Have EA and DICE Permanently Damaged the Battlefield Brand?

Hardcore Gamer: I love Battlefield. My first experience with the franchise came in 2008 with Battlefield: Bad Company. I was always a console gamer growing up, but I had heard great tales of Battlefield 2 with its huge battles and amazing graphics. So, I was excited to get my hands on my first Battlefield game, and it was awesome. I still remember my friend and I playing for hours arguing over whose turn it was next. My love for the series intensified when Battlefield: Bad Company 2 proved to be even better.

[-Foxtrot]

I think they should lay off the main Battlefield games for now and come back in the far future with Battlefield 5.

Hell they should of done Bad Company 3 this year

[joab777]

Its amazing to me how everything works out. Follow me here...lol! So, CoD...and I have no hate for it, just not for me, takes the simplistic route releasing very similar iterations on a yearly basis. I guess this yr was a huge jump with a new engine and storyline. I don't see it. It does look good on ps4 but that's b/c its 1080p. Anyway, they don't do a beta and they r often hacked and become a mess. For many, it becomes unplayable. I've never seen any real patches that fix this in most instances. Yes, it is selling worse this yr. I think its oversaturationand BLops2 was better.

To Battlefield. EA decided to try and bring us an iteration every 2 yrs. Maybe a bad idea but it may also b b/c they wanted to put something out for new consoles. They beta test and yeah, often there r issues but it is a much more complex game than CoD or most games out there. Now, my guess is that it had to b pushed out in time for the season and obviously has bugs. I've been kicked on ps4 maybe 5x amd I've noticef some animation issues but overall...its damn good.

I do think they would b best served to fix it as best they can and then just build on it for awhile. No new game next yr. Come back in 2015, preferraby 2016 with BBC:3. I hate how they catch all the flak in the industry when at the very least they r very engaged, use beta testing and the quality over the yrs is 2nd to none. While issues do need to be addressed, they should not b the focal point of all this hate. Though I will say that ppl r only angry b/c they want to plau so badly.

[zeee]

I do not understand all this "I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS ON PS4" when my friends and I have had the EXACT problems. The only logical explanation that I could think of is that some of you are from EU? I got my BF4/Killzone copy before my PS4 arrive (Amazon shipped them early) and on 15th, I got my PS4.

Everyone that I knew who had PS4 and was playing BF4 on it had the same problems which were:

1- Crashing to blue screen
2- Unable to join Conquest servers
3- Unable to join Rush servers
4- Sometimes you were unable to join a game because of a glitch with Commander mode
5- Constant corrupting of the Saved data.

And I could go and on. We were forced to play only TDM or sometimes Obliteration mode and that too would keep crashing on us.

Lets face it, DICE and EA screwed us big time and there should be laws that should protect us from these borderline criminal business practices.

[mewhy32]

I don't know if the franchise is permantely damaged but they should have released a more completed game. The bad press that EA's been receiving surely hasn't helped.

[Withdreday]

Well I don't know why you got so many disagrees. That was actually a well thought out post.

I agree that they're getting way too much hate based off of a few glitches. Had they delayed BF4 to fix them, I imagine they would have heard screams even louder how they suck and "ruined the franchise" by not going against CoD this holiday season, so it appears they just can't win.

Besides that though, people are just being way too dramatic in saying the brand is damaged. It'll be patched soon enough and people won't even remember how buggy it was when it first came out.

Gamers just seem to be out for blood for some reason. Sheesh...

[IVanSpinal]

Good thing is
The X1 version has few crashes since day one
:)

[Joe913]

I played it on the ps4 and have not had that many crashes either hell I don't see what the fuss is R* had more problems with GTO imo but you play you expect it to work perfectly.

[Withdreday]

That's because so many are buying it for the PS4 instead.

And when BF4 crashes on the Xbone, it probably takes the whole system with it, so be careful what you wish for.

[harv052]

I'd have to say EA yes, Dice, no.

[MrCrimson]

I don't own BF on the console, I do own it on the PC and it is by far the best shooter available in the market.

Since shooters are the type of game that typically sell large quantities of units I would not do what you suggest. Until Call of Duty can match Battlefield (in prior iterations Dice was limited by hardware; bum graphics 30fps limited destruction/player count) I'd keep shoving iterations down people's throat. It's a better product plain and simple; just more people need to give it a chance, and yeah, they need to fix the server issues.

[SegataSanshiro]

"should of"

LOL

[stuna1]

I think it has really become counter productive when you look at it, BattleField has been trying for how long to top Call of Duty in fun factor and sales? Now when they have come so close to doing so, this happens! Let's just say that this couldn't have happened at a more inopportune moment.

[Kevlar009]

Considering this was the worst CoD in a long time they really blew it. They took advantage of their playerbase and gave new players a bad impression of EA/BF.

I thought the Kevin Pereira rant was well constructed. What's really sad is BF4 is an amazing game... when it works. The thing is the average person doesn't want a sportcar that won't start 50% of the time
http://n4g.com/news/1414180...

[stuna1]

Exactly! What you said mimics mostly everyone's thought on the game who have experienced issues! "BF4 is an amazing game....when it works!"

[Kleptic]

exactly right on how close they were to finally topping CoD, too...

if BF4 would've been delayed to say...right now...but went live nearly bug free...and ghosts released with the same amount of mediocrity that it received...

you can't imagine how different EA's public image would be right now...working BF4 torments ghosts to no end...but...them pushing its release to fall just before ghosts damaged its credibility to the degree of being sued by their own shareholders...

they should teach business classes related to EA's past two months titled: "How to fumble it 101"...

[BISHOP-BRASIL]

@Kleptic

I would also add (but I'm not completelly sure on this one) I believe all available games on either next gen console was released on launch. Come on, I can't be the only one on a drought here... I mean, there were good games on launch, but I'm pretty much done with them and would love to see something new before January/February.

So delaying a little not only could benefit them the most because it could be working properly, but if they had released this week they could also be hitting the market right when people are willing to buy pretty much any new big game (with no games releasing together they could monopolize the spotlight, we're in a post-launch drought and it's right before Xmas craziest shopping spree).

[WorldGamer]

I won't rule out getting another BF game, but definitely will not EVER get one at launch.

I believe there is a reasonable level of problems a game like BF would be expected to have, but BF4 has been ridiculous. The game is phenomenal from a game play and fun factor standpoint, but the technical issues really hinder the full potential of the product.

I know it's tantalizing to want the same success that CoD has had, but the long term also counts for something too. Now the BF franchise will have the stigma of being bug ridden. I wonder if they would say it was worth it.

[iamnsuperman]

I stopped with 3 (and I didn't get that at launch either) I am glad I held off this time (from what I hear)

[Kleptic]

yeah totally agreed...i have no interest in another release window for any future game in the franchise...no pre-orders, etc...

Sad thing is, i'm one of many that falls for that impulse thing...BF is a game i'll only really get in to if i jump into it very early in its release...i like the race of it as everyone is figuring out the mechanics, and the maps, etc...if i'm not in there day 1...its likely i'll lose interest in it entirely...

so, in a way, this could definitely be the last BF i bother with...but no joke...BF4 has been the biggest joke of a multiplayer game i've ever tried; in terms of network stability at least...hell i played mp on dial up with less ridiculousness than BF4...

[SITH]

Yep, last purchase of a battlefield game at launch for me also.

[tigertron]

Well it's certainly put me off buying another Battlefield game on day one.

I would hope that EA has learnt from their mistake, but they keep repeating it.

[Kleptic]

repeating the same mistakes, but they're resulting in even bigger problems...BF3 was a complete mess at release...but for like 2 weeks...BF4 is barely getting its head above water...7 weeks later...and each patch has introduced even MORE bugs...

it really seems like this one got away from them...in a really big way...

[MrSwankSinatra]

Am i the only one starting to see a trend here. it's like every game EA has put is either mediocre, buggy, or rushed.

MOH Warfighter & BF4 - Buggy & Rushed

MOH & BF3 - Buggy

Sim City - Buggy, DRM, Unplayable for like a week or two at launch

Dead Space 3 & Mass Effect 3 - The Weakest Installments in those series.

Army Of Two Devils Cartel & NBA LIVE 14 - Mediocre garbage & Buggy

[krazykombatant]

In all fairness you play bf3 now and it's nearly flawless, and at least the patches have come (as far as I'm aware I'm just installing bf4) a lot faster than the BF3 patches did.

God I remember when it tooks months to get the USAS-frag and Famas bugs sorted out.

[Soldierone]

I had BF3 on launch, it took almost a year for them to finally fix that mess lol

BF4 already has almost the same amount of patches, but still more issues than BF3 ever had. Honestly would compare BF4 to the Metro beta for BF3, the early one, not the late one.

[Kleptic]

which platform?

BF3 on PS3 was pretty stable within about 2 weeks...VOIP was messed up, but crashes, hit detection, etc., were all great ime...i could regularly play for a few hours an evening with no real issues...

BF4? tons of people are still crashing 1 out of every 3 games...rubberbanding shows up with wreckless abandon...one hit kills, trades, etc...the 16th's patch helped most with crashing, but 'netcode' issues are simply as bad as ever...

[youhoser86]

you can add alot of the sports games to that list,the one thing a sports game has going for it are the rosters and they cant get them right

[slayereddy]

Dice hasn't done shit. It's EA tryin to shove it out the door too early like they did with the last Medal Of Honor game. A game should not be released until its ready...end of NO discussion. I think the proof is the recent news of a class action lawsuit against them for such a game full of bugs...take this as a warning you big publishers, putting too much pressure on games to be sold before there ready. All this reliance on people being online and the attitude of 'oh well we can update it later' has gone too far.

[Blues Cowboy]

Agreed - and EA will take note of a class action lawsuit from disgruntled *shareholders*, not gamers. We get ignored all the time, but when it hits their bottom line, hopefully things will start to change.

Oh man, that's the most naive thing I've ever written.

[ExPresident]

Gamers aren't ignored. When gamers don't buy games, sales suffer, and when sales suffer, stocks suffer.

We just need to vote with our wallets better.

[ThatCanadianGuy514]

Really wish people would stop Giving Dice a free pass every time they release a broken game.Was it EA that developed the mess that is BF4? Was is EA who developed the garbage that was BF3 too? No.

Dice is steadily going downhill with every release and people blame it solely on EA for some reason, as if Dice is completely innocent of all this bullshit and can do no wrong.

[Joe913]

Just think Dice is working on the new star wars game.

[FANTA1180]

still rather play broken ass bf4 over cod ghosts at 100%...

[Ace Killa 08]

This^^^ Even after all the error codes and crashes I still reload the game and work around the issue(s). I love the faranchise and game, but this was the worse launch of the series.

Someone mentioned DS3, ME3, SimCity, and other games. I find the pattern now with the mess that EA/Developers do with great games.

[tee_bag242]

Same. COD is the have been recycling that same engine far too long.

[bunfighterii]

You see... I thought this... until I actually played a few games of COD Ghosts and experienced stable servers and smooth gameplay after fighting with EA's train wreck that is BF4 for hours trying to simply stay in a game.

A stable playable COD experience is way more fun than a broken, crashing, constantly disconnecting Battlefield one. Any day.

But when (or if) BF4 works... then it'll be miles ahead.

[XboxFun]

Well all gamers cared about before the release was whether it was in 1080p or not. No mention of if the game worked or played exactly as they showed us.

Warning bells should have sounded off way before hand when both CoD and BF4 were announced to launch with both new systems AND for 360, PS3. It should have been an early signed of a rushed game.

But the hype of grafix was too much of a focus for most and a great way at poking fun at the competition. Now most are stuck with a 900p buggy, glitch fest that occasionally crashes.

[CGI-Quality]

The 720p, 900p, and 1080p games ALL have bugs. That is, the X1 version, PS4 version, and PC version. I've played all three and have witnessed game breaking issues across the board.

[Soldierone]

They ruined their chances at ever beating COD, thats for sure. They had the biggest opportunity with BF4, all they had to do was fine tune it before release. Instead we get.... somewhat of a game.

When the most support you get is "well its awesome.... when it works...." then there is an issue.

EA better hope Titanfall doesn't suck.

Not going to lie, they had it setup at E3 and the game was friggin awesome. What we are getting, especially on consoles, is not nearly the same experience.....

[bunfighterii]

Titanfall (hopefully) won't suck - it's the guys who were behind Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare 2 - the best two online COD experiences on the last gen. It'll have a few bugs but those guys will be on it quickly.

BF4 was clearly and simply unfinished. It should simply be called Betafield 4 right now.

[ExPresident]

I'll never purchase another Battlefield game on release again. EA/DICE have lost that business.

[Ace Killa 08]

ExPresident
I'll never purchase another Battlefield game on release again. EA/DICE have lost that business.
**Key words ON RELEASE ** now it'll be best to wait a month or so. Before it use to be a few days with all the server issues they would have.

[ExPresident]

I'm thinking more along the lines of months after release, or used at some point so they don't get my money.

[staticdash22]

EA really better hope that Titanfall launches near perfectly. EA being the publisher already makes me nervous, although it's good news that Respawn still owns the IP as apart of EA partners program.

[Einhert]

Battlefield was permanently damaged when the main series was put on to console and that bad company tripe was started up.

The Best BF games were BF1942, BF2142, BF Vietnam and BF2.

The glory days of this franchise are long gone.

[Ace Killa 08]

c'mon spread the love to console gamers, BC and BC2 were meant for consoles than PCs yet those games were epic!

[Einhert]

Of course Bad Company was meant for consoles, just the main series was neglected for those reasons and DICE seemed to forget their roots completely.

They also thought producing shiny graphics with overblown light effects made the game PC centric.

But PC is only about graphics, right?

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

[beereal360]

Bf4 and Cod ghost both being very bad have paved the way for Titan Fall to takeover.

[CGI-Quality]

I highly doubt Titanfall takes over anything. Not to say it will be a bad game, but not THAT caliber of a title.

[Yodagamer]

For the last few years my general rule is wait until a ea game is $29 or less because odds are they'll finally be fixed by then and if not i didn't pay alot for it.

[DanielGearSolid]

No , only thr internet cares, most casual gamers dont care

[clmstr]

They should have not released Battelfield 4 this year at all. When Battlefield 3 was released in 2011, it really was a completely new and FRESH experience compared to Battlefield 2 (that 6-year break between these two titles). And now BF4 doesn't feel "fresh and new" considering it came out only 2 year after BF3. Hell, Battlefield 3 could have been evolving till like late 2014 when I think Bad Company 3 would be perfect to be released.
With this rushed release of BF4 EA has just ruined one of my favourite franchises of all time. I remember how excited I was when I watched the very first teaser for Battlefield 3. BF4 just doesn't give me such emotions. God...I hate every f*cking person who works at EA. They're just awful people.

[bunfighterii]

It felt a bit backwards compared to Bad Company 2 though TBH. Small things like you can't cook grenades for example, and the lack to 'total' destruction.

Bad Company 2 was the best console Battlefield.

[FrigidDARKNESS]

Maybe, with all the issues the game have and constant updates to fix things gamers will be hesitant to buy the next Battlefield.

[spaceg0st]

I've had a great time so far with my ps4/bf4 with minimal issues. (Rank 103)... I don't regret my purchase (premium included) at all. I know everyone's had different issues with the game, but I'm glad it was there at launch, broken and all. It just meant I was limited to tdm, domination and rush. I can see how the conquest fans would be pissed, but it's a great game with issues that WILL be fixed over time.

[Ninjamonkey82]

I most just be one off the lucky ones that has had miniumul problems from PC and PS4 versions only thing i wanted fixing was the sound now hats sorting its beast for me on both platforms.

Yeah PS4 could do with the browser being fixed up some. But as far as the crashes go i have had one crash seen PS4 launch. PC only issues for me was the sound that was an issue on PS4 on the same maps aswell.

Dice have sorted now personally as long as there are still patching the thing at least its still being supported.

[MR123_C]

I too have had minimal problems with the PS4 version. I personally don't see what the big fuss is about it just needs a bit of fine tuning in my opinion.

[elmaton98]

You guys are lucky then because for me is a different story. Before the patch, it would ramdomly crash and send me to the ps4 UI. Now after the resent patch, the game disconnect my controller and I cant use it at all(I can use other aplecations or navigate the UI but not the game at all) and really frustrating.

[lildudexst]

I really think bf4 is done for at this rate.

[SpecialK]

I played bf4 a couple weeks ago with no issues but i reckon i must be in the minority.

What gets me though, is I swear rockstar just had similar issues and people didnt seem to mind? EA is always going to get more stick than everyone else.

Id like to see another bad company, or one set in the future again. BF4 hasnt felt like a big enough jump from BF3 to the point that after trying BF4 im still happily playing BF3 at the moment.

[Ashunderfire86]

Heck not even the single player works lol!!! I really like the multiplayer of this game,but battlefield 4 just wasn't ready for launch. I remember an article weeks before it came out saying that they almost delayed Battlefield 4. Read Here:

http://screencrush.com/next...

They should of seen what Ubisoft was doing with delaying Watchdogs, and delay Battlefield 4 until its ready. I really love the multiplayer and want to finish the single player, but the just need to fix it. They rush the game to market so they could compete with Call of Duty, by releasing Battlefield 4 the same month, and same at the end of the month like Battlefield 3, back in October 2011. Call of Duty still beat Battlefield 4. If you don't believe me, just look at Twitch and Ustream on PS4. I am really nervous for Star Wars Battlefront and Mirror Edge 2 right now. I really hope they don't rush those games too. They should of really made Battlefield 4 for Fall 2014, and release Bad Company 3 instead. I wouldn't mine waiting for the game.

I will not be surprise if EA gets worst company of the year 3 years in a row. They need to go back to the drawing board, and get their damn heads straight. Its a great thing I got this game for free, with the buy one get one free deal from Amazon.

[jjb1981]

I'm one of the lucky few who hasn't had any crashes or have been annoyed by bugs. The only problem I've had on ps4 with bf4 is that the server browser sucks...

[shmeedy24685]

I've experienced some problems with Battlefield 4 but I've been experiencing problems with games, especially when playing multiplayer for years so it's not a big deal for me. The game is fantastic and I'm really enjoying it, as long as I can play online then I'm happy, would be annoying If I couldn't connect to a game but that's not the case so far!

[kingduqc]

Battlefield 2 was a great game.
Battlefield 3 was a good game.
Battlefield 4 does not even work and it's almost like bf3..

Milking games like COD isn't how you make great games, I'm not buying another game from em that's for sure.

[gcolley]

BF3 and 4 are on different engine versions and are far from the same. The series evolves with every new game UNLIKE CoD. The problem is having an innovative, talented studio under a publisher like EA. DICE just do not have the time they would like to give players something evolved when they have EA standing over the top cracking the whip.

Every game since BFBC1 has shipped broken because they have used an updated engine. I really feel they need more time than they are given, and coming from a PC background, think they can still release an unfinished game and fix it with community support and feedback. This is the best way to get the best online game, but with the "I want it now" generation, this just causes an online backlash.

Personally, I wasn't even ready for BF4, and feel they had only really fixed BF3 6 months earlier. I am glad they have put focus on fixing the current game instead of just whoring out more DLC maps. EA just needs to butt out and all will be good.

[sAVAge_bEaST]

You guys are forgetting the massive flop, that was Medal of Honor:War Fighter, last year.

EA- just stop., Let DICE develop on their own terms.

thanks, the gaming community.

[Razputin]

I've played every Battlefield game since 1942. And nearly all mods that came out with the PC version up to Bad Company 2 which didn't support mods.

EA has forced DICE to hurt the Battlefield franchise.

BF4 is a HUGE POS. I had it day one, and I even bought Premium biggest waste of money ever.

Its trying to be Call of Duty with vehicles. The maps are tiny, the scale of the game is different, the weapons seem to have no bullet spread, and everything just feels like Call of Duty.

I loved Call of Duty, but after Black Ops it just got too boring for me, especially on PC. Running and Gunning finally lost its edge.

CoD is dying. Activision knows this, consumers now know this. But leave it to EA to ruin Battlefield.

You better believe there is going to be a new Battlefield for 2014. Look it up, Michael Pachter (sp) predicted there would be a new Battlefield in 2014, and EA confirmed that it is probable, but it won't come from DICE.

https://www.psu.com/a021913...

I wish I could find the other article I read, but its 12:40 AM don't want to do searching and reading.

But say goodbye to the good ole Battlefield franchise.

[Satsumo]

They got lucky - COD Ghosts is such a bad game (in gameplay terms) that there isn't a decent alternative sucking everyone in. Maybe if Titanfall had released.

Therefore bug-ridden BF4 is still worth getting (I currently only have Ghosts - which is utterly boring, hence will be getting BF4 even with all its negative press).