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Come this time tomorrow, PC gamers will be able to traverse Battlefield 3's virtual warzones without sunglasses. DICE is preparing a weighty 2GB patch that addresses a host of issues, including an adjustment to the blinding tactical flashlights. According to the changelog, tac lights will produce less glare over "longer ranges." There's a comparison shot below that demonstrates how much the lens flare has been scaled down at a medium distance.
The patch will also deliver most of the content for the Back to Karkand DLC along with dozens of other tweaks. The IRNV scope is now limited to close range, certain weapons are properly suppressed and conceal your minimap location, stealth air vehicles are less effective, firing a weapon on full auto is less accurate, miniguns are weaker against jets and helicopters, and 12g FRAG ammo is less effective with auto and semi-auto shotguns.
Server hosts can once again reduce the number of people required to start a round to one player in both ranked and unranked modes. DICE caught some flak when it increased the minimum to four players. The developer plans to introduce a "warm-up mode" in the near future that will allow gamers to play with scoring disabled until a certain number of people join, which will trigger the start of the "real round." The full release notes are below.
Although there is a consensus among PC players that it's superior to MW3, BF3 wasn't perfect when it launched. The game's forced browser integration is arguably its greatest blemish, but that'll probably never be changed. However, would you say DICE is doing a decent job patching issues that can be fixed? Have the updates improved your overall impression of the game? Are there any major problems that remain unaddressed?
Bug Fixes
- Fixed a problem with spawn timer now showing blue border on startup and lost spawn point
- Fixed a problem where player who joined queuing on End of round got spawn screen stuck on screen, but unable to do anything with it untill next round loaded
- Fixed a problem where camera would change to 3rd person on killcam when killcam was turned off in server settings
- Fixed stat references on several dogtags
- Fixed for surveillance ribbon not counting TUGS
- Fixed a missing combat area lines on the minimap for Grand Bazaar conquest small
- Moved a tank spawn in US base on Caspian Border so it would not be destroyed by a falling tree
- Fixed a problem where placing C4 with the russians soldier was playing US faction VO
- Fixed a problem where TV guided missiles could be shot into its own helicopter and destroy it
- Fixed a problem when attempting to fire lock on weapons without a target
- Tweaked the chat, it should now be a bit easier to read
- Fixed several vehicles that did not properly shoot rockets and guns towards their predictive sights
- Fixed the G17 Supressed Laser not working properly
- Added alternate HUD colors to help colorblinds
- Added a network interpolation setting. This allows users with good bandwidth reduce latency, but might increase some stuttering. The user can find what works best for his connection by tweaking the slider.
- Increased the Spawn protection radius on TDM
- Fixed a problem with smoke on land vehicles, Missiles should now miss more often
- Fixed a problem where users could end up with IRNV scope in any vehicle
- Fixed a problem where player dies if vaulting over a ledge and into water while sprinting
- Fixed several crashes and increased general stability
- Fixed a problem where the user was unable to revive two players that have the bodies one over the other
- Fixed so you can assign an axis and use as a digital input. This makes it possible for the player (on pc) to assign one of the sticks on a gameped to be used for throttle/brake.
- Fixed a problem with the Kill camera acting up when suiciding from parachute
- Fixed air radar was showing to much. now lasertagged, heatsignature above threshold, enemy missiles and capture points are only visible on air radar
- Fixed a problem where the game would enter a technical hang if the user pressed pause menu and tilde at the same time
- Fixed a problem where you could get green flashes on screen
- You can now reassign cycle weapons
- Fixed so the weapon zooms automatically after bipod deploy is gone when using zoom toggle
- Fixed a problem where the parachute would stay stuck in air if the owner was killed
Balance Tweaks
- Fixed several weapons so they are properly suppressed and hide the player on the minimap when fired.
- Tweaked Tactical Light so it is not as blinding over longer ranges.
- Tweaked the IRNV scope so it is limited to usage only at close range.
- Reduced heat masking effectiveness of Spec Ops Camo.
- Fixed a bug where Ammo spec would give additional 40mm grenades instead of Frag spec.
- Increased the number of additional 40mm grenades from Frag spec.
- Fixed so AT mines only live for 20 seconds after a player dies to prevent infinite mines.
- Increased the Time to Live on sniper caliber rounds to allow extreme distance shots.
- Fixed several weapon descriptions, calibers, and fire rates. The weapons themselves have not changed.
- Fixed so the M9 and MP443 pistol can be equipped by the opposing faction when it is unlocked at 100 kills.
- Fixed Laser Guided Missiles missing their targets if the target is moving too fast.
- Reduced the effectiveness of Stealth on Air Vehicles.
- Reduced the effectiveness of Beam Scanning for Jets.
- Reduced the damage done to Armored Vehicles and Infantry from AA guns.
- Increased the damage RPGs and Tank shells do to AA vehicles.
- Slightly decreased the accuracy for all weapons on fully automatic, burst fire is now preferable at mid to long range.
- Increased the effective accuracy of long bursts for LMGs when using a bipod.
- Slightly increased the range of the 44magnum bullets.
- Increased the close range damage of 4.6x30mm and 5.7x28mm bullets.
- Increased the reload time of the Mortar from 3.5sec to 4.8sec and increased the time it takes before a shell hits the ground.
- Reduced the aimed accuracy bonus given by a Suppressor for the MP7, P90, PP2000, PP-19, and UMP45.
- Increased the range and FOV for designating targets with the SOFLAM and vehicle Laser Designators.
- Decreased the effectiveness of 12g FRAG ammo when equipped on semi-automatic and automatic shotguns.
- Slightly Increased the power of Fighter Jet Cannons against all vehicle targets, especially Helicopters.
- Decreased the power of Miniguns against Jets and Helicopters.
- Increased the power of Stingers against Jets.
- Flares reload times for Jets and Helicopter Gunners have been increased.
- Tweaked the AN94 so its burst fire better conveys the real world advantage offered by this weapon.
- Added Single Shot to the AN94 as an available fire mode.
- Slightly increased the recoil on the M416 and removed the Burst Fire mode (this weapon incorrectly had burst fire, which was not authentic).
- Tweaked the spawns for TDM on Kharg Island, Grand Bazaar, Caspian Border, Seine Crossing, Operation Firestorm, Damavand Peak and Noshahar Canals
- Moved a tank spawn in US base on Caspian Border so it would not be destroyed by a falling tree
- Tweaked the Gas station Capture area on Conquest on Caspian Border
- Tweaked the max vehicle height on Noshahar Canals
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User Comments: 40
Got something to say? Post a comment-
Xclusiveitalian said:
2GB is going to take forever to download, they should have broken it up a-bit. Can EA's server even handle it? I'm glad to see the fixes, still think planes need a 2-3x boost in speed tho. They need to fix a problem where you jump behind cover and then get shot and when you view the replay you were in the open. It's a lag issue, I know CSS had the same problem, but I can't think of its name.
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The PS3 patch was a waste of bandwidth and this will be no different.
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xclusiveitalian said:
2GB is going to take forever to download, they should have broken it up a-bit. Can EA's server even handle it? I'm glad to see the fixes, still think planes need a 2-3x boost in speed tho. They need to fix a problem where you jump behind cover and then get shot and when you view the replay you were in the open. It's a lag issue, I know CSS had the same problem, but I can't think of its name.
It's called interp
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I wonder if it will fix the performance drop that some people have been experiencing.
I have 10 fps less when running AA than before the most recent patch with same drivers.
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I hope they fix the hangs and freezes on load up issues, really annoys me when your mate says "Join me on this server" your 6th in queue and you go make a cup of tea and eat some biscuits while reading techspot, then finally you get in just to find the game has frozen loading and now you have to start all over again! then it will always work the second time, you'll join the squad that your mates are in and 30 seconds in... it crashes, then when you do it a third time, everything works fine? its not my PC either and my friends get the same issue.
On another note I really hope this makes getting into the game much better, Its great when it is working even with the glitches, Although it would be nice if they could fix the lag issues and hit recognition, I really hate it when my ping is usually 12-17 yet when I shoot a guy in the back with half a round of my assult rifle he still lives as he jumps over into cover, it doesn't happen too often but still really annoying.
2GB is a bit much? Luckily (touch wood) the EA servers have been good to me here in the UK and I've only ever been dissconnected once (well twice but the second time was because my router crashed) so hopefully this won't destroy the relatively good rep I currently hold for EA's servers.
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The 2gb file size should be available via torrent.
When looking at patches, the file size is the least i'd worry about...but some people think differently.
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Awesome, still no change to the chat box or any tinkering with it, at 1280x720 it touches the fukn crosshair.
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Is this only for pc?
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Who cares about those changes? In my opinion they'll only make the game worse. I definitely won't be able to fly a helicopter for more than a few seconds before being shot down.
When are we going to be able to customize our kits and vehicles without starting a game?
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okay dumb question, what does "most of return to Karkland" mean? do you not have to purchase this add now?
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The 2GB contains the Back to Karkand maps too. Just like with BC2: Vietnam, you will download the whole expansion pack regardless if youre using it or not.
Im pleased with these changes. BF3 really feels unfinished in its current state. Its like they rushed it out the door to try and beat MW3, when Call of Duty players dont give a rats about Battlefield anyway.
Next thing they need to do is fix the commo rose!!
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The 2GB contains the Back to Karkand maps too. Just like with BC2: Vietnam, you will download the whole expansion pack regardless if youre using it or not.
Im pleased with these changes. BF3 really feels unfinished in its current state. Its like they rushed it out the door to try and beat MW3, when Call of Duty players dont give a rats about Battlefield anyway.
Next thing they need to do is fix the commo rose!!
okay thanks
I thought that back to karkland was a paid DLC -
2G isn't much when you consider I tested the new star wars game and it was 20G and I downloaded it twice.
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This patch should have been the release version. There has been a huge drop off of the veteran players waiting for them to balance the game out.
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I don't know if it will fix my game but I'm unable to play the multiplayer since launch.
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2GB is nothing nowadays, I downloaded the whole game (12 GB I think ?) in 2h, so stop whining, we have the technology now and its affordable.
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I just want the patch to come with the re-introduction of destructible ground eg: craters from c4 etc...
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Awesome patch. Yea dudes right, it should have been the release patch, but no one is perfect. I watched the live chat from DICE headquarters yesterday, and sadly I had no idea this patch was coming. The patch notes haven't really done anything that disappoints me, so that leaves connection issues. *crosses fingers*
"Fixed a problem where you could get green flashes on screen."
How many of you have had someone say its a driver issue? Doesn't matter now, I'm just glad its fixed... though on very rare ocassions I would get red flickers. Quick ones, but still a little annoying. DICE wasn't kidding when they said they were listening to the community.
See you on the Battlefield!
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red1776 said:The 2GB contains the Back to Karkand maps too.
okay thanks
I thought that back to karkland was a paid DLC If you pre-ordered or got the Limited Edition, Kirkland DLC is free. Otherwise they are $15/1200 MS points, in the XBOX Marketplace and PSN Store if you have neither.
The only content that was free for everyone (eventually), were the DAO-12, the supressor for the SKS, and another gun, I forget the name of it and I'm too lazy to google.
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okay, so when they say that "most of return to kirkland is included in the patch", that means it's there should you pay for it to activate it?
(assuming you did not pre-order or get the LTD edition)
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spydercanopus said:
Oh snap! I forgot I had BF3 since Skyrim came out.
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gunsablazin said:
Who cares about those changes? In my opinion they'll only make the game worse. I definitely won't be able to fly a helicopter for more than a few seconds before being shot down.quote]
Its suppose to be hard, this is a game of skill not an arcade shooter. Ive seen some very skilled pilots in BF3, I dam are they hard to shoot down.
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DanUK said:
Some nice changes, especially the flash lights as those are just ridiculous.
It's a shame I don't see any mention of the auto squad join when you join a game? No idea why they took that out, seemed like a step backwards :S
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It is actually a 3.9 gb patch....downloading it now
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Agreed, the removal of the Auto Squad assignment is a step back, I really wish you change your kits and graphics options separately as well, and Key Bindings. Also wish they would let you have an offline practice maps with maybe a few A.I.'s so you can practice, I found it was a very big learning curve (I've played alot of TF2) and died pretty much constantly until I got to level 3.
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