Battlefield 3 Message Board

This is the latest in the series of articles about the art technology of games, in collaboration with the particularly handsome Dead End Thrills.

Games move pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss them. The pretties this week come courtesy not of a particular game, nor indeed me, but of the Dead End Thrills Flickr group, a caravan of some 500+ ‘players’ who spend more time stopping games and looking around than they do actually playing. The times we live in.

With some 11,000 images in there, I wasn’t sure how best to approach this. (Drunk, obviously, but how badly?) I’ve gone for the easy option: a round-up of games and/or users that stood out over the last few weeks. What you’ll often find is that wrangling games into ‘screenshot mode’ has knock-on benefits for any PC gamer, so let’s see if that holds true.(more…)

Battlefield developer DICE continues to express interest in a sequel to Battlefield: Bad Company 2, but reiterated at an event this week that the development of the Mirror's Edge and Star Wars: Battlefront reboots are getting in the way.

This is how shooter montages should be made! The slow pace, the dramatic approach and the proper choice of music set this Battlefield 3 clip by jackfrag way above those boring skill-focused montages.Read more...

PlayStation Plus subscribers can download Battlefield 3 for free after tomorrow's store update. Other free PS Plus games set aside for July include Jet Set Radio, Metal Slug XX, Dokuro and Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee HD.

PlayStation pals across the pond can add Battlefield 3 to their Instant Game collections sometime during July, though Sony Europe hasn't given a precise date yet. Saints Row: The Third, which wielded its purple dildo against Plus subscribers in North America last month, is also on the way to Europe.

It’s July! That means summer! Sun! But we must be careful and enjoy those things in moderation, because… videogames. They need playing. And this month, PlayStation Plus is bringing plenty of content as part of the Instant Game Collection; which means free games as part of your PS Plus membership, not to mention discounts galore on fantastic content throughout the PlayStation Store.

Battlefield 3 is leading the way this month and will be free to download for PS Plus members starting with the 7/2 PS Store update. You’ll also find some truly great savings with this year’s two week long Summer Blast 2013 sale! Read on to learn more about what’s coming in July, as well as the deals in the PlayStation Store this week.

July Preview

The following games are slated to be free to PS Plus members through the Instant Game Collection in the month of July.

Battlefield 3 (PS3)

PSN Price: $39.99, Free for PS Plus members

In Battlefield 3, players will step into the role of the elite U.S. Marines. They will experience heart-pounding single player missions and competitive multiplayer action ranging across diverse locations from around the globe. Powered by the innovative technology of Frostbite 2, Battlefield 3 takes first person shooters to a whole new level. Metal Slug XX (PSP, Compatible on PS Vita)

PSN Price: $19.99, Free for PS Plus members

The excitement of the arcade comes to your PSP system with the series’ uncompromisingly crazy “run-and-gun” gameplay and a 2-player ad hoc mode that lets you and a friend take on the challenge together! After General Morden is defeated and captured, a mysterious army arrives from the future to save him. They reveal themselves to be Morden’s Army from the future, and their goal is to provide their future leader with special advanced weaponry to take on his enemies in the present. Classic characters Marco, Tarma, Fio, Eri, Ralf, and Clark return once again to take on General Morden and his new and improved Rebel Army. Jet Set Radio (PS3)

PSN Price: $9.99, Free for PS Plus members

Tag, grind, and trick to the beat in SEGA’s hit game Jet Set Radio! Fight for control of Tokyo-to, mark your turf with graffiti, tag walls, billboards, and even rival gang members! Perform tricks and flips on magnetically driven in-line skates, but watch out for the local police force! Dokuro (PS Vita)

PSN Price: $13.99, Free for PS Plus members

Dokuro is a stoic, little skeleton who is a mere peon in the Dark Lord’s army. One fateful day he witnesses his master returning with a helplessly abducted Princess he intends to force into marriage. At once smitten by her plight, Dokuro resolves to free her from the Dark Lord’s treacherous, monster-infested castle. Along the way, he happens upon a mystical blue potion with the power to transform him into a dashing Hero tragically, this is the only time the Princess can witness his noble endeavors. Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee HD (PS3)

PSN Price: $9.99, Free for PS Plus members

It’s up to you to help guide Munch in efforts to rescue fellow test creatures. These critters will be forever loyal to Munch and in turn enable his escape . Once free, Munch teams up with Abe and together they are guided by the wisdom of the Almighty Raisin. They are informed as to how to accomplish their goals, but in order to do so, they must work together. For Munch, his dream is to bring back his species from the brink of extinction. For Abe, it is to rescue his Mudokon buddies.

Leaving PS Plus In July

• July 2nd – Deus Ex: Human Revolution
• July 9th – Joe Danger 2 The Movie
• July 16rd – The Cave
• July 23rd – Germinator
• July 30th – Zero’s Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward

Entering PS Plus in July (in no particular order)

• Battlefield 3 (PS3)
• Metal Slug XX (PSP, Compatible on PS Vita)
• Jet Set Radio (PS3)
• Dokuro (PS Vita)
• Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee HD (PS3)

Remember, check back every Monday to learn when Metal Slug XX (PSP, Compatible on PS Vita)
Jet Set Radio (PS3), Dokuro (PS Vita), and Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee HD (PS3) are arriving to PS Plus members. You’ll also find more discounts and other exclusives that we weren’t able to detail here just yet. Remember the month preview is subject to change.

July 2nd PlayStation Plus Update Battlefield 3 (PS3)

PSN Price: $39.99, Free for PS Plus members

In Battlefield 3, players will step into the role of the elite U.S. Marines. They will experience heart-pounding single player missions and competitive multiplayer action ranging across diverse locations from around the globe. Powered by the innovative technology of Frostbite 2, Battlefield 3 takes first person shooters to a whole new level. Summer Blast 2103 Sale (PS3)

Various Discounts

Summer Blast 2013 is a two week event where we’ll be bringing you some of the best deals in gaming. Take a look at this list, and tell me there’s not ONE game on there that you won’t be picking up at those prices. Go ahead, I dare you. If not this week, we’ll have more games to pick up in the second week of Summer Blast 2013. This sale offers discounts to all PSN, but PS Plus members get the edge in discounts for this one.

Discounts

Game Title Normal Price Sale Price PS Plus Price Call Of Duty: Black Ops II $59.99 $41.99 $37.79 The Amazing Spider-Man $49.99 $29.99 $20.99 Batman: Arkham Asylum $19.99 $9.99 $5.00 The Lord Of The Rings: Aragorn’s Quest $9.99 $4.99 $2.50 Mortal Kombat PS Vita $19.99 $9.99 $5.00 Mortal Kombat $19.99 $9.99 $5.00 Prince Of Persia: The Forgotten Sands $19.99 $7.99 $4.00 Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game $9.99 $3.99 $2.00 Shadow Of The Colossus $19.99 $7.99 $4.00 Ratchet & Clank Collection $29.99 $14.99 $7.50

Last Chance (Leaving on 7/9)

Instant Game Collection
Joe Danger 2: The Movie

Discounts
Creat Studios Summer Survival Pack
Pool Nation
Hydrophobia: Prophecy
Call Of Duty: Black Ops II
The Amazing Spider-Man
Batman: Arkham Asylum
The Lord Of The Rings: Aragorn’s Quest
Mortal Combat Ps Vita
Mortal Combat
Prince Of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game
Shadow Of The Colossus
Ratchet & Clank Collection

What’s your favorite content from this week’s update? What was your favorite content from June?

Thanks for reading this week’s update along with the month outlook. Got more questions on Plus? Leave your comments below, or, if you’re looking to engage with more of the PS community, make sure you head over to the PlayStation Community Forums to discuss this week’s news more, find other topics to contribute your thoughts to, or start one for yourself. See you in the comments!

Battlefield 3 moment of zen. Those vehicles are stuck, and the flag is still untouched. At least for a brief moment, the game mikeyteh was in had a monstrous ramp that I really hope someone hit with the dirtbike.

The Battlefield 3 servers have been under a DDOS attack for the past several days, aimed at interfering with network communication and preventing access to multiplayer, EA says. The barrage has not breached any user data and EA is working to stop the attack, the publisher adds.

"The current Battlefield 3 outages are a result of activity that appears to be aimed at overwhelming our back-end infrastructure. We are working on a variety of solutions to address this problem and are focused on resolution as quickly as possible. We appreciate your patience and support," EA writes. "We are incredibly disappointed by these activities and the impact they are having on all of our ability to enjoy BF3, thank you for your patience as we work to resolve these issues."

EA held rolling restarts of the Battlefield 3 servers to apply updates, and any new information will be posted on BattleLog.

[Thanks, Josh!]

Battlefield 3 is finally getting a proper PC version, with custom server rules, a spectator mode and lots of other features unlocked or revealed for the first time. The Venice Unleashed project is an excavation of the shooter’s code and is the work of NoFaTe, who previously performed similar work on Bad Company 2. Beta signups are open now, as testing takes place, and NoFaTe reckons this could give the game a bright future: “Using our powerful Extension System, which exposes lots of engine/game functions and abilities, you can now create your own unique mods and gamemodes, without the need of performing complicated and game-breaking file modifications.”

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We're not talking about long-distance dome-capping in Battlefield 3's final DLC, End Game, while using a helicopter - actually, that's exactly what we're talking about. It's just not accomplished here in the way you're thinking.

Sure, you could opt to use an aircraft's weapons when in an aircraft. Or, you can use the altitude to your advantage as a sniper, as sSantzuu does here in Battlefield 3. One of these options is more impressive, if not more dangerous than the other! I wonder which is more difficult—sniping while falling from an aircraft, or sniping a pilot from the ground? Battlefield 3 End Game - HelicopterSniper [sSantzuu]

#watchthis Battlefield players have found all sorts of awe-inspiring ways to do stunts with dirt bikes. But this one takes the cake when it comes to how much air the player grabs, not to mention the rather dramatic ending. More »

#watchthis Cutting to the chase, you throw a bunch of C4 on it, obviously. More »

#watchthis You know what every first-person shooter needs? I mean, besides guns? Dirt bikes. And every other high-speed vehicle imaginable. Because if shooting a helicopter down with an RPG is fun, it's even more fun when doing so while also riding a dirt bike. More »

Watch as Mitch Dyer and Scott Lowe check out the latest DLC for Battlefield 3, End Game, including the four new maps, air superiority and capture the flag modes, and more.

Watch as Mitch Dyer and Scott Lowe check out the latest DLC for Battlefield 3, End Game, including the four new maps, air superiority and capture the flag modes, and more.

Watch as Mitch Dyer and Scott Lowe check out the latest DLC for Battlefield 3, End Game, including the four new maps, air superiority and capture the flag modes, and more.

#battlefield First we found a futuristic easter egg in Battlefield 3's End Game DLC. Now we have something a bit more...prehistoric. More »

CTF returns in End Game alongside Air Superiority and a new bike.

I do hope you hold an opinion about Battlefield 3. It’d be awful to found without one. If you’re lacking, can I suggest: “I really think they made it fall too graphicy since Battlefield 2,” or, “While the tanks may roll more impressively, it’s hard to forgive the angle of the helicopter blades.” Those should get you by. Or you could see if there’s something new you can pick up in this End Game trailer, March’s final expansion to the series that’ll reintroduce flag capturing, and dirty bikes.

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#battlefield Hungry for some nostalgic action? The newest Battlefield 3 DLC, End Game, has the answer. The game's fifth expansion sees the return of two classic game modes—Capture the Flag and Air Superiority—and also introduces the dirt bike for some high-speed, bazooka-wielding truck-shooting action. Check out the trailer above for a glimpse into some high-octane Capture the Flag gameplay. More »

#watchthis This video might feel familiar. And it might be because you saw one like it here on Kotaku a while back. More »

#battlefield3 Courtesy of the folks at DICE, here's the first look at Battlefield 3's newest expansion, End Game. Among other things, the trailer features players chasing each other on dirt bikes, dodging helicopter fire with a dirt bike, and detonating explosives... while on a dirt bike. Dirt bikes! More »

A mini-montage of sorts on the map Markaz Monolith from the Battlefield 3: Aftermath expansion. Gunplay is tight, and intense in and around the rubble.

A cute pink teddy bear hides from the chaos of the battlefield on Talah Market. IGN shows you where to find it.

There's a dinosaur hiding somewhere within the ruins of the city. We help you find it.

Battlefield 3′s next DLC (and possibly final DLC? It’s at least the last announced one I am aware of) will arrive just in time for Christmas. The new maps, set in an earthquake-ruined middle-eastern city, look pretty fancy, and they provide a playground for new weapons and a host of modified vehicles. All this underwrites a new game mode. DICE explain that Aftermath “sees the debut of Scavenger mode – an objective based conquest where players must brave the environment armed with only one sidearm, as they try to find more powerful weapons in an attempt to survive with their squad.”

Big fancy Aftermath trailer below, and there’s a bunch more information here.(more…)

#battlefield Battlefield 3: Aftermath releases today. If you're a premium member...playing on Playstation 3. Xbox 360 and PC premium members get the DLC on December 4, followed by a December 11 on PS3 and December 18 on Xbox 360 and PC for the standard release. More »

#battlefield Battlefield 3 has some pretty realistic physics, but let's not get carried away here. It's a video game. Meaning those physcis exist solely so people can do cool shit like flip a tank onto the roof of a building. More »

Well, this is a bit unexpected. Not the fact that more Battlefield 3 maps are on the way. Those will apparently be hewn from the Earth and flung at the microtransaction-loving masses until the end of time. But this new look at BF3: Aftermath’s earthquake-pancaked Epicenter map is oddly serene. Usually, these things are all about the shooty shooty bang bang and Inception BRRRRRRRRRZTs, but this one? It’s different. Maybe one day, this one will go out into the world and make something of itself.

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Battlefield 3: Aftermath announcement includes some big surprises for premium members.