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Reminder: Last Day of the Battlefield 3 Beta

  by   Fahed Jaradat  
October 9, 2011 12:22 pm in News

Update: DICE has clarified that the beta will go down “at 4 am in PST”, which is 7:00 am EST.

For a couple of weeks now, we’ve had the pleasure and frustration to play the Battlefield 3 Beta, which contrary to popular belief was a beta in the traditional sense of the word. DICE has tested their servers and engine with a large population of players, which enabled them to fine tune the final version of Battlefield 3.

The beta has featured only one stripped down map on rush, Operation Metro, on consoles; however, PC beta players had the opportunity to test out more of a real Battlefield 3 experience in Caspian Border on Conquest, where the map featured Jets, Choppers, and Tanks. The beta, according to DICE, ends tomorrow. DICE hasn’t pinned down an exact time in North America to turn off the servers. We can only speculate that each platforms will loose access to the beta at a time corresponding to when the beta went live 2 weeks ago. In Europe, the beta ends tomorrow at 12 pm CET.

A question that has come up a lot lately is whether the beta unlocks and stats will carry over to the final game. We reported on that weeks ago, and unfortunately your unlocks and stats won’t carry over. However, one fan asked DICE if we can hold onto “anything” from the beta in the final version, which DICE responded with a teasing “nothing has been confirmed yet, sorry!”

Make sure to stay tuned to MP1st where we will keep you updated on everything Battlefield!

We can only hope for an extension of the beta with Caspian Border on consoles.

I’ll leave you with a great montage to celebrate MP1st’s new look!

[youtube id=”3JzjahZwHik” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Tags: Battlefield Battlefield 3 Beta BF3 BF3 Beta What time beta ends

Fahed Jaradat

Senior Editor and Co-Founder. Multiplayer runs in my blood. Don't believe me? Ask for a sample! Subscriber

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BF3 – DICE To “Adjust” UMP-45 and Other PDWs Plus More Hints Of Caspian on Console Beta

  by   David Veselka  
October 8, 2011 11:39 am in News

By now, DICE’s inboxes, twitter/reddit/battlelog feeds are probably filling up rather quickly with the many bugs and glitches that are currently in the Battlefield 3 Beta. However, we are starting to receive confirmation of many things that DICE is looking into and that they’re promising to fix by October 25th. Some of these include the mute function and modifications to weapon damage, specifically, the personal defence weapons (PDWs). Here are some other issues that can be found here on the Battlefield Blog.

Many would agree that some of the best, go-to weapons in the Beta, currently, are the PDW or multi-class weapons like the PP-2000 or the UMP-45. The reason why is because they work well, almost too well. Complaints are beginning to rise that these weapons are too effective and make some of the starting weapons like the AK-74 variants or M4/M16 seem obsolete. DICE has taken notice, as Alan Kertz, Senior Gameplay Designer, stated that the “PDWs have been adjusted.” He continued, “…we are aware of the feedback and will continue to support BF3.”

On the other end of the spectrum, some have complained that the AS VAL is too underpowered and should not have been included as a PDW. Kertz confirmed that “It’s a PDW at high level, and it’s role has changed to be more like the VSS from BC2, though not as powerful.”

These feature won’t be making it into the beta, as we have reported earlier that it won’t be seeing any more updates.

What do you think about the current state of the PDWs or multi-class weapons? Which ones do you find under/over-powered? Let us know in the comment section below.

In other news, DICE has hinted yet again at the Caspian Border multiplayer map making it to the console Beta. Battlefield tweeted when asked if Xbox or PS3 users could play on Caspian Border, “On the open beta, unfortunately no official word yet!” It’s just plain strange that there is “no official word yet” when we are two days away from the end of the Beta. If any announcement were to be made, it should be made soon, unless they were to extend the Beta.

On a final note, some have been looking for clarification on the matter of claymores. One fan asked Kertz if claymores are supposed to disappear after death, or if it is just a bug. Kertz clarified that they disappear “5 sec after your death. Balance issue.”

Make sure to check out our 15 Battlefield 3 Tips to Improve Your Game and follow @MPFirst on Twitter for more Battlefield 3 news!

Tags: Battlefield 3 Beta BF3 BF3 Beta Featured Mute PDW Personal Defense Weapon UMP-45

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

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DICE: BF3 on “PS3… A Focus From The Start” and Caspian Border on Console Beta a Possibility

  by   David Veselka  
October 7, 2011 11:06 am in News

In the opinion of many gamers, many recent multiplatform games seem slightly, but noticeably under-developed on the ported platforms when produced with a lead platform in mind.

One example we could look at is Call of Duty: Black Ops, who’s lead platform was the Xbox 360. On release, the game ran smoothly on the 360 and it saw little problems. However, the PS3 and PC version were comparably rough at launch. It perhaps could have been because It was optimized for the 360 and didn’t achieve 100% compatibility with the others. This is why many games look and run best on the 360, when technically, they “should” run better on the PS3 or PC, who have the stronger hardware. This is often the case with many other games, however, with some exceptions (more on this below).

Recently on Twitter, Gustav Halling, Gameplay Designer at DICE, had this to say about id Software’s recently released Rage: “As always x360 looks just a tiny bit better that PS3 on multiplat.” He continued: “Look at the more detailed textures on the x360 and the weird ‘brightness’ layer on the PS3.” He concluded with: “I wasn’t saying Rage was looking bad. But many games don’t focus enough on PS3. On BF3 we have had PS3 as a focus from the start.”

We’ll leave it up to you guys to decide on which platform Rage looks best on, but these statements are interesting because it goes to show that DICE has really stepped up and developed each version of Battlefield 3 with the strength of each platform in mind. A situation like this can be rare since it requires a lot of extra work on the developer’s side. However, DICE has been at work on their brand new Frostbite 2 engine and Battlefield 3 for years now. So perhaps, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that from what we’ve all played of the game so far, that the 360 and PS3 versions should be on par with eachother.

In other news, after just having recently said “No maps are currently being added to the open beta!” Battlefield, The official BF3 Twitter account, quickly flipped a 180 and stated “DICE has decided to bring back Caspian for the beta’s last weekend to conduct open large scale test of 64-player capabilities.” Curious about the console version? DICE had this to say: “Caspian Border will be coming to all platforms at launch, but its to soon to say for console’s beta.” Too soon to say? Could this mean that it will eventually be said? It’s too easy to speculate, but DICE has done some pretty surprising things already by just making the map available after saying it won’t be. We can always hope.

How do you feel about the different versions of Battlefield 3? Do you think it’s being optimized for each system? Let us know in the comments section below and don’t forget to follow @MPFirst on Twitter!

Some recent news you may have missed:

DICE To Add In-Game Squad Support

And check out our 15 Battlefield 3 Tips to Improve Your Game.

Tags: 360 Battlefield Battlefield 3 Call of Duty Call of Duty Black Ops Caspian Border DICE EA Gustav Halling id id Software PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Rage Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

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Battlefield 3 – 15 Tips to Improve Your Game

  by   David Veselka  
October 6, 2011 3:44 pm in Features

Before reading on, make sure to check out one of our earlier articles; Battlefield – Three Ways to Improve Your Game, where we cover some rudimentary elements to help make you a stronger player. From here, we’re going to get a little more picky, and gear our tips more towards how to shine in the upcoming Battlefield 3. NOTE: Some of these tips have been conceived during rigorous playing sessions of the Battlefield 3 Beta and could possibly change as things are altered in the game itself.

15 Tips:

1. Use the spotting button! Not just for spotting, but also as a basic communication tool. Remember, you can use it to ask for ammo/health, to hitch a ride with a teammate, and to give squad orders. On the flip side, make sure to listen for those audio cues as well, especially if you are playing as either the assault or support class. This is essential if you are playing without a microphone. You can spot by pressing “select” on the PS3, “back” on 360, and “Q” on PC.

2. Listen to the sounds. Listen for those footsteps and any other audio cues that would give you the drop on your enemy. In Battlefield 3, If you hear that *snip, snip* sound, RUN! That usually means you are about to be knifed in the back. Also, listening to your own teammates will really help you out with your situational awareness. If you hear that “tango down,” you’ll know he’s taken out the enemy you may have been chasing.

3. Hip-fire. It’s more accurate than you think. Not only does it increase your reaction time, but it allows you to make sudden changes of direction. Great for those triple feeds!

4. Walk around corners. Try not to run through CQB scenarios. There’s nothing worse than being caught off guard and not having enough time to react. If you can master this along with hip-firing, you’ll be a CQB beast!

5. Move with purpose. Think cover to cover. You don’t need to memorize the map, just approach your objectives carefully and study the lines of sight. Running out in the open usually never ends well!

6. Don’t run straight, don’t stand still. This one’s fairly obvious, but running in a straight line makes it easy for those enemy snipers to estimate where you’r going and to line up their shots. Vice versa, a handy technique to avoid being counter-sniped is to constantly move in circles while trying to line up your own shots.

7. Go prone when getting shot. This can be tricky. If you are caught out in the open, then going prone will lower the total target area, but it could alo give them a clear shot at your head if they are in front of you. Try to move in such a way that there is always cover at your feet so you have the option of going prone behind it. Another technique to try out is the jump to prone technique. If you start getting shot from behind, try jumping and turning 180 degrees at the same time and immediately drop to prone. This will make life much harder for your enemy.

8. Change your rate of fire accordingly. Switch to single or burst-fire. This is especially important if you are low on ammo and for weapons like the SCAR-H that have a small magazine. Also great for taking out those enemies at a distance. If you are using full-auto, it’s always a good idea to burst your fire anyways.

9. Don’t be afraid to adjust your sensitivity. If you’re a CQB kind of player, having a higher sensitivity can really help you with your hip-firing, or if you’re ever caught between two or more opponents. If you like attacking from afar, you might consider lowering your sensitivity in order to line up your shots more accurately. If you want to jump into the air, do a 360 degree turn, and immediately shoot someone with your sniper rife… don’t.

10. Play single-player to learn the vehicles. Some of the vehicles can be quite tricky to learn in the Battlefield series. However, they’re usually included in the single player at some point and provide you with a great opportunity to practice without any live players. No sense wasting a perfectly good jet now. And please, don’t camp the helis or jets. There are better things that you could be doing. Grab another vehicle and wish for better luck next time.

11. Follow up sniper shots with your pistol. Those bolt-action rifles don’t always reward you with one-hit kill body shots. However, they will usually drop your opponents health low enough that firing one or two rounds from your pistol immediately after would be all it takes. This, if course, holds true if you are using any other weapon and find yourself needing to reload in a tricky situation. It’s always faster to switch to your secondary. And pistols in the Battlefield series ain’t no pushovers either.

12. Turn off your flashlight if you are outside or don’t want to be noticed. You might as well be perma-spotted running around with that bright light on all the time. Save it for those CQB situations.

13. Use the laser sight in conjunction with any optic that doesn’t provide you with some sort of red dot or triangle. You may have noticed that on some scopes, it’s hard to see where the center is while in dark areas, since the black crosshairs blend in with the dark background. Having a laser sight will always give you a good indication of where your bullet will land.

14. Switch classes accordingly. Let’s say, for example, that you are the attacker in a Rush match and things aren’t looking too good. Your tickets are running really low. At this point, it may be a good idea to switch to the assault/medic class, if you aren’t one already, to be able to get some of those tickets back and give your team a fighting chance. Also, if your are getting pounded by those enemy tanks/helicopters/jets, it couldn’t hurt to have an extra engineer on the team.

15. Last, but definitely not least: PTFO – Play The Objective!

Of course, these are only our tips and we probably haven’t covered them all. Make sure to leave yours in the comment section below!

Liked this article? Be sure to follow @MPFirst on Twitter for more!

Tags: 15 ways to get better Battlefield Battlefield 3 BF3 DICE Featured Tips

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

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MW3 – No Deep Penetration On SMGs – More on Explosives, Pointstreaks, and Anti-Cheat System

  by   Fahed Jaradat  
October 5, 2011 4:18 pm in News

With the release of Modern Warfare 3 about a month away, Infinity Ward’s Robert Bowling reveals some interesting information about the game.

 

No “Impact” On SMGs

In modern warfare 2, we used to load guns with Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) bullets  in order to add deeper penetration. However, this system has been modified in MW3, as Robert clarified “Deeper Bullet Penetration is a weapon proficiency now, not an attachment.” Read our complete list of proficiencies for more details on all the options. What’s interesting is, unlike Modern Warfare 2, SMGs can’t feature deep impact; “[Impact is] only available on Assault, LMG, and Snipers.”

Do you normally equip your SMGs with “Impact-like” attachments or perks? Let us know in the comments’ section below.

Pointstreaks are Non-Lethal

The new killstreaks’ system has raised a few questions among the community; specially the fact that support strike package doesn’t reset the streak count after dying. Robert reassured “only Support Strike Package (pointstreak rewards that don’t get you kills, provide team support) don’t reset.” If you’re not similar with what are the pointstreak rewards, be sure to read our complete list of killstreaks.

Are you looking forward to non-lethal killstreaks? Personally, I do run Spy Plane, Counter Spy Plane, and Blackbird setup in Black Ops, and it works quite well.

Explosives Toned Down

Explosives have always been a hot topic in the Call of Duty community. Modern Warfare 2 had the most controversial use of explosives. However, in my opinion, Black Ops struck a good balance with the introduction of Flak Jacket. Robert tweeted that “explosives do a lot less damage in MW3, plus there is new equipment (Trophy System) to combat them as well.”

No Cheaters are Allowed

The PC community was unsure if the anti-cheat measures were only in place for paid members of elite or everyone. Robert clarified “anti-cheat is something all users benefit from. Regardless of subscription to Elite or not.”

MW3 News you might have missed:
Infinity Ward Will Look at Cross Platform Gaming for Future Games

MW3 – Revamped Leveling Curve, Guns Have More Recoil, P2P Best Solution, and more

For the latest Modern Warfare 3 news, please follow @MPFirst on Twitter.

Tags: Anti-Cheat System Community Deeper Penetration Explosives nerfed Impact Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer MW3 Pointstreaks Robert Bowling SMGs

Fahed Jaradat

Senior Editor and Co-Founder. Multiplayer runs in my blood. Don't believe me? Ask for a sample! Subscriber

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BF3 – DICE To Add In-Game Squad Support

  by   David Veselka  
3:29 pm in News

Five days are left until the Battlefield 3 Beta ends. By this time, both fans and devs are busy finding bugs and glitches in the game engine and ironing them out. We’ve previously mentioned some of the best places to report problems you find within the Beta. Make sure to check them out.

One of the biggest difficulties Battlefield fans have been dealing with in the Beta is the in-game squad system, or the lack thereof. We reported earlier on hints of changes being made to it. It has been a hot topic on the Battlelog forums and thankfully, it has gotten the attention of DICE.

Musica wrote it nicely on the Battlelog Forums, “Honestly a lot of people are already cancelling pre-orders etc. because of this issue. I know it is not you who is explaining what the squad system is but honestly it is worrying that it is taking over 4 days to come up with a response for which really is a simple question can we swap squads mid game and make new squads or join empty squads. I know you want to make sure what you announce to the public is 100% and no one can misinterpret it or twist it against you but this is really one of the top concerns of the player base.”

Bazajaytee, an official from DICE, responded, “In short answer form, yes you can browse and join squads through the squad screen and make private squads. The full form will be available later.” 

This comes as good news to many Battlefield fans and thankfully, an official update on what types of changes we can expect to see in the final version should be on its way.

Danial Matros, Community Manager at DICE, was asked on Twitter if any updates will be posted on the Battlelog in the next couple of days. He responded, “Yes absolutely. Check out the blog in the coming days and the battlelog news section.”

Be sure to follow @MPFirst on Twitter where we can keep you up-to-date and check out some of the latest news:

DICE On Recent Hacks, Why Caspian Border Isn’t Public, and More on Sound Design

Leaked Weapon List For Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand Expansion DLC

 

Tags: 360 Battlefield Battlefield 3 Beta BF3 BF3 Beta Daniel Matros DICE EA PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Squad Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

David Veselka

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Naughty Dog: Uncharted 3 Multiplayer “To Take on the Big Boys”

  by   Fahed Jaradat  
11:44 am in News

A couple of days ago the Uncharted 3 Subway promotion kicked off. So, if you haven’t gotten a taste of Uncharted 3’s multiplayer, then you know what your next meal is. The subway promotion is limited to the US;  it is not available in Canada. The multiplayer experience will be available today to PlayStation Pus members in Europe, South Africa, The Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand.

In a recent GamesIndustry interview, Naughty Dog’s Richard Lemarchand, the Lead Designer on Uncharted 3, made an interesting statement.  Richard said, “Multiplayer is a hugely important part of Uncharted 3. From the very first day of the project we wanted to make a multiplayer game that would be world class. We really wanted to take on the big boys of the multiplayer world.”  The interviewer went on to ask if the Multiplayer mode in Uncharted 2 laid a strong foundation for Uncharted 3. Richard responded, “I hope so. I hope that the visibility of Uncharted 2 means that people are going to come for the terrific, cinematic single player experience but then stay for the multiplayer experience, and because of the depth of content we’ve put in there’s a lot of reasons to stay. And as you say, it’s now an important part of everybody’s business model going forwards.”

Richard didn’t specify which big boys he was referring to, but we can safely speculate he had the Call of Duty and Battlefield franchises in mind.  Even though the multiplayer experience of an FPS is quite different than a third person shooter, Uncharted 3 does pose a threat to the aforementioned contenders to some extent, and more specifically the flagship TPS on the Xbox 360, Gear of War 3. We gave the multiplayer component of Gears of War 3 a 9 out of 10. Click here to read the review.

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception will release for the PS3 on November 1st.

 

Tags: Lemarchand Naughty Dog Richard UC3 MP Uncharted 3 Multiplayer Uncharted 3 vs. Battlefield 3 Uncharted 3 vs. Modern Warfare 3

Fahed Jaradat

Senior Editor and Co-Founder. Multiplayer runs in my blood. Don't believe me? Ask for a sample! Subscriber

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Battlefield 3 – Beta Not Receiving Any More Updates, Mirror’s Edge Easter Egg and DICE Taking Feedback

  by   David Veselka  
October 4, 2011 1:22 pm in News

DICE seems to have opened up another channel for communicating with Battlefield fans about bugs and glitches in the Battlefield 3 Beta. Since last night, DICE’s Twitter account, Battlefield, has been taking concerns and responding to many, if not almost all.

It has been reported earlier that the Battlefield 3 Beta does not graphically represent the final build. It seems that Tim Kjell, Designer at DICE, may have hinted at confirmation of this. Since the Beta file was only 1.3GB, he was asked if this was because the graphics have been toned down. To this, Kjell responded, “There are many reasons, all of which are partially true. [Johan Andersson, Rendering Architect at DICE] amongst others are doing lots of good optimizations for final.” Do you think we will see a big or small difference in graphics when the game finally releases?

According to Community Manager Daniel Matros, it seems that the Beta will not be receiving any more updates. One fan suggested that the Beta should be updated so that more bugs and glitches could be caught and reported. Matros responded, “Valid concern. Now we do have a game to finish.”

Obviously, in-game squad issues have been receiving a lot of a attention lately. For many it’s a troublesome effort to play with friends and for others, it’s nearly impossible. Matros assures us that “We´ve heard what you all have to say and we´re discussing it.” Chances are, we will see some changes to the way we manage our squads in the final build.

Lastly, Matros was also asked if the Battlelog would be coming to Android. Here’s what he had to say: “Not sure. At the moment, battlelog will be on iPhone later.”

Make sure to check out this Mirror’s Edge easter egg in the Battlefield 3 Beta (click image twice for high resolution):

In the light, you can see the same bag used by the main character in Mirror’s Edge:

As most of you know, DICE is the developer of both Battlefield games and Mirror’s Edge. Could they by hinting at Mirror’s Edge 2?

Be sure to check out:
Battlefield 3 – Improvements To In-Game Squad Management Hinted At and More Beta Fixes

BF3 Beta – DICE on Recent Hacks, Why Caspian Border Isn’t Public, and More on Sound Design 

Don’t forget to follow @MPFirst on Twitter!

Tags: 360 Battlefield Battlefield 3 Beta BF3 BF3 Beta DICE EA Mirror's Edge Mirror's Edge 2 Multiplayer PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

Home > Features

Why Video Games Should Not Be Considered Sports

  by   Graham  
October 3, 2011 7:23 pm in Features

Due to the increase in popularity of clubs such as Major League Gaming, World Cyber Games, and the Cyberathlete Professional League, video gaming has made impressive gains in the field of standardized competition. A fashionable debate is one of whether competitive video games are sports or not; it’s a source of contention for many gamers and non-gamers alike. If so-called cyberathletes are competing against formal teams in a formal environment, with real titles and monetary stakes on the line, it seems absurd to not deem the activity a sport.

But it’s not. Video games should not be categorized as sports, and unless something technologically bizarre overwhelms our world in the next few decades, they never should be.

Traditional sports are steadfast, and resolute in their structure and mechanics. A professional American football player from any past decade could be transplanted into a current football scenario, and would only have to be told of a few minor rule changes (the changes may seem major to some, but are minor in regards to the overall style and goal of the game). The player would know what to do, where to go, and how to accomplish the ultimate goal (winning the game). He may need to learn a few new plays, or be reminded that yardage requirements and limitations are different, but it’s fundamentally the same game.

Competitive gaming has a variety of goals, and those goals are fluid and dynamic. They change with new titles introduced to the competitive scene, and although the more popular gametypes (Capture the Flag, Team Deathmatch) are relatively consistent, iterations of those modes, in addition to entirely new modes, create an ever-changing playing field. A competitive gamer from decades past might be aware of the overarching goal (winning the game, capturing the flag, eliminating the opposing team, etc.), but the execution would be completely foreign. Controls change, maps change, locations change, even the minute rules are tweaked on a regular basis (starting weapons, round limit, time limit, etc.). The context is constantly shifting, and to be a competitive gamer means to adapt to a much more aggressive ruleset than most sports or other games. The few exceptions (Counter-Strike, Starcraft, Quake Arena, etc.) have rather rigid schemes to both their competitive requirements and their mechanics, but still task the players with adapting and providing more than traditional sports.

Gear. Even the most esoteric sports are approachable by the everyman, at least in an educational setting, where budgets and funding are set for such endeavors. While home computers are ubiquitous, a large percentage of the gaming population is unable to participate in competitive gaming due to the rigorous computing requirements. Even decade-old competitive games like Counter-Strike 1.6 require more equipment and gear than most traditional sports. A pick-up game of basketball, football, or soccer is far more accessible (and to a wider audience) than a pick-up game of Counter-Strike. A sport is a recreational, competitive, and possibly professional endeavor that is fundamentally timeless. A man can teach his great-grandson how to play baseball or soccer.

So where does that leave competitive video gaming and the rise of such monikers as “eSports”? It doesn’t leave it anywhere – it takes it past traditional sports. Video games offer a far more dynamic experience that has a multitude of new trials and tests behind every fresh competitive title or advancement in technology and personal computing. Gamers compete knowing that while a few titles may remain in the professional rotation, newer, more balanced games, and deeper sequels will trump the current status quo and provide a new field of play. Cyberathletes and eSports aren’t incomparable to traditional athletes and sports because they require less physical exertion or dedication; they are incomparable because they surpass traditional sports in a number of ways. The debate, or comparison, becomes one of apples and oranges, and it would do the gaming community well to apply a different set of sobriquets to their competitive pastime.

Traditional sports are embedded in our culture for good reason; they offer an entertaining diversion (and a great form of physical activity) for millions of worldwide fans. The principles and lessons gleaned from traditional sports emphasize teamwork, collaboration, and critical evaluations of any given game scenario. While many of these lessons are applicable to competitive gaming, it would behoove gamers to distance themselves from vying for “sport” status, when their pastime and trade is so fundamentally different, and fluctuating at such a regular pace.

Much of this editorial is arguing semantics (what the term “sports” entails). It can be a fruitless and controversial undertaking, but it’s important for games to establish their own identity (it’s still a relatively young market) as they become more appealing to a wider audience.

Make sure to check out MP1st’s Take On Multiplayer Reviews and Five Things That Make Multiplayer Work.

Don’t forget to follow @MPFirst on Twitter!

Tags: Counter-Strike 1.6 CPL CS:GO Cyberathlete Professional League esports Quake Quake Arena Starcraft world Cyber Games

Graham

I teach, and I game. That is all. Subscriber

Home > News

BF3 Beta – DICE on Recent Hacks, Why Caspian Border Isn’t Public, and More on Sound Design

  by   David Veselka  
2:27 pm in News

The Battlefield 3 Beta has been under attack recently with the many hackers that plague the Battlefield community. Among aimbots and server hacks, we’ve also reported on a 3D wall hack that has recently surfaced. However, the latest FAQ that can be found on the Battlelog has shown that DICE is indeed looking into these issues.

“Patch please, too many aimbotters today!”

“A patch wouldn’t remove aimbots or hacks. Punkbuster is disabled during the Open BETA but we are monitoring what hacks are being used.“

It was also reported to Ian Tornay on Twitter that some fans have been able to access servers that reward players with millions of points. To this, he responded, “First – don’t join the custom servers. We’re working to see what can be done.”

While it is at the expense of the numerous PC players playing the Beta, it seems to be a good thing that the game is being hacked now, without any protection. This way, DICE can learn as much as possible about what is out there and learn how to deal with it for the final version. Of course, the best situation would be that this was never the case, but with any ultra popular game comes those few (or many?) who are anxious to ruin the experience for others.

Still wondering if the Caspian Border multiplayer map will eventually become available to the public during the Beta? It seems like the answer is a definite no. Of course, it is the opinion of many that this map provides a true Battlefield experience with its many vehicles and wide open terrain. However, Tornay stated on Twitter that “We can either put work into that [making it public] or into the final product – which would you prefer?”

Domas Danko, Voice-Over Producer at DICE had some more interesting things to say regarding the sound design of Battlefield 3. Talking about some of the differences between Battlefield 3 and their earlier games, Danko mentioned, “BF3 is completely remixed in terms of sound, main bus and stuff compared to BFBC2. Settings will behave differently.” He went on to add that “We’ve tested like 800+ soundcards and have 100% compatibility and 5.1 configuration detection with Frostbite 2.”

Did you get a chance to play the Beta on Caspian border? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Make sure to check out some of the latest Battlefield 3 news including possible improvements to in-game squad management and the leaked weapon list for Back to Karkand.

Don’t forget to follow @MPFirst on Twitter!

Tags: 360 Battlefield Battlefield 3 Beta BF3 BF3 Beta Crash7800 DICE EA Ian Tornay Multiplayer PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Tomas Danko Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

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Battlefield 3 – Improvements To In-Game Squad Management Hinted At and More Beta Fixes

  by   David Veselka  
12:19 pm in News

The further we get into the week of the Battlefield 3 Beta, the more we are beginning to learn about the types of changes and fixes DICE will be making to the final version of the game. While we won’t see many of these changes in the Beta itself, DICE assures us that they will be there October 25th. So far, DICE has talked about making changes to weapon damage, including the sniper rifles, among many other things. Make sure to check these out, along with some important FAQs.

Recently, Daniel Matros, aka “zh1nt0,” hopped on Twitter to provide the community with some clarification on some matters that have been bothering many fans in the Beta. One of the most obvious, and probably one of the first bugs you’ve noticed in the Beta was your soldiers magical ability to float above and below ground. One fan remarked that swimming through the map like that reminded him of Counter-Strike. To this, Matros responded,  “fixed in final.” When asked about an ETA for the Xbox bugs/glitches (but let’s face it, every platform has its fair share of bugs, so this next response could be an answer to all), Matros also responded, “in final.” Earlier this week, Matros created bit of panic in the community when he mentioned that all squad management would be handled within the Battlelog, rather than in-game. Of course, this was met with much concern and even anger in the community. However, recently, Matros hinted at DICE allowing for more in-game options in the final version. He tweeted, “You will still see your squad in-game. More details on that to come.” While we don’t know exactly what this means, it does give a bit of hope that more squad options will be available to us in the retail version of Battlefield 3.

We reported earlier that weapon damages were being tweaked, including the sniper rifles. However, it seems to have been confirmed that when it comes to ballistics, bullet drop will remain the same. One fan commented that he felt the bullet drop was just too much and wished for it to be more like Battlefield: Bad Company 2, to which Alan Kertz responded, “It is the same as BC2. The distances are longer.” Frag ammo for the shotgun was aslo commented on. Some fans thought was simply horrible at the moment. Humorously, Kertz replied, “Hah yeah it is. It’ll be balanced out at some point.”

On a more technical note, Johan Andersson, Rendering Architect at DICE, was asked if DX10 could be enabled on a DX11 GPU on the PC for performance reasons. Andersson replied, “no not possible, DX11 path is faster anyway”

We hoped this clarified a few things for you Battlefield fans. It seems like we are in good hands and that DICE is listening to our concerns. Again, while we might not see these changes in the Beta, it seems like they will all be addressed by Ocober 25th.

If you found this informative, consider following @MPFirst on Twitter for more news!

Have you checked out the rumoured weapon list for the Back to Karkand expansion pack, releasing later this year?

Be sure to  read BF3 Beta – DICE on Recent Hacks, Why Caspian Border Isn’t Public, and More on Sound Design.

Tell us how you feel about the in-game squad system. We’re not big fans!

Tags: Alan Kertz Battlefield Battlefield 3 Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Beta BF3 BF3 Beta Daniel Matros Demize99 DICE EA Johan Andersson PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Repi Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live zh1nt0

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

Home > News

Battlefield 3 – Weekly News Round up and Beta Underway

  by   MP1st  
October 2, 2011 6:38 pm in News

If you’ve been neck deep into the Battlefield 3 Beta lately, you may have missed important news items that we would love to bring you up to date on.

 

First off, a couple reminders. The 10th of this month, next Monday, marks the last day of the beta. The beta is running on a 1 month old build since it had to be submitted to console manufacturers for approval, so it does not represent the final version.

Onto some news that you might have missed!

News

We hope you found this news round-up during of the last, hectic, week before the beta to be useful. Make sure to follow @MPFirst on Twitter for more, plus for our impressions of the beta later this week.

Just to leave with a laugh. Daniel Matros tweeted “Frostbite 2?” with image below. 😉

 

Tags: Battlefield 3 news Beta problems BF3 News Glitches leaked MP1st Multiplayer

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Leaked Weapon List for Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand DLC

  by   MP1st  
5:30 pm in News

Many Battlefield fans have been curious about exactly what type of content the Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand expansion pack, releasing later this year (one week earlier on the PS3), will include.

 

So far, only a list of maps have been confirmed:

  • Wake Island
  • Strike at Karkand
  • Gulf of Oman
  • Sharqi Peninsula

However, Morgan from the Battlefield3Online forum has compiled a list of data files found in the Battlefield 3 Beta, including the names of all the weapons that should be in the Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand expansion pack. These are the file names for the weapons included so far. This list should, of course, still be considered a rumour since since no official statement has been given.

  • XP1_FAMAS

  • XP1_HK53

  • XP1_PP19

  • XP1_QBZ95B

  • XP1_L85A2

  • XP1_QBB95

  • XP1_MG36

  • XP1_JACKHAMMER

  • XP1_TYPE88

  • XP1_L96
Remember that you can get Back to Karkand for free if you pre-order Battlefield 3. If none of your favorites made it onto this list, let us know in the comment section what weapons you would like to see in future expansion packs/DLC!
In case you haven’t heard, Battlefield 3 Gets a Beta 3D Radar Hack.
For more details about Battlefield 3 and the Back to Karkand expansion pack, Follow @MPFirst on Twitter so we can keep you informed as information becomes available!
Learn more about destruction, the ranking system, and squad issues in the Battlefield 3 Beta, as well as other issues that DICE is looking into.
Tags: "Back to Karkand" Battlefield Battlefield 3 Beta BF3 BF3 Beta DICE DLC EA Expansion Pack Multiplayer news PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

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Home > News

Be Advised: New Battlefield 3 Beta 3D Radar Hack

  by   MP1st  
12:59 pm in News

We are sad to report that some unfortunate wall-hacks seem to have made their way into the PC version of the Battlefield 3 Beta.

 

 

This wall-hack, also called a 3D radar hack, allows the abuser to see the position of every enemy and teammate, highlighted by a red, rectangular box, through any object on the map. Basically, the abuser can see where their enemies are at all times, giving an extremely unfair advantage. This is not similar to the tortilla chip type spotting (Alan Kertz’s words) that is already included in Battlefield 3. Our PC expert, Jorik aka Niosus, adds that Punk Buster has not been enabled for the Beta but hopefully will be in the final version.

Notice the red and blue rectangle boxes?

DICE is already facing issues with a recent server hack that allows anyone to enter games of up to 128 players. They have officially stated,

We are aware that a number of servers have appeared and are running game modes and player counts that have not currently been seen. Please try to remain on official servers. Please avoid temptation and remain on these official servers while we work to have these servers dealt with. Playing on those servers can cause your account to become compromised, stats to be altered or other issues to arise which may lead to having your account banned by EA.

We speculate that users of this 3D radar hack will face similar punishments.

Of course, MP1st does not in any way endorse hacking or pirating, but it is our job to get this information out to the Battlefield community in order for players to be aware of what to look out for. This should be reported on the Official Battlelog Forums and through any other form of feedback provided by DICE officials. We reported on it here. Make sure to support this thread if you get the chance.

It’s sad to see this happen to such a popular game that hasn’t even been released yet. What do you think? Let us know in the comment section below.

Don’t forget to check the Leaked Weapon List for Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand DLC.

While you’re here, check out some other articles outlining some of the Beta issues that are being looked into by DICE.

One-Shot Kill Snipers, Weapon Damage and More – BF3 Beta Issues To Be Fixed

BF3 – More On Destruction, Ranking System, Squad Issues & Other Important Beta Info

Make sure to follow @MPFirst on Twitter to keep up-to-date on the situation and don’t forget to report any hacking to DICE.

Tags: "3D Radar Hack" Alan Kertz Battlefield Battlefield 3 Beta BF3 BF3 Beta DICE EA Hack Hacks PC Wall Hack

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Home > Features

The Three Cheapest Shotguns in Recent Shooters

  by   Graham  
October 1, 2011 3:20 pm in Features

Shotguns. Boomsticks. Double-barreled hand cannons. Skeet blasters. Every self-respecting online shooter has to feature a powerful shotgun, if for no other reason than to adhere to the rule of weapon tiers as established by id Software in the early 90’s. While the shotgun’s viability is usually in close-quarters combat, or as a last-ditch weapon once a player’s primary ammunition has been depleted, there are a few games that take a different approach to weapon hierarchy. Even a couple of high-profile development teams have thrown out the rulebook and created shotguns for their games that defy the most basic standards. Gamers respond to these design decisions in a number of ways; many accept the fact that in order to stay competitive, they must adapt to these bizarre new rules and use/abuse the shotgun’s power, while others become filled with a bile-rising hatred for the gun, the game, and even the devs.

3. Killzone 2 (ISA M13 Combat Shotgun)

Killzone 2’s controls were either praised or despised by gamers; there seemed to be no middle ground. The weighty, realistic physics and slow movement speed turned some gamers off of the title. The shooting mechanics were loose and imprecise, mirroring the jarring effects of actual weapon firing. Soon, however, KZ2 players realized they didn’t have to put up with those shooting mechanics, because Guerilla Games had incorporated the ISA M13. Basically, the weapon is a close-quarters deathbringer that requires precise aiming and control to master. Actually, none of that’s true. The shotgun can be fired in any number of directions, and land its wielder a random kill. I’ve seen players fire the shotgun directly into a wall, and kill seven people playing Halo. Offline. It’s power is not to be underestimated, as a few gamers using it can easily spawn trap a decent team (especially in a map like Radec Academy).

This shot somehow killed 4 players, only 1 of whom was playing Killzone 2 at the time.

2. Gears of War 3 (Sawed-off)

Gears of War 3 is a brand-new game, but that doesn’t mean its Sawed-off shotgun can’t make the cut. The Gnasher shotgun has been the staple blaster of the Gears franchise for years now, and it was only fitting that in its third installment, Epic should lovingly supplement it with the Sawed-off. The Sawed-off is the bane of many online Gears players, and the sole reason for other players’ massive killstreaks and online prowess. The gun can make you feel like a god, and then seconds later force you into a bout of rage-quitting frustration. The Sawed-off is so powerful, Epic didn’t even give it a reticle for aiming. You do not aim the weapon so much as you fire it tentatively, hoping its jet-engine-like eruption doesn’t cause your avatar’s arms to rip from their sockets, or break your 7.1 surround system. Players equipped with Turtle Beach headsets have to clean the blood off their earphones after every Sawed-off use.

This weapon is doing serious damage to the structural support of my body.

1. Modern Warfare 2 (Model 1887)

Nothing screams “modern warfare” more than a shotgun designed over a century ago. While its addition to the game’s weapon collection was at first a sort of one-off joke, the Model 1887 loadout quickly became standard operating procedure for the online masses. Equipped in tandem with a few choice perks and attachments, the Model 1887 loadout became nearly unstoppable. Its only drawback was making the player look like a terrorist running across the countryside with two giant stolen breadsticks. The gun sniped better than snipers, and the recipients of its rounds often stared slack-jawed and incredulous at the Killcam, hoping his opponent was hacking, as if to ponder, Surely the devs wouldn’t actually program that into the game, would they? Until its effectiveness was patched (months after release), the Model 1887 user sent his enemies running for cover, especially if he was using them Rooster Cogburn-style.

"Fill yer hands, you sonuvabitch!"

Honorable mentions:

  • The Saiga 20K or USAS-12 from Battlefield: Bad Company 2 with slugs.
  • The SPAS-12 from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Did your most hated shotgun make the list? Let us know if we’ve missed any in the comment section below!

Also, check out these other articles!

Common Enemies: Why We Need Co-op

The Three Best Types of Online Gamers

And don’t forget to Follow @MPFirst for more multiplayer goodness!

Tags: "Gears of War" 360 Call of Duty gears Gears of War 3 Killzone Killzone 2 Modern Warfare 2 MW2 PC PlayStation Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Shotguns Xbox Xbox Live

Graham

I teach, and I game. That is all. Subscriber

Home > News

BF3 – More On Destruction, Ranking System, Squad Issues & Other Important Beta Info

  by   David Veselka  
12:08 pm in News

The Battlefield Beta is receiving a lot of mixed impressions and is dividing the opinions many Battlefield fans. While some are confident in DICE to produce a spectacular Battlefield experience, despite all the bugs and glitches found in the Beta, others are considering cancelling pre-orders, feeling that the game is a hopeless mess.

If you are one of the individuals in the middle who feel confused about the whole Beta situation and the state at which Battlefield 3 is in, perhaps this round up or information will put your worries at ease.

We’ve compiled a list of tweets and notes that we think will help clear a lot of minds as to what to expect from the final version.

Below is a list of some of the more important fixes wich can be found on the Battlelog:

  • Fixed a bug where shooting at a moving enemy could cause more than the intended amount of damage. (Ever feel like you’ve been one-shotted by a sub machine gun while on the run?)
  • The 3D spotting icons has been tweaked to better match the target’s visibility. Icons will show frequently less on mostly obscured targets. (Still need to test this out, but many have felt the spotting in BF3 has been nerfed a little too much. Perhaps this will make it more fair?)
  • Squad list now shows specializations chosen, VOIP activity and dead squad mates. (It is obviously important to know what kind of specializations your squad-mates are running in order to choose accordingly and round-out the team.)
  • Non working options in squad menu fixed: “Private” flag and “Switch Teams”. (Any fixes regarding quads is extremely welcome!)

You can view the entire list of fixes here.

Below are two very important tweets from Community Manager, Daniel Matros, that I think are very informative to the Battlefield community:

  • “A lot of what you are seeing in the BETA doesn’t exist in the main game already. 1st Party submissions mean we couldn’t give a version of the latest code in the BETA but the retail game is well ahead of what you are seeing now with a lot more bug fixes already in place.” (We’ve also recently heard that the beta version we are currently playing is roughly a month behind the version of the game DICE is currently working on.)
  • “Caspian Border is not in the consoles client file you downloaded. PC’s download was 3.9Gb compared to the consoles 1.2Gb. Also PC Caspian Border was running on limited servers to get stability and performance data from servers running at capacity. Consoles do not need the same server stability check as the player numbers are the same across all game modes.” (This serves as clarification as to why consoled will not be getting the Caspian Border multiplayer map in their version of the Beta.)

Below are three important questions and answers also found on the Battlelog:

  • It seems whenever my brother and I want to play together we can, one of us becomes connection to EA lost. What is the deal here? If this is happening when the game servers are up it could be because you are on strict NAT settings. Turn both consoles on and run the Microsoft network test on both consoles and see what is says your NAT settings are. Also, do you have both Xbox 360 accounts linked to two different EA accounts or are they linked to one EA account? Joining as squads doesn’t work in the BETA. (At least we now know that it seems to be intentional that joining a game as a squad was left out of the beta.)
  • Destructive Buildings (Console) The destruction is the same on console and PC. You won’t be able to take down buildings in multiplayer as that would mean levelling a whole city. You can however take out large parts of buildings and possibly destroy smaller buildings in other maps but you will have to wait and see those maps. (This was speculated earlier that destruction would be slightly toned down from Battlefield: Bad Company 2. You can read more about destruction here)
  • Stats won’t carry over? So, we are not carrying over the stats because the rank progression system as well as the persistance score is going to be reworked based on feedback from what we´ve seen and what feedback we have collected. (Current ranking system that we have in the Beta is not yet final, which we reported on last month)

You can find the rest of the FAQ here.

To wrap up, I think Community Manager, Ian Tornay put things quite nicely: “This is a continuum that DICE are experts at balancing. Trust the masters.”

Make sure to follow @MPFirst on Twitter so we can keep you up-to-date on everything Battlefield.

More Beta News:

One-Shot Kill Snipers, Weapon Damage and More – BF3 Beta Issues To Be Fixed

Tags: Battlefield 3 BF3 Leveling up Multiplayer NAT Rank Progression Stats Carry Over

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

Home > News

Battlefield 3 Beta Servers Restart to Improve Stability and Connectivity

  by   Fahed Jaradat  
September 30, 2011 1:33 pm in News

Earlier today, we reported on the beta issues DICE is working on, which will be fixed in either the beta or the final retail game. However, the bigger issue that’s been holding back the beta is the stability of the game servers on all platforms.

Yesterday, the 360 version was affected the most, we kept getting disconnected from the server for most of the day. Then, around 11 pm est, DICE rolled back the 360 servers. In an attempt to iron out the server issues, DICE is in process of restarting all servers in order to “improve the stability and connectivity”; this restart will only take 5 mins to have the servers back up and running, so it shouldn’t keep you away for too long.

Battlefield’s official twitter account has just reveled that “Our Xbox 360 servers and PS3 servers are coming back up slowly.” and “PC servers are coming back up now and you will be able to connect again shortly”.

Once this restart is over, your beta experience should get better, so hold tight! If you stopped playing the beta yesterday thinking that connectivity problems would persist, then give it another chance, you won’t be disappointed.

Be advised to follow @MPFirst on Twitter for timely updates and to join in some epic Battlefield 3 gaming sessions with fellow MP1st readers and editors! PTFO with MP1st this weekend!

Tags: bf3 beta servers BF3 servers PC PS3 restart Update Xbox 360

Fahed Jaradat

Senior Editor and Co-Founder. Multiplayer runs in my blood. Don't believe me? Ask for a sample! Subscriber

Home > News

One-Shot Kill Snipers, Weapon Damage and More – BF3 Beta Issues To Be Fixed

  by   David Veselka  
10:56 am in News

Enjoying the Battlefield 3 Beta? So far, we are on day four for players who got in with early access, and day two for those just joining yesterday. On top of noticing how gorgeous the game looks, you’ve probably already noticed a number of bugs and glitches like the glitched terrain, the perma-blue screen after respawning, or the inability to aim down sights. However, there are probably a couple things that may not strike you at first as glitches, or things that you’re not sure if you should report or not. Ever felt like you were getting one-shotted by snipers much too often? Every felt like the weapon damage was off? Alan Kertz, Senior Gameplay Designer at DICE has let us know via Twitter what kind of things the team is looking into.

First I’d like to remind everyone to check out our article on the different ways you can give feedback to DICE to make Battlefield 3 an even better game than it already is.

On to the uncertain bugs/glitches. You may have felt that the alternative control scheme for the PS3 controller didn’t make much sense. For example, R1 was mapped to fire and L2 mapped to aim down sight. Fans looked to Kertz to know whether or not this was intentional or not. He confirmed, “Yeah, known issue.”

Kertz was also asked if the auto-equip of new attachments was a design choice or a bug, and if it’s by design, can it be disable in retail? He answered, “Design. If you go in and customize it once, it will no longer auto equip for that weapon.” So, this one has turned out to be intentional.

A rather funny oddity that some of you may have noticed is that health and ammo packs actually destroy small chunks of wall when thrown out by the player. Unless this player is Superman, this probably shouldn’t be happening. Kertz confirmed that “it’s on the list” of bugs and glitches.

Two things that fans have been looking for clarification on is at what zoom level do the weapon optics start showing glint, and whether or not it was intentional that the M1911 was not in the Beta. Kertz revealed that “6x and above have glint. 4x and below do not.” He also stated that “No, the 1911 is not in the beta.” So, we’ll just have to wait for the final release to get our hands on that baby. Remember that it’s only available to Battlefield Veterans, and EA Gun Club Members.

Onto the more game-breaking matters: weapon damage. Some of you may have become rather frustrated with either how long it takes to kill an enemy, or how quickly you die. It turns out you may just not be crazy after all. When asked if the inconsistent damage for all weapons is still an issue in the current Beta version, Kertz admited, “Unfortunately, yes.” This is something that is obviously important for DICE to really nail but it’s something that could take time. It surely won’t even be set in stone when the game finally ships. You may remember that a while back, Kertz mentioned that sniper rifles could not one-hit kill an enemy unless it was a direct headshot. Then how is it I am getting one-shotted in the body at full health and still dropping dead, you may be asking yourself. Thankfully, Kertz has confirmed that it is, indeed, a “Known damage bug.” Hopefully this can be fixed for release. Lastly, Kertz was also asked why it takes so long to kill an enemy with an assault rifle in single-fire mode (6 or more shots)? He assured that “It’s only 6 at long range.”

What kind of issues have you been noticing in the Battlefield 3 Beta? Let us know in the comment section below. Also, remember to stay active in the Battlelog forums and help DICE in anyway you can.

Don’t forget to follow @MPFirst on Twitter where we will be constantly updating you guys on progress made with the beta and to take part in some epic Battlefield 3 gaming sessions with fellow MP1st readers and editors! PTFO with MP1st this weekend!

 

Tags: 360 Alan Kertz Battlefield Battlefield 3 Battlefield 3 Beta Beta BF3 BF3 Beta Bugs and Glitches DICE PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

Home > Features

Common Enemies: Why We Need Co-op

  by   Graham  
September 29, 2011 7:20 pm in Features

I’m a co-op gamer. It’s in my blood. Some of my earliest and best gaming memories include fighting my way through TMNT: Turtles in Time with an elementary classmate, and staying up late on weekend nights playing through the Beavis and Butthead game on the SNES with my best friend Jack.

Although I can appreciate a competitive match of Mario Kart, Call of Duty, or Mortal Kombat, my fondest gaming memories are of my friends and I working in tandem. I don’t look back on childhood gaming sessions and gleefully reminisce about the brawls that broke out over Clay Fighter, or beating my brothers in NBA Jam; I recall the times that games brought me, my friends, and my family together.

Dedicated cooperative modes have become as ubiquitous in multiplayer games as character progression and experience points, and for that I am incredibly thankful, both to the developers for providing these modes and the user base for demanding (or at least expecting) them.

See, at heart I’m a non-confrontationalist. I’m a pacifist. Unless I were protecting someone I love, I would never get involved in a fight. It’s not part of my nature. And while I can easily rack up kills in Battlefield, and scream at the TV during a particularly intense Halo CTF match, I am at my best while working with my fellow gamers, not against them.

“Grinder” style co-op play was not birthed by Gears of War 2, but the game definitely turned it into its own distinct genre with Horde Mode. Call of Duty: World at War took the model, twisted it up, and came up with the addicting “Zombies” gametype that now requires dedicated map pack releases due to its popularity. Halo’s Firefight addition has helped revitalize its online multiplayer offerings, and even Relic’s recent Space Marine is receiving its own version of co-op with October’s free “Exterminatus” update.

Gamers can be a fickle and passionate (disturbingly so, at times) community, and at times our passion manifests itself into petty arguments, spite, and unnecessarily profane and vociferous outbursts. Cooperative gaming offers players a chance to set aside their personal attacks and obsession with kill/death ratios, and unite against a common enemy: the damnable computer AI. When I get killed by a ticker in Gears, a Halo elite, or a a Call of Duty juggernaut, it gives me a chance to curse and spout incredulities without insulting or defaming anybody, or causing a heated rift between me and my friends. They’re right there with me, cursing the same enemy. We’re united, in a way, in our quest to meet and surpass whatever arbitrary goals the developers have laid before us.

Do I sound too sensitive? Maybe I am, but friends and family are more important to me than killstreaks and virtual superiority, and when a game offers me the chance to shoot dudes in the face, or chainsaw bots while working together with my buddies, I’m all in.

You should be, too, if for no other reason than to enjoy these extraneous game modes, and relish the opportunity to shoot with your friends, instead of at them.

Favorite cooperative games? Let me know in the comments.

If you found this blog insightful, make sure to check out some of these:

Dear Devs: Five Things That Make Multiplayer Work

The Three Best Types of Online Gamers

Don’t forget to follow @MPFirst on Twitter for more multiplayer goodness.

 

Tags: Call of Duty Capture the Flag coop Cooperative Gears of War 2 Halo Mario Kart Mortal Kombat Multiplayer Nazi Zombies NBA Jam Nintendo PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

Graham

I teach, and I game. That is all. Subscriber

Home > News

Battlefield 3 Open Beta Now Available on PS3 in NA

  by   David Veselka  
10:32 am in News

UPDATE 2: We’ve checked the PSN store and it is indeed up and running. The Battlefield 3 Beta is also available to download. Enjoy!

UPDATE 1: DICE just tweeted “PSN is down for maintenance (globally), and they expect to be back up in 2 hours. We’ll be back on PS3 soon!” However, it is only the store that is currently down. If you’ve already downloaded the early access Beta, you should be able to still play the game. It is also most likely that the Beta will become available to everyone in NA once they are back up at roughly 11:30am PST, 2:30pm EST.

Well Battlefield fans, today is the day.

DICE has just reported on Twitter through their Battlefield account that “The Battlefield 3 Open Beta is now live on all formats! Full info on the blog: www.battlefield.com/battlefield3/1/beta”

However, roughly 15 minutes later, DICE tweeted from the same account saying that “For PlayStation 3 users in North America, expect the Battlefield 3 Open Beta to be available later today.” While we’re unsure of what time the beta will be available to PS3 users, we’ll make sure to keep you posted. Be sure to follow @MPFirst to keep up-to-date!

Also, don’t forget to sign up for the Battlelog at www.battlelog.battlefield.com to check out all your stats, including your friend’s and enemy’s.

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit DICE’s brand new online store for some awesome Battlefield 3, DICE, or Mirror’s Edge designs!

And lastly, remember to PTFO!

Tags: 360 Battlefield Battlefield 3 Battlefield 3 Beta Beta BF3 BF3 Beta Call of Duty Black Ops DICE EA PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

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