Armory Staff

The latest Battlefield 3 DLC: Aftermath, has launched for all Premium members on all platforms (PS3 gamers got it a … Read on →http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BF3Blog/~4/v4ZpaODUA6A View the full article

DICE have released the new Battlefield 3 patch details, which fixes a number of issues and tweaks several weapons and … Read on → http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1QiuP2SQzaZSfGyYvb6udFphPnY/0/di http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/1QiuP2SQzaZSfGyYvb6udFphPnY/1/di http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BF3Blog/~4/dxycPzJytXg View the full article

While all four maps in Battlefield 3: Aftermath are themed around the same concept of a post-earthquake environment, they all play differently. In this map overview, we discuss how Talah Market brings fierce competitive gameplay into focus. Team play is always at the forefront when designing maps at the DICE studio, and Talah Market – internally nicknamed simply “Marketplace†– is no exception. A lot of the designers at the studio are big fans of classic competitive shooters like Counter-Strike, and some even have backgrounds as semi-professional or professional players. For Aftermath, we wanted to bring some of that old-school shooter tradition into the mix. Our goal: To create a fiercely competitive map where it’s kill or get killed. We created this blog-unique behind the scenes flythrough of Talah Market that shows some of its distinguishing features. Symmetry brings energy The way we bring competitiveness to the forefront is by carefully designing the map, deciding where to place walls, covers, streets, plazas, and buildings. One very important area for us was to make it as symmetrical as possible – the thought here being that symmetry brings a simplicity and with it a focused kind of energy into the game. Symmetry brings an aspect to the gameplay that has always been important in competitive gaming: Once you learn the map, you know it by heart no matter where you are positioned on it. There are no real surprises in terms of the ways you can navigate the map – the challenge instead lies in using your skills within the clearly defined confines of the battlefield. It’s not necessarily “better†than the traditional vast and open Battlefield maps like Caspian Border or Operation Firestorm, but it’s a slightly different flavor of Battlefield. The desired gameplay shaped how we built the map, rather than the other way around. We wanted to cater for the most competitive players out there by building a level with an extremely streamlined flow. So while the map Epicenter (that you could read about in this earlier blog post) is an exciting and sometimes unpredictable battlefield featuring post-quake tremors, Talah Market is free from anything that can bring an element of randomness to the game. The key to designing this map has been to provide exactly the right amount of cover options, and to make sure that the map has great maneuverability at all times. Symmetry created some challenges that needed solving, though. Like how do you build a level that plays the same on both sides, but still has a varied look and feel to it? The answer in this case is that the level contains multiple art themes to make the different areas feel distinct from one another. The challenge becomes a bit more complicated than that, though. Traditional shooters have players spawn mostly on one side of the map, but Battlefield spawns work more like a grid, making it more unpredictable how the teams rotate in the map. With this in mind, all areas in Talah Market had to be built in such a way that they can function as standalone combat encounters. Play it your way The symmetry aspect shouldn’t be misread as an attempt to force everyone into playing the same way. Rather, we are making sure that the map encourages different play styles. If you enjoy sniping, there is a long street with an open area where you can make good use of your long range engagement skills. If you like big standoffs, the market and its courtyards will be great for mid-range encounters. In addition, there are very tight streets that form a maze with fast paced close quarters action. In a way Talah Market plays more like an “arena†than your typical Rush mode “journey†(like Operation Métro from the base game, for example). This is the map where, more than any other, you play to show off your skills both as an individual and as a tightly knit team. The focus here is not on scanning a lot of areas for potential enemies, instead bringing focus back to the second to second firefight itself, and how to best use the easy to read environment. We believe this map will be the perfect fit for players who like to be more competitive, where every step gained on the enemy feels like a victory in itself. When play testing the map at the office, there is always that intense tug-of-war between teams where you know that your every move matters. We hope you will enjoy this map together with the other three we have created for you in Battlefield 3: Aftermath. This themed expansion pack is out this December and is included with Battlefield 3: Premium. You can also purchase it separately. View the full article

http://bf3blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/bf3aftershock-200x120.jpgDICE has released a few more details about the upcoming Battlefield 3 Aftermath expansion, including a fly-through of one of … Read on → http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9Axlgb3PS2eesKrXIwNdmK5PU7g/0/di http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/9Axlgb3PS2eesKrXIwNdmK5PU7g/1/di http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BF3Blog/~4/WitQAyX1AOk View the full article

Battlefield 3 Premium members will get a full week of double XP this week. From November 12 to 18, a … Read on → http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Nlf9p6Lc-_r4hV-v_M7n-qvBydg/0/di http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Nlf9p6Lc-_r4hV-v_M7n-qvBydg/1/di http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BF3Blog/~4/S6zjJxOQhFg View the full article

Thank you Battlefield fans! In celebration of the ten year anniversary of the Battlefield series and Battlefield 3â„¢ Premium surpassing 2 million members, we give you Battlefield 1942â„¢. View the full article

http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/blogheader.png Thank you Battlefield fans! In celebration of the ten year anniversary of the Battlefield series and Battlefield 3â„¢ Premium surpassing 2 million members, we give you Battlefield 1942â„¢. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/BF1942_background_small.jpg We are very happy and proud to be able to give you Battlefield 1942, the game that started it all. Now available for free* on Origin as a digital download for the first time, everyone will be able to download and play this original PC game that helped define DICE and the multiplayer shooter genre. Karl Magnus Troedsson, Vice President and General Manager of DICE, has a message to all of our fans: “Since the beginning, the reception to the Battlefield series has been incredible thanks to our amazing fans. Every day, we strive to provide our community with great games and new ways to play as evident with Battlefield 3 Premium. We wanted to thank our fans who have supported us throughout the years with a chance to go back and play the game that started it all.” http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/BF1942-screenshot_4-640x480.jpg If you have any questions on this release of Battlefield 1942, check the FAQ below. To further commemorate the 10th anniversary of Battlefield, we are releasing a rare compilation of concept artwork from the development of Battlefield 1942. This electronic art booklet contains a number of concepts showing visual and gameplay targets that the DICE team had more than ten years ago when they set out to create the game of their dreams. Just click here to download it, but be prepared for a hefty download – it’s all in 1920×1080 and weighs in at over 150 megabytes. We are truly grateful for our fans and the support you have shown us through the years. Now let’s honor the heritage by once more joining the original Battlefield! If you missed our series of retrospectives and other anniversary features celebrating the history of Battlefield, check out these earlier blog posts. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/BF1942-screenshot_2-640x480.jpg Battlefield 1942 Origin Digital Download FAQ Q: Is it really free? A: Yes! To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Battlefield 1942, we are offering this full game at no cost. We want everyone to be able to see where it all started. Q: When is it available on Origin? A: It’s live now under the free games and demos section! Head to this URL to download it: http://origin.com/demos Q: Is this a remake of Battlefield 1942? A: No. This is the original game Battlefield 1942, for the first time available as a digital download on Origin. Q: Does this free digital download version include an of the expansion packs originally released for Battlefield 1942 (The Road to Rome and Secret Weapons of WWII)? A: No. Q: Can I play online against players who have the original disc-based version? A: Unfortunately, no. This Origin digital download version can only be played against other players who are using the same version. But since it’s free for everyone, everyone can download their own copy of the game. This version of the game will only show applicable (new) servers in the server browser. Q: What are the differences between this version and the original disc-based version of Battlefield 1942? A: No practical differences. We have done some under the hood work to make this game from 2002 work as a digital download title on Origin. Q: Can I run a server for the game? A: Yes, you can easily run a server from the front end menu within the game client. This server will be visible to all other players via the server browser. Q: Can I run a dedicated server for the game? A: Yes, you can run a dedicated server by running the file “DedicatedServer.exeâ€. It is located in the folder where you installed Battlefield 1942 through Origin. This will present you with all available settings, maps and modes for you to customize before pressing the button “launch serverâ€. This server will be visible to all other players via the server browser. Q: Do you have official servers set up? A: We are setting up new servers specifically for this release of the game. You should find them by searching for the phrase “EA PUBLIC”. Q: I have problems connecting to online games A: Please note that a sudden surge of players into Battlefield 1942 may make online play temporarily unstable. If this happens, please try again later. Q: Can I use this version of the game together with old Battlefield 1942 mods? A: This is officially untested and we cannot guarantee any mod functionality. Sporadic testing leads us to believe that Desert Combat 0.7 works, as well as Eve of Destruction 2.5. For more discussion on popular mods, head to the new Battlelog forums we have set up specifically for this release of Battlefield 1942. Please share your findings on which mods work and which do not. Q: Will I need to manually patch this version of the game? A: No. This version includes any updates needed. If we were to update this version of the game in the future (this is not likely), we will do so via Origin. Q: I have a question that is not answered here. Where do I go? A: Please note that while we are proud to present this game to all of our fans after 10 years, we are not able to actively support it from a customer support standpoint. Tailoring this disc based game to work as a digital download title has been a labor of love from us at DICE, and we are very proud to be able to offer this classic to everyone for free. However, we are not able to support it the same way we are supporting Battlefield 3 and its expansion packs. We are hoping that those who find Battlefield 1942 interesting will have patience with any issues they experience and that they will help each other on the EA Answer HQ at http://answers.ea.com/. We are also opening up a new forum section on Battlelog where you can discuss Battlefield 1942 and specifically this Origin release of the game. * Conditions apply; please visit http://www.battlefield.com/battlefield-1942 for complete details. View the full article

Follow Level Artist Pontus Ryman into the shattered map Epicenter – Where cracked streets, toppling buildings, and earthquake aftershocks combine to create another unique multiplayer experience in Battlefield 3. View the full article

Follow Level Artist Pontus Ryman into the shattered map Epicenter – Where cracked streets, toppling buildings, and earthquake aftershocks combine to create another unique multiplayer experience in Battlefield 3. Hello! My name is Pontus Ryman, Level Artist at DICE, and I’m here to lead you through the shattered streets and buildings of the Battlefield 3: Aftermath map Epicenter. As a level artist, it is my responsibility to work on everything from visual fidelity, lighting, theme and composition to prop placement, performance and level layout. Me and the other level artists work together with our technical artists and designers to make each map come alive and get its own distinct feel. With Aftermath having a post-earthquake city theme I was eager to take what had been established in the single player campaign and bring that into our dynamic multiplayer environment. Just like in the previous expansion pack Armored Kill, the environments in Aftermath are a feature in themselves. You can get a sense of what I mean in this environment flythrough that I created specifically for our blog readers: The earthquake is what ties everything together in Aftermath, and its effects are apparent in everything from large-scale destruction to small details like cracks in the street, broken windows, and construction cranes being deployed to clear the rubble. The destruction is contrasted with untouched areas, showing that the earthquake has had specific areas of effect. Shaking the players To push the theme even more, I wanted something unique in the level that really was specific not only in comparison to the other maps in the expansion pack, but to all other multiplayer maps in Battlefield 3. In the single player experience you get to play as an earthquake goes off. I absolutely loved that and wanted it in Epicenter as well. I really wanted to bring it close to the player and not only be heard in the background. I decided to take the audio and trigger setup for an earthquake shake from one of the single player levels into Epicenter as a test, and it worked better than expected. With help from the audio team, effects artist and designers, we turned this idea into a full level specific feature, where the player gets to experience an ongoing aftershock while in multiplayer. “I wanted to bring the earthquakefrom single player into multiplayerâ€Â The aftershocks in the level go off with a randomized timer, so no one knows when the next shock is going to hit, making it a dynamic experience. The raw sound of the thundering earthquake combines with everything from car alarms going off to dogs barking in the distance just before the shake and debris with dust falling from buildings. Coupled with the literal shaking of the player, it really creates a unique multiplayer experience. The effects are more than just window dressing. It creates a new element of suspense, as no one knows when the tremors will hit. And when they do, players will need to be able to judge whether to try and steady their aim and go for a shaky shot, or whether to hold their trigger finger until the tremor has passed – at the risk of letting the enemy out of their sight. You could see a glimpse of this framatic effect at the very end of our . http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/EC_08_small.jpg Introducing Urban Exploring Another element that I personally feel strongly for is exploration — A city that gets hit by an earthquake creates a different landscape that opens up for a lot of exploration. A broken pipe in the ground becomes something you can crawl through; a rift in the street becomes a protective trench; and a pile of rubble becomes a makeshift staircase that takes you to the next level inside a building. I also wanted there to be plenty of additional paths for players to find. There are a number of places where players can destroy specific doors to open alternate routes. These routes can be very handy when trying to flank enemies or if they want to avoid confrontation. By breaching these destructible doors, players can transition into an interior environment and find new areas that are clearly differentiated from the outdoors. I wanted these interior areas to make sense, so each area was designed to fit their placement. For example if you destroy any of the doors that are placed around the hotel, you will find the maintenance and janitor access routes where the hotel staff used to be working. The same goes for the garage ramp staircase access route. These routes are not meant to be main gameplay areas, but I wanted the level to feel more expansive and give a sense that there is more behind it than meets the eye. These areas also create some interesting gameplay twists that will ask players to adapt their strategy as the round progresses. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/EC_03_s_small1-640x360.jpg Experiencing the earthquake There are certain key aspects to an earthquake that people will instantly recognize, whether they’ve been in one or not. These include collapsed buildings, large cracks in the streets and lots of dust that fills up the air with a thick atmosphere. These were some of the visual markers we made sure to focus on when developing Epicenter. We also refined our ideas on what a post-earthquake environment might actually look like. We have plenty of destruction in Battlefield 3, but war based destruction and earthquake based destruction actually look very different from one another. An earthquake also gives a lot of possibilities for interesting gameplay areas, so it was important for us to make visuals and gameplay go hand in hand. One example of that vital combination is the streets in Epicenter. They are not cracked in random directions, but mainly have rifts along its routes. Cracking the main streets open also means creating new and interesting gameplay areas. I am excited to let players run around inside these rifts, and it feels dramatic sprinting between large chunks of asphalt while burst water pipes create little rivers flowing down the sloping streets. It all helps to put the map into a bigger context and fiction. As for the buildings, we designed them in a collapsed and tipped over state to show that something actually damaged their foundations (rather than them having been hit by a bomb, for example). This gives way to interesting areas where the rubble pile from a half collapsed building creates a new path for infantry to gain the higher ground. Collapsed balconies, large rubble piles and dramatically leaning houses that feel like they could fall on top of you any second. It all adds up to give the city a unique and dramatic identity that makes it distinguishable from any other multiplayer map. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/EC_04_small.jpg Seeing is believing When I started the level, there were a lot of question marks on what it would look like and how to achieve a highly detailed earthquake environment. A ruined building requires a lot more details to come to life than an undestroyed one. The same goes for streets and other parts of the environment. We studied a lot of references of what rubble piles from actual earthquakes look like and tried to mimic the specifics. We also examined a lot of the previous game content like buildings and other constructions and envisioned that in a destroyed state. We continually worked through the level by iterating and adding more and more signs of the earthquake as production progressed. A lot of the close up visuals become important to be believable in this very specific setting. The side of a cracked piece of asphalt needs to look believable with the correct detailing or the entire visual idea falls flat and ends up feeling out of place rather than enhancing the theme. A great deal of time was spent to just figure out how to nail down these details and then how to build it. An example of this is the sides of the actual cracks — They have sediment layers and signs of destroyed infrastructure like water pipes and electrical cables, as well as the fine crack details on the side of the tarmac and debris from the asphalt that fills out the cracks. Once this detail concept work was done it was easy to extrapolate the detail philosophy throughout the rest of the level. I think the hard work in getting all the details just right is evident in the final layout and hope you will appreciate it. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/EC_01_small.jpg The birth of Epicenter When I started working on the map that would eventually be named Epicenter (where a few of our first Aftermath screenshots are taken from), all I had to go on was the overall theme for the expansion pack. All maps in progress have project names assigned to them, and I simply called mine “Earthquakeâ€. The name was meant as a reminder for myself to push the earthquake aspect as far as I could. The final name Epicenter also echoes this emphasis on the more extreme effects of this natural disaster. The idea behind Epicenter was to do a severely shattered high-rise district from central Tehran, with the sensation of trying to survive in the aftermath of the earthquake. The map name also stemmed from the idea that this map features one of the areas hit the hardest by the earthquake in the single player campaign. Working on Epicenter and the Aftermath expansion pack as a whole has been incredibly fun and challenging at the same time. I think we managed to create a new and unique environment to further expand upon the Battlefield multiplayer experience, and I can’t wait to see this in the hands of our players. Let us know what you think in the comments section below, and get ready to rise from the Ashes this December! Battlefield 3: Aftermath is included with Battlefield 3 Premium and will also be available for sale individually this December. View the full article

Battlefield 3 has been a very lucrative proposition for EA. Not only has the game sold millions and millions of … Read on → http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Oz17AHIi2ddsIBJsljXlJ9eiHBc/0/di http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/Oz17AHIi2ddsIBJsljXlJ9eiHBc/1/di http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BF3Blog/~4/KdbhXjKDWb4 View the full article

Perhaps the most surprising and striking weapon addition in the history of Battlefield, Aftermath introduces the makeshift crossbow. Read on for an in-depth look at its many uses and different bolt types that let you adapt to any situation on this earthquake shattered Battlefield. View the full article

Perhaps the most striking and versatile weapon addition in the history of Battlefield, Aftermath introduces the makeshift crossbow. Read on for an in-depth look at its many uses and different bolt types that let you adapt to any situation on this earthquake shattered Battlefield. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/EC_03_s_small-640x360.jpgHit by the earthquake from the Battlefield 3 single player campaign, Aftermath centers around the struggle for supremacy amongst shattered streets and buildings. Inspired by real life military engineering ingenuity, this crossbow is created by taking the stock of a malfunctioning assault rifle and adding the other parts needed, like a piece of wire for the string and some scrap metal for the bow mechanic. The result is an improvised and silent way to deliver deadly force to the enemy, including four distinct types of bolts to switch between depending on what the situation calls for. If you’re a Premium member, check out two minutes of exclusive crossbow gameplay footage in the latest Premium exclusive video that was released today! http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/XP4_Weapon_Crossbow_Front1.png Four bolts let you adapt to any situation Once you have unlocked the new crossbow via the Assignment Sticks and Stones [Perform X], you will have immediate access to the standard barbed crossbow bolt. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Bolt_Standard.png While we wouldn’t recommend anyone being hit by this bolt, it has a rather pronounced bullet drop bolt drop and therefore limited range. The other three bolt types for the crossbow are individually unlocked by Assignments, and you can bring both your crossbow and all associated bolts back with you to the base game. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Bolt_High_Explosive.png The high explosive bolt is a short range bolt laden with C4, exploding on impact. While not packing as much punch as an RPG shot or C4 charge, it still gives Assault players (who normally only have grenades in way of explosives) a chance to destroy vehicles or blow holes in the terrain to make tactical use of the destruction in Battlefield 3. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Bolt_Scan.png Then there’s the scan bolt, featuring a tip that includes a radio emitter, scanning the nearby area for enemies (in a 10 meter radius to be exact). Finally, the double feathered aerodynamic balanced bolt gives any class the ability to deliver deadly force at extreme range. For the Engineer class, for example, this means a rare chance to broaden their play style by adding long range engagement to what they already excel at: repairing/destroying vehicles and medium range combat. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Bolt_Balanced.png In this manner, the four different bolts and the crossbow become a jack of all trades solution suitable for any class. While none of the available bolts are as powerful as the standard weapons they mimic (a genuine sniper rifle will always be more powerful than a sniper bolt, for example), the ability to switch bolt type on the fly means any class can adapt to any situation. We are super excited about this new addition to Battlefield and are eager to see how it will shape gameplay online, both in Aftermath and when bringing it back to the base game. Did you miss our first in-depth look at Aftermath here on the blog? It talks more about the setting, the new vehicles, and the new Scavenger game mode where you have to explore the environment to find new weapons. View the full article

http://bf3blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/bf3-aftermath-200x120.jpgThe upcoming Battlefield 3 DLC, called “Aftermath”, will be coming next month, and DICE have released some new details about … Read on → http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FX7GPvTZfHB6m9-jfk5Te6k12bY/0/di http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FX7GPvTZfHB6m9-jfk5Te6k12bY/1/di http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BF3Blog/~4/3jTm6UjgQzo View the full article

At this time about a year ago, Battlefield 3 was released into the wild. Since then, it’s become one of … Read on → http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TN2BtOIpVJtMUJDeNk2aCdl8FJ8/0/di http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/TN2BtOIpVJtMUJDeNk2aCdl8FJ8/1/di http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BF3Blog/~4/fpi5YrL84Rw View the full article

Thousands of players joined the September competition where we asked you to perform the most amount of kills in Tank Superiority mode. Now, let’s switch focus from tank based combat and take to the skies. View the full article

In our fourth multiplayer expansion pack Battlefield 3: Aftermath, we throw players into an all-new harrowing environment: The shattered districts, streets and cities of post-earthquake Iran. View the full article

DICE has released a trailer for the upcoming Battlefield 3 DLC called “Aftermath”. The trailer showcases the new urban environments … Read on → http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ErV2dO5-7Sp6ljCiCiqzrGFerCk/0/di http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/ErV2dO5-7Sp6ljCiCiqzrGFerCk/1/di http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BF3Blog/~4/xO3N5SLb_Dg View the full article

In our fourth multiplayer expansion pack Battlefield 3: Aftermath, we throw players into an all-new harrowing environment: The shattered districts, streets and cities of post-earthquake Iran. Players will struggle for supremacy and survival amongst the devastation, with heavily modified vehicles and the all-new crossbow at their disposal. A whole new world Following the earthquake event depicted in the single player campaign in Battlefield 3, operational capacity in the Iran region is severely compromised. From the ashes rise survivors who are beat up but not beaten. The whole style and tone in the entire themed expansion pack is one of being down but not out, and you can even see it in the multiplayer character design: These soldiers have bandages, cuts, and bruises and their clothes are torn. Fighting amongst the devastation in this urban combat setting will test players in new ways, with plenty of opportunity for vertical gameplay and damaged building that create slanting ground and streets that have cracked open and have heaps of rubble in them. The earthquake has also damaged vehicles and weapons for both fighting forces, giving inspiration to a number of unique features in the expansion pack changing how the game looks, feels, and plays. In this blog post we will cover the new Scavenger game mode, the heavily modified vehicles, and the all-new crossbow introduced in Aftermath. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/EC_03_s1-640x360.jpgThe versatile crossbow lets you deliver deadly force to the enemy in silence. Click for full size. Fight for survival in the new Scavenger mode Inspired by the earthquake theme and setting, the new Scavenger mode is a frantic hunt for survival. A new concept to Battlefield, lost soldiers start equipped with only a knife, one grenade, and sidearm and must search the environment for more powerful weapons to increase their chance at surviving and eventually winning. In Scavenger mode, weapons spawn in predetermined locations all over the map, so it pays to learn the map to stand a fighting chance. The particular weapons spawning at these points however have an element of randomness to them, so in order to survive a Scavenger round you will have to explore as much of the map as possible. Sticking together as a team means you might be able to keep enemies from claiming these few and valuable weapons that can turn the tide of a round. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/EC_08_s-640x360.jpgThis is not your ordinary Battlefield map. Can you find the hardware you need to survive in Scavenger mode in this post-earthquake setting? Click for full size. In all other respects, Scavenger behaves like a Conquest game. That is, the two teams battle for control over a number of bases and need to bleed their opponent down to zero tickets. The addition of the desperate weapon situation at the start of the mode is further underlined by the scarcity of ammunition – most weapons that you find in the destroyed environment have only one mag available. In the aftermath of the earthquake, every shot counts. Apart from this new Battlefield experience, the expansion pack also supports all game modes from the base game plus the highly popular Gun Master mode originally introduced in Battlefield 3: Close Quarters. The new crossbow lets you deliver death in silence Taking inspiration from real life disaster areas, the team at DICE looked at what military forces usually do in desperate situations like this. In Aftermath, the earthquake has devastated a lot of the available vehicles and weapons. This has forced both sides to use their engineering ingenuity to take what they can find in the rubble and build new weapons and vehicles to increase their odds at survival. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/MM_03_s-640x360.jpgMarkaz Market has seen better days. Click for full size. Perhaps the most surprising and striking weapon addition in the history of Battlefield, Aftermath introduces the makeshift crossbow. Inspired by real life military engineering ingenuity, this crossbow is created by taking the stock of a malfunctioning assault rifle and assembling with the other parts needed, like a piece of wire for the string (maybe found inside a broken down car), some scrap metal for the bow mechanic and a scope. Just add duct tape, and you have a new and silent way to deliver deadly force to the enemy. We will return with an in-depth look at the versatile crossbow and its many uses soon here on the blog, so stay tuned. Modified vehicles showcase ingenuity and firepower In the aftermath of the earthquake, a lot of the available vehicles are smashed up beyond recognition. To keep them in fighting shape, the crafty soldiers have modified them heavily to create new weapon platforms with what they have at hand. This means adding armor, patching up gaping holes, adding weapons platforms, and even retrofitting a civilian vehicle to create something that fills the role of troop transport. The “Phoenix†(US) and the “Barsuk” (for the Russian team, meaning “badger”) is a light transport where a grenade machine launcher has been fitted at the back in conjunction with the already existing machine gun on top, making it a ride that will carry troops quickly from A to B while also being able to dish out explosive damage to enemy vehicles and structures and fend off approaching infantry. http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/BF3_Aftermath_front_hires1.jpgFinally, there’s the “Rhino†– originally a completely civilian vehicle, but in Aftermath, you have to make do with what you can get your bandaged hands on. This formerly civilian van has been retrofitted with armor and a remote controlled machine gun controlled by the driver to turn it into a medium heavy troop transport. In addition to these three new vehicles in Aftermath, depending on the game mode you’ll also see a lot of returning vehicles from the base game, including helicopters and tanks. We hope you enjoyed this very first detailed overview of Aftermath and some of its key features. Stay tuned in the weeks to come for a deeper dive into our latest themed expansion pack, and let us know in the poll below what you are looking forward to the most. Battlefield 3: Aftermath is included in Battlefield 3: Premium. Release is starting November 27th for PlayStation 3 Premium members. You can also buy it individually at $14.99 USD for PlayStation 3 and PC or 1200 MS points. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. View the full article

This trailer provides a premiere look at our fourth multiplayer expansion pack Battlefield 3: Aftermath, where we throw players into an all-new harrowing environment! View the full article

A new Battlefield 3 Armored Kill server side patch will be released later today. It will fix some issues and … Read on → http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FDJzAQliR_Yxt29qImoKap74-zI/0/di http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~a/FDJzAQliR_Yxt29qImoKap74-zI/1/di http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/BF3Blog/~4/MngFjvivvXY View the full article

It’s tough sitting in the jury when you create so many great videos. If you remember, we picked the top 10 and final three winners in our Only in Battlefield contest a while ago. But there are so many great entries that we haven’t had a chance to properly highlight and honor yet. This blog post will honor a few of the ones that we think are different or corny or amazing enough for another round of highlights. Presenting (in no particular order) the Only in Battlefield honorary mentions 2012. Out of all 1,200 videos we received, “ by German team “Die Geilen Uschis” is probably the one that made us laugh the most. This amazing 10 minute epic features both slapstick and beautifully co-ordinated scenes where Engineers fire their Javelins simultaneously at enemy aircraft with hilarious results. Group jumping off the roof of exploding building is another specialty from this group that worked for months to put this video together. They actually submitted for our first Only in Battlefield contest a long time ago, and they’ve always been one of our favorites here in the DICE office. For your awesome teamwork, sense of humor, and great editing, we salute you. Oh, and when watching this one, make sure you don’t miss the awesome 8-bit Battlefield theme remix at the very end. Do a Barrel Roll (in a chopper)! It’s always mesmerizing to watch a super skilled helicopter pilot do his thing. Like user LeSmashface, making short work of the opposition on Operation Firestorm with a combination of agile flying and precise cannon work. What happens next is totally unexpected. But you get a hint in the video title. Engineer’s Best Friend We received a lot of humorous videos to the challenge. One of the cutest ones was this homage to our friend the EOD bot. Ever since our , this Engineer companion has been the source of a lot of love and affection. In this video, we see how user zockerboy100 uses his trusty companion to get out of a pinned down situation. Who’s a good bot?! Erase and Rewind This explosive entry (to say the least) was submitted by user TheAthenaGaming with no real title, so we made one up. Hope you like it, AthenaGaming! This video focuses on the explosive destruction of Battlefield 3, featuring a number of cool shots showing how things blow up, then in reverse how they get assembled again. It’s one of those rare videos that is unique and focuses on a single aspect of the game that makes you appreciate all its little details even more. We especially like the cuts in Close Quarters where we see shots going from undestroyed to totally ruined in the blink of an eye. Gorgeous stuff. Defy the Skygods If this was a competition to come up with the most epic and poetic sounding title to a video, “Defy the Skygods†would have taken first place hands down. What’s in the video isn’t half bad either. A large number of users sent montages where they exacted punishment on airborne enemies, but few did so with such a large amount of finesse and dedication as user whyhalothar. Using mainly tanks and unguided (as they are) RPG’s, he makes any pilot regret his decision to climb into the cockpit. Take that, skygods! Until next time, keep those videos coming. View the full article

Hi Battlefield fans! I’m Niklas Fegraeus, one of the Lead Designers here at DICE, working on the Battlefield series. I was asked to be the judge and jury for the Premium exclusive “Pitch your map concept” competition where you guys got to submit your very own ideas for a Battlefield map! I immediately accepted and have since had the pleasure to look through hundreds of amazing designs from all of you Premium members out there. First of all, let me explain what I’ve been looking for when reading your designs. I’ve looked at these three, important criteria: Gameplay ideas This is the most important aspect of design. You need to have fresh and cool ideas that will allow other people to have fun! Without a good idea to start with, no great design can happen. Quality of presentation In order to convince other people your idea is great, you must present your work structured and clear, so that everyone understands and don’t get confused by messy information. After all, it doesn’t matter how great your idea is if no one else is able to understand it. Visual identity Beautiful things are appealing, and this is no less true for design ideas. If you present things that are of high visual quality and beautiful to look at, the greater the chances are that people will like what you make. Finally, before I announce the winners, let me give an honorable mention and big thanks to ALL of you. It’s been really amazing to see your ideas and the creative work you’ve put into your submissions. I’ve seen all kinds of awesome stuff, from massive oil rigs to underwater theme parks. From time traveling battles to heartfelt tales from real soldiers fighting real wars. Even Chinese vampires! Again, thanks to all of you. And now, on to the winners (in alphabetical order)! “Operation Fast Break” Submitted by: Christopher, age 41, from Maryland, USA http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/operation-fast-break.jpg In a nutshell: Operation Fast Break is an adrenaline pumping aerial assault on a moving train. The attacking team uses scout helicopters to find insertion points along the train, dropping off attackers who then try to secure the train as it races through a mountain pass. Defenders on the train need to use all the weapons and spotting as they can to fend of this attack that can come from almost any angle. My comments: Hi Christopher! You describe gratifying James Bond moments as helicopters swarm the train like bees, dropping off soldiers while avoiding enemy AA and rocket fire… and I totally agree! It truly sounds like an awesome adrenaline rush that combines core Battlefield elements like helicopter attacks and great team play. What I love about your design is the creativity and well defined player “moments†that are so important when creating a gameplay experience. Your train assault is an epic win! My additional request: A new button screaming “All aboard!†when pressed! “Devil’s Island” Submitted by: Andrés, age 22, from Madrid, Spain http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/devils-island.jpg In a nutshell: Devil’s Island is an amphibious assault on what used to be a WWII sub pen, located on a volcanic island surrounded by treacherous waters. The attacking team must navigate through old WWII ship wrecks, get onto the island, push through the terrain and finally infiltrate the sub pen. There is a problem however… the two volcanoes are fed up with being dormant, and erupt! The devil didn’t like his new company it seems. Players must not only avoid enemy fire, but also stay clear of super hot lava flows and deadly pyroclastic clouds, constantly changing the playing area and forcing players to adapt their tactics. My comments: Hola Andrés! There were many people suggesting the inclusion of volcanoes, but no one did it as vividly and well integrated as you. Also, the combination of tropical environments, old WWII wreckage and of course the active volcanoes will surely provide a breath taking experience. To me, the creativity you have poured into your design makes you a winner! My additional request: If you jump into the volcano, it starts raining! “Operation Storm” Submitted by: Tina, age 20, from New South Wales, Australia http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/operation-storm.jpg In a nutshell: In Operation Storm, the world’s largest commercial airliner becomes the scene of intense high altitude fighting, as a bomb is discovered onboard! Control is lost over the plane and players are thrown about inside the cabin. Still, despite all this chaos, the attacking team needs to find and defuse the bomb at all costs. Failing to do so will destroy the jet in mid flight, sending players crashing to the ground and having to deploy their parachutes and continue the fight in the dense jungles below. My comments: G’day Tina! Blowing up vehicles is definitely something Battlefield is known for, and you’ve taken this to a whole new level with your idea about an airliner featuring a dynamic (and very physical) infantry battle taking place in midair! And topping this off is a fall through the skies with guns still blazing as you land in the jungle and race to the remaining objectives on quad bikes. Your idea has epic moments, tons of adrenaline and even gameplay affecting g-forces, making it a winner! My additional request: Boomerangs for Recon! You know you have to. “The Carrier” Submitted by: Tim, age 19, from Napier, New Zealand http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Sinking-Carrier.jpg In a nutshell: Intense fighting takes place inside a US aircraft carrier, as soldiers try to secure the mess hall, engineering rooms and hallways. To make matters worse, you are running out of time as the carrier is slowly sinking and tilting more and more on its axis. Darkness is ever present and the water is slowly rising… My comments: Hi there Tim! While ships and naval vessels were part of many ideas that were submitted to us, I found yours to be exceptionally well presented. You’ve described your thought process carefully and done great illustrations to further make your points clear. And, adding on top of that, the claustrophobic and panic inducing event of actually sinking makes your ship one I’d love to visit! My additional request: Darwin Award achievement for defibbing in the water! “Heavy Desert” Submitted by: Mattias, age 22, from Halmstad, Sweden http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/heavy-desert.jpg In a nutshell: A large military base placed in a scorching desert, when suddenly, violent weather hits the compound. This huge map focuses on bringing the full Battlefield experience to the player. Everything from sniping, tank warfare and close quarters combat will be experienced by players in this huge environment, and the dynamic weather will provide beautiful backdrops and variations in gameplay. My comments: Tjenare Mattias! Gathering your ideas on a piece of paper is one thing. Building everything out of Lego and wooden blocks is another! You’ve taken presentation to the extreme in the best possible way and transformed your bedroom into a fully featured battlefield. Now, all I need is a shrink gun to get in there and play! My additional request: What does your living room look like? “Appalachia” Submitted by: Dave “EvilViking”, age 24, from Virginia, USA In a nutshell: A lone airfield surrounded by green hilltops in a rustic, “downtown America†setting. Large and inviting, these rolling hills provide ample opportunities for fantastic vehicle gameplay, while also providing a clear focal point in the single airfield. Air superiority will be the key to victory. My comments: Hey Dave! With your presentation of “Appalachia”, you’ve shown not only good ideas, but also fantastic skills in presentation. I know you’re a prolific YouTuber, and you skills in presenting things in a clear and entertaining way shines through your whole video. You’ve also captured the epic scale of Battlefield in a very inviting way with references showing the unique, American setting you propose. I actually think the best thing I can do is to not say anything else and just let you take over: My additional request: Hot air balloons at the airfield, just for enjoying the vistas! “Bering Strait” Submitted by: Aaron, age 21, from California, USA http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Bering-Strait.jpg In a nutshell: War on a glacier! A bridge construction is halted as diplomatic relations deteriorate between US and Russia. Soon, war rages in a landscape covered in ice and snow. Fight in icy tunnels, on slippery slopes and in snow covered caverns to protect the bridge construction site and repel the attack. My comments: Hey Aaron! I’m really excited about the icy world you’ve created. I can totally see myself moving through the huge cracks, using protruding blocks as cover while spying on the enemy through areas of clear ice. You’ve not only created an intriguing idea for gameplay, but also presented both 2D and 3D artwork to present your design. For me, sliding downhill and slippery slide has never felt so inviting! My additional request: Snow chain unlock for my vehicles! “Chulyshman Dam” Submitted by: David “Luetin”, age 29, from London, UK http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dam.jpg In a nutshell: A huge Russian dam is the scene for this battle, as American forces discover a hidden missile silo capable of delivering strategic ICBMs to key targets. After a full vehicle assault on the dam, resulting in its epic destruction, the soldiers attack on foot as they breach the now exposed ICBM facility. My comments: Hello Luetin! As a frequent viewer of your videos, I was pleasantly surprised to see you taking your creative skills to task with designing an idea for our competition! While there were many people suggesting a dam as a key feature of a map, you’ve managed to stay above the curve by supplying not only a well presented and detailed sequence of gameplay, but also some amazing artwork. For your beautiful presentation and carefully formulated gameplay descriptions, you win! My additional request: A victory screen showing me firing an ICBM at the enemy base. In slow motion. “Deep Blue” Submitted by: Niklas, age 18, from Hamburg, Germany http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Deep-blue.jpg In a nutshell: The largest naval battle in modern history! Two full carrier groups clash in an epic battle, pitting cruisers, carriers and destroyers against each other. This very large Conquest map will see swarms of jets fighting for the opportunity to attack the surface vessels, helicopters and dinghies transport troops across the map to sabotage and disrupt enemy operations. And during all this, massive anti-ship missiles skim the surface in their search for their targets. My comments: Moin, Niklas! Your idea is by far the most “epic” to grace this competition. I can just imagine the awesome experience of having your very own warship (and everyone else gets one too!) Sure, you would need a small miracle if you actually tried to create something on this scale in a Battlefield game, but that hasn’t stopped you from stretching your imagination and presenting something that would be nothing short of fantastic! And for that, you are a winner! My additional request: A Battleship! No, wait. Two Battleships! “Crusader Castle” Submitted by: Bill, age 43, from Canada http://blogscdn.battlefield.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Crusader-castle.jpg In a nutshell: An old castle ruin from the day of the crusades becomes a close quarters encounter! Situated on a hill top, this old bastion has been reduced to ruin and re-claimed by Mother Nature (mostly shrubberies in fact, Ni!). But as war approaches, the cries of battle can be heard once more in these old stone corridors. My comments: Hey Bill! Documenting fascinating locations around the globe is something many people have done in this competition, and this has resulted in some truly remarkable reads. But, while many of these would surely do really well as Battlefield levels, I’ve been more willing to reward personal creativity rather than documentation. You sir, however, have done this both at remarkable quality, as well as very in-depth analytic consideration of the details surrounding the gaming experience. You have truly transformed your trip to this Jordanian castle to an amazing Battlefield experience, and for that, you are a winner in this competition! My additional request: I want to cut down the largest stone pillars in the castle… with a herring! Thank you again to all of our over 600 fans who pitched their map concepts to us, and congratulations to our 10 amazing winners! We will reach out to our winners via email to send you a winner’s code that you can redeem at the DICE Store for your limited edition, signed and numbered lithograph featuring artwork from Battlefield 3. Let us know in the poll below which of these pitches you liked the most. Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. View the full article

www.medalofhonor.com Take control as you race through the streets of Karachi, Pakistan in this heart-pounding car chase. Preacher and his team must capture the terrorist sniper, their only lead to hunting down the mastermind behind the PETN global terror threat. About Medal of Honor Warfighter Medal of Honor Warfighter is this year's most authentic modern military shooter. on the market this year. This authenticity is born from expert consultation with nearly two dozen real world Tier 1 Operators. Pre-order Medal of Honor Warfighter at: www.medalofhonor.com From:medalofhonor Views:301 http://gdata.youtube.com/static/images/icn_star_full_11x11.gifhttp://gdata.youtube.com/static/images/icn_star_full_11x11.gifhttp://gdata.youtube.com/static/images/icn_star_full_11x11.gifhttp://gdata.youtube.com/static/images/icn_star_full_11x11.gifhttp://gdata.youtube.com/static/images/icn_star_half_11x11.gif 121ratingsTime:01:21More inGaming &feature=youtube_gdata

www.medalofhonor.com The Medal of Honor Warfighter Multiplayer Beta is coming to the Xbox 360 on October 5! Step into the boots of today's elite global warfighters in the most authentic shooter experience of the year. The beta features all 12 Tier 1 Operators from 10 nations with access to all 6 classes. Get ready to dominate online in the all-new Hotspot game mode on the Sarajevo Stadium map. The Medal of Honor Warfighter beta will be available from Xbox Live Marketplace on the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system. Internet connection and Xbox Live Gold account required. About Medal of Honor Warfighter Medal of Honor Warfighter is this year's most authentic modern military shooter. This authentic action is born from expert consultation with nearly two dozen real world Tier 1 Operators. Pre-order Medal of Honor Warfighter at: www.medalofhonor.com From:medalofhonor Views:301 http://gdata.youtube.com/static/images/icn_star_full_11x11.gifhttp://gdata.youtube.com/static/images/icn_star_full_11x11.gifhttp://gdata.youtube.com/static/images/icn_star_full_11x11.gifhttp://gdata.youtube.com/static/images/icn_star_full_11x11.gifhttp://gdata.youtube.com/static/images/icn_star_empty_11x11.gif 487ratings Time:00:57 More inGaming

5 new Premium exclusive Assignments tied to 5 new weapon camos are now available in the game for all of our Premium members! View the full article