Vietnam Hardware #3: The Tools of the 60's

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Vietnam Hardware #3: The Tools of the 60's

http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/400x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/battlefield_5F00_bad_5F00_company/Torch.png "This might sting a little."

Welcome to the third episode in our in-depth look at everything Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam. Yesterday, we released our new trailer -- today, we examine the new (and old) tools used out in the field in Vietnam.

So when going back to the 60's, we obviously don't want the soldiers running around with motion sensors, tracer dart guns, automatic spotting scopes, and all those other newfangled gizmos we are used to from the original Bad Company 2 setting. To make the new Vietnam expansion feel fresh, we peeled off a layer of high tech and replaced it with iron sights, blowtorches, and dynamite sticks. Here are some of the things we are doing to make our expansion pack a veritable travel back in time.

Removed High Tech Gadgets

So there are a number of high tech gadgets from the base game that we simply removed from the multiplayer game when we designed Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam. These are the motion sensors (both vehicle-based and for infantry), the tracer dart gun, and the spotting scope.

Retro Designed Other Gadgets

We want to keep the same team play abilities as in the base game, but give the tools an older look. So the auto repair tool from the base game is now a blowtorch, but with the same functionality. The C4 explosives have been replaced by sticks of dynamite, while the defibrillator is replaced with a syringe filled with adrenaline. These tools all function the same as their modern counterparts, but the new look, sound, and feel mean that they give a whole new flair to this expansion. This whole retro approach goes for the actual weapons as well [The topic of a later blog post -- Editor's note]. Overall, this setting has a much grittier, up close and personal tone to it. That's why Game Designer Gustav Halling calls it "more hardcore."

Added Curious Needle-based Pointing Device

We thought you might need a compass to navigate the jungles of Vietnam, so we added one and integrated it with your minimap. Now you can call out where the enemies are without having to add "My left, not your left!"

As always, check back Fridays to get the very latest info on everything Vietnam. We leave you this weekend with a quick tutorial on how to handle the dynamite charge and detonator, issued in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam to Recon class soldiers of both camps.

* * * M I L I T A R Y T N T T U T O R I A L * * *

http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/400x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/battlefield_5F00_bad_5F00_company/Blog_5F00_Dyna_5F00_001.png 1. Place dynamite charge on offending vehicle.

http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/400x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/battlefield_5F00_bad_5F00_company/Blog_5F00_Dyna_5F00_002.png 2. Take cover.

http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/resized-image.ashx/__size/400x0/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs.Components.WeblogFiles/battlefield_5F00_bad_5F00_company/Blog_5F00_Dyna_5F00_003.png 3. Press down on detonator handle. Sorry, tuk-tuk, it was either you or the chopper -- and I think we know who wins that fight.

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