Page 2111 – MP1st

Home > Features

Multiplayer Games Are Barbies For Men

by Graham

September 28, 2011 8:44 pm in Features

Video games are increasingly becoming Barbies for men. And I’m fine with that. You should be, too. For a hobby that consists primarily of shooting aliens, shooting terrorists, and shooting orcs (with magic bullets), it sure asks for a startling amount of dress-up. There seems to be a silent understanding between video game consumers and video game developers. Gamers will slyly nod their heads towards the studios and touch their nose as if to say, Developers, we want to play dress-up. We want to put new clothes and accessories on our avatars. We want to decorate houses and apartments and caves with in-game items. We want violent, manly, virtual Barbies. In turn, the developers release a carrier pigeon with a tiny note attached from their roof, with an encrypted message that states only, It shall be done…but in return, you must buy an online pass.

Let’s take a look at some of the more popular examples.

Call of Duty

Good ol’ Call of Duty. A series that originated as a realistic, story-driven shooter has evolved into a multiplayer-focused shooter that threw realism out the window years ago. Unless, of course, it’s standard practice for the Marines to dual-wield 1800’s shotguns. Call of Duty’s online numbers don’t lie, and one of the primary reasons the series garners such a massive user base is because of the Barbie Factor (copyright pending). Weapon skins, camouflages, different-colored scopes, sights, and optics are all a huge pull for the community, but they mean exactly squat. Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed racking up headshots in Modern Warfare 2 in order to unlock that sexy Blue Tiger skin, but why? Um….well, because I thought it looked neat-o, and I wanted to show it off to my friends. Hey, wait a minute, those were my sister’s exact reasons for convincing my dad to buy her Malibu Barbie’s Dream House!

military-barbie — "InViT3 fo CUstom n0-sc0p3 LoBBies. Also...I look fabulous!"

Gears of War

The Gears of War series got into the Barbie game only recently, with its third installment. the game offers insane amounts of weapon skins and character models to play as while gunning dudes down online. The game also leapfrogged Call of Duty’s Barbie Factor, and went one step further. You see, the game offers a variety of character models and weapon skins on the retail disc. However, you are also encouraged to buy supplement customization packs from the online marketplace. I happily plunked down money for a series of bright pink assault rifle skins, only to find that the vast majority of online players had the same idea. Hmmm…a product that ships with little options, and therefore encourages you to purchase additional items to accessorize and customize the initial product. Yes, that does sound like the Barbie Factor at work.

Halo

Halo is a series that also came to the Barbie party a little late, but with incredible style. Halo: Reach offers a dizzying amount of aesthetic player customization. Armor, effects, and helmets galore. You might spend 6 straight hours massacring and tea-bagging the covenant, but don’t get too high on your manly horse. You’re doing it to unlock the Mark V Master Chief helmet, an item that does absolutely nothing to the game except make you look different. It’s purely cosmetic. Just like every Barbie accessory ever. Don’t kid yourself.

Reach_MP_Pinnacle05 — "Hey guys, will this armor effect make me an easier target? Doesn't matter, I look dazzling!"

Fable

Fable 3 is a Barbie simulator, but with more farts. If you didn’t realize that truth after spending hours in your virtual wardrobe customizing your avatar’s sideburns and underwear, you’re in serious denial.

DC Universe Online

All MMOs have the Barbie Factor, but DCUO takes it a step further with its gear customization. Not only can you equip, color, and tweak your gear and accessories to the nth degree, you can even opt to have your best gear be visually covered by a lesser piece of gear that you think looks better. The devs essentially said, “Okay, gamers, we understand that you care far more about how your Barb-I mean, Hero, looks than his actual battle prowess, so we’ll give you the best of both worlds.” It’s like when a 4-year-old dresses her Barbie in high heels, a miniskirt, and a tube top, only to have her go swimming or work on her jeep.

dcuo_character_creation — I am gonna accessorize the crap out of this dude. And then, I guess, defeat evil. Or something.

Thanks for reading. And before you criticize me for being sexist, please know that I understand many women play video games, and know some men play with actual (not virtual) Barbies. And by “know some men,” I mean, “saw some men on How to Catch a Predator.”

For more humour pieces like this one, make sure to sure to follow MPFirst to keep up-to-date, and check out some of these other humour pieces!

Eleven Dances That Are Also Call of Duty Players

8 Delicious Candies Playable in Gears of War 3

Graham

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

Home > News

The Official DICE Online Store Goes Beta

by David Veselka

1:14 pm in News

DICE has officially launched a beta version of their online store.

Battlefield has just tweeted that “The DICE Store just went BETA! 10% off any item until 24:00 PST Friday using the code ‘BATTLEFIELD3′”

Christina Coffin teased this earlier when she tweeted a picture of a Battlefield 3 t-shirt that you can check out here.

Visit us-store.dice.se to enter your code and receive 10% off all merchandise!

There are currently 14 Battlefield designs, 4 Mirror’s Edge designs, and 6 DICE designs for you to check out and wear proudly!

Make sure to follow @MPFirst to keep up-to-date on all things Battlefield!

Tags: "Battlefield 3 T-shirts" "Battlefield T-shirt" Battlefield Battlefield 3 BF3 Christina Coffin DICE DICE Store EA Mirror's Edge PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

Home > News

Battlefield 3 Beta Feedback & DICE on Balancing and Changes to Beta

by David Veselka

10:28 am in News

We here at MP1st hope many of you are enjoying the early access to the Battelfield 3 Beta. We know the rest of the world will on the 29th. Since the game is still in it’s Beta stage, you will most likely notice a few bugs and glitches here and there. Or, perhaps you will find that certain weapons or classes should be balanced differently. DICE has already stated that their main resource for feedback will be within the forums of the Battlelog, however, Ian Tornay, Community Manager for Battlefield 3, has also set up a reddit page that everyone should know about. Here, fans can also list bugs, glitches or other issues found within the Beta. Make sure to follow the instructions given at the top of the page for the best results. It’s now our job, as the Battlefield community, to help DICE make Battlefield 3 a better game by giving them our honest feedback. Together, we can help shape Battlefield 3 to be one of the best shooters of our generation.

In an interview with Edge, Patrick Liu, a Battlefield 3 Producer at DICE, spoke about multiplayer details, balance, and changes made to the game since the Alpa.

Of course, one big change to Battlefield 3’s classes that many of you may have noticed by now, is the reversed roles of the assault class and support class (formerly the medic class). These are changes which so far, seem to be working quite well and have added a new dimension to Battlefield 3. Liu explains, “We’ve been rebalancing all classes overall, so the Assault class has the medic abilities now – the defibrillator, med-pack and so on. The Support class has become much more distinct with the suppressive feature.” You may have also noticed many of the shiny new toys the Recon class will be receiving in Battlefield 3. Could this change the way snipers are played? “Recon is actually much more about doing reconnaissance rather than being a sniper – finding out information about the battlefield for the rest of the team and countermeasures against snipers.” How do you feel about all these changes made to the classes of Battlefield 3?

Liu also spoke of the many changes made to Battlefield 3 since the Alpha trial. The biggest difference that DICE seems to be quite proud of is the change they made to the spotting system. “In the Alpha you could spot people through bushes and vegetation; you could basically just look at the markers and shoot that without actually seeing them, but that’s completely changed now.” Do you think these changes have worked out so far? Liu also detailed some of the things DICE has learned since the Alpha and applied to the Beta. “The Alpha gave us a large amount of data – we were tracking telemetry and how many kills each weapon has and so on. Based on data we can do a lot of useful tweaks to the weapons.” Do you feel that the weapons of Battlefield 3 are balanced, or could they use more tweaking?

Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!

While your here, check out some of the latest news you may have missed:

DICE: “We have mad love for Infinity Ward and Treyarch”

Massive Map Sizes in Battlefield 3 and More on Sound Design

Don’t forget to follow @MPFirst on Twitter for more Battlefield 3 news!

Tags: 360 Alpha Battlefield Battlefield 3 Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Beta BF3 BF3 Beta DICE Patrick Liu PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

Home > News

Modern Warfare 3 for Xbox 360 Has Gone Gold

by Fahed Jaradat

September 27, 2011 9:04 pm in News

According to Pete Blumel, a producer at Infinity Ward, the Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has gone gold.

Pete has just tweeted that “MW3 for Xbox is Gold!” No word on if the PS3, PC, Wii and DS versions of the game have been completed. It’s worth noting that the 360 version is not considered the lead platform of the game, at least among consoles, as Inifinty Ward’s Robert Bowling clarified, “we [Infinity Ward] don’t have lead platforms, we develop each version alongside each other.”

Robert Bowling also pointed out to a fan that all that’s left for the studios behind MW3, Inifinity Ward and Sledgehammer games, is to “send the game off for certification on consoles, address any feedback provided, shift remaining focus to PC specific features.”

Modern Warfare 3 releases on the 8th of November. Don’t forget to follow @MPFirst on twitter for the latest on Modern Warfare 3.

Some other news you might have missed:

DICE: “We have mad love for Infinity Ward and Treyarch”

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

Tags: 360 Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 MP1st Multiplayer MW3 MW3 360 is finished MW3 Gold news Robert Bowling Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

Fahed Jaradat

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

Home > Features

The Three Best Types of Online Gamers

by Graham

7:49 pm in Features

Make sure to read up on the Three Worst Types of Online Gamers before continuing!

My last post regarding the three worst types of online gamers may have netted me the reputation of a Negative Nancy. While that may be accurate, I still thought it necessary to identify the best types of online gamers as well. In gaming culture, like most niche communities, often times the negative aspects of the populace are advertised and highlighted more often than the positive aspects.

In an effort to be fair and balanced, and to let the decent gaming folk know we at MP1ST haven’t forgotten about them, here are the three best types of online gamers:

The Gentleman

The Gentleman is easily the best kind of teammate you can have. Always rational, never becoming emotionally invested in the game, he tries his hardest and invariably remains calm, cool, and collected. Killed and tea-bagged by an opponent? He remains low-key and attentive to the task at hand. A teammate steals his care package? No worries, he’ll steadily wait until he earns another one, appreciative of the fact that he helped out his squad.

The Scholar

The Scholar has a comprehensive knowledge of the game at hand. Need to know the best route from A to B in a match of Battlefield Conquest? He’ll tell you, and won’t be a bit condescending or sarcastic. What’s the best loadout to use if you’re taking advantage of the Ghost perk in Call of Duty? He’ll give you three, each for a specific map or gametype. Not having any luck at Mario Kart Wii? He’ll take the time out of his own game to teach you how to use Funky Kong and the Flame Runner, and you will be eternally grateful.

The Frozen Yogurt

The Frozen Yogurt gamer is the great peacekeeper. When friends or lovers are upset, they head to a neutral place to get some frozen yogurt and take a break from whatever argument has them riled up. Teammates will squabble, fight, and argue, and relationships are tested in the virtual arena. Fortunately, the Frozen Yogurt gamer is there to mend fences, bring peace, and help all parties relax with a kind word, helpful advice, or a witty quip regarding the opposing team’s mothers and their propensity for promiscuity.

It’s my wish, dear reader, that you refrain from being a DJ. Don’t be a Mouth Breather. Cease all One and Done activity, and instead be a Gentleman. A Scholar. Be the Frozen Yogurt your team truly needs.

Don’t forget to follow @MPFirst for more humour pieces like these! To learn more about how to become a better FPS gamer, check out our article on the importance of Playing the Objective.

Tags: "The Three Best Types of Online Gamers" The Frozen Yogurt The Gentlemen The Scholar xGrahamDJx

Graham

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

Home > News

Battlefield 3 Beta Now Live On All Platforms & Feedback Instructions

by David Veselka

2:07 pm in News

Update 2: The beta should now be live on the PS3 in North America.

Update 1: as of 5:22 pm est the PSN store still hasn’t updated, so no beta for NA PSN users yet. The official word from BF3’s community manager is “If your beta hasn’t showed up in PS3 yet please be patient – it’s propagating out.”

Merry Christmas everyone! The Battlefield 3 closed beta is now live. If you owned either the Limited Edition or Tier 1 edition of Medal of Honor, or if you pre-ordered BF3 through Origin, make sure to check your emails or the for those early acces beta keys or check your PlayStation Network and follow the instructions included.

Emails in the EU should have all been sent by now, for the most part. If you haven’t gotten yours yet, DICE tweeted that you could contact support.ea.com for assistance. You can also follow @askEAsupport on Twitter. DICE has also stated that “In NA, early access emails have been sent for PC & X360.” However, DICE is still “waiting for Sony to post the Beta on PSN; email delivery starts at 11am PSTFor those who are still waiting on the PSN.” By the time you’r reading this article, the PSN should, hopefully, have the beta up and running.

While many of you may think that the beta is a little late to the party, remember that DICE is still taking all of our feedback through the Battlelog and will be either implementing changes on day one, or within the first week or two after Battlefield 3’s release date. Keep an eye out for those bugs, glitches, or things that you think should be tweaked, and make sure to report them in the proper thread in the Battlelog forums.

Remember, the beta opens up to the rest of the public at on September 29th, just two more days away! Hang in there guys.

On a side note, Seeson Mahathavorn, Battlefield 3 Community Manager, tweeted last night, “Whoever steals crash7800’s [Ian Tornay’s] dog tags FIRST tomorrow during the early access BF3 Beta will get a BF3 dog tag!” You can check out Crash7800’s Twitter page for his gaming ID’s. We’re comin’ for ya!

Be sure to follow @MPFirst on Twitter for more timely updates on the Battlefield 3 beta and to take part in some epic gaming sessions with fellow MP1st readers and editors! Make sure to stay tuned for MP1st’s first impressions of the Battlefield 3 beta.

See you on the Battlefield, and most importantly, remember to PTFO!

Tags: 360 Battlefield Battlefield 3 Battlelog Beta Beta Live BF3 BF3 Beta DICE PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

Home > News

Jaw Dropping Battlefield 3 Screens. Graphics Maxed out on the PC

by MP1st

September 26, 2011 11:33 pm in News

Smokey from the Neogaf forums has shared some screenshots of Battlefield 3 running on ultra settings on the PC.

Browse though the images or click twice on the images underneath the slideshow to view them in all their heavenly glory.

Be sure to follow @MPFirst on twitter for latest Battlefield 3 news and to get in MP1st’s weekly PTFO gaming sessions.

[portfolio_slideshow]

Some news you might have missed:
DICE: “We have mad love for Infinity Ward and Treyarch”
Massive Map Sizes in Battlefield 3 and More On Sound Design

We are sorry for any injuries if your jaw literally dropped.

Tags:

MP1st

MP1st Staff

Home > Features

Eleven Dances That Are Also Call of Duty Players

by Graham

4:47 pm in Features

In order to distinguish the different breeds of Call of Duty competitors, I devised a specific and foolproof classification system in order to aid gamers in handling communication with, between, and about their opponents and teammates. You might be asking yourself why identifying certain players by labeling them as a dance is necessary. Here’s an example: A player enters your game and joins your team. He tags along with you, but runs away at the first sight of the enemy. To help out the rest of your teammates, instead of attempting to describe his absurd behavior, you simply have to say, “Guys, we have a Moonwalker on our team.” They’ll know never to rely on him, and you’ve helped out your team by identifying its weakest link.

Hip-Hop-Dance-Moves — We're having clan tryouts...but you're not invited.

Here are eleven dances that are also Call of Duty Players (each description is followed by a typical in-game reference):

1. The Thunderclap

The Thunderclap dance entails a knee-bending bob punctuated by “dust-off” claps aimed towards the sky. The Thunderclap Call of Duty player bends his knees to camp in corners, punctuating every kill (probably 1 or 2 per match) with an ear-shattering scream such as “Get some!”

Example: “Man, we need to private chat; I can’t handle this Thunderclapper much longer.”

2. Swag Surfin’

The Swag Surfin’ dance involves using your body to mimic an ocean wave and show off your swag. The Swag Surfin’ Call of Duty player comes in two distinct flavors. The “Swag Surfin’ Pro” has all gold weapon camouflage, 15^th prestige, and the awesome skills to back it up. The “Swag Surfin’ Joe” has all gold weapon camouflage, 15^th prestige, and the terrible skills that prove his booster status.

Example: “That guy’s definitely a Swag Surfin’ Joe. How do you get to 15^th prestige and not know how to navigate Nuketown?”

3. The Moonwalk

The Moonwalk was Michael Jackson’s iconic dance in which he would gracefully move backward, while creating the illusion that his feet were stepping forward. The Moonwalk Call of Duty player creates the illusion that he is going to join you in a firefight, or help you capture B, but then gracefully runs away at the first sign of enemy contact.

Example: “Well, we could have killed their last two guys, but that damn Moonwalker wouldn’t get my back.”

4. The Running Man

The Running Man is a classic party dance, and basically requires the dancer to run in place with exaggerated movements. The Running Man Call of Duty player takes a more literal approach, and runs all over the whole damn map, bypassing teammates in need and ignoring the hell out of everything except his desire to get back to his sweet camping spot.

Example: “Um…their flag is literally wide open and unguarded; that Running Man just completely bypassed it.”

5. The Carlton

The Carlton is a dance made famous by Alfonso Ribeiro in the show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Playing spoiled rich kid Carlton, Ribeiro would dance to Tom Jones and mimic dance moves first used as comedy bits by the edgy and profane Eddie Murphy in Raw. The Carlton Call of Duty player is the spoiled and profane child who shouts nonsensical swears and insults that can only really be pulled off by legitimate tough guys.

Example: “That Carlton’s racist rants are getting old; I wish kids had bedtimes like they used to.”

6. The Cabbage Patch

The Cabbage Patch is the dance older people will usually do because they haven’t seen anybody really dance since 1987. It involves putting the fists together and churning the arms in a horizontal direction. The Cabbage Patch Call of Duty player is either a new gamer or an older person just getting into games. They want to fit in and be a part of the verbal ruckus, but end up ruining the fun by squeaking out some awkward slang like “Ain’t no thang, homey!” Minutes of uninterrupted and awkward silence ensue.

Example: “Dude, that Cabbage Patch just made a Fraggle Rock reference. I kind of feel bad for him.”

7. The Safety Dance

The Safety Dance is a dance made famous by the 80’s band Men Without Hats. The Safety Dance Call of Duty player never leaves “safe” zones. Afraid of possible combat and enemy contact, he never leaves the spawn, except to shoot noob tube rounds over the closest buildings in a last-ditch effort to snag a kill.

Example: “Man, stop Safety Dancin’, and help the team for once!”

8. Peanut Butter Jelly Time

Peanut Butter Jelly Time is a dated song, dance, and meme that has somehow remained popular and is still amusing. Nobody hates PBJT, and even though that dancing banana has been plastered all over every corner of the internet, the dance hasn’t suffered the same fate of obscurity as so many other dances and memes. The Peanut Butter Jelly Time Call of Duty player is basically a successful Cabbage Patch. He might be hauling out vernacular from 1993, or dropping quotes from “In Living Color,” but his delivery is so amicable and impeccable that he’s a joy to play with, and brings little half-smiles to his teammates.

Example: “Holy crap, Crazy Jim just joined up. Invite him to the party; he’s always Peant Butter Jelly Timing it!”

9. Crank That (Souja Boy)

Crank That (Soulja Boy) is a dance popularized by rapper Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em. It requires the dancer to exhibit braggadocio that reaches levels of parody, and encompasses dance moves similar to the movements seen in physical therapy classes for disabled people and the elderly. Crank That Call of Duty player might consistently place last on the scoreboard of every game he plays, but that doesn’t stop him from putting down his teammates, insulting the sexuality, mothers, and skills of his opponents, and promoting his own abilities and humongous genitals.

Example: “Crank That needs to shut his mouth; he went 2-17 and four of our guys were AFK.”

Hip Hop Dancer — Hip-Hop dance or CoD player after getting a nuke? You decide.

10. The Stanky Legg

The Stanky Legg is an unfortunately-named dance coined by the GS Boyz that involves keeping your knees bent at extreme levels and grinding one leg around in obscene circles. The Stanky Legg Call of Duty player is essentially an evolved tea bagger or corpse humper. After a kill, he becomes so infatuated with the remains of his victim that he crouches and squats over it, moving rhythmically from side to side. After a particularly spectacular victory, The Stanky Legg might actually go prone and pantomime necrophilia with the twisted carcass of his opponent.

Example: “Stanky Legger has been crunching that guy’s dead ass for like a minute.”

11. You’re a Jerk (Jerkin’)

You’re a Jerk (Jerkin’) is a dance created by the New Boyz in 2009, and it is basically a backwards skip-in-place with the occasional squat popping. The Jerkin’ Call of Duty player can do myriad things that will earn him this title, including: standing in a doorway and not moving, causing a traffic jam, and forcing his teammates to find alternate paths to a basic objective; standing in odd corners of maps to snipe during objective games, and completely refusing to help in any meaningful way; and spamming invites to prestige lobbies.

Example: “Stop jerkin’ it in the doorway and help your team!”

You thought this was hilarious, wait until you read one of these:

8 Delicious Candies Playable in Gears of War 3

Three Ways Gears of War 3 is the New Lois Lane

Be sure to follow @MPFirst on Twitter for more laughs!

Tags: Black Ops Blops Call of Duty Call of Duty Black Ops Community Infinity Ward Irritating players Modern Warfare 3 MP1st Multiplayer MW3 Prestige PSN Treyarch Xbox Live

Graham

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

Home > News

DICE: “We have mad love for Infinity Ward and Treyarch”

by Fahed Jaradat

2:23 pm in News

DICE’s Lead Designer, David Goldfarb, has nothing but kind words for the two major Call of Duty development studios.

Recently, you might have read about EA and Activision going at it in a very competitive manner. We even compiled all the stories for you here. Last month, we reported on what Robert Bowling had to say about Battlefield 3 after getting a taste of the awesomeness. It was a really nice gesture on Bowling’s part as he was talking about Call of Duty’s number one rival and sharing that with his 200,000 plus followers.

Many people are still baffled by the war between EA and Activision, so when a fan complained to David Goldfarb about Battlefield’s bashing of Call of Duty. He said “how bout bf3 stops with the bashing of cod. I love both games and it is annoying. Not going to buy it if you keep it up.” Goldfarb replied with a very interesting answer; he distanced DICE from EA’s actions by saying “DICE has nothing to do with the bashing of COD, we have mad love for IW and Treyarch, anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong.” It’s good to see developers not middling in publishers’ affairs.

Recently, Robert Bowling mentioned that he’s going to play Battlefield 3 when it’s comes out. He replied to angry CoD fan who’s going to switch to BF3 this year with “I’m sad to hear that man. They’ll both be great games, so maybe I’ll see you online there then!” I wonder if Bowling will play the beta that comes out tomorrow. We, at MP1st, have always stated that both games are different enough to satisfy different FPS needs.

What do you guys think of Goldfarb’s comment?

Please follow @MPFirst on Twitter to keep up with the latest BF3 and MW3 news and to get in MP1st’s some of weekly community gaming sessions! PTFO!

What do you think of our new logo? Do you like it? Or, should we change it?

Tags: "BF3 vs. MW3" "DICE vs. Infinity Ward" "Modern Warfare 3 vs. Battlefield 3" 360 Battlefield Battlefield 3 Beta BF3 Call of Duty CoD Community DICE Modern Warfare 3 MP1st Multiplayer MW3 MW3 vs. BF3 news Online PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Robert Bowling Treyarch Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

Fahed Jaradat

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

Home > News

Massive Map Sizes in Battlefield 3 and More On Sound Design

by David Veselka

11:02 am in News

If I were to ask you what’s one thing that was done really well in Battlefield: Bad Company 2, I think many would agree that the in-game audio really stood out. I’m sure many fans are excited to see what kind of improvements they’ve made in Battlefield 3. Check out one of our earlier posts on sound design and soundtracks in Battlefield 3.

Tomas Danko, VO Producer at DICE, has revealed some interesting audio facts about Battlefield 3 on Twitter recently, as well as some info regarding map sizes.

We’ve all seen the tyrannosaurus BF3 pictures circling the internet. One fan suggested to Mr. Danko that it would be rather funny to make a mock VO for it anyways. Interestingly enough, Danko responded to him saying, “Who said there is no t-rex audio in BF3?” What does this mean exactly? We don’t know. But we will make sure to let our readers know at the first sign of any Tyrannosaurus Warfare DLC pack! This fan also asked exactly how many lines of VO are in Battlefield 3, to which Danko responded, “In total around 18 000 wave files of VO, not counting localized languages.”

Bad Company 2 has been known for their intense, and sometimes hilarious VO lines that can be heard during the heat of battle. One fan commented on this subject, asking if soldiers would still be screaming insults every time they knived a door or a fence down. He also added that he though it really added to the immersion of the game. Danko answered, “Never any VO when knifing to begin with.” This could perhaps come as sightly bad news to many, but DICE could have felt that insults did not have any place in Battlefield 3.

Lastly, Danko was also asked about map sizes, specifically, whether or not any maps would be bigger than 2,000 square meters. Danko confidently responded, “How about more than twice that size…”

DICE seems to be hard at work at every aspect of Battlefield 3, including the audio. I hope you’ve all upgraded your sound system just as much as you’re PC or TV.

Be sure to follow @MPFirst on Twitter for more timely updates on Battlefield 3.

See you on the Battlefield, and don’t forget to PTFO.

Tags: 360 Battlefield Battlefield 3 Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Beta BF3 DICE EA Gameplay Maps Massive Maps PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN PTFO Sound Design T-Rex Tomas Danko Tyrannosaurus VO Producer Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

Home > News

Battlefield 3 – Weekly News Round up and Prepping for the Beta

by MP1st

September 25, 2011 5:23 pm in News

With the beta just around the corner, right now might be a good time to catch up on the latest Battlefield 3 news.

First off, a couple reminders. Today (Sept. 25) is the last day you are able to pre-order Battlefield 3 on Origin and still receive early access to the beta. Any pre-orders after today will not be allowed early access. Yesterday was the last day to have registered your Limited Edition of Medal of Honor in order to receive early access as well. It is also most likely that early access beta keys will be handed out tomorrow, the 26th, the day before early access begins.

Onto some news and articles that you might have missed!

News

Articles

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 some impressions of the beta once it comes out.

Tags: 360 Battlefield Battlefield 3 Beta beta changes beta map Beta news BF News BF Recoil BF3 BF3 Beta BF3 MP1st BF3 News DICE Gameplay MP1st Multiplayer news News Round up PC Playstation 3 PS3 Weapons Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

MP1st

MP1st Staff

Home > Features

Battlefield – 3 Ways To Improve Your Game

by Joachim Holmstoel

2:57 pm in Features

With the release of Battlefield 3 just under a month away, and the beta dropping in a few days, this would be the perfect time to hop onto Battlefield Bad Company 2 and hone the destructive killing machine that is you. The following 3 tips are sure to help your game and will allow you to place higher on every scoreboard, not just with kills (PTFO), but with your overall performance on the battlefield.

Know Your Role

Ok, so this may be a very obvious point, but still the battlefield is littered with guys not knowing an RPG from a grenade launcher when it come to taking down vehicles. Know what your role was designed for and use it to your advantage. Are you playing as an engineer? Then take out those foul tank whores and show them who’s boss. Playing recon? Use your motion detection mines and binoculars to spot enemies and reign death upon the enemy from the sky. You will be surprised at how many points you will be racking up just from playing your class right and playing tactically, instead of trying to re-enact your own version of Rambo. However, in addition to playing your class right, you must also know the limitations of the role that you play on the battlefield. If you are an engineer then do not expect to be pulling off long range kills with your SMG as this is not what you were designed to do. If this is your style, then pick up the assault kit or recon kit because with the engineer, you are a complex vehicle killing machine, not a sniper. So, know that with the responsibility of becoming an engineer you will be facing death quite a few times during a round as you will have to put yourself in harm’s way in order to rid the warzone of tanks and helicopters. The same goes for recons. Do not expect to be able to go toe to toe with an assault class in CQB because you will get your ass served on a platter if you attempt to do so. Hang back, spot, use your mortars, and do everything to assist your team. There is a difference between being a bush wookie and being the spotter on your team.

Vehicles are there for a reason

Is there a helicopter at your spawn? Is there a patrol boat just sitting there waiting for it to be commandeered? Then you should be the new proud owner of that vehicle and use it to flank the enemy or take the fight to them head-on. It is no good letting all of your vehicles go to waste and attempting an attack on foot when the enemy team has set up shop in buildings around the objectives. Use a tank to blow them out of their fox holes or use the patrol boat to blow a hole in the objective building in order for your teammates to gain better access to it. With the vehicles, you will, however, become an immediate target for enemy RPG teams, so stay on your toes and watch out for those pesky RPG launchers as they can very quickly turn your day sour. Make sure that you do not vehicle whore though, vehicle whores are the people who will camp a vehicles’ spawn location in order to gain access to it. Now, normally you shouldn’t be too bothered by this, but when it is 3 or 4 of your guys camping the same spot and making no effort at all to try and take the objective, then it becomes a problem. So, make sure you know when the situation is right for a vehicle and you will quickly be racking up those points and kills.

Flank, flank, flank!

Flanking the enemy is probably the most effective way to rack up your kills and get those sneaky M-Com plants. Instead of charging head on into the battle zone like a headless chicken and getting your body pumped full of lead, find the route less traveled and sneak up on your enemy from behind, steal some dog tags and arm that objective! It is surprising how many teams don’t expect a flank and you will become an instant killing machine once you get the jump on the enemy. Not only will you have the great advantage of being able to kill your enemies and get some M-Com plants without the enemy knowing, you will also be a mobile spawn point for your squad. This means that if you stay alive behind enemy lines, then you can have 3 guys supporting you which greatly increases you and your teams chances of success. This means that the enemy will have no choice but to try and take out you and your squad who are casually hanging out in some buildings behind their lines of defense. This immediately opens up a door for your teammates to go and plant the bomb at the objective while you provide covering fire. Flanking can be the key to success and could turn the tides of battle in your favor! So, never underestimate the power of stealth and agility to gain you those valuable points and kills you need in order to become a better Battlefield player.

By applying all of these tactics you should instantly see a jump in your performance and hopefully be doing a lot better than the average Joe and his rifle on the battlefield. Of course, you should not follow any tips as gospel, as you all have your own playstyle and preferences. These are only meant to be guidelines for you to be able to play more competitively in matches, and not to make you to change the way you play the game.

Do you have any more tips and tactics for other players? Let us know in the comments section below!

While your here, make sure to join the PTFO movement and spread the world. For more on Battlefield, follow @MPFirst on Twitter.

Tags: "how to be good at battlefield 3" 360 Battlefield Battlefield 3 Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Beta BF3 BF3 Beta Engineer Guide to improve how to BF3 How to get better Improve my game Jets Joachim Holmstoel level up faster Multiplayer PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Recon step my game up Vehicles work as a team Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

Joachim Holmstoel

I love to game and I love to rock out. Subscriber

Home > News

Michael Pachter: “All Games Will Be Multiplayer” or Have MP features

by Fahed Jaradat

11:51 am in News

Wedbush Securities’ Michael Pachter in the latest episode of his weekly series, the Pach-Attack!, touched on online passes and their influence on single-player and multiplayer in gaming.

In a response to the question “Do you think that online passes are a step to split up single player and multiplayer, or make the public more accustomed for full digital downloads?”

Pachter answered “I don’t. I think online passes are a feeble attempt to wipe out the used game business. I think what the publishers who put them in are trying to do, is say we think we have an increasing number of people buying our game who want to play multiplayer and we don’t want that game resold and have somebody else play it. So, as a practical matter, you’re probably right. A used version of a game with an online pass is more likely to be bought by somebody who just wants a single-player experience.” He went on to state that “The conflict is that more and more games now have multiplayer features built in. I think in few years all games will be multiplayer, so I don’t think there will be any desire to split up.” Before we jump to any conclusions, Pachter might have meant to say that all games will have multiplayer features in them (that’s why we added the second part of the title). He explained the reasoning behind his claim by saying “Just anecdotaly, by talking to Call of Duty players, I’d say 5 out of 6 that I talk to never even bother with the single-player campaign. They buy the game and go right in the multiplayer. So, I think that’s the way the industry is headed, and I think this will keep going.”

Being a site dedicated to MP doesn’t mean we don’t play single-player. Some of our favorite games of this generation were either SP only, such as Mass Effect 2 and Heavy Rain, or we loved their SP campaigns because they were much more realized, like Red Dead Redemption or Uncharted 2. We don’t think single-player games are going the way of the dinosaur. However, more single-player campaigns will have a hint of MP added to them, and obviously the best example is Demon’s Souls. Our views mirror those of Cliff Bleszinski, when he recently told Gamasutra, “Look at what things like Dragon’s Dogma is doing, or Dark Souls [spiritual successor to Demon’s Souls]. You can have multiplayer, and a large RPGish-type environment, just with asynchronous elements. The big takeaway for us is having an enthusiasm for asynchronous gameplay, because that is where a lot of the future is going to go.”

What do you think? Will all games have multiplayer features in them? Or, will the current traditional form of single-player stay intact?

Speaking of multiplayer, please read my views on the current state of multiplayer reviews.

Tags: Cliff Bleszinski Demon's Souls Michael Pachter Multiplayer

Fahed Jaradat

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

Home > News

DICE on Why the Battlefield 3 Beta Is So Late

by David Veselka

September 24, 2011 2:11 pm in News

In an interview with GamerSpawn, Karl-Magnus Troedsson, General Manager at Dice, answered a few tough questions regarding the date of the Battlefield 3 beta. First, he does admit that it is coming out a little later than the DICE team would have liked, saying, “I know that some people are saying it’s coming in a bit late, but we’re still happy to put it out there.” He also went on to assure us that, “what’s also very important here is that when we launch Battlefield 3, that is just the start. We’re going to take care of this product for quite some time afterwards.”

Even though the beta is coming out seemingly quite late, it seems that the DICE team could still have used more time in preparing it. When it comes to the coding in the beta, Troedsson also admitted that “it’s a couple of weeks behind. So, there might be problems in that that we’ve already fixed [since then].” This is important for many Battlefield fans to know so that they are not so thrown off by potential bugs that could be found in the beta.

The Battlefield 3 beta was originally planned as a closed beta to which only the Medal of Honor Limited Edition owners would be invited. However, DICE seems to have changed their mind. Troedsson comments on the thought process: “I think it’s important for us to get as many people in as possible, and it’s quite a bit of a hassle to actually to hand out codes, you know, if we want to get to a large number of people. So, at some point we just decided, let’s go with an open beta and have as many people as possible come in. For the people that have some special incentive etc. …we’ll give them early access to the beta instead.”

With the beta quickly approaching and the DICE team probably working many long and hard hours to get Battlefield 3 polished and ready for launch, Troedsson mentions that “The atmosphere is quite intense… The team is really really fired up.” He continues to admit that “There’s a lot of nerves involved. There’s a lot of things that need to come together. During the last month of game development, a lot of tough decisions need to be made, you know, to hit the dates.”

Wondering how DICE decided which maps would be making it into their first expansion pack, Back to Karkand? Troedsson explains that, being the spiritual successor of Battlefield 2, “it felt very natural to us that when we did the first expansion pack, that we actually would, you know, use the most played maps of Battlefield 2, and that’s actually how we selected them. We just looked at the stats.”

If you just can’t get enough of Battlefield, you’ll be happy to know that Troedsson revealed that DICE has “a lot of ambitious plans for the post-launch of Battlefield 3.”

Make sure to follow @MPFirst on Twitter for more Battlefield 3 info, and don’t forget to read up on the PTFO movement!

Tags: Battlefield Battlefield 3 Beta BF3 BF3 Beta DICE Karl Magnus Karl-Magnus Troedsson PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Troedsson Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

Home > News

Infinity Ward Will Look at Cross Platform Gaming for Future Games

by Fahed Jaradat

12:55 pm in News

Robert Bowling shares his thoughts on cross-platform gaming.

In a recent Australian Gamer interview, Robert Bolwing was asked about cross platform play and if Infinity Ward was looking into featuring it in future titles. Robert answered “We [Infinity Ward] take things one game a time. There’s no Cross platform play in Modern Warfare 3. Right now, we’re completely focused on that [MW3], and we’ll look at it [Cross Platform Play].” He went on to express his thoughts on cross-platform gaming “I think it’s something cool that a lot of people are doing well.”

Shadowrun had one of the earliest implementations of cross-platform play in the current consoles generation, but a more recent example, which Bowling might be referring to, is Portal 2’s PS3-PC co-op feature which worked quite well. Also, Valve has recently announced Counter Strike: Global Offensive, which will feature cross-platform play between PC, PS3, and Mac. However, there hasn’t been a game that pitted console players, PS3 and 360, against each other.

Be sure to read about:

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

MW3 – ACR Most Popular Gun, Big Role for Tagging/Spotting, and Assassin not like Ghost

Would you like to see this system implemented in a future Call of Duty title?

Don’t forget to follow @MPFirst on twitter for all your Modern Warfare 3 desires!

Tags: 360 Cross Platform play cross-platform modern warfare Infinity Ward Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer MW3 PC Playstation 3 PS3 Robert Bowling Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

Fahed Jaradat

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

Home > Features

Gears of War 3: Beast Mode [ON] OFF

by Graham

September 23, 2011 8:17 pm in Features

Be sure to check out MP1st’s full competitive multiplayer review of Gears of War 3.

After being overshadowed by a slew of imitators over the last three years, Gears of War’s grinder-style Horde Mode made its triumphant return this past week. The second iteration of the cooperative gametype features an array of new innovations and mechanics, but its real secret weapon is the little friend it brought along: Beast Mode.

Beast Mode is itself similar to Left 4 Dead 2 or Dead Space 2’s versus multiplayer offerings, and even features the money management and time-based restrictions of many popular tower defense games. The concept, while not as in-depth as its big brother Horde Mode’s, works beautifully, and could easily create its own sub-genre (much like Horde Mode did).

Beast Mode is playable on any of Gears of War 3’s multiplayer maps, and is playable solo, or with up to four teammates. Before each match, a short cutscene will display a group of Stranded and anywhere from 1-8 “Heroes” fortifying a section of the map with turrets, laser fences, and spiked floor barriers. Once the layout has been established, players will choose which Locust enemy type to spawn as.

Cute. Deadly. Playable.

Each spawn will cost the player a certain amount of money; to spawn as a small Ticker, the player will only be charged a small percentage of his money. However, as the team of Locust progresses through the 12 waves, the enemies become more advanced, numerous, and dangerous. Whereas in the first wave a handful of Tickers will easily be able to break down any barriers and kill the human survivors, later waves will require some more impressive firepower. Want to spawn as a Locust Drone, sporting a Retro Lancer and the ability to execute Heroes (the iconic heroes are only able to be killed by execution)? That’s going to set you back $450. A rocket-launching Boomer? You’ll have to cough up $1,500.

Shortly after the first couple of waves, the game becomes a tense balancing act; you might need extra firepower to down that Silverback Mech, but buying it will leave you with dangerously low funds for the next round. Each player manages his own cash and spawns, so teamwork and communication are essential as the matches progress.

In addition to managing resources and spawns, players face another implicit threat: time. The Locust horde starts the match with one minute to eradicate all Stranded and Heroes. When a player destroys a blockade or turret, time is added. When a Stranded is killed, or a Hero is executed, even more time is added. The final waves of Beast Mode become filled with a frantic yet concentrated tension. Choosing the right Locust spawn while managing cash is harrying enough; add in a steadily decreasing time limit and Beast Mode becomes a gametype that truly has no comparison. Not many games let you play as the bad guys, let alone ruthlessly dismember and destroy the game’s iconic good guys.

He may look intimidating, but that changes when you put your Locust boot to his face.

Many gamers will find only a minor diversion in Gears of War’s latest mode, but those craving an intense, unique take on cooperative gameplay will find a true gem. It may be just one of the many bullet points touting Gears of War 3’s variety, but don’t be surprised if other developers once again follow Epic’s lead.

Stay tuned to MP1st for more of our continuing Gears of War 3 coverage, including competitive multiplayer, Horde Mode, and any updates, patches, and DLC.

Make sure to follow @MPFirst on Twitter to keep up-to-date on all things Gears! Care for some more articles? Check out 8 Delicious Candied Playable in Gears of War 3.

Tags: "Gears of War" 360 Beast Mode Dead Space 2 epic Epic Games gears Gears of War 3 Horde Mode Left 4 Dead 2 Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

Graham

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

Home > Features

Dear Devs: Five Things That Make Multiplayer Work

by MP1st Staff

4:28 pm in Features

Multiplayer in games today is huge. Ten years ago, we were lugging our Xboxes over to our friend’s house while PC gamers have always enjoyed the power of online frag fests. Flash forward to 2011, and now the Xbox, PS3, and other consoles/handhelds have those same capabilities along with the PC, and we can all enjoy multiplayer, whether it be online or spilt-screen. But still a question myst be asked of any game developer’s foray into multiplayer: Is it necessary and/or what makes your game different?

Here are five things that make multiplayer work, and what developers should do to stand out from the crowd:

The Carrot Factor

What makes the gamer keep playing your game, or specifically multiplayer for that matter? Why do I want to level up, what new weapon do I unlock, what perks? What entices me to keep going? What makes me what reach the last rank of the game? This my friends is the “The Carrot Factor.” What is it you ask? It’s the object the developer puts in front of you when you’re ranking up. It’s something new to help your experience feel better and more rewarding. It’s that new scope, gun, or attachment. It’s the object of your desire to make you feel like a badass. “The Carrot Factor” is the driving force of any multiplayer game that wants to thrive in the Call of Duty and Battlefield world and ultimately keep your attention on that particular title for a little while longer.

Matchmaking

For the love of all that is great in multiplayer gaming, if you don’t have matchmaking….don’t even have multiplayer. In fact, just abandon the idea of it…entirely. Matchmaking is the system that helps gamers play not just with other players, but with people whom they can (hopefully) play a fair and honest game with. What I mean with that is that if I play a game of CoD, and I’m a level 12 I want to be matched up with other level 12’s or maybe even a level 13 or 14. Hell, anything that doesn’t jump into the twenties is perfect, but don’t throw me in a match with level 50’s or Prestige whores who laugh at my low rank. I want to play with my skill level. Now there are some exceptions to this, like co-op or a “horde” like mode, but even still retain some form of matchmaking. Matchmaking is the balance of all multiplayer games, and it keeps everything in some form of coherent unison. When I jump into multiplayer, I want to play with people I can adequately compete with, and people I can in some way stand up too even when my team and I are getting a beat down. Matchmaking is the web of multiplayer. It connects everything together, makes the most balanced games possible, even if hackers, and glitches pop up from time to time. But no matter what, if you want your multiplayer to even have a pulse, you must make sure the players are connected through the web of matchmaking. Want a good example? Bungie. The progenitors of it all (well, since Halo 2).

Gameplay

Gameplay. Gameplay. Gameplay. The skeleton of your game. Its infrastructure. If this doesn’t work, everything else fails. Even more so than ANYTHING else on this list. Why? Simple. Without gameplay, no one will play your game, plain and simple. How are the controls? Do your vehicles work? Is your hit detection off? Can I eat my ponies without exploding into rainbows? Is your game actually playable? Without good…no, decent gameplay, your game will go nowhere. I can’t express enough how some games have “single-player” gameplay incorporated into multiplayer *cough The Darkness cough*. This is a “must not” no matter what, and cannot be ignored under ANY circumstances. I honestly can’t stress this enough. I’ll leave it at this: broken gameplay means broken game.

Post-Launch Support

This is the energy, the adrenaline of the game. Basically, in the grand scheme of things, this proves how much you care about your game after its release. How’s your DLC coming along? Are you giving us Quantity and Quality? Will you cheap-shot us and make us pay fifteen dollars for four maps? Two which are remakes, the other which are brand new (yeah, you know who I’m talking about)? Or will you give us a nice steady stream of DLC, that’s both rightly priced, and has a good amount of content. I don’t think a lot of developers know how to do DLC right. They either give us lousy content for an insane price, a reasonable amount of content but spam us with it way too much in a short time span (meaning, we’re getting new DLC about every month), or we get nothing at all. It’s seldom that developers get it right and know how to give us everything we want in DLC for not only the right price, but the right space in between each release as well. I won’t lie: I think DLC is a tricky thing for developers, but it can be done right. If anything, I suggest DLC every two to three months, but hey, what do I know?

Community

The heart of it all. The fans. The gamers. The players. Do. We. Care? We the fans have bought your game, we have laid down our sixty bucks, and abandon our social life for a few momentous hours for your awesome game. Obviously, we care enough to have bought your game, but do you care about us? We have fan-fiction, cosplay, and numerous sites dedicated to your game, your franchise, but do you care? How do you reward your loyalists, we faithful divine customers of your product? Can you give us stat-tracking? Bonuses to having been players of your game for a number years? We the players, the community as whole, will support you, even with your game’s flaws. Hell, even if your gameplay is shit, we’ll help you fix it. We’ll do our part, you do yours and deliver that sequel or patch or DLC, but support us, and we’ll support you. You know that old saying: “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours?” Well, that’s what we’ll do. Do you really think Halo, Gears, CoD, Battlefield, hell, even Duke Nukem would have gotten numerous sequels and/or spin-offs if the fans hadn’t supported them? Sure, the actual games sold well, and critics praised them, but ultimately we bought the game, we made machinimas, and we took the time out of our marriage, school, and job lives to create a frigging movie, just to showcase how much we love your game! We the fans, the gamers, freaking love your game, and we’ll support you until the end of time; now can you support us too by giving us more of what we love?

I’m not expecting gaming devs to read this (you better or feel my unlimited gaming powers!), but I, no we, need them to listen to this. Multiplayer is beyond big in gaming today. It has evolved from hooking up consoles to a single TV, to an entire wireless world of online gaming. If you have multiplayer in some way shape or form, first and foremost you need to stand out, then you can get to the nitty gritty details. We the gaming consumers love your game and will support it, but first you have to ask yourself How are we different from any other game that has multiplayer? Ask yourself that, gaming devs, and then decide how well you stand out from the crowd, and if you truly deserve multiplayer.

End of Line.

Make sure to learn about MP1st’s philosophy behind video game reviews and why the current standard just doesn’t cut it. Also, check out a retrospective look at Crysis 2’s multiplayer community and some things that Crytek did well and could have done better.

Don’t forget to follow MPFirst on Twitter!

Tags:

MP1st Staff

Home > News

BF3 – Conquest in Beta, Battlelog Data Wiped Before Release, Alienware Deals

by David Veselka

11:44 am in News

As mentioned on the official Battlefield 3 beta page, anyone who enters the beta will get to experience the ‘Rush’ game mode on the Métro multiplayer map. While there hasn’t been any official mention on the website of any other map or game mode making it into the beta yet, Community Manager Daniel Matros did mention on Twitter that the beta will, in fact, also include ‘Conquest’. Being under the impression that only ‘Rush’ was going to be featured, fans looked to Matros for verification, to which he responded, “Yes, [Conquest is] there for testing purposes.” Still no word if any other maps would make it into the beta.

Another Community Manager, Ian Tornay also had some interesting tweets for those who bought Medal of Honor second hand. When one fan asked if he could still enter the beta early after purchasing a new online pass code for the game, Tornay mentioned, “you should have early access if you bought the code. Gratz!” So, it seems like if you bought medal of honor used, but also bought a new pass code, you should still have early access to the Battlefield 3 beta.

Excited to test out the Battlelog next week, as well as the game itself? Just be wary when it comes to adding all of your friends and other information into your profile. As it turns out, Matros has stated that the Battlelog is being wiped of data from the alpha to the beta, and will be wiped again after the beta. Be sure to read up on some of the gameplay changes made to the beta!

Many PC users will be using the Battlefield 3 beta as a way to test out their rig in order to make some adjustments before the final game releases. If you were planning on upgrading to a new system before release, you may want to check out some of these Alienware deals. Check out the official Battlefield 3/Alienware page, for 10% off (up to $300 off) select Alienware systems.

If you haven’t already heard, the Official PlayStation Blog has announced that the Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand expansion pack will be hitting the PS3 a week prior to all other platforms. Make sure to check out the Battlefield 3 themed PS3 as well. A junior product manager at DICE, Tommy Rydling, also commented that “The expansion pack Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand comes at no extra charge if you pre-order Battlefield 3: Limited Edition. It will release Winter 2011.” Though we have yet to see an official statement on any of DICE’s channels, it seems we can look forward to those classic maps and weapons before the new year.

Stay tuned to MP1st.com and follow @MPFirst on Twitter for more Battlefield 3 updates.

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

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber

Home > Features

Why you shouldn’t care about Modern Warfare 3 Vs Battlefield 3

by Joachim Holmstoel

September 22, 2011 5:30 pm in Features

Both Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 are shaping up to be stellar games, and are both releasing later this year (with Battlefield 3 releasing October 25th and Modern Warfare 3 on November 11th).

Both of these games have gained a huge following and have gained massive amounts of hype in these past months as their release dates edge ever closer. Of course, this also brings along what could only be described as one of the greatest flame wars of our age. This flame war has just about every hardcore Battlefield and Call of Duty fan crying foul whenever a negative comment or opinion is conveyed about their beloved franchise, and many will swear to hunt down and reign death upon any naysayers of their respective franchise.

Many of us at MP1st agree that Battlefield 3 and Modern Warfare 3 both look equally stellar in their own respective ways and plan to purchase both games. However, this is considered blasphemy among the fanboys and will have them reigning down a hellish fire of F-bombs upon your mortal being. I believe all of this hate between the people is possibly causing more harm than good for their game of choice. Sadly, some people may see these hell-infested comments about how the other game blows, and it may form a mindset that makes them believe that the game they are actually trying to support will only be littered with these types of people. In turn, these viewers may end up avoiding the title all together. To be truthful, I find these foul-mouthed trolls to be quite ill-mannered and are giving gamers a bad reputation by displaying a failure to broaden their perspective and see that there are actually other games out there than what they play. They will do nothing but talk bad about other games, no matter the genre.

Despite all of the fanboy fanfare, you should buy both of these games.

Modern Warfare 3 is shaping up to be one hell of a good ride as the story intensifies and the multiplayer heats up. I really liked the story in Modern Warfare 2, and found it very intriguing and fun. Plus, who can hate on Captain Prices’ beard? Seriously! That stuff is forged from the gods. Modern Warfare 3 sets out to raise the bar among the saturated FPS market and is looking to do so in fine form. With a revamped points streak system and what looks to be the most exciting and fun Call of Duty experience to date, Modern Warfare 3 looks to be the best title in the series yet. I can’t wait to pick up my own copy, hop online and produce a blood bath of epic proportions.

Now, if only there was a game that could fulfill my realistic shooter needs when I am tired of the fast paced “run ‘n’ gun” style of Call of Duty. Oh wait! There is, and it carries the name Battlefield 3. Battlefield 3 is the sequel to the award-winning game Battlefield 2 which re-defined the way we play tactical shooters. Battlefield 3 is sporting the new Frostbite 2.0 engine and is looking absolutely stunning, even on consoles. The realistic gun physics, animations, sound and destructible environments make this game stand out from the crowd. It gives you a breather from the Call of Duty world and instead throws you into a huge battlefield filled with jets, tanks and helicopters to aid you in your fight. Now, if that isn’t enough to get you excited for this game, then I don’t know what is. To put it simply, this game is looking fantastic and looks to redefine the genre once more.

Will Battlefield 3 outshine Modern Warfare 3 ? Only time will tell. All I know is, is that I can’t wait to pick up my copy of both of these great games and start some chaos online (and get sucked into to both games’ campaigns). Why can’t we all just agree that both games will go on to sell well and both games will be superb in their own way? Why can’t we just love both Battlefield and Call of Duty?

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you shouldn’t care about which game will smite the other’s ass.

Feel free to leave a comment below stating which games you will be picking up this fall and why. See you all in the warzone, people!

While your here, make sure to follow @MPFirst on Twitter and check out some of our lates articles:

New MW3 Info! Revamped Leveling Curve, Guns Have More Recoil, P2P Best Solution, and more

Join the PTFO movement! Forget Your K/D and Play The Objective

Featured image by MuuseDesign

Tags: 3 Battlefield Battlefield 3 BF3 Call of Duty Console DICE Duty Jets Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer MW3 Online PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

Joachim Holmstoel

I love to game and I love to rock out. Subscriber

Home > News

BF3 – Gameplay Changes to Beta Including Recoil, Post-Launch Projects, and Much More

by David Veselka

1:44 pm in News

Before we begin today’s Battlefield 3 news round-up, I think it’s important to clarify a few things that many Battlefield fans have been wondering about.

Alan Kertz, senior gameplay designer at DICE, officially clarified what exactly is needed to gain access to the M1911 pistol and what the deal is with the Veteran Weapon.

In a response to this question on Twitter, Kertz answered, “The M1911 is available to both Gun Club [members] and Veterans, however there are additional Veteran bonuses.” What exactly these Veteran bonuses are have yet to be revealed. MP1st will make sure to keep you posted!

Also, we recently wrote an article detailing how Medal of Honor Limited Edition owners can gain early access to the Battlefield 3 beta, however, it seems like Kertz tweeted some details that are conflictin to the official beta website. When asked for details about when we would be receiving emails with early access codes, Kertz responded, “You don’t need a key, if your EA account is entitled to MOH LE then you get the beta access automatically early.” This makes sense, but it’s not what the official site states. Stay tuned to MP1st for more clarification on this matter!

Another big question on everyone’s mind is what exactly is DICE going to do after the final game is released in terms of support? Kertz assured us that DICE has “planned updates and additional content support, plus there is Always other projects…” What these other projects could be, we have no clue. Again, stay tuned to MP1st for clarification!

Kertz also talked about a few more gameplay changes that should be making it into the Beta at the end of September. Some fans concerned about the under-barrel grenade launcher attachment asked Kertz the reasoning behing it being a one-hit kill. He assured us that there is “much smaller splash, minimum arm timer, and only direct.”

Recoil has also been a hot topic when it comes to gameplay changes. I find this next tweet to be particularly interesting because it has to do with burst-firing a weapon, a technique many of us have gotten used to in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and many other games. Kertz was asked if burst firing would be harder now that we have selectable fire rates for weapons. He responded, “Tap firing has a larger recoil than the same rounds fired in full auto actually.” He later continued, “If you tap fired as fast as full auto the spread would [be] the same. Control recoil and pace your rounds. It’s better.” It seems odd that burst fire and full auto will the same spread, but I’m sure we can trust DICE to make the right decisions.

Make sure to Follow @MPFirst for timely updates on Battlefield 3!

Interested in joining the PTFO movement? Read here to see what it’s all about and spread the word!

Tags: 360 Alan Kertz Battlefield Battlefield 3 Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Beta BF3 BF3 Beta Demize99 DICE Early Access Gameplay Grenade Launcher M1911 Multiplayer PC Playstation 3 PS3 PSN Tomas Danko Weapons Xbox Xbox 360 Xbox Live

David Veselka

Musician, Gamer, Geek. Subscriber