I have enjoyed reading the feedback from both sides on this issue. I remember how bad things were when BF4 launched. It was horrific. You guys made a lot of strides in improving the game, and it took over a year.
Sadly, it looks like you went back to the same networking model you were using when BF4 launched. I am constantly getting packet loss icons and time out icons, even though I know my internet is stable and solid, the issue is with your servers and coding.
Right now your hit detection can be atrocious. I attribute some of this to lag, other to the game itself. I have the same issue that everyone else has with shotguns, the shots DO NOT REGISTER! Same goes with sniper rifles.
Shotguns are not overpowered, in fact, I feel some are underpowered. The issue is the horrid lag and hit detection. It really needs to be addressed.
People have been asking for region lock for as long as I can remember and we have been really vocal since BF3. Trust me when I say this, the people that are lagging out of region KNOW FOR A FACT THEY ARE LAGGING! Maybe 1 out 1000 is genuinely oblivious to the fact they are the issue, but the rest know what they are doing, which is why in BF4 you have a flood of Asian players (Japanese) flooding US servers. They were abusing the system and they knew it.
I understand you want as many people to have access to the game, but you have to draw the line somewhere. Why should the high ping players be allowed to ruin it for everyone? Remember, everything we do online here is a privelage not a right.
I like the idea of region lock. People can still play out of region but only when part of party (squad) and invited in. Otherwise play in your own region.
I remember the BFBC2 and early BF3 days when the South Americans would ruin the South US servers until you took them away. It was horrible. You know the moment they would join a server, as the hit detection and latency when though the roof. If you looked at the scoreboard at the bottom you would see a player with BR in their name at the bottom who has just joined and whether he meant to or not, ruined the game.
I would love for DICE to lead the way on improving the multiplayer environment in gaming. As someone who left COD for BF because of the lag and cheaters and who just dropped Destiny as they have one of the worst multiplayer experiences known to man and really refuse to admit the problem and work on it. I would love for you guys to step and say this is how we can fix this and work on improving the servers for everyone.
The idea of low ping locked servers is also a nice idea. As is the idea if you ping is over a certain point (say 200-300) you are locked out of most servers and only have access to higher ping servers. You guys had the training servers on BF4 so people under rank 10 had a place to play, you can do the same here with ping. Microsoft and Sony need to realize this is the direction gaming is going. While most people will still be able to play, some people will have to realize their setup is not up to par (Not much different than having an old PC that cannot handle a new game)
I like the developer feedback here in this thread, it has been something that is lacking from all developers. You have a great community with these games and they can offer you feedback that you just cannot get from limited QC on your end. We want you to succeed as we love the franchise. Please keep communicating with us, it means a lot to know that you are listening and working with us.
Also your spotting system is completely broken. I know you have the stupid spam cooldown (which I have no idea why you thought this was a good idea) but we have to spam it to try and once in a blue moon to actually spot. Spotting has been in the game forever and one the features I like the most, especially with campers. Please bring it back to its glory and get it right.