8 Mar 2015

Checkpoint: Winter Update Edition

by | posted in: Editorials & Features | 0

I lost an hour, it’s around 0 degrees Celsius and yet it’s still technically winter. And since it’s technically winter, this Battlefield 4 Winter Update is still relevant.

To say this is what Battlefield 4 should have been would be an understatement. They’ve fixed so much with this update. Everything from netcode, map fixes, weapon balance, new game modes and matchmaking tweaks were made in this update alone.

I’m amazed that DICE/DICE LA and/or Electronic Arts continues to update and fix Battlefield 4. They have Battlefield: Hardline coming and yet they’re still giving Battlefield 4 attention I guess it makes sense when they’re planning to issue more content this year. And all of this is a great idea when you consider not many Battlefield fans are keen on Hardline.

I’ve only played the post-Winter Update Battlefield 4 once and I enjoyed it. I still wish the framerate was consistently closer to 60FPS but it didn’t take long for me to forget about the framerate and get down to business. I hope to play more but with my FIFA 15 addiction and Wolfenstein: The New Order, I don’t know if I will.

22 Jul 2014

Battlefield: Hardline delayed to Q1 2015

by | posted in: Game News | 0

Battlefield-Hardline.jpg

I didn’t find the Battlefield: Hardline PS4 beta very entertaining and it looks like Electronic Arts and DICE have heard folks like me loud and clear.

Here are a few of the things the new timing will allow us to accomplish:

1. Multiplayer Innovation: Coming out of our E3 beta, internal focus tests, and work with our community, we have received a lot of great Multiplayer thinking. We’re going to be adding some new feature ideas direct from the community that will evolve the cops and criminals fantasy into a truly unique Battlefield Multiplayer experience.

2. Single Player Story Depth: In order to ensure our Single Player experience delivers on player expectations, we’re spending more time polishing our core features, as well as adding a few new ones that will support a deeper “crime revenge” story experience.

3. Stability: This has been a focus for our team since day one and we’re going to be using the extra time to continue to optimize the game for a stable launch. We have learned a lot from Battlefield 4, are continuing to learn from our Community Test Environment and will learn more from another Hardline beta. More time allows us to surface issues that the team can attempt to fix prior to launch.

 

The delay into Q1 2015 is welcomed and they’re saying all the right things but unless they’re putting out another beta/demo and demonstrate all the changes they’ve made, I will be keeping funds in my wallet.

I suspect this will be a March 2015 release which makes me wonder how much they could do to differentiate itself from Battlefield 4’s multiplayer. They’re not going to deviate from the vision of a smaller scale but more densely packed multiplayer game, are they?

I wish this was an expansion pack like Battlefield: Bad Company 2: Vietnam. They could have sold it for $30 CAD for current Battlefield 4 owners and I may have purchased it because it’s more than just maps. For a retail and digital store presence, they could repackage Battlefield 4 to include Hardline and sell it for $69.99. Then they could up-sell Battlefield 4 Premium and/or Hardline Premium.

I’m giving away free ideas, EA. Take them.

30 Jun 2014

DICE promises more BF4 fixes in the coming months

by | posted in: Game News | 0

dice-logoThe latest “Community Test Environment” patch for Battlefield 4 landed today. The fixes include changes to Rush, third person camera angles and the beginning of UI improvements.

I’m pleasantly surprised by the continued support for Battlefield 4. Unfortunately, I’m impatient about these kinds of things and wish DICE would release those changes sooner rather than later. I want to try these changes for myself.

Most (if not all) GAF members that I play with ignore Rush because it’s too cramped and offer little to no opportunity for strategies. It’s just a bloodbath.

The Obliteration changes are welcomed and maybe — just maybe — I can get that Obliteration related Trophy. Showing everyone the bomb carrier’s location at all times was a silly decision. At least now, people who are on foot will have a fighting chance.

26 Jun 2014

Battlefield 4 PS4 MP Report #3

by | posted in: Reviews | 0

New servers and the high frequency update patch have transformed Battlefield 4’s multiplayer into a workable state. I feel like this is version 1.0 of a Battlefield game and like all Battlefield games, there are still issues to iron out.

The “Squad Join” feature made a come back but I have yet to see anyone from my friends list use it. I play with plenty of NeoGAF regulars and I have yet to join any of their squads.

Then there’s the built-in Battlelog which inexplicably broke for me. Even when it’s working, they have yet to make it useful. We still cannot customize our loadouts or join players reliably through that damn thing.

The core game itself is fine but I’m not sure if it’s just me settling for a workable experience or it is actually acceptable. I haven’t witnessed any balancing breaking tactics or weapons so I guess that’s a good sign.

I’ll continue to play it with NeoGAF members for the foreseeable future. Battlefield: Hardline’s multiplayer beta squashed any interest I had with that game, so this is my goto Battlefield game for the next year or so. I just hope DICE keeps their word and continue to improve it.

1 2 3 4 … 9