now to pump it up as a CoD/MoH beater, then MP marketing of old-style BF will be the hook for closer to release. I'd save the real kickass videos of Wake Island style combined arms maps for later.

This is entirely possible, and in fact probable, but I can't say that what I've seen *so far* looks all that amazing.  Then again, I would've said the same thing about Bad Company 2 single player videos, and the multiplayer is quite good, so I'm perfectly willing to wait for that stuff before I write the game off or anything like that. 

[Sky]

Or they could, you know, go with what has worked for them and release a demo that blows the doors off everything else in the market, but I'm not sure that bolt of lightning can strike twice.

[Malakili]

Or they could, you know, go with what has worked for them and release a demo that blows the doors off everything else in the market, but I'm not sure that bolt of lightning can strike twice.

They have said there will be a beta starting in September, but I don't know if that is going to be one of those pre-order things or not.

[Jimbo]

Have they announced how the classes will be done this time?

[Malakili]

Have they announced how the classes will be done this time?

Just actually
http://battlefieldo.com/?p=1027

Classes have also been redesigned in Battlefield 3, giving players new ways to customize their load outs to suit their play style. Riflemen now double as medics, healing players and reviving those who are downed. The Support class is now equipped with a light machinegun and ammo packs, the sniper is a long-range and demolitions expert, and the Engineer is the master of destroying and repairing vehicles. With weapon attachments players can adapt the classes to how they want to play, with Riflemen choosing things like underslung grenade launchers in place of advanced medical equipment, for instance.

[further discussion in the link above]

Seems like a rejiggering of the BC2 classes, but not too drastic a change.

[Azazel]

I think 2142 was like this with the rifleman/medic and machinegun/ammo classes. As long as sniper has the option to go with a shotgun and be a close-up killer (motion mines?), I'll be happy with that class.

I have to admit, I spooge a little each time I see one of those BF3 videos, but I'm also very aware that I'm a simple fanboi for Battlefield.

[WayAbvPar]

As if this wasn't already a pre-order for me, the videos aren't hurting either. Wow it is pretty.

[Jimbo]

Ya! Prone back and the chance to not revive if you want to!  I kinda wish we had all the classes from BF2, but I see they want the less classes from the other games, BF 2142 version was fun, so that should be nice. 

[01101010]

Let's cut the shit and get to the point: lean?

[waffel]

Never upgraded my PC due to a game but, holy 

[Xuri]

Opposite here. I've never upgraded my PC(s) for any other reason than games :P

[Azazel]

Let's cut the shit and get to the point: lean?

Probably too hard to balance for. 

[HaemishM]

I've heard this will be Windows 7 only, which means I'll need to get a new computer between now and then. If that happens, I am all over this game.

[Mrbloodworth]

Dx11 only too. Just FYI. Been reading about the tech behind the engine, its all bleeding edge, if that wasn't obvious.

[rk47]

Avoiding it till I get a better system. I dunno why, multiplayer FPS hardly grabbed me, especially when casuals get raped by Clan-tagged on most nights unless you're on the other side of the fence.

[Azazel]

Not in my experience, but clearly YMMV.

[Speedy Cerviche]

Really good players are gonna do well regardless of if they are clan tagged or not...

You can still have fun even if you are not the best, provided the team balance is overall even.

[Malakili]

Really good players are gonna do well regardless of if they are clan tagged or not...

You can still have fun even if you are not the best, provided the team balance is overall even.

This is sort of true, but its not like they are unrelated.  If you get a couple guys in vent from a good clan on one team, an entire server *can* (not necessarily, but definitely can) be effectively ruined.  This has been true forever though.  Luckily, you can always switch servers or just quit for a while if you really really can't take it.  I don't see this as a huge barrier, but I've also been playing these games for 15 years now, so I'm usually not so outclassed at a game that i play regularly that it isn't fun, even if I'm not like competitive level good.  I can definitely see how if you were/are late to the party that it could be pretty overwhelming though.

[Speedy Cerviche]

I agree, but it seems like bad team scrambling if a game lets a crew of high score clannies group up so easily on a public server.

Being together on vent gives them an extra edge, but if the 6 best players are all on one team, the other team is prolly going to lose hard regardless of if they are clanned or now (unless they also got all the worst players).

With all the stats BF is now collecting, it would be a pretty big oversight if they weren't using that data for smarter team scrambles. Not just based on player skill, but even balancing out classes, hell, even admin options to break or group up people with clan tags.

[Malakili]

I agree, but it seems like bad team scrambling if a game lets a crew of high score clannies group up so easily on a public server.

Being together on vent gives them an extra edge, but if the 6 best players are all on one team, the other team is prolly going to lose hard regardless of if they are clanned or now (unless they also got all the worst players).

With all the stats BF is now collecting, it would be a pretty big oversight if they weren't using that data for smarter team scrambles. Not just based on player skill, but even balancing out classes, hell, even admin options to break or group up people with clan tags.

The otherside of the coin is - why should the game prevent me from playing with my friends?  If I have 3 clan mates on its a lot more fun to play on the same team for that night.  It'd be pretty much a punch in the balls to say "sorry, you guys can't play together"

[Sky]

My experience was similar playing bf1942. My clan used to absolutely demolish any pub server we'd hit up after a scrim. But without being able to play with them, pubs would've been boring and frustrating.

That was also the last fps I played at that level, so my skills, how you say, they do the suck. So, given that pubs suck and I'm not interested in clan play, I just avoid online fps altogether, even though I really enjoy it and used to be quite good.

[Speedy Cerviche]

Well personally I mostly play as a loner in these games (just wanna login quickly and get my pew pew on) and don't mind pub servers, I just want the teams to be even so the games are close or at least competitive.

Like I said just give server admins some scramble options on if they want to allow clanmates/people from same area together, or give them extra attention in the scramble.

[Surlyboi]

I'll play with a crew or solo, either way is fine with me as long as it doesn't devolve into a fucking spawn camp fest like most BC2 fights have become of late.

[Morfiend]

It seems that EA has pissed off a good chunk of their fans, and managed to totally throw away the leg up that the COD clusterfuck thing gave them in good will.

Kotaku

Over the weekend, the "Physical Warfare" pack was revealed by publishers EA (so far it's only been shown off for the UK market), in which customers pre-ordering the game receive weapons, equipment and ammo that places them at an advantage over customers who don't put down money early.

Sounds harmless, but this being an online, multiplayer shooter with a passionately loyal (and long-standing fanbase), people are understandably upset.

Forbes: the day DLC went too far.

All of this is an unfortunate move by the company, but one that’s still not unusual in the industry. However, in a genre that requires balance, EA has actually taken the unforgiveable step of giving some players access to game items that will actually give them a leg up on the competition, something Call of Duty hasn’t even dared to attempt yet. They’ve removed a powerful Light Machine Gun and two unique weapon attachments, making them only available through pre-order.

I have to say that giving an item thats basically required for the recon class as a preorder bonus is pretty fucked up.

[Malakili]

I feel like I have outrage fatigue for video games at this point.

[stu]

uuughghgggghghghghgggggggwheeez*

To hell with it. When BF3 drops I'll still be hooked on Dark Souls anyways.

[Azazel]

Hm. Maybe I'll buy BF3 6-months-to-a-year down the line when all this shit is rolled into one Ultimate Edition with Karkand. I was seriously looking at getting at least 2 copies and possibly 4 for my little LAN here (via Steam) but if they're deciding to pull this shit perhaps I'm better off waiting.

[tgr]

My BF3 scale just went from "maybe it won't suck and maybe they won't DRM it the fuck up" to "welp, guess they didn't want my money anyways".

At least certain games companies are making my purchase decisions easier and easier as time goes.

[Strazos]

Hmm...I wasn't going to be able to play BF3 online anyway, so I guess I'll save my money and just buy more books. 

[luckton]

Coming soon!  Star Wars: The Old Republic!  Pre-order now and be able to play a Jedi or Sith on day 1, or else you'll have to wait 2-4 months after release!