Battlefield 3

Everything we know so far & more as we find it

by exterminat

©2011 Nicholas Laborde

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Update #1:

It’s been noted, that if you watch the video carefully, you’ll notice the attack aircraft could in fact be a soviet built SU-34 IB which indicates that it’s highly likely to be included in the game.

It has the spear shaped nose of the SU-34IB, as well as the twin directional turbines used on the SU-34 IB. A good indication of its probability.

I do so rejoice. This was/is one of the best planes in Ace Combat: Fires Of Liberation, a game I’ve played through on Ace 5 times thus-far.

Sea Vessels!

The mention of sea assault vessels in the Limited Edition blurb from EA sparks a great deal of interest as well – What could or would be the ideal vessels to include – any ideas? See Limited Edition blurb below:-

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Fans of the FPS genre (and good multiplayer in general) rejoiced today when DICE officially released the teaser trailer for the long-awaited Battlefield 3.

I don’t know about you, but quite frankly, all this scattered information is kind of overwhelming.

As a result, in this piece I’ll be detailing every single thing we know so far about Battlefield 3 and what DICE is up to.

First, we’ll start with the trailer.

The Vehicles

Now, things I gathered from the trailer and multiple sources in terms of vehicular content:

• Sea Vessels
  
  • Unknown at present (see mention in EA Limited Edition blurb below
• Armored Vehicles:
  • M1 Abrams
  • LAV 25
• Helicopters:
  • Blackhawk
  • Apache AH-64D – possibly the Block III unit
• Aircraft:
  • Mig 29
  • F18 Hornet
  • ?? Soviet Sukhoi SU 34 (also known as Su-27IB) is a possible aircraft (see Update at top of article)

Other than vehicular content, the trailer is extremely vague on actual infantry combat. Possibly to emphasize how they are returning to the Battlefield 2 days of large-scale warfare?

• Battlefield 3 Teaser Trailer

Speaking of large scale warfare, here is the list of all known features/facts regarding the game:

• 64-player multiplayer on PC, 24 players on consoles
• Full coop campaign
• Ability to go prone is returning
• Return of aerial combat (Jets – Choppers!)
• Full-fledged single player campaign, details unannounced
• Frostbite 2.0 Engine being used – DX11 & will not support Windows XP
• “Dynamic” audio
  
• Large environments
• Much more precise destruction
• “Incredibly lifelike” animations
• Vastly upgraded visuals
  
• Explosions can throw player to the ground
• Paris, New York & Tehran are confirmed environments so far
  
• Landmarks from these environments can be destroyed

That last part has me wondering, though. If we could destroy the Eiffel Tower… how big are these environments?

Is that destruction scripted, or dynamic? If it’s a multiplayer map, could the massive tower toppling be a strategic advantage?

What if we got to travel to London and destroy Big Ben? From the look of what we are presented with so far, that doesn’t seem too hard to believe.

The Setting

 

Based on what we’ve discovered so far, the game will focus on a group of people within the United States Marines. Bad Company is definitely out of the picture, but I wouldn’t be surprised for them to come in at one point.

From the style of the art on the GameInformer cover, Battlefield 3 appears to be taking place in a more urban environment than the Bad Company series.

In fact, it looks like the game will have the “Tom Clancy Effect” in that the game will probably be based a few years ahead of modern times, due to how the city in the background appears.

I wouldn’t stretch it further than that, though, as all the equipment seen so far is modern day.

The Limited Edition

While it has not been officially detailed, leaked screencaps detail that Battlefield 3 will feature a limited edition. So far, we know only one thing: it will feature an expansion pack called “Back to Karkand.”

This pack will feature four redone Battlefield 2 maps, along with tons of Battlefield 2 vehicles, weapons and unlocks (plus achievements/trophies).

This Limited Edition will be like the Medal of Honor Limited Edition. Simply pre-order BF3, and you’ll have secured an LE copy.

Speaking of the Medal of Honor Limited Edition, no word has been announced on the Battlefield 3 beta yet. Until then, hang on to your Medal of Honor Limited Edition for guaranteed access!

From EA:

• Battlefield 3 Limited Edition

Battlefield 3 leaps ahead of the competition with the power of Frostbite™ 2, the next instalment of DICE’s cutting-edge game engine.

This state-of-the-art technology is the foundation on which Battlefield 3 is built, delivering superior visual quality, a grand sense of scale, massive destruction, dynamic audio and incredibly lifelike character animations.

As bullets whiz by, walls crumble, and explosions throw you to the ground, the battlefield feels more alive and interactive than ever before.

In Battlefield 3, players step into the role of the elite U.S. Marines where they will experience heart-pounding single player missions and competitive multiplayer actions ranging across diverse locations from around the globe including Paris, Tehran and New York

Frostbite 2 – Battlefield 3 introduces Frostbite 2, the incredible technology that takes animation, destruction, lighting, scale and audio to new heights. Built upon this powerful game engine, Battlefield 3 immerses players physically and emotionally to the world around them like never before.

Feel the Battle — Feel the impact of bullets and explosions, drag your fallen comrades into safety, and mount your weapon on almost any part of the terrain. Battlefield 3’s cutting edge animation, spectacular visuals and real as hell battle gameplay attack your senses and make you feel the visceral warriors experience like no other FPS.

Unparalleled Vehicle Warfare — The best online vehicle warfare experience gets even better with a fitting sonic boom as fighter jets headline impressive lineup of land, air and sea vehicles.

Urban Combat — Take the fight to iconic and unexpected places in the USA, Middle East, and Europe including claustrophobic streets, metropolitan

The End… Until March 1st

Well, folks, that is all we officially know regarding Battlefield 3… for now. There will be an “official” unveiling and media overload on March 1st at GDC.

What do you think? Is it shaping up to be the FPS of the decade, and finally succeeding Battlefield 2? Will it be the one FPS to end all FPSs?

©2011 Nicholas Laborde

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