• E3 2013: Insider Perspective on Battlefield 4's Commander Mode

    Our own Adam Rolph has been at E3 this week, and was fortunate enough to grab some hands-on with Battlefield 4's heavily anticipated Commander Mode, which we covered earlier this week.

    "Commander Mode" is not a new concept in the Battlefield franchise, however this particular rendition of the one-man control scheme brings new features and options to the table.  Commander Mode in Battlefield 4 now has access to Tomahawk missiles and an AC-130 Gunship and when used correctly, these deployable weapons can shift the entire flow of control on a 64-player map. The Gunship is particularly impressive, at any time it can halt control point advances by allowing players to spawn near it and parachute down into the chaotic battle below. Thankfully, the cool-down time for all these commander-based features are relatively short; ensuring you'll always have absolute control over the battlefield.

  • E3 2013: Battlefield 4's Commander Mode Revealed

    After Battlefield 4's explosive reveal earlier, it was expected that EA's conference would hold more of the same; where they'd showcase some more campaign footage. Thankfully they strayed away from the predictable and showed off one of the most exciting features of BF4: Commander Mode.

    Supporting up to a staggering 64 players at a time, Commander Mode will be one of Battlefield 4's most accessible features through the use of Battlelog; where players can jump in on multiple devices and control the war zone.

  • Titanfall is Multiplayer-Only and Other Tidbits You May Have Missed

    Titanfall was announced this morning during the Xbox One press event that Microsoft held in Los Angeles, CA but with so much going on, a few details slipped through the cracks. So, if you feel like you're missing something, this is what we know about the game:

    • Respawn Entertainment is developing the game which will release exclusively on Xbox One. EA is publishing.
    • Titanfall is a multiplayer only game and will not have a singleplayer story.
    • The setting is futuristic, pitting a guerilla militia against the better equipped Interstellar Manufacturing Company.
    • To make up for that, however, Respawn is building cinematic, campaign-esque moments into multiplayer.
    • The game features two really unique game mechanics:
      • Titans, more traditionally known as mechs, will be playable and bring a different element of gameplay to Titanfall.
      • When playing as a ground soldier, you can perform wall-runs and double jumps giving you much more agility than a normal FPS soldier.
    • Titanfall is running on a modified version of Valve's Source engine.
    • Set to release on Xbox One in the Spring of 2014.

    Anything we missed? Leave us a note and we'll add it to this list!

  • E3 2013: Battlefield 4 Gameplay Revealed

    After a few hiccups at the start (nice one guys), EA shed Battlefield 4's veil and showcased its immersive beauty.

    Our live demo kicked off during the "Angry Sea" mission, where our soldiers are battling through a sinking aircraft carrier that's under attack from an unknown oppressive force. While the ship is torn apart, our players make their way through the congested corridors arguing over their objective; an argument which is quickly ended while the ship splits in half!

  • Four Things We're Loving About Fuse

    Fuse is out this week and we've had about a week now to spend playing Insomniac's first foray into multi-platform gaming. The game is a blast and these are a few things you're going to want to watch out for if you plan on picking Fuse up this week.

    #4. LEAP

    At its core, Fuse is a co-op game before anything else and few studios do co-op better than Insomniac Games. LEAP is simple: if you are playing without a full four-player squad, the remaining members will be AI controlled. However, at any time you can take control of those characters using the LEAP system.

    LEAP brings co-op to a new level, particularly if you are unable to fill out your squad before going online. Note: LEAP can't be used if you have a full squad of human players.

  • Battlefield 4 Confirmed for Xbox One

    The inevitability of this announcement seemed foregone from the moment Microsoft announced a new Xbox console, but it's still great to hear it from the horse's mouth.

    Tweeted out moments ago, EA has confirmed that Battlefield 4 will be coming to the Xbox One console in addition to the already announced Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PC releases.

    Kudos to DICE for getting the word out quick! Now go and pre-order it already, you know you want to.

  • 3 Features Battlefield 4 Simply Has to Have

    Battlefield 4 is in the thick of development at EA DICE and doubtless they have more than a few tricks up their sleeves. Nobody wants a rehash of Battlefield 3 with new weapons and maps - the FPS community is thirsty for something fresh in the Battlefield franchise, even if it's just an amazing feature from previous games brought back in Battlefield 4 in a meaningful way.

    To that end, here are 3 of our must-have Battlefield 4 features, beginning with...

    Commander Mode

    This has been rumored to be returning to Battlefield 4 and we're completely okay with that rumor if it proves to be true. Commander Mode was the amazing feature that made an appearance in previous Battlefield games and it works like this:

    • One player is assigned to be the Commander in any given online match. The Commander doesn't play as a soldier on the ground, but rather as an overseer with a view of the entire field of battle at their fingertips.
    • The Commander is responsible for issuing commands and direction to his troops on the ground that are, of course, played out by fellow Battlefield players.
    • Part of this responsibility includes the capability to call in support in the form of vehicles and other ordnance. This must be done strategically to win the battle.

    At the end of the day, the battle is fought by the men on the ground but the overarching fight here is one of wits, between both teams Commanders. Who wouldn't want that in Battlefield?

  • 3 Star Wars Games EA Should Start Working On

    For better or worse, Electronic Arts will be publishing all core Star Wars games for the foreseeable future. Whether you love or hate the publisher, Star Wars gaming is officially in their hands and it's time to stop whining that EA has control over this beloved franchise and start whining about the games that they should be working on with their new license.

    To that end, here are a few Star Wars games that EA really should be developing right about now. Now, not all of these are shooters but bear with us; we're Star Wars fans, too, you know.

    Star Wars: Battlefront III by EA DICE

    We wrote at length about Battlefront III yesterday, so we won't go into too many details in this post but suffice it to say that having Star Wars: Battlefront III brought back from the jaws of defeat would be nothing short of a miracle.

    Putting DICE at the helm would be even more amazing, as they are one of the undisputed pioneers in the first-person shooter scene. 

    Bringing the power of Frostbite 3 and the passion of the development team at DICE to Star Wars: Battlefront III would seem to be a perfect fit at first glance. 

    EA has already mentioned that DICE is being pulled in to work on something in the Star Wars universe so it stands to reason that it would be a first-person shooter of some sort. Why build something from scratch when the Star Wars community is clamoring for Star Wars: Battlefront III?

    With the creative freedom that this license offers them, DICE would be the only EA studio we'd want at the helm of developing a new Battlefront game - or any Star Wars shooter for that matter.

  • Will EA Continue Development on Star Wars: Battlefront III?

    Earlier this week, it was announced that Electronic Arts had acquired the rights to exclusive produce Star Wars video games from Disney, who came into ownership of that license a few months back. It was also revealed last month that Star Wars: Battlefront III was indefinitely halted and all development had ceased on the title.

    When you look at the initial announcement of all in-development LucasArts properties being halted combined with the announcement that EA would be making all future Star Wars games...well, it's hard not to speculate. Chances are, nothing will ever come of Battlefront III but with the cult popularity of the first two titles, it isn't impossible to think that EA may dig it back up out of development hell and put it in the hands of some talented developers.

    Electronic Arts has already announced that Visceral Games, DICE and BioWare are all pledged to beginning production on a Star Wars title so who's to say that DICE won't bring their talents at creating great first-person shooters as well as the might of Frostbite 3 to the table with Battlefront III?

    To understand the likelihood of this, you have to ask yourself the all-important question - the same question that EA will be asking themselves right about now - what does Electronic Arts stand to gain from resuming development on Star Wars: Battlefront III?

    As it turns out, quite a lot actually.

  • Two Signs That Battlefield 4 Might Seriously Have Dinosaurs

    Whether or not you count yourself as a skeptic, rumors have been circulating that Battlefield 4 will include dinosaurs in some capacity. This would be a rather unprecedented move for the franchise, but not entirely out of left field believe it or not.

    Here are two pretty credible rumors that suggest DICE really might be including a dinosaur-mode of sorts in Battlefield 4.

    Battlefield 3 Easter Egg

    In the very last expansion for Battlefield 3, End Game, astute players captured a full on pterodactyl sighting on the DLC map Nebandan Flats. At first glance, this may seem like nothing more than a cheeky bit of trolling on behalf of the people at DICE, but on further analysis, there might be something worth noting here.

    Operation Riverside, another DLC map, featured an easter egg of its own. Players were able to locate a floating spaceship in the skies, a clear homage to Battlefield 2142 - the ambitious futuristic shooter.

    The question remains, now, as to whether DICE is simply trolling us with the pterodactyl sighting or if this, too, is an homage to another Battlefield game.

  • Why You Should Play the Fuse Demo Next Week

     

    EA has announced that Insomniac Games' upcoming shooter Fuse will be getting a co-op demo next week, giving players a chance to preview what the game has to offer before the game ships on May 28th.

    So, why should you bother downloading the demo? Here are a few great reasons to give it a shot.

    LEAP Between Characters

    Fuse features a unique cast of four characters to choose from, but with the exciting LEAP mechanic, players can actually jump between players seamlessly. Each character has their own set of abilities and skills, so using LEAP lets players take advantage of all of those skills, allowing players to play every role. The idea here is that there are always four characters pivotal to the game, so if you can't rustle up three friends to play with you, you can still make use of every character.

    "We wanted to make sure that there are always four characters in the game but you can have just as much fun by yourself, or with one friend, two friends, or three friends. So that's been our design mantra from the very beginning," said Insomniac CEO Ted Price.

  • Breaking Down Today's Big Battlefield 4 Leak

    Earlier this morning, a purported pre-order poster for Battlefield 4 leaked online, revealing some exciting new information about the game. The poster is not something that would be difficult to create in Photoshop, so bear that in mind as we break down all of the details. Click the image at the top of this post to view the poster in its entirety.

    Commander Mode

    You choose where to direct your troops. You designate targets for artillery. You control the battlefield. You are the Commander.

    As you can see in the promo poster above, the first new bit of information teased is the return of Commander Mode. First seen in Battlefield 2, this would be quite the triumphant return for many Battlefield fans who enjoyed this game mode. This isn't the first time we've heard Commander Mode linked to Battlefield 4, so it's becoming more likely that this is more than just rumor.

    Here's how Commander Mode worked in Battlefield 2. In multiplayer matches, one player was assigned to be the Commander. Anyone could express interest in being chosen but the game gave preference based on rank. The Commander had access to an interface that no other player could control, that displayed the entire battlefield in real-time. 

    Using the tools at their disposal, the Commander could give orders to the team and bring in support assets ranging from vehicles to artillery strikes. It was up to the Commander to organize the battle strategy and see his side to victory.

    In Battlefield 4, with the power of Frostbite 3.0, Commander mode would be a powerful position to have in the battle and we're all for DICE bringing it back.

  • Congratulations to EA, Your 2013 Worst Company in America!

    Ladies and gentlemen of the gaming community, we ask that you now stand and join us in congratulating Electronic Arts on their second consecutive Golden Poo Award in the annual Worst Company in America reader poll on The Consumerist!

    This marks the first time in history that a company has won the lauded Golden Poo two times in a row, giving EA a place in the anals annals of history.

    As you may have gathered, this prestigious honor of Worst Company in America was foisted on EA's shoulders last year when readers poured in from around the world to express their distaste, lack of faith and exhaustion with EA's questionable business practices.

    The road to this victory was an uphill battle, let it never be said that EA didn't firmly earn their place at the top of the dung pile, rising up from the bowels jaws of defeat to claim victory!

    Electronic Arts eliminated some of the nations most unappreciated organizations, the ranks of which includes Wal-Mart, Ticketmaster, AT&T, JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America.

    With this victory, the video game mega-publisher reaffirms that it deserves a place among previous winners like Halliburton, whose thoughtful business practices won them $7 billion US Government bid that nobody else was allowed to enter; the Record Industry Association of America, who have such a passion for music that they were forced to file a $27 trillion - yes, trillion - lawsuit against a single file-sharing organization and let us not forget BP, whose commitment to excellence resulted in the single largest oil spill in industry history.

    So, congratulations to Electronic Arts on this momentous occasion. As EA COO Peter Moore says, 'We can do better. We will do better.'

    They can do better, indeed. Here's to EA becoming the first ever Triple Crown Golden Poo winner with a victory in next year's poll.

  • Is 'Drone Strike' Battlefield 4's Pre-Order Expansion?

    According to the photo above, courtesy of Evil Source Gaming, it looks like Battlefield 4's pre-order bonus DLC may be titled Drone Strike. 

    Battlefield 3 players will remember the Back to Karkand expansion pack that players received for pre-ordering Battlefield 3. In that expansion, players received access to four legacy Battlefield maps. These included Gulf of Oman, Sharqi Peninsula, Strike at Karkand and Wake Island. So, what does Drone Strike have in store for players?

    Well, quite honestly, we don't know.

    DICE has not even officially announced the Drone Strike DLC as being legitimate, so we'd be jumping the gun if we tried to speculate on what it might include. We can speculate on what it won't include, though. We're pretty sure it will not include Gulf of Oman, Sharqi Peninsula, Strike at Karkand or Wake Island.

    This is EA, though, so it very well might just be Back to Karkand, renamed and resold at full face value.

    But it's probably not! It's probably not that.

     

  • Next Mass Effect To Be Powered by Frostbite 3

    Frostbite 3, the amazing and impressive game engine that was revealed this week to be powering Battlefield 4 is pulling some overtime with at least two other major games in the coming years; Mass Effect 4, or whatever they decide to call it, and Dragon Age 3.

    We don't know much about Mass Effect 4, but we do know that it will not be centered around Commander Shepard. If you played Mass Effect 3, this much became pretty obvious. As to who it does star, we really have no idea what is planned for the next game in the iconic series. BioWare Montreal, the studio that will be handling most of the development duties, said that they, 'want to be able to give fans an opportunity to get back into the world with these things you've come to know and love about the Mass Effect experience but start something fresh and new—a new way for you to explore the whole universe in Mass Effect..

    Now we can add Frostbite 3.0 to our slowly growing list of Mass Effect 4 details, but that's a pretty exciting announcement as Battlefield 4 looks incredible so far.

    Stay tuned for more!

  • Quick Thoughts From a Battlefield 4 Reveal Attendee

    Editor's note: Dave was on hand at the Battlefield 4 reveal in San Francisco Tuesday night. We asked him to jot down some thoughts for us discussing what the air of the event was like. -N

    So you no doubt have heard about Battlefield 4 by now, so this should be no surprise. But in case you haven’t here is a quick crash course: Battlefield 4 is a thing. The end.

    Tonight was the big reveal, they gathered a bunch of press and basically said “If you want to check out our new game all you have to do is come and see it!” So we did, and as it turns out, so did many others. In the crowd I managed to pick out some people from around the community; guys from Machinima, Twitch, Rev3 and some of your favorite YouTube personalities including xJawz, TmarTn, Woodysgamertag, Whiteboy7thst, IIJERiiCHOII, Chris_Smoove and Muzzafuzza among many others.

    The event took place at the Metreon Theater in downtown San Francisco, and after waiting in a huge line that made its way up a flight of stairs and onto the next floor and then some, we all finally made it into the theater before we were greeted by the stars of the night, Digital Illusions CE - more fondly known as DICE. Rather than a lengthy speech we were told that DICE would rather have the game speak for itself.

    It certainly did.

    The whole experience was phenomenal, the music started playing and when the text “Fishing in Baku” came up everyone chuckled. But we were quick to pipe down as the story started to unfold. As you can see for yourself the game looks beautiful. Frostbite 3 was on display in all of its glory throughout the entire gameplay sequence and was more than impressive.

    Once it was done we were greeted once again by DICE, who told us that they really wanted to focus on three major points with Battlefield 4; Narrative, Human, Dramatic elements. About how the game is about emotional connections, not polygons. About connecting to the characters around and how you affect the world. To get away from world politics and start focusing on you the player participating in epic and dramatic moments.

    He went on to tell us about how they improved upon the campaign by introducing features and gameplay styles from multiplayer. More dynamic events, and with an unmatched team play experience. Shortly after that the event was topped off with the newly released trailer and then we were asked to come join them upstairs for a cocktail party.

    All in all, it was a fun experience and really cool to see some of the people who made it out to the event. The game looks fantastic and I can't wait to get my hands on the beta. 

  • Everything We Learned From the Battlefield 4 Reveal in One Place

    This has been a crazy week for Battlefield fans, ourselves included. With a slew of leaks and official reveals, this has been something of a maelstrom of Battlefield announcements.

    To make things simple, we're compiling everything that we've learned about Battlefield 4 from this week's reveal in one convenient place. Feel free to throw this page in your bookmarks, as we will be updating it all week long as more information surfaces.

    The Timeline

    March 22nd, 2013 DICE teases Battlefield 4 with 3 short promo trailers
    March 23rd, 2013 Teasers continue with concept art images on the official site
    March 25th, 2013 Frostbite 3.0 game engine information leaked
    March 26th, 2013 Official announcement trailer leaks
    March 26th, 2013 Three beautiful Battlefield 4 screenshots revealed
    March 26th, 2013 High-def announcement trailer released by DICE
    March 26th, 2013 17 minutes of unfettered Battlefield 4 campaign footage released
    March 26th, 2013 Battlefield 4 pre-orders go live; standard and digital deluxe editions 


    Stick around all week as we continue to cover the big reveal of Battlefield 4. This page itself will be updated as more information rolls out of the event and as DICE continues to let loose Battlefield 4 tidbits here and there.

    Stay with us, this story is developing!

  • Battlefield 4 Pre-Orders Now Available

    Was that 17 minutes of gameplay enough to guarantee that you will be buying Battlefield 4 later this year? If so, you're very easily impressed!

    None the less, pre-orders for the blockbuster shooter are officially live now at Battlefield.com and they are pretty much just what we expected - not in a bad way.

    You've got the standard edition, coming to Xbox 360, PC and PlayStation 3 as well as a Digital Deluxe Edition that is available as a PC download pre-purchase. There will likely be other pre-order bonuses and special editions announced along the way, this is a modern military shooter released in the 2000's after all, but this is all we have for now.

    Check out the pre-order page at http://www.battlefield.com/battlefield-4/buy but we would recommend holding off until all of the various pre-order incentives are announced. If history repeats itself, there are likely to be some pretty sweet deals going on at various retailers to convince you to do your business with them so sit tight for a little bit, and we'll learn more in the coming weeks.