On PC Bad Company 2
[Oct 26, 2009, 10:57 am ET]
There's a Dedicated Server PC FAQ for Battlefield: Bad Company (http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/battlefield_bad_company/archive/2009/10/26/dedicated-to-our-pc-players.aspx) where DICE makes their dedication to the concept clear. Also, the Battlefield Bad Company 2 Forum (http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/30/293857.page#3110573) has a post from Battlefield Community Manager EAzerk16 discussing the difference between the PC and console editions of Battlefield Bad Company 2 (thanks Ant via Planet Battlefield). He explains why the PC is getting "better" features than consoles, including the prone position, higher player counts, and dedicated server support. He also gives the PC platform its due in justifying this:
"Last but not least, the PC platform is usually expected to put up with a lot more “crap” compared to consoles. While consoles may get the game on a certain date, PC users typically have to wait much longer for the same game, but in turn, they get the game for a lower price because there are no licensing fees like consoles have, and typically they get a few more perks thrown in compared to consoles just for good measure. PC customers are a much tougher crowd then consoles are so we have to appeal to them in as many ways as possible, but why not? They deserve it after having a steady history of constantly getting the shaft. Also on a side note, If it wasn’t for the PC platform you wouldn’t be playing the game on consoles right now."
Ah, telling us what we want to hear.. Whispering sweet nothings to us through the media.. Much like how most sexual predators prey on the vulnerable.
Haha, everyone is now advertising dedicated servers in light of MW2. Next up is Brink (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/brink-has-dedicated-servers-on-pc)!
Minimum Frostbite PC Specifications for BFBC2 & BF1943.
* Processor: Core 2 Duo @ 2.0GHz
* Main memory: 2GB
* Graphics card: GeForce 7800 GT / ATI X1900
* Graphics memory: 256MB
* OS: Windows XP
* Free HDD space:
o 15GB for Digital Version, 10GB for Disc Version (BFBC2)
o 10GB for Digital Version, 4GB for Disc Version (BF1943)
Recommended Frostbite PC Specifications for BFBC2 & BF1943
* Processor: Quadcore
* Main memory: 2GB
* Graphics card: GeForce GTX 260
* Graphics memory: 512MB
* OS: Windows Vista or Windows 7
* Free HDD space:
o 15GB for Digital Version, 10GB for Disc Version (BFBC2)
o 10GB for Digital Version, 4GB for Disc Version (BF1943)
Ummm...WTH? (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/62076)
those that either buy the PC version or reside outside of North America getting access to Squad Rush at launch at no extra cost.
That's actually pretty interesting.
Battlefield: BC2 PC version's Securom DRM.I'll take option one for sure. You have more control with this method.
This game's DRM actually lets the gamer decide which Securom to be stuck with - disc-check only (with no install limits) OR online authentication w/ install limits plus revokes allowed. Pick your poison. (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/62114)
Securom Choice 1.
You can decide yourself if you want the game to do a Securom disc-check every time you want to boot the game. With this option, You won't have to going online to authenticate and you won't have to worry about install limits, if you do opt for this method - as the disc itself is the key needed here period.
Securom Choice 2.
Do you not want to deal w/ DVD always needed in the drive to boot the game? Well, then you can alternatively decide to deal w/ Securom online authentication. So yes, you'll have to authenticate online. You will get 10 installs allowed, if you go this route w/ revokes allowed. Uninstalls while online count as a revoke OR using their manual revoke tool will revoke the game. THIS method will last around 10,000 days - or a little over 27 years until you will need to reactivate again. Need more installs, then you can contact EA to get more added to the pool.
ROFL I just got an email about the game with the subject of "The Ultimate Modern Warfare Experience Is Here!"
If you have a powerful enough PC to run Bad Company 2, this version is the one to go with. High-end rigs will pump out better visuals than what you get on PS3 or Xbox 360. More importantly for many, the PC version allows you to browse servers to find the exact game you want. And to top it all off, you'll get a 32 player game, which makes the battles a couple of squads more intense than the 24 player console iteration.
From all the podcasts I listen to, they all love it. I'm actually getting a little curious myself, I'm even a little surprised at what D quoted saying that the PC version is actually the one to get since I always thought Bad Company is supposed to be Battlefield for the consoles essentially.
On a related note, the Battlefield Blog says: "Battlefield Bad Company 2 has managed to prove so popular that yesterday the concurrent users in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 surpassed that in Battlefield 2 which has been going strong for almost 5 years."
I think the steam sales helped it a lot. Twice I remember they had all of the Battlefield 2 games for 9.99.
You know, I ain't even bought one game in the BF series, oddly enuff...
Yeah, I've been enjoying it a lot even if the multiplayer is kind of shitty when you first get the game...you'll be dying a lot. That said, DICE kind of needs to get some patches out there. I've been having horrible crashing problems and the only real solution I've come across is either buy a dedicated sound card (fuck that, it's 2010 and I play through headphones) or disable the onboard sound in bios so I can play one game. Again, fuck that.Gee, that's a surprise. DICE and the Battlefield series has a pretty consistent history of being extremely buggy, especially at launch. For me Vietnam would frequently drop to very low framerates. This is when I had an ATi Radeon 9800 XT and it was the most powerful card on the market. I even turned all the graphics settings to their lowest and set the resolution to 640x480 and the problem still occurred.
Unless W7 introduced new weaknesses, hard locks in games are driver problems. I'm not justifying crappy game coding. Just saying that app-level code should never crash system-level code. This has been true since NT, which is the core of XP, and I presume 7.
Updates to Battlefield: Bad Company 2 have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The major changes include:
Client R7 changelist.
MP - New Server browser
MP - Added 15 second spawn timer for Conquest/Rush gamemodes at the start of round to prevent high end machines getting the upper hand before other machines load in.
MP - Crash fixes relating to ALT+TAB at different times throughout the game
MP - Hang fix when trying to connect to a full server multiple times
MP - Deletion of soldiers now possible through the account pages in game
MP - Removed screen flash during loading
MP - Added support for colour blind players
MP - Fixed crashes relating to faulty server banners
MP - Servers closing during connection no longer cause the client to hang
MP - Auto team swap reflects correctly in the scoreboard
MP - Fixed scoreboards when switching teams before spawning
MP - Rush scoreboards fixed
MP - Veteran ranks no longer display as "12"
MP - Isla Innocentes MCOM building fixed where knifing the fence would destroy the building
MP - Logout/Login button correctly reflects the player status
MP - Added minimum number of players needed to start a round (you can still start playing and take objectives but you won't get any score until 4 or more players join the server)
MP - Isla Inocentes welcome message on the loading screen now fits the text box area
MP - Reduced the brightness in Russian vehicles
MP - Medic gadgets now display correctly if the defib is not unlocked
MP - Server filter options are remembered
MP - Punkbuster filter now works as intended
MP - Scroll bar no longer overlays the Join Server button in the friends list panel
MP - CANCEL server refresh is implemented
MP - Zooming in on a friendly using the SAIGA no longer causes the crosshair to disappear
MP - The chat no longer displays the incorrect player name when appearing
MP - FoV switches to the default value of 55 when entering vehicles to prevent graphical glitches caused by wider FoV settings. The custom FoV returns when exiting vehicles.
MP - FoV no longer causes the UAV station to rotate
MP - Fix to correctly display the unlock progression at the end of round
MP - Chat functionality will no longer freeze after writing a partial message at the end of round
MP - One account can no longer connect to the same server multiple times
MP - Squad Death Match is correctly named during loading
MP - Server browser no longer gets a bad FPS when filtering Conquest
MP - Server info banners correctly clear between displays
MP - Setting display settings which the system hardware can not handle no longer makes the game unusable
MP - Correct camera collision for vehicles' heavy machine gun
MP - Game no longer crashes if the player sends a message in the loading screen
MP - Trying to join a full server no longer causes the game to hang on Please Wait message
MP - Most server filter options are remembered it doesn't remember the setting in dropdowns
MP - Kit/gadget loadout saved between sessions
MP - Window on static guns is now transparent on DirectX 9 systems
SP - Fixed crashes when patching and trying to resume a campaign (there is now a message that you need to re-play the latest mission from the beginning)
SP - Fixed a crash after the "Upriver" mission end cinematic
SP - Supply create at "Resupply at Flynns create" objective now supplies weapon ammo
SP - Hang fix when reaching the objective "Destroy Enemy Zu23"
SP - Fixed hang after "Storm Cockpit" objective
SP - Changed melee attack raycast to be detailed
SP - Game no longer crashes when transitioning between SP_03B to SP_04A when installed in Polish
SP - Game no longer crashes when killed by the first two enemies in the trenches on SP_01 when installed in Italian
SP - Updating to R7 will invalidate your single player save game. If you update you will need to play your last mission from the start. If you do not update you will not be able to play multiplayer.
Server R10 changelist
Punkbuster is required ON for ranked servers
Ranked servers cannot be started with a password
Autobalance message goes to text-chat instead of in the middle of the screen
Added weapon balance tweaks to a number of weapons – we are eagerly awaiting feedback!
We aren't going to tell you what weapon balance tweaks we have done, we want your unbiased views on the changes before we detail what has changed.
Haha. Good call Scott. The server browser works much better now. Sadly, I still had a hard lock.Crap, I was hoping that would have been addressed.
That's typical. These games are released unfinished. It looks like they are finally out of the alpha state now.
Isn't that what he said?
DICE, an Electronic Arts 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.
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.
“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.”
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is available in North America and Europe for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.
Sounds pretty cool, I certainly didn't expect this, though I hope they aren't going to charge $15 for it.Yeah, that would suck balls.
Server - Some potential sources for lag/rubberbanding have been eliminated
Server - The old reserved slots has been replaced by a kick-on-demand system like in BF2
Server - Log file for server admins: all remote admin interface commands/events are logged
Server - Log file for server admins: major server events + all chat messages are logged
Server - Idle kick is controllable
Server - Profanity filter can be disabled
Server - Teamkill-kick system is controllable
Server - Ticket counts and bleed rate are controllable per-level
Server - Infantry only mode available per-level
Server - Initial spawn delay and respawn delay are adjustable
Server - Server description can be up to 400 characters, and use "|" for line breaks
Server - Banlist can contain up to 10.000 entries
Server - reduced latency in packet handling
Admin Interface - fixed the player.onKill spam that occasionally happened
Admin Interface - ensured that player.onJoin events always report the player name
Admin Interface - events triggered when people spawn
Admin Interface - much more info on kills
Admin Interface - detailed stats are reported at end-of-round
Gameplay - Various minor level bugfixes
Gameplay - Helicopter handling has been tweaked
Gameplay - Weapon tweaks have been implemented based on PC public feedback
Gameplay - Tracer dart gun speed has been changed from 300 m/s to 200 m/s
Gameplay - Fixed technical hang when a crate was armed outside of the combat area
Gameplay - "Victory is near" message was shown for the wrong team on Valparaíso, this has been fixed
Gameplay - Countermeasures can be fired when driving a helicopter
Gameplay - The brightness of the pilot view in the Russian helicopter has been reduced
Gameplay - Advanced Spotting scope works better
Gameplay - Knifing people in the back works again (we backed out the change that we had done for Server R11)
Gameplay - Hit box for moving targets expands based on the speed of the targets movement
Gameplay - G36 now has crosshair when in Hardcore mode
Server Browser - Servers are sorted into 3 categories: Normal, Modified, Hardcore depending on their settings
Server Browser – Added support for retrieving update progress
Server Browser - Now refreshes information
Server Browser - Join queue system when attempting to join a full server
Server Browser - All settings are automatically saved between sessions
Server Browser - Pings are sent via an alternate mechanism, which should work for non-Administrator users as well
Client - Fixed DX9 issue, which likely caused graphics glitches and perhaps crashes
Client - Fixed some crashes
Client - Toggle/hold crouch is user controllable
Client - Toggle/hold zoom is user controllable
Client - Vsync bugfixed for DX10/DX11
Client - Rewritten how settings are written to disk; this should reduce/eliminate the spawn lag
Client - Fixed bug where a player could join a server before the stats has been downloaded causing faulty stats in "EOR- unlock progression"-screen
Client - New chat system allows chatting when dead (but not during end of round) and keeps a 100 lines log
Client - Improved Play Now functionality
Client - Removed K/D ratio and Skill Level filters in the leaderboards
Client - Any points you get while being dead will be added to your score
Client - Reduced negative mouse acceleration
Client - Increased health on the Cobra to match other vehicles
Client - More informative disconnection/kick reasons
Client - Support for Map Packs so PC gets future VIP maps at the same time as consoles
The Balance tweaks are as followed:
Slightly increased the damage of the UZI at long range.
The AKs74u now has more felt recoil when aiming.
The G3, VSS, and all SemiAutomatic rifles now settle slightly faster between shots when aiming.
The PKM, Type 88LMG, G3, An94, and 40mm shotgun have returned to their former glory.
Increased the damage of the MG3 to bring it in line with the rest of the LMGs.
Fixed a bug where the Saiga12 with slugs would do too much damage at long range.
Fixed a bug where the SVU would do too little damage at long range.
Fixed a bug where M95 rounds would not kill armored targets with headshots.
Yeah, we've yet to see anything for PC besides the VIP mappack that came out around the game's release. No "kit upgrades" and no "onslaught."
Looks like eventually, Bad Company 2 will be getting an Ultimate Edition w/ All of the DLC... (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/12/battlefield-bad-company-2-ultimate-edition-leaked-by-retailers/)
So I've started playing BC2 -- finally -- and is it just me, or does this game not run very well?Hmm, I've had not trouble with the game's performance on my old 8800GTS let alone my current Radeon 5870. It's a very smooth running game.
Hmm, I've had not trouble with the game's performance on my old 8800GTS let alone my current Radeon 5870. It's a very smooth running game.
Have you switched HBAO (Ambient Occlusion) off? That's a big hit on performance and having it on is not a major visual improvement.
It really sucks that they haven't brought Onslaught to PC. That's the only one that actually counts as DLC.
So I've started playing BC2 -- finally -- and is it just me, or does this game not run very well?
I'm really getting overly-tired of this "Not bringing DLC to the PC" bull-crap.
Every platform you bring a game to, RELEASE the DLC for it - whether we have to pay for it OR they patch it in for free.
They're running a business, D.
If D ever shoots up a stadium or post office then offs himself, i want his last words to be "RELEASE DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT FOR THE PC"
Yeah, it didn't run so hot for me. When I looked into it, seems like most were saying that you really needed a quad core to avoid fps drops. Don't get me wrong, still totally playable, but annoying at times.
No, I want him to say "FUCK YOU MYST333RDDD!"
Or "I AM NOT A MUSTARDDDDD!!!!!@!!!!"
No, I want him to say "FUCK YOU MYST333RDDD!"
A comprehensive update hits the PC version of EA's FPS Battlefield: Bad Company 2 tomorrow, the publisher has announced.
The patch takes into account requests posted in the 'My biggest issues' thread of the game's official forum. Alas, "Girls don't want to go out with me" isn't addressed but a bunch of other important stuff is.
The full list – posted below – includes bug fixes, weapon tweaks and stat revamps.
The update means that the game's servers will be down on Friday between 6.00am and 10.00am GMT, so no breakfast headshots tomorrow.
There's no word on whether the update will be applied to console versions at any point in the future.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 came out on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 back in March. Eurogamer's
Dan Whitehead gave it an impressive 9/10.
All Weapons Bronze Insignia requiring an unobtainable bronze star for the tracer dart – requirement removed.
Improved Hit registration made through several fixes and some of the hitboxes themselves have been changed. This will increase the accuracy of guns.
Blue box chat window removed.
The 2 second immunity when spawning/being revived will now be immediately removed either by firing, zooming, or any movement (move, crouch, jump). A Spawning Player can still orient passively in the Game World.
3D vision fixed.
Fixed slug shotgun zoom crosshair on PC so they better represent the long range accuracy. Crosshairs now close more on PC, similar to consoles.
Reduced slug shotgun hip accuracy to require zooming for consistent long range accuracy. Hip accuracy is now on par with the semi automatic weapons.
Fixed a bug on PC where the G3 would do less damage than intended.
Fixed VADS turning sensitivity on PC so it performs like the ZU23.
Reduced VADS push back and damage to balance it with the ZU23.
Fixed a bug where vehicle countermeasures would fail to remove tracer darts at high speed.
Reduced the reload time for vehicle countermeasures.
Slightly increased the AT4's damage vs armor to emphasize its anti vehicle role while keeping it balanced vs armor.
Increased the AT4's top speed and acceleration so users spend less time exposed when firing.
Increased the AT4's splash damage so it competes with other AT weapons vs infantry. The AT4 still has the least splash damage of all AT weapons.
Reduced the splash damage of the Carl Gustav to bring it in line with other explosive weapons. The Carl Gustav still has the most splash damage of all AT weapons.
Increased the 1 shot kill range of the M95 body shot to counter its lower rate of fire.
Fixed a bug with the SVU that gave it better close range damage than other semi auto weapons.
Reduced all weapon damage to the MCOM by 50%.
Fixed an C4 vs MCOM exploit on Atacama Desert.
Fixed a bug with FOV when aiming the M1911.
Lowered the close range damage of the AN94 to highlight its long range role.
Increased the accuracy of the F2000 on the move to highlight its role as a mobile AR.
Increased the close range damage of the shotguns to give them a greater advantage vs slugs.
Slightly lowered the damage of the M60 to balance its accuracy advantage vs other LMG's.
Slightly lowered the damage of the MG3 at close range to balance it with other high rate of fire weapons
Slightly increased the damage of the UH60.
If Steam forces this shit on me for singleplayer, I will lose it.Just make sure your game is set to "don't keep this game updated" in the Steam properties.
Do you not leave your computer on while you're away? I typically don't either but I usually let it run while I'm asleep. That's when I typically launch steam to gather and download updates.
Btw, regarding BFBC2 (and other non-Steamworks titles) you can actually install the retail editions and use the legitimate CD key you got from the Steam purchase. In the case of BFBC2 it works well because you're given the choice of disc check or a one-time online check for authentication. So you can have a non-Steam version installed if you prefer, however BFBC2 will run its own auto-updater, so you'll have to also tell it not to do that.
@XessiveIf you're really concerned about EA's Download management software and its install limits just download a torrent of the game and use the legitimate CD key you get from the EA purchase. It'll work and you won't have to deal with the EA software. Since you purchase it legitimately anyway, your soul should be clear of any guilt or guilt-like sentiments.
Battlefield: BC2 (PC) is $14.95 on EA Download Store for Halloween.
Ever dealt w/ EA for downloading a game before?
Plus, I actually have a B-day coupon that does stack w/ this deal and would make it a little over $11 or so.
That's pretty cheap - even if I do get stuck w/ the 5 install limit (since it's a DL version, not Retail).
My curiosity w/ EA Download Store is - do they give you installer files and then you can back it up somewhere like say on DVD's or another HDD?
If you're really concerned about EA's Download management software and its install limits just download a torrent of the game and use the legitimate CD key you get from the EA purchase. It'll work and you won't have to deal with the EA software. Since you purchase it legitimately anyway, your soul should be clear of any guilt or guilt-like sentiments.If I'm worried about Install Limits and DRM - hey, that's pretty much what cracks are for. :P
If I'm worried about Install Limits and DRM - hey, that's pretty much what cracks are for. :PWell, beauty of BFBC2 is that it doesn't need a crack ;)
I just want to be able to DL the entire game ONCE and be able to back it up on disc(s), more so than anything else. I really don't want to go through re-downloading big-ass games like this.
X, how much space this game take up on your HDD?
Well, beauty of BFBC2 is that it doesn't need a crack ;)Securom is more tolerable than StarForce.
The game takes up about 6.8~7GB.That's not too shabby - I got room open for that (on my 2nd HDD).
I just checked out EA Download Manager program - which updated itself to new version.The trick I figured for G4WL is to open the temp folder while the game installer is open and copy the files from the temp to wherever you want to store them, and then finish installing it (at which point the installation files get deleted).
Yeah, if you mess around w/ your Settings - there's a setting to keep Installer files after a game you download is installed. Very cool.
G4WL - I hope they take note of this...
The trick I figured for G4WL is to open the temp folder while the game installer is open and copy the files from the temp to wherever you want to store them, and then finish installing it (at which point the installation files get deleted).G4WL's trick is after it downloads, just don't go ahead and hit Install. Go ahead and copy the files elsewhere - to another HDD; CD's; DVD's; BR's; whatever. Then, once you finishing copying it elsewhere, then go ahead click "Install."
Coming back to BFBC2.. I really, really hope Punkbuster can figure out this crap with the cheaters/hackers coz it's not fun playing online anymore. Having a guy run up to me and stab me despite the entire clip I just emptied into his face is not fun. Even worse are the assholes uses aimbots.I began the SP today. Holy crap - awesome graphics and the gunplay is just really good. This is some of the best looking graphics I've seen - it's up there w/ Crysis.
Removed some memory leaks
Fixed crashes when the game attempted to render lots of content (high detail, high FOV or multiple-monitor modes); this should particularly help multi-monitor users
Chat window no longer causes lag spikes
Chat window reworked opacity & visibility-time is controllable through settings in settings.ini
Clantag is remembered when using auto-login
Banner URLs can be up to 252 characters in length
SecuROM wrapper removed from non-Steam version
Minor performance enhancements
Reduced rubberbanding on servers with more than 24 active players
PrintScreen takes a screenshot, file stored in Documents\BFBC2\Screenshots directory