Battlefield 4 getting brand new engine: Frostbite 3

The brand new Battlefield 4 engine features a weather system, new destruction model, new animations, new lighting system, and more.

[aceitman]

Yes . Nice. Cant wait to see it

[HammadTheBeast]

I'm pretty sure one of the developers at Dice confirmed that it would be Frostbite 2.5 not 3 entirely.

[irepbtown]

Assuming BF4 will be next gen, a new engine makes sense.

This is what I've been waiting for: 'Among the new additions is a much improved destruction feature where buildings can be completely destroyed (like in Bad Company 2, only at a much greater level and detail)'.

I love Battlefield 3, however no destruction (well, there is a bit) was very disappointing so to see they've listened to us and including it is very nice to know.

By the way, where did you get ' Dice confirmed that it would be Frostbite 2.5' from?
I've certainly not read/heard that before.

[Peppino7]

Reinventing TOTAL destruction!

[BattleTorn]

@irepbtown

Wasn't Frostbite 2, the 'next-gen engine' that they already built?

I thought I read that was why it's struggled on current consoles... I could be wrong..

[Gazondaily]

What a brand new engine? Take note Activision!

Frostbite 2 was an excellent engine and easily capable of being described as next gen. Now with weather effects, improved destructibility and lighting, we really in for a treat. I am definitely excited now.

[Tr10wn]

"Assuming BF4 will be next gen, a new engine makes sense. "

BF3 is already "Next Gen" and i heard it was using Frostbite 2.5 too.

[RioKing]

Soooo.....updated engines are now "brand new" engines?? Yeeeaaahhhhhhh -_-

[ZigZagLagger]

Almost all engines are just gutted and revamped old engines.

[papashango]

DICE screenshot leaks are PR bullshots.

They've been doing it since bf2 was announced.

[dantesparda]

Exactly, "DICE screenshot leaks are PR bullshots", that's what i thought when i saw them, straight up bullshots! it needs to stop.

[SolidStoner]

Next gen battlefield on my PS4 will be so epic... I just cant wait!! It seems I must rest from gaming this summer because next year will be crazy! :)

[gedapeleda]

@HammadTheOne
Because in reallity it's a pimped 2nd engine.

[Linsolv]

@irepbtown - This is what you've been waiting for for, what, a year? TWO FUCKING YEARS it's been since the last title update was supposed to be the best new thing since sliced bread, took 3-5 years to make this great new engine, etc etc.

Now it's 'oh we're doing semi-yearly title updates and each one is just as big a jump as the huge jump we bragged about for months.'

[ShabbaRanks]

When devs brag about game engines it makes me laugh. 6 dudes made Natural Selection2 with a home made engine. Bethesda made Skyrim with a heavily modified 20+ year old engine, yes it was buggy as fuck on both PC and Console but they still made a pretty impressive world despite its flaws.

My point is Devs always talk about engines because they what it to sell. Look at Crytek always bragging about how awesome Cry3 is or Epic with Unreal.

I don’t give a dam what Engine they use as long as they make something good with it. I’m not saying I’m not hyped for BF4 lol, I’m fu**king hyped alright, but I want to see game footage NOW :P

[DigitalSmoke]

Skyrim is a very bad excample, the game has physics less sophisticated then the bend twirly hair on my nutsack.

Its about putting everything together and have it effect eachother.

The pixel shaded texture on a brick should be effected by a bullet mark after it gets hit, then have physics realisitcaly move it calculating hit direction weight and friction.
The dynamic light should change on the brick and the shadow of a tree cast over it as well.

New engines take most of this into consideration.

[vZeppelin]

Use Skyrim as a example, a poorly optimized game filled with glitches. But yea who needs a new engine, that costs money. Just change a very things and rename it.

[Starfox-17]

Who cares ?

[Skate-AK]

I expected Frostbite 3.5 before 4. Idk if they can replicate the graphics gap between Frostbite 2 and 3 in less than a year.

[secretcode]

Frostbite is not just a graphical engine. :\

[DoomeDx]

Really? I thought it was.

What else is it? Its not a Physics engine aswell because Frostbite uses Havok as far as I was concered.

[secretcode]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Graphics are part of it, but so is animation, scaling, rendering, lighting, "destruction", and additional physics coding.

[Anonagrog]

@DoomeDx,

Havok still has to be integrated into the engine, along with the interface to it that will allow other systems to provide input and use the output from it. Then there's also the animation system, audio engine, artificial intelligence + pathfinding, gameplay layer, resource management + core systems, wider use of gpgpu tasking, a host of other possible middleware solutions (Scaleform, Enlighten, Bink, etc.) to maintain and interface with, not to mentioned the other half of what makes a 'good' games engine - the internal development tools, which act as the interface to the engine that artists and designers use to achieve their vision rapidly and with ease. There's also the engine design itself from a programming standpoint, typically with a looking towards improving productivity and maintainability into the future for all folks on the team.

An engine's rendering system certainly attracts more attention than any other part of an engine, but in reality it's still just one piece amongst many... albeit a big piece at that. The complexity goes way beyond the mediocre explanations I've put forward, but should at least highlight that a 'game engine' is far from being just about graphics.

[peowpeow]

DoomeDx and Skate, that is some real narrow minded thinking

[SolDojo]

give dogdirt bubbles imo

[HawtPaws]

Now with darks even darker and whites even whiter! IN THE RAIN!

What happened to "Frostbite 2.5"?

[SeanScythe]

it's not an update to the engine it's rebuilt from the ground up so it's completely new.

[bangshi]

Negative. 100% NOT built completely from the ground up.

That would take years to do.

[SeanScythe]

@bangshi did you even ready the post?

Many suspected that Battlefield 4 would be powered by an updated Frostbite 2 engine — the same that powers BF3. Now it appears that Battlefield 4 is getting a brand new engine, Frostbite 3, filled with tons of new features built from the ground up.

Huh I guess you are wrong and I think I'd believe this before you.

[dantesparda]

@Sean

He's still right, its not a a brand new engine rebuilt from the ground up

[peowpeow]

The features are built from the ground up :P

[coolmast3r]

ARGH! I love you DICE <3

[iRocket]

Cool! I think I might just break my rule of not pre-ordering anything this year...

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Why did you have that rule?

[iRocket]

I thought after I saw BF3 get premium and other marketing like this, I should just wait at least six months after the game is released to see all the DLC and upcoming full packages, which I can grab for a discount. I happily payed for BF3 and Premium, but this time I just save money if I won't get it day one.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Ok I can understand that for Battlefield, but you said you have a rule for not pre ordering anything. I was just wondering why.

[iRocket]

Well generally it's just the thing about seeing reviews first, then buying. You never really know the quality of the game you are pre-ordering, think about the people who got Aliens: Colonial Marined and Walking Dead Survival Instinct day one.

[TotalHitman]

It's about time :/

[InMyOpinion]

It is? I think Battlefield 3 is the most impressive looking online FPS this gen, taking into consideration the scope of the maps, destructible environments, number of players and sheer amount of things going on at once.

[Merrill]

Maybe on PC, certainly not on the PS3. While it looks good, especially considering what is going on in the game, it has some terrible textures, insane draw in and major jaggies. I love it, but it tends to be more on the ugly side.

Killzone 2 is still the best looking online PS3 game, IMO.

[Qrphe]

Neither on consoles nor PC, we have the Halo/Killzone and Crysis respectively.

[MizTv]

Bf3 and kz2
So many hours playing online!
Good times

[Th3 Chr0nic]

Merril thats not a limitation of the engine but the machine it is running on.

[Merrill]

True, but I'm sure it conceived with current consoles in mind and an upgrade was in order.

[chukamachine]

2.5 would have been tiny upgrades, 3 is full on as stated.

It will destroy CRYSIS3, you'll see soon enough.

Heck the new water system in killzone4 has blown me away.

Also, the article is wrong, DICE never stated Next gen consoles would be 720p. PS3/360 will be 720p 30fps.

PS4 is 1080p 60fps.

[oof46]

It could be marketing. Maybe it is 2.5, but EA told them to call it 3. New and fresh sounding for the new consoles and pc.

[Tei777]

wasn't the leak 720p 60fps ?

[Ippiki Okami]

Nah, I think it was a google mistranslation. Cerny just did another interview in japan and he stated the focus of ps4 is to render all games in 1080p and he said they can upscale the 1080p rendered game to display at 4k.

[oof46]

Wasn't the leak debunked as being false?
http://www.neogaf.com/forum...

[Ippiki Okami]

@oof46 Yup it was false. It was a no brainer really since EA during their conference call stated all next-gen consoles would do native 1080p. Can't believe some idiots on here actually believe Tei777 for talking bs about something that was debunked. Must be jealous nintendrones.

[Tei777]

@Ippiki Okami
Even if the leak was false I don't think 1080p 60fps is a given. If sony's 1st party team guerilla are are only aiming for 1080p 30fps for Killzone, its more or less the equivalent of 720p 60fps.

I do hope that 1080p 60fps is the case though. As things stand ps4 will be the 1st console I pick up at launch.

[Lior]

lol destroy crysis 3 u high?

[Detoxx]

Awesome !

[mrmancs]

Sony are pushing games on ps4 @1080p so should look incredible.

[Th3 Chr0nic]

I wasnt talking about console i was talking about PC a real gaming machine that has done 1080 for over a year

[Conquerbeard]

Yes, because a new engine is just what you need to fix your crap game.

[Raven77]

You are actually right. Most BF2 and BF 1942 enthusiasts thought that all things would be fixed with the Armored Kill DLC (you know, proper BF maps), but then everyone played them and realized that the GAME itself is broken and not very good.

Its great if you grew up on Bad Company and COD (like most of the people on here probably have...).

[doctorstrange]

*Rumor

[gameyocha]

great ^^ (y)

[Shacojin]

Bring it on DICE!

[1886afc]

Great news, I have two msi hd7950. When bf3 came out all I had was a gtx560ti. Learned my lesson :)

[BattleTorn]

I'm not sure why you have so many disagrees...

I will say that my Gtx560ti has been handling all my games to my satisfation, thus far.

[1886afc]

They think I'm saying amd>nvidea but I'm not. The card worked great for me but I couldn't play bf3 on ultra. I would've bought 2 gtx670's if they weren't $100 more a piece. Fanboys will be fanboys

[Yodagamer]

I'm gonna wait on the announcement tomorrow to confirm if it's Frostbite 3. It's only been a year and a half since bf3 launched and they said frostbite 2 was already made with next gen platforms in mind. So as for now it's a rumor imo until they confirm it.

[bangshi]

Yeah they were boasting hard about next-gen for FB2.

People seem to think that version numbers mean instant awesomeness too.

They could call it Frostbite 2.0.1 and it wouldn't matter.

[GraveLord]

Meanwhile Call of Duty is still stuck with the Quake 3 engine......but its heavily modified, so it has that going for it lmfao.

[oof46]

I'm actually interested in what they're doing for the next gen. Now they have to use a new engine.

[secretcode]

*BUZZ*

Ah sorry, but the Quake III Engine was only used in Call of Duty: Classic and Call of Duty: United Offensive. The Infinity Ward Engine, while based on the base codign of the id Tech III Engine, is far from the same beast as it was Pre-Modern Warfare 2, even to the point where Havok-based engines are used in combination with what is dubbed the "IW Engine".

It's all semantics anyway. The basis of the Quake Engine is still the beef/core of the entire experience. For shame.

Now for our next game, it's time for Scenes From A Hat!

[a_squirrel]

If CoD upgraded to the Unreal Engine 4, Battlefield 4 will have competition in the graphical department.

[kaozgamer]

why would you want to do that? if cod starts to use unreal engine then bye bye 60fps(well at least on consoles)
cod is that kinda game where 60fps is a must(because it is fast paced action)

[venom06]

HAHAHAH!!! CoD's been using the same engine for like the past 6 games... and EVERYONE complains about the lastest CoD 4-5 months after release (and then wonder why do they keep getting duped)... HAHAHA!!

[Temporary]

idiocy

[RedDeadLB]

It's just an upgraded Frostbite 2.0. No way did they have enough time to build a new engine from scratch, only modify what they had. Hopefully it won't be more of a performance hog compared to BF3, I don't have the $ to upgrade my GPU right now.

[HarryB]

Man this year we got bf4 gta 5 watchdogs. Those games alone are to keep my gaming occupied. I really want to know wtf is up with the new command and conquer though.

[Npugz7]

I can't wait!!!! This is gonna be my favorite game ever!!!

[WeskerChildReborned]

Hope it has better destruction capabilities.

[HarryB]

Yeah I think bad company2 had better destruction. For example in arica harbor if your in the village area before bridge any of those houses are destructible. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten people behind walls. In bf3 its limited. I know its a big game but I'm hoping bf4 if an enemy is behind walls I can get him with my m320 or rpg.

[peowpeow]

Yeah, I think it was more to the general map designs of BF3 that lead to that. I loved BC2 maps and destructibility

[STEWIE_PLAY_PS4]

See, if go to have drop 24 play with frostbite 3 engine so happen again.
If 64 play with frostbite 2 or 3 engine. XD

[testo6]

I think its frostbite 2.5 not frostbite 3

[tristanwerbe]

It is more like frostbite 1.324245949

[oldassgamer]

I just want BFBC3. BF3 was very disappointing to me.

[Derrick7777777]

i just hope we can finally shoot through walls now...

[STEWIE_PLAY_PS4]

Hhaaa I want tank or van use machine gun kill to them build wall :) real life.

[younglj01]

After the limited destruction in BF3 I was pissed...Because I brought BC2 but couldn't stay online for more then 30 mins.Even though my gameplay was limited it was an freaking blast.I thought BF3 was going too be like BC2 but on steriods.

And now I learn that Frostbite 2 wasn't an next-gen engine pisses me off even more.Because now it makes sense too me that BF3 was going too be 64 players PC/PS3 and probably 32 or more on 360.Who can honestly say that BF3 launch maps was meant for 24 players on consoles.I own the PS3 version and I think DICE tested atleast 48 players in real-time on PS3.

Only reason I became an Battlefield is because MAG started too lose alot of players and wanted an different shooter.So far I'm mixed about this franchise because without destruction it reveal flaws.

Hopefully I see some footage soon because I will buy any future MAG,Socom,KillZone titles.DICE I brought BC2 & BF3,and was kind of letdown.I want too buy BF4 but I'm not going too buy it day one unless I'm blown away.

[Plagasx]

YES! Please let the destruction be more like BC2.

[0neShot]

This is funny, DICE boasted that Frostbite 2 was developed from scratch for next gen consoles. Now, this article is saying they just trash this and created a new one?

Nopey, this is frostbite 2.5 and not a new engine.

[Jek_Porkins]

This looks like cutscene stills, and probably from a super high end PC. Also, I heard it was Frostbite 2.5.

[sovietsoldier]

guys they have had this tech since befor bf3 was release they showed it in tech demo's, now they are just milking the game like cod.

don't believe me watch video.

[xc7x]

nice,really wanted BF3 to have BFBC2 destruction and it didn't so looking forward for ultimate environmental destruction

[Ashby_JC]

As long as they UP the player count to match PC im good. The battlefield feels empty on consoles.

[Muigi]

I'm excited regardless.

[Steadyhndz]

I'm really hating the use of "Frostbite 3" because DICE has made it more than clear that this is using Frostbite 2.5 which is Frostbite 2 with some tweaks to allow more interaction...in other words bring back some of the destruction from BC2 and put it in Frostbite 2.5 to allow it in BF4. This is only 1 example, but probably the one Battlefield fans are most excited about if it's true.

What I'm trying to say is...Don't use the term Frostbite 3 because it's not...it's Frostbite 2.5

[FlyingFoxy]

Interesting, but still much more excited for Source 2.

Half Life 3, Portal 3, Left 4 Dead 3, hell i guess even garry's mod 2, lots of goodness to come out of that engine and can't wait to see what they've done with the physics.

[TheFanboySlayer]

Everyone needs to watch this right now...Battlefield 4 Gameplay

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[nthstew]

battlefield 4 was always aimed for next gen console 1.84 teraflops or 1.3 teraflops won't run 1080p on high 720p 60 fps on high are possible.
if your are saying that it will run 720p 60fps on current gen consoles it's not possible since
battlefield 3 ran on 720p 25-30 fps on lowest pc setting on xbox.. I compared it myself and ran benchmarks..

[SephirothX21]

Destruction makes for collision detection more expensive because you have to keep recalculating bounding volumes at run time instead of just doing it once and loading the volumes from memory. Usually aabb trees are used for this because they're easier to compute. Add physics calculations on top of that and then you realize why its next gen.

[coolmast3r]

Tbh, I haven't seen any drastic improvements to the destruction. Maybe it's just me. Apart from animations, vehicles and tint reused from BF3, everything looked fine. But then again, this game is multiplayer-only for me.

[nthstew]

I hope it is not maxed out....

[Ashunderfire86]

GeoMod 2.0 still beat the hell out of these physics from Frostbite 3.0!!!! check this out, and you can play the game now which release back in 2009!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[aLiEnViSiToR]

This is an updated Frostbite 2.0 to 2.5... nothing more nothing less.