Check 'em out!
They seem promising, but one problem…
There is ONLY FOUR maps!!!
Hopefully there will be at least 5 more at release…
It’s a tease, they definitely would not release with only 4.
Battlefront was released with how many? 3 - 4? Why not do the same BF1?
BF4 had really really great vanilla maps, hope they deliver something in the same level.
It does say ‘check back for more’ at the end there… I’m sure the game will ship with more than four maps.
They clearly say in the description that this is just a taste and obviously not the full map selection of the vanilla game.
^This^ I am really tired of people always comparing BF1 to SWBF.
BF4 maps were pretty terrible, the worst in the series by far. Back to Karkand, BF3, and BC2 maps are the way to go.
The reveal map looked very good. Very definitive areas, but also a linear aspect. And the destruction appears to leave some cover while also opening up holes in each area (which is much more realistic, too). A mix of BF3, BC2, and BF4 for that is the way to go. Just not the clusterfuck maps as in BF4, nor the complete destruction of BC2.
I agree. Dice seems to have solved the total destruction problem of leveling entire buildings thus rendering the battlefield barren of cover by having decent rubble piles and bringing back sizable terrain deformation.
If you notice, even when tanks get blown up there is a sizable chunk of terrain that gets imploded under them.
The problem in BF4 was that they first brought in the art designers to create the lvl and then the lvl designers to make it playable. Levelcap did a good video on this:
can’t wait for Metro 1918!!
Excellent video. Really sums up my issues with BF4 maps. Probably we’ll have the same type of maps in BF1 but hope I’m wrong.
I’m having trouble seeing the maps. I click on them and theres just a brief description on the right with some ‘art’ above it?
From the descriptions a couple sound like the gameplay will vary depending upon the map/side youre playing which I think were called Assault maps. Basically, at start one side will have access to reach more flags and need to have a balance between rushing to grab those extra flags while also having enough numbers to set up a def position at a choke point/front.
The attacking team has to Assault this front and may cop heavy losses doing so but can overwhelm and win battle/flag at front or sneak through a few fast movers through a weak defensive line to reach a back flag once through and creating a flank force on defenders. The def side then confronted with sending forces back to recapture flag/close down the vulnerable rear breach which makes their front weaker while doing so. There might be bonus vehicles at start like additional tanks or fast movers for attackers.
Theres also the possibility of vehicle resupply variation, if a def vehicle like a heavy tank goes down its respawn is at a back flag further away to the frontline than the attackers so bringing it back into play will have a slight cost to their def lines.
In the old count down ticket system the attacking team had higher tickets which was balanced out by heavy losses and faster loss from reduced flag count so the earlier the breakthru the greater chance of neutralising the loss.
BF2MC (ogxbox, ps2 and 360) there were 5 Assault maps Hidden, Missile Crisis, Spec Ops, The Nest, Black Gold.
Missile Crisis the attackers had to Assault a control room and press button to open a set of huge metal gate doors that they could then push their vehicles through getting deep into the map.
Black Gold the attackers started on beach head with an attack choppa, a kickin little bird that was OP as hell and boats at waters edge. They had to cross a stretch of water and assault an oil rig that had 3 flags on the main section with connecting walkway to smaller rig with 2 flags. There were ramps up from underneath rigs which helped those who made it by boat. The defenders mostly spawned as snipers on rig sniping living hell out of the attackers on beach stopping them from reaching choppas and boats. Laser targeting vehicles. Was a bloodbath HOWEVER if the attackers were good, had good littlebird pilot then the game balance would drastically swing. The def had to switch up from sniping to get any flag breaches on rig stopping attackers from settling in, and little bird could rip the def apart. Once a def side got breached like that was harder to stop the Assault so was all about keeping off rig/out of little bird.
These were the best two Assault maps in terms of lasting impressions IMO as really unique gameplay from either side. BF2MC by far had best map design of any BF ive played
Map design will either make or break this game. We must make sure DICE makes few great maps and not a bunch of mediocre maps which become quickly boring.
Well I think the biggest issue is the way they market this game. I know from 11yrs selling IT software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice recognition that the marketing model is (basic, middle, best). This is because some just want to enter without too much commitment, the middle offering is usually the best comprimise and the high ends there for those who have to have the best as thats how they roll.
Its the middle product that theyre really hoping to sell, the entry level might be too basic, the high end too much so they comprimise and end up where they want them from a pricepoint wise more often than not. Thats the psychology behind it anyways.
The last 2 battlefields BF3, BF4 have followed this model, standard, lim ed, premium.
NOW the problem is its not going down like that. There is the kids, unemployed, cant afford a lot of games and those trying bf for first time dont want to spend more if they dont like game. Also so many other games have “special” offers like extra content like weapon skins etc that are unnecessary really so gamers are wise to this.
So…the problem is, the STANDARD editions are the lowest common denominator. 9 maps at launch = vanilla map base. The lim ed has bonus DLC 4 maps but they run as their own server base. Yes you can add them to vanilla maps but your server is no longer OFFICIAL its RANKED. Only OFFICIAL servers pull in Quickmatch players.
When you have lim ed you can play both, but standard only 9 so it means youve got the lowest common denominator/majority playing 9map rotations more often, servers easier to keep up/maintain.
NOW…if they just did away with Standard completely and Lim Ed was the only entry offering then they will still sell cos of the quality of BF. However the vanilla base would be 13 maps at launch/for life of game (2yr cycle).
That additional variety is HUGE to the life, attention span of gamers. As the game ages you find second hand LIM eds are same as standard cos you dont get bonus DLC as pre owned so youve got even more players joining limited to 9maps. The end result is a fractured delivery that comprimises LIM ed + PREMIUM players who should ideally have the luxury of 13 or 30map server rotations in 2nd year off game.
Go do an analysis of server locations and see how many have these servers have vanilla, then how many have vanilla combined with LIM ED maps or indeed a PREMIUM full 30 map rotation.
THATS WHERE they getting it wrong and such a shame, hurts the game when it has so many georgous maps that just dont get the cred deserved.
I really hope EA/DICE look at this soon and come up with better way of increasing map base counts/full rotations, whether its promoting PREMIUM full server Quickmatch options or highlighting PREM servers in server list so they stand out? I dont know its very complex with staggered DLC launches
I thought the E3 gameplay reveal map looked boss, had good variation. The midflags were hotly contested cqb/cover building to building design and outside of that were more open terrain/approaches. Looked like a lot of fun, georgous looking, nice details and impressive weather destruction. Everyone ive spoken to/guys ive BFd with for 10yrs are hugely impressed with what theyve seen.
With the announcement of ARENA thru XBL ive had PC guys that use to play XBL BF say theyre thinking of getting an xboxone if its as good as it sounds/done right and allows community to run their own tourney/matches thru XBL. How well MS do this ARENA is going to be an equally significant contributor to the games success on XBL at least and for esports in general for a lot of EAs titles. Were quietly hoping with a game like BF that has dedicated servers high player counts the functionality is there for esports as its not a LAN event type game, and nor should it ever make concessions to be one to be taken professionally. Its differentiations are what make it epic so that needs to be supported, were quietly hoping they deliver with ARENA to get best out of this game
Levelcap on Map design:
Read what others have posted before leaving your own comment please.