Battlefield 3 Clubhouse

[GullyFoyle]

BF3 alpha "benchmarks" with many different GPU's:

Russian or Google Translated to English

 

[DanishDevil]

Man, I missed out on the survey? I wanted to play so badly during the last few hours that I thought they would at least keep the survey and forums online for a little while after!

 

[lemode]

I was pretty thorough with filling out the survey. I hope they fix some issues I had with the game. I doubt I’d join in on the Beta unless it was a Conquest map and not Rush (fat chance I know). Playing this made me remember how much I hate Rush in battlefield games.

Might just pass on this game all together.

 

[GullyFoyle]

New Battlefield Blog Post: Former SAS operator Andy McNab expands the Battlefield 3 storyline in original novel

Spoiler

BY: HBrun POSTED: Aug 01, 2011, 12:00AM

This is he. The author -- not the Russian, that is. Photo (C) Johnny Ring

We are very happy to announce the upcoming novel Battlefield 3: The Russian. Set to coincide with the Battlefield 3 launch on October 25, this novel is written by former SAS operator and Battlefield 3 consultant Andy McNab (co-authored with Peter Grimsdale).

In the game, the single-player storyline is revealed through a series of flashbacks as Marine Staff Sergeant Henry Blackburn races to prevent an attack on New York City by a deadly force known as the PLR. As Blackburn recalls key events leading up to the attack, players take control of several characters in heart-pounding missions across land, sea and air.

One of these characters is Dmitri “Dima” Mayakovsky, a legendary and pragmatic GRU operator in the twilight of his Special Forces career. Known as a “cleaner”, Dima is the sort of person that does whatever it takes to get the job done. The book picks up where the game leaves off, allowing McNab and Grimsdale to give a thrilling new perspective into Dima’s own personal quest as well as the events of Battlefield 3.

“It is impossible for any single medium to fully capture the emotion and intensity of war. The Battlefield 3: The Russian novel is one window into the experience, and the game is another. They complement each other perfectly,” said Andy McNab. “Working with DICE has been a fantastic ride. Battlefield 3 is going to surprise people this autumn. The story, the characters, the world and the intense action come together to create a resonant, memorable experience.”

McNab is also working with the team at DICE to ensure the authenticity and grittiness of today’s warfare is experienced in the single player, co-op and multiplayer campaigns. Below, you can see him in action as he directs our motion capture actors to move and behave like bona fide soldiers in Battlefield 3.

Andy McNab in action consulting on the acting in Battlefield 3.

In 1984 McNab was 'badged' as a member of 22 SAS Regiment and was involved in both covert and overt special operations worldwide. During the Gulf War he commanded Bravo Two Zero, a patrol that, in the words of his commanding officer, 'will remain in regimental history for ever'. Awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and Military Medal (MM) during his military career, McNab was the British Army's most highly decorated serving soldier when he finally left the SAS in February 1993. He wrote about his experiences in the bestseller Bravo Two Zero

EuroGamer.net - Andy McNab and Battlefield 3 - Interview

Spoiler

by Robert Purchese 1/08/2011 @ 14:25

Battlefield earned its stripes as a multiplayer game. Fast forward 11 years and Battlefield, now promoted as the contender to the colossal Call of Duty, will have to exhibit similar skill at telling a story. Who better to hire as help, thought Battlefield 3 developer DICE, than best-selling author and former SAS member Andy McNab.

McNab, a pseudonym, shot to fame for writing Bravo Two Zero, his account of a failed Gulf War SAS patrol. He's written more books based on his own experiences since, as well as fiction and an autobiography. McNab also spent time in Hollywood advising on the use of weapons and military manoeuvres, and worked with Michael Mann and the actors on Heat. Now, his silhouetted self has turned to games.

Andy McNab is co-writing a book called Battlefield 3: The Russian to accompany the game. The book fleshes out game character Dmitri "Dima" Mayakovsky. But McNab's influence on Battlefield 3 doesn't end there; he's been working with DICE for just under a year, ensuring that the story works, the game looks believable, and that the actors behave like real soldiers.

Eurogamer talked to Andy McNab.

Eurogamer: What are you doing on Battlefield 3?

Andy McNab: Working on the game on a number of different levels. I was asked to look at the script, and I was looking at motivations and justifications for things to happen. It was more question and answer than a creative process on that.

"There's a nine year-old today, and when he comes back from whatever he's doing he can turn the telly on and he can watch rape and murder at half-past six at night."
And then sitting down with the teams doing different aspects of different levels and looking at the aesthetics, trying to get it looking right. You can look at a catalogue of tanks online, but actually what we forget is that for the tank crews that's their home, they live in it, so they personalise it. It's trying to give it that feel of being right.

Then looking at the tactics, what people are doing on the ground and the reasons why they're doing it, and transferring it into the motion capture studio. Actors want to know why they're doing something in a certain way and why they're saying things. Soldiers' dialogue is always progressive and positive, there's no "what we're trying to do". It's "what we'll do is..." - it's all that positive stuff. Trying to talk about that and why that happens, so when the actors do their two or three lines of dialogue they've got that background to it, as well as holding the weapons in a realistic way so it looks like they've been using them for years.

Eurogamer: Did you change anything in Battlefield 3?

Andy McNab: Certainly, on the tank attack aspects. I've already talked about tank crews, how they live and how everybody's trying to plumb in their iPhones and all that stuff. But when they're going through the compound, the big desert fortification where they build up the sand to make it like a fort complex, it's an exact replica of one that is on the Iraq-Iranian border.

You get these big, battalion-sized fortifications. It looks like some medieval embankment. So we're sitting down looking at all the bits and pieces coming out about the major tank attack and looking at the fortifications, and I remembered that about four years ago I was flying along the border with the MOD, because I do these trips for the Ministry of Defence, you know, the Brits. And we flew over these [fortifications] that we used for 10 years in the war between Iraq and Iran. And as you do I just took some [pictures]. I thought ah, you know what, I've got some pictures. When I got back to the UK I'm trolling through the lap top trying to find it and I sent the pictures back [to DICE].

So what happened is you've got an exact replica of one of the fortifications that's on the Iraq-Iranian border. I wasn't quite sure if it was going to be used, but the next time I come [to DICE] it's there, in the game. That was really good.

Eurogamer: What shape was Battlefield 3 in when you first saw it?

Andy McNab: These guys know what they're doing, they've been doing it for years in different games. But what they want to do is get it right. The meat was already there. And the beauty of it is, unlike film - where you have a point where the creativity has got to stop because you've got to film - you can still be creative and change and adapt, and everybody wants to as well. So the process was good.

Eurogamer: Did you do any motion-capture?

Andy McNab: No, I didn't get the kit on. When you got the actors there and the stunt guys there you do the walk-through talk-through with them. On part of the promotion packs there's some film of me on the motion capture, on the floor in the studio doing bits and pieces with the actors.

I'd look ridiculous with one of those suits on anyway.

Eurogamer: Has working on Battlefield 3 brought back memories?

Andy McNab: When they're in Iran and in the game it looks and feels very much like the Gulf [War]. You know, about a million-and-a-half people got killed in that war. And actually a lot of the urban stuff in Tehran takes me back to infantry days, running around the streets of Northern Ireland. The tactics, the way that you operate in an urban environment, is obviously different to a rural environment. That was quite good, because I was trying to give practical examples of why guys on the ground would do a certain thing, so the guys had some kind of context for it.

Eurogamer: In real-life, war isn't pretty, but a game can't go that far. How much more gruesome could Battlefield 3 be?

Andy McNab: I don't think it's about that. What we're trying to do is to entertain - it's a vehicle of entertainment. We're not trying to say, with any ideology, that this is what war is really like. What we're trying to do is give people entertainment that actually feels right, because when you're playing a game or watching a film, it's really easy for your unconscious mind to go "that's wrong; I don't know what it is, but it's wrong". All the effort is really about making this feel right. But it's entertainment. It's not a documentary.

Eurogamer: Games today resemble real-life - are video game makers behaving responsibly enough with what they portray?

Andy McNab: I think they are responsible. If you look at it as part of what people are exposed to: there's a nine year-old today, and when he comes back from whatever he's doing he can turn the telly on and he can watch rape and murder at half-past six at night. Or he can turn on 24-hour TV and watch famine in Somalia and kids literally dying in front of his eyes. People are more exposed now to trauma of all types than they've ever been before.

Eurogamer: Do you play Call of Duty?

Andy McNab: Yeah, yeah I play them all. And I lose at them, from Wii Bowling upwards. I've got a couple of godsons and they range between nine and just turned 14, and I'm really bad - I get annihilated by them all the time.

Eurogamer: Is this a one-off or will you work with Battlefield again on four, five, six?

Andy McNab: Well I hope so yeah! All depends how this game goes, ha ha. So far so good. I like the process very much, because you've got that flexibility and everybody's involved in that process. It's good fun and I enjoy it.

Eurogamer: Is this your first game project?

Andy McNab: No. Like all these things, whether it's books or the media in general, there's always offers that come in. But nine out of ten times, quite frankly, they're sh*t. Once something comes up and it's something I would like to do [I ask] has it got its own credibility - could it stand alone anyway? It doesn't become enjoyable if you're just called on board because they think you're going to elevate it. Well this [Battlefield 3] has got its own elevation anyway, so you're joining something that is already a winner, which is a great thing to do.

Eurogamer: How much are EA paying you?

Andy McNab: Well my answer to that is: not enough! Ha ha. Unfortunately there's no one here from the EA office listening! No, it's all good, and you get loads of time spent in Stockholm. It's fantastic.

Battlefield 3 is due to be released 25/10/2011 on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

 

[Wrigleyvillain]

Makes sense for the beta to be a large conquest map but I too doubt it will be.

 

[boise49ers]

Makes sense for the beta to be a large conquest map but I too doubt it will be.

BFBC2 was pretty good sized maybe we'll get lucky again. I just hope it isn't a blinding snow or sand storm on what ever map it is.

 

[BondExtreme]

So is there any talk about making an official TPU clan for this game? Sorry don't come in here too much.

I can post videos of us and I can also get going an intro animation together for the TPU BF3 clan.

 

[GullyFoyle]

Planet Battlefield - US Retailers Announce Battlefield 3 Pre-Order Bonus Items

Spoiler

Monday, 1 August, 2011 at 17:41 PST | ^Scott^

Today retailers have started to reveal their pre-order incentives for Battlefield 3. Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy and of course EA's Origin all have special offers. All pre-orders come with the Back to Karkand expansion pack.

Australian retailer, JB HI-FI is offering up real Battlefield 3 dog tags and a Battlefield 3 cap for people who pre-order through them.


Origin:
- Exclusive early open beta access (September 2011)
- Ability to pre-load the full game before release
- Physical Warefare Pack (DAO-12 Shotgun, Flash Suppressor, Type 88 LMG, Flachette Ammo)
- Back to Karkand Expansion Pack
- Battlefield Play4Free Items (870 Combat Shotgun, Beret)


GameStop:
- Physical Warefare Pack (DAO-12 Shotgun, Flash Suppressor, Type 88 LMG, Flachette Ammo)
- Back to Karkand Expansion Pack
- Popup Rewards Members get a digital copy of the Prima strategy guide for BF3: Back to Karkand expansion pack



Amazon:
- Back to Karkand Expansion Pack
- Dog Tag Pack - A set of 5 unique in-game dog tags to choose from. Dog tags in Battlefield 3 serve as your in-game signature, displayed on screen every time you defeat an enemy. You can also claim the dog tag of your enemies via skillful stealth knife takedowns. This pre-order exclusive pack gives you 5 unique dog tag designs to complement the standard range in the game.



Best Buy:
- Back to Karkand Expansion Pack
- SPECACT Kit - A set of 8 multiplayer skins, one for each class and side in Battlefield 3.

 

[DanishDevil]

Well, I said it last week. If pre-ordering gets me into the beta, then I'm down

 

[MT Alex]

BF3 alpha "benchmarks" with many different GPU's:

Russian or Google Translated to English

I had zero troubles playing on high with my setup, which was encouraging. Still going to upgrade by September, though.

 

[boise49ers]

I had zero troubles playing on high with my setup, which was encouraging. Still going to upgrade by September, though.

What are the plans ? I'm thinking of getting a 6950 or 6970 2 GB and that's about it.

 

[MT Alex]

I haven't decided yet. Most likely a 2500K or 2600K. As far as a gpu, I'm trying to decide whether I should move to a newer card or get another 5870. I love the one I have now, and I was hoping two would scale better with a Sandy Bridge. If I went to a single card I would lean towards a 580. And I want a new case, for vanity's sake.

ETA: My enthusiasm over my current setups performance is tempered by the fact that the Alpha didn't contain any of the real bells and whistles that the finished version will have.

 

[H82LUZ73]

judging from the posts in the alpha forums on Battle log the game is running better an AMD gpu`s,All i seen was Nivdia users trying the betas too find good fps and graphics .If you do go Nvidia make sure you have the latest beta divers.Me i ran the game fine on my 6970s crossfire was working on the second card too.
setting were
1980x1200
graphics full
monitor 1
full screen apply on
the rest was on full forget what other option there was.

Man, I missed out on the survey? I wanted to play so badly during the last few hours that I thought they would at least keep the survey and forums online for a little while after!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P89YDV9?om_u=2256006586&om_i=_BOMrllB8caHq00



i just filled out the survey ,this time i gave my opinion about the park wookie campsite.

 

[GullyFoyle]

Makes sense for the beta to be a large conquest map but I too doubt it will be.

Keep your hopes up...

 

[FreedomEclipse]

I haven't decided yet. Most likely a 2500K or 2600K. As far as a gpu, I'm trying to decide whether I should move to a newer card or get another 5870. I love the one I have now, and I was hoping two would scale better with a Sandy Bridge. If I went to a single card I would lean towards a 580. And I want a new case, for vanity's sake.

ETA: My enthusiasm over my current setups performance is tempered by the fact that the Alpha didn't contain any of the real bells and whistles that the finished version will have.

go for the 2500k and use the money saved from not buying the 2600k for another 5870. overclock them both = win

 

[Black Haru]

go for the 2500k and use the money saved from not buying the 2600k for another 5870. Overclock them both = win

+1

 

[GullyFoyle]

BF3 Preorder deals in the UK, from a Steam Forums post:

Spoiler

So after the Alpha ended I have been shopping around for good pre-order deals and offers.
Different retailers are offering different deals at different prices.

The Limited Edition includes classic BF2 maps (Karkand, Oman, Sharqui and Wake Island) with BF2 vehicles and weapons. Which is what every retailer on this list is at least supplying.

GAME UK
For £29.99 you get the Limited Editionhysical Warfare Pack which includes the T-88 LMG with Bipod/ Day 1 Dao-12 shotgun and Flechette ammo for Dao-12/ Flash Suppressor for SKS sniper.

Play.com
For £32.99 you get the Limited Edition with a code for downloading 5 extra dog tag designs and 25% off Battlefield 3 T-shirts sold on Play

Amazon UK
For £29.91 you get the Limited Edition with 8 SPECACT skins (one per class per side).

Zavvi.com
For £29.85 you get the Limited Edition with a free 3 month subscription to either PC Gamer, Official Xbox 360 Magazine or Official Playstation Magazine.

Origin
(checking through Origin client)
For £39.99 you get the Limited Edition: Physical Warfare Pack (same as GAME) and an 807S Shotgun and a Beret for Battlefield Play4Free.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

thanks gully, but i already pre-orderd for £27

gotta do better then that son!

 

[lemode]

zh1nt0 answering some questions on the Hell forums:

Spoiler

Later, he said:

alpha for bad co 2 was still a Rush map as was beta. I don't think EA/Dice will break the monotony...so yes...give your hopes up.

 

[InnocentCriminal]

I'll probably pre-order from SendIt.com as it's the lowest I've found at £27.89 (pound sterling).

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Sharqi Peninsula.... *dribbles*

small map....attack choppers....and little infantry men running out in the open. could kill about 4-5 people in a chopper strafing run back in the day

 

[1Kurgan1]

What are the plans ? I'm thinking of getting a 6950 or 6970 2 GB and that's about it.

I love my 6950 2GB, though I haven't played BF3 with it.

alpha for bad co 2 was still a Rush map as was beta. I don't think EA/Dice will break the monotony...so yes...give your hopes up.

Both PS3 and PC beta were Rush maps So I would be inclined to think it will remain the same, but hope I am wrong.

 

[InnocentCriminal]

I love my 6950 2GB, though I haven't played BF3 with it.

Mine was more than awesome, albeit unlocked to a 6970. I tested the alpha with 11.6, 11.7 and the 11.8 preview set. The 11.8 set rocks. Obviously in other games as well as it did in the alpha.

Back to BC2 for me now.

 

[Scrizz]

I'm in the 6950/6970 2GB crowd too.
I love it

 

[GullyFoyle]

I have not done this myself, but have read of many others having success.

If you want to purchase BF3 off of Origin, and you are not yet a member of the EA Gun Club, sign up for the Gun Club and get a 25% off discount code to use when ordering games off of Origin.

This code should either be shown to you immediately, or show up in your e-mail within 24 hours. (I've heard both stories).