Recommended Posts

Honestly, every class has its ups and downs. Assault-ers have infinite ammo, Engineers have infinite play time with vehicles, Medics have infinite health, and Recon-ers have infinite mortar strikes. It's the way you take advantage of such perks that makes you unbeatable.

I tend to be a medic when there aren't any other medics on my team (or if I'm getting my ass handed to myself). If there is a large group of medics on my team I often use the Assault or Engineer classes (depending on the circumstances, no good with sniper rifles).

EA and DICE have announced a co-op survival mode for the console editions of Battlefield: Bad Company 2, pairing you and three others against waves of AI drones on rejigged multiplayer maps:

DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio, today announced that Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is expanding its award-winning multiplayer experience with the introduction of an all-new mode called ?Onslaught?. This mode brings co-op gameplay to the Battlefield franchise for the first time ever on console. Coming soon, Onslaught mode will be available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and on the PlayStation Network, creating more reasons for players to check out the game that Seth Schiesel of The New York Times says ?is a better game than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.?

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Onslaught mode can be played with up to four players across four multiplayer maps ? Valparaiso, Atacama Desert, Isla Inocentes, and Nelson Bay ? redesigned with new lighting, time of day, added vehicles and other effects. Each map has a dedicated gameplay focus, requiring different levels of teamwork in order to complete the objectives against an onslaught of enemy AI. Vehicle warfare comes to the forefront in Atacama Desert while Nelson Bay focuses squarely on infantry assault. Players can compete in squads and check individual progress via the dedicated Onslaught leaderboards.

Onslaught is bringing co-op gameplay to Battlefield for the first time on console. The new game mode puts you and up to three friends against the enemy on Valparaiso, Atacama Desert, Isla Inocentes and Nelson Bay ? redesigned with new lighting, time of day, added vehicles and other effects. Each map has a dedicated gameplay focus, requiring different levels of teamwork in order to complete the objectives against an onslaught of enemy AI. Vehicle warfare comes to the forefront in Atacama Desert while Nelson Bay focuses squarely on infantry assault. Players can compete in squads and check individual progress via the dedicated Onslaught leaderboards.

?We?re thrilled to bring something new and fresh to Battlefield: Bad Company 2 while still keeping Battlefield?s signature gameplay intact,? says Patrick Bach, Senior Producer at DICE. ?We want to consistently support the over 4 million fans playing the game with new ways to get into multiplayer and also challenge the elite players with new experiences to improve their performance online. Effective squad play is the key to success in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer and this new mode will provide players with a dedicated environment to test their team skills and rank against the competition.?

Realising there would be a backlash from envious PC users left out in the cold, EA prepared a statement:

No, we haven't signed away rights to console on this. The problem we have on PC is that all our servers are dedicated with providers. Changing a server from Conquest 32 players to Onslaught 4 players cuts out 28 player slots from the total ammount available. This could have a dramatic affect on the PC online environment if enough servers changed to Onslaught.

We aren't ruling out Onslaught on PC but at this time we are researching how to bring it to PC without affecting players who don't have Onslaught or their own server to run it on.

VE3D Story (with a trailer)

We aren't ruling out Onslaught on PC but at this time we are researching how to bring it to PC without affecting players who don't have Onslaught or their own server to run it on.

Couldn't they just create Onslaught only servers and prevent servers from switching to Onslaught if in another mode?

What is the last game you played that didnt need any patches or updates? Plus hey! Updates are fun - http://www.teamfortress.com/119/ :D

This Gen? I can't think of one game that hasn't been patched, sometimes multiple times. It's an era of beta games. Sad but true.

Also, you have to take in account the fact that games are getting more and more complex, technically.

@SkyDX

Recently started to use the XM8 LMG. A very nice gun I must say, having good iron-sights allows the use of some valuable specs. other than red dot (M60 has terrible iron-sights :().

Yup.

Games aren't released any more/less beta/final than any piece of software you use. No software is bug-free and not all patches consist of fixes. Just cause of their potential to download fixes and add more content for our ongoing entertainment doesn't make it a beta. You might want to rethink your logic.

  • Like 2

Games aren't released any more/less beta/final than any piece of software you use. No software is bug-free and not all patches consist of fixes. Just cause of their potential to download fixes and add more content for our ongoing entertainment doesn't make it a beta. You might want to rethink your logic.

I would rather not rethink my logic, but thank you for the concern. Most of these companies are releasing buggy, glitched products and are relying on the internet as their bandaid, and the users and the community as their beta testers on their final product. It's unacceptable to be honest. Under no circumstance should we be spending $60 on an unfinished product. It's not MY concern that ANY piece of software isn't bug free or glitch free. That is the developers concern. They need to do better testing of their products prior to release. I should be receiving a 100% solid, bug free product. I am the consumer, and I am allowed to expect that. We are all allowed to expect that.

If you think it's acceptable to have an unfinished, buggy or glitched product, that is your perogative. The majority of us consumers expect much more for our money.

I recently read in a well respected PC Gaming publication that broadband internet appears to have "made developers lazy". The ease at which patches and updates can be pushed out to users mean that game studios nowadays can rush out games early for the Christmas rush or whatever, safe in the knowledge that they can just "fix it later". I am inclined to agree. The number of interface bugs in release for example just back this up - I like my software to be polished if nothing else. That means no niggling little bugs or issues, and certainly no game breaking bugs. It certainly seems to me that BFBC2 was rushed out of the door well before anyone could call it "finished". Making balance changes is good - but fixes for large and noticeable bugs should have been done before release.

I recently read in a well respected PC Gaming publication that broadband internet appears to have "made developers lazy". The ease at which patches and updates can be pushed out to users mean that game studios nowadays can rush out games early for the Christmas rush or whatever, safe in the knowledge that they can just "fix it later". I am inclined to agree. The number of interface bugs in release for example just back this up - I like my software to be polished if nothing else. That means no niggling little bugs or issues, and certainly no game breaking bugs. It certainly seems to me that BFBC2 was rushed out of the door well before anyone could call it "finished". Making balance changes is good - but fixes for large and noticeable bugs should have been done before release.

While I don't necessarily disagree with this, I do think there are some factors to conisder. Main one being development is more complex then ever. The other is that it is rare these when a AAA title game is also not multiplatform. I think these are two larger points as to why games may indeed to appear more buggy.

Not only that the truth is back when consoles were not connected, the truth is every single game released had tons of bugs. That is always the case. It is just they were what they were due to the fact there was no way to patch them. Sure retail versions of games were patched behind the scenes, but no online connection meant no ability to update the game via a patch.

Literally every single PC game I've ever played has had at least one patch. Pretty much the same for all console games this generation as well. My point being is no game ever, ever ships perfect.

Finally I see nothing wrong at all personally and actually see it as a positive when games that are primarily MP based receive frequent patches. It means exploits are being addressed and balancing is continually being tweaked. Sure, something like changing the ui with a patch I'll also admit should not be happening, so no.excuse for that. Otherwise I see nothing wrong personally with releasing frequent patches.

I just think more is made over patches and updates now due to gaming journalism is bigger than ever and all consoles are now online more or less. I also know games have and will continue to ship with plenty of bugs, it is par for the course when dealing with such complex software.

Sorry if these seems a bit disjointed posting from my phone.

@forsyth14 Yeah, last minute issues. SPECACT on PC will be available after the patch comes out. Current aim is next week for the patch.

About the onslaught game made...just give us those remade maps in a different mode. I'm not liking that the consolers get things we don't but whatever, par for the course I think.

While I don't necessarily disagree with this, I do think there are some factors to conisder. Main one being development is more complex then ever. The other is that it is rare these when a AAA title game is also not multiplatform. I think these are two larger points as to why games may indeed to appear more buggy.

Not only that the truth is back when consoles were not connected, the truth is every single game released had tons of bugs. That is always the case. It is just they were what they were due to the fact there was no way to patch them. Sure retail versions of games were patched behind the scenes, but no online connection meant no ability to update the game via a patch.

Literally every single PC game I've ever played has had at least one patch. Pretty much the same for all console games this generation as well. My point being is no game ever, ever ships perfect.

Finally I see nothing wrong at all personally and actually see it as a positive when games that are primarily MP based receive frequent patches. It means exploits are being addressed and balancing is continually being tweaked. Sure, something like changing the ui with a patch I'll also admit should not be happening, so no.excuse for that. Otherwise I see nothing wrong personally with releasing frequent patches.

I just think more is made over patches and updates now due to gaming journalism is bigger than ever and all consoles are now online more or less. I also know games have and will continue to ship with plenty of bugs, it is par for the course when dealing with such complex software.

Sorry if these seems a bit disjointed posting from my phone.

All true, but that shouldn't be the case. It's a negative when we are given incomplete products or products that are not properly tested. It's not my fault it's complex. Just like a car that doesn't work, or a steak that is not done at a restaurant, I pay for a product, and I expect quality. Consumers should not "settle" because it's the "norm" to be broken.

Service has gone down hill in the past 50 years, and it seems to continue to do so. Never settle, and never "accept" it because that is "how it is". We deserve better.

Back on topic, I hope Onslaught is free for VIP members. If not, I am not dropping $15 for another mode on existing maps.

While I don't necessarily disagree with this, I do think there are some factors to conisder. Main one being development is more complex then ever. The other is that it is rare these when a AAA title game is also not multiplatform. I think these are two larger points as to why games may indeed to appear more buggy.

Not only that the truth is back when consoles were not connected, the truth is every single game released had tons of bugs. That is always the case. It is just they were what they were due to the fact there was no way to patch them. Sure retail versions of games were patched behind the scenes, but no online connection meant no ability to update the game via a patch.

Literally every single PC game I've ever played has had at least one patch. Pretty much the same for all console games this generation as well. My point being is no game ever, ever ships perfect.

Finally I see nothing wrong at all personally and actually see it as a positive when games that are primarily MP based receive frequent patches. It means exploits are being addressed and balancing is continually being tweaked. Sure, something like changing the ui with a patch I'll also admit should not be happening, so no.excuse for that. Otherwise I see nothing wrong personally with releasing frequent patches.

I just think more is made over patches and updates now due to gaming journalism is bigger than ever and all consoles are now online more or less. I also know games have and will continue to ship with plenty of bugs, it is par for the course when dealing with such complex software.

Sorry if these seems a bit disjointed posting from my phone.

I should probably elaborate that it was a "Devils Advocate" column - so it probably isn't the mainstream opinion anyway :) However I do believe that specifically some of the interface bugs in BFBC2 are unacceptable when it comes down to it. There were blatant problems that either should have been picked up in the beta or in QA testing.

Having said that though, I am very very happy that DICE are actually working to fix them.

All true, but that shouldn't be the case. It's a negative when we are given incomplete products or products that are not properly tested. It's not my fault it's complex. Just like a car that doesn't work, or a steak that is not done at a restaurant, I pay for a product, and I expect quality. Consumers should not "settle" because it's the "norm" to be broken.

Service has gone down hill in the past 50 years, and it seems to continue to do so. Never settle, and never "accept" it because that is "how it is". We deserve better.

Back on topic, I hope Onslaught is free for VIP members. If not, I am not dropping $15 for another mode on existing maps.

It's not free. That's straight from Bazajaytee.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Posts

    • As I've been usually saying lately - we all can thank "AI" for this.
    • Friday Windows 11 preview builds are here. Insiders in the Experimental (formerly Dev) and Beta Channel can download builds 26300.8697 and 26220.8690. My Windows11 device on the Preview Channel just got 26220.8728. My guess is this build is a nightly update from 26220.8690.
    • Traffic has a surprisingly unexpected impact on your surroundings by Sayan Sen Image by Radik 2707 via Pexels A collaborative study by researchers from several Israeli institutions found that everyday pollution from traffic and industrial activity measurably changed the atmospheric electric field over the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, providing new evidence of how human activity can influence the lower atmosphere. The research was led by Dr. Roy Yaniv of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Gertner Institute at Sheba Medical Center, Dr. Assaf Hochman of the Fredy & Nadine Herrmann Institute of Earth Sciences at the Hebrew University, and Prof. Yoav Yair of Reichman University. The study also involved Itay Froomer, a student from Hadera High School and the Israeli Museum of Medicine and Science (Technoda), who carried out the work as part of the Ministry of Education's 5-unit physics research track. The researchers focused on the atmospheric electric field under fair-weather conditions. Even in the absence of storms, a weak electric field naturally exists between Earth's surface and the atmosphere. One of the main ways scientists measure this field is through the Potential Gradient (PG), which is the inverse of the vertical component of the electric field. PG is a key part of the global electric circuit, a planet-wide system of electrical currents maintained by thunderstorms and electrified clouds around the world. Scientists have long known that the atmospheric electric field can be influenced by factors ranging from large-scale atmospheric processes to local weather conditions such as dust, fog and clouds. Human-made pollution is also known to play a role, but understanding exactly how urban emissions affect the electric field close to the ground has remained an area of ongoing research. To investigate this relationship, the team analyzed measurements from a newly installed electric field mill, an instrument used to continuously monitor the strength of the atmospheric electric field. The instrument was installed at the Center for Technological Education (Roter House) in Holon and became operational in August 2024. It was funded by Israel's Ministry of Education and the Holon municipality. The electric field mill forms part of a broader monitoring network that includes nearby meteorological stations and air-quality monitoring sites. This allowed researchers to compare electric field measurements with detailed weather data and pollution records to better understand what was driving changes in the Potential Gradient. The study focused on two major urban pollutants: fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), both commonly produced by vehicle traffic and industrial activity. PM2.5 refers to microscopic airborne particles small enough to remain suspended in the atmosphere for extended periods, while NOx is a group of gases released during fuel combustion. Researchers examined daily, weekly and seasonal patterns in the atmospheric electric field and compared them with changes in pollutant concentrations. Their analysis revealed a clear relationship between NOx levels and changes in the Potential Gradient, particularly during morning and evening rush hours when traffic emissions were at their highest. “What we observe is a direct physical link between emission peaks and electrical variability,” explained Dr. Roy Yaniv. “NOx reduces atmospheric conductivity very quickly, so the electric field responds almost instantaneously during traffic rush hours.” Atmospheric conductivity describes how easily electrical charges move through the air. According to the researchers, nitrogen oxides rapidly alter this conductivity, causing a near-immediate response in the electric field. PM2.5, however, was associated with a delayed response. The researchers attributed this difference to the particles' longer atmospheric residence time, meaning they remain in the atmosphere for longer periods, as well as their different microphysical interactions with surrounding air and atmospheric components. The study also identified a pronounced "weekend effect." In Israel, traffic volumes and some industrial activity decline significantly on Fridays and Saturdays. During these periods, concentrations of both NOx and PM2.5 dropped, and corresponding changes were observed in the atmospheric electric field. “The weekend signal demonstrates just how sensitive the electric field is to changes in human activity,” the researchers noted. “When emissions decline, the electrical environment adjusts at once, providing a high-resolution indicator of urban atmospheric conditions.” The findings showed that pollution levels can influence not only the chemical composition of the atmosphere but also its electrical properties. Researchers said the results strengthened the case for using atmospheric electricity as an additional tool for environmental monitoring, particularly in densely populated urban areas where anthropogenic, or human-caused, influences are most pronounced. The study also pointed to potential public health applications. By combining air-quality measurements with observations of atmospheric electricity, researchers said they could gain a more complete picture of how urban atmospheric conditions change over time. “Integrating air-quality data with electric-field measurements gives us a clearer picture of how the lower atmosphere evolves moment by moment,” the researchers added. “It’s a framework that can support both scientific insight and practical environmental decision-making.” Beyond the scientific findings, the project highlighted a collaboration between universities, public institutions and secondary education. Researchers said the work demonstrated how students could take part in real-world environmental research while contributing to studies of air quality, atmospheric processes and their potential effects on society. Source: Hebrew University, ScienceDirect This article was generated with some help from AI and reviewed by an editor. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, this material is used for the purpose of news reporting. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing
    • We aren't even at the all-star game and Microsoft is talking about an update that will most likely be released during the World Series if not after. A lot can happen in the world between now and the 2026 World Series, including the 2026 FIFA Cup. Tell me about it again after the FIFA Cup is concluded. That should allow plenty of time to prepare for it.
    • Great, tell me when I have a "Bad Pool Caller" elsewhere not in Windoze.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      AMV earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      AMV earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Collaborator
      ryansurfer98 went up a rank
      Collaborator
    • One Month Later
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      542
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      186
    3. 3
      Michael Scrip
      77
    4. 4
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      77
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      71
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!