n this second post in “The Road to Battlefield 4” blog series, we dive deeper into the Field Upgrade system and how we are tweaking the core gameplay to allow for more diversity in combat roles. Also: Vote for your favorite upgrade path and we’ll build it and submit it so it makes it into Battlefield 4 at launch!
Last week, we discussed how nearly all elements In Battlefield 4’s multiplayer work to bring out the best team player in you. This week, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Field Upgrades and discuss how we’re tweaking Battlefield 4 based on the massive amounts of feedback and data that 1 billion hours of Battlefield 3 play time has given us. Here to take you through the nitty-gritty of these mechanics is Core Gameplay Designer Alan Kertz.
Meet the crew
Allow us to proudly present the first group shot of Battlefield 4’s multiplayer kits, showing the Assault, Recon, Engineer, and Support kits from the Russian, U.S. and Chinese armies. Based on the multiplayer map in question, you’ll be able to choose from two of these three factions (and if you run your own server, we’ll let you pick and choose the opposing teams at your leisure.)
Meet the Chinese squad from Battlefield 4 with a sample setup of weapons and gear.
Going into Battlefield 4, we knew we wanted to take the four playable classes from Battlefield 3 as a starting point. We’ve tweaked them to be more versatile and more highly specialized within their fields. Now more than ever, you can explore a wide range of combat roles and sub-roles when picking your load out and kit.
The Russian Support, Engineer, Recon, and Assault Kit are waiting for you in Battlefield 4
For example, this time around the Engineer has a lot more variation in anti-vehicle weapons. We’ve also revamped the way we do vehicle disables and guided weapon systems to give the Engineer a broader set of tactics at his disposal. This includes everything from high damage weapons that may be more challenging to use (like RPG-7V2) to fire-and-forget smart weapons with low damage (like the MBT LAW), and the fan favorite Wire Guided Engineer Missile (the FGM-172 SRAW) that you might recognize from Battlefield 2.
Meet the U.S. playable kits from Battlefield 4, showcasing a sample of gear and weapons
The Support kit has a few more offensive options, and thanks to community feedback will retain his C4 and Claymores from Battlefield 3. The XM25 gives him some nice indirect suppressive fire, a redesigned remote mortar allows him to use indirect fire from a distance, and the ability to equip carbines and DMRs gives him an added versatility in combat roles.
Recon has gotten a much needed boost to mobility, as well as the return of the Spec Ops play style from Battlefield 2. Pack a carbine, C4 (or Claymores), and Motion Sensors and you’re good to go behind enemy lines. Fans of more traditional sniping roles will enjoy our revamped sniping mechanics with rebalanced Sniper Rifles, the ability to zero your sights (set an aiming distance), and additional optics and accessories. Finally, the Recon players can still utilize the MAV, T-UGS, and Radio Beacon to help out their team.
Assault is still the frontline run-and-gun kit that also serves the role of combat medic. This was one of the major changes in Battlefield 3 compared to Battlefield 2, and one that players have really appreciated. Assault is still the go-to kit with med kits and defibrillators but has picked up some additional mobility with the First Aid Pack, which heals a single soldier over time, or the 40mm Flash Bang rounds to help clear rooms.
The Quest for Mobility
One of the main quests for the team when developing Battlefield 4 was to create a more mobile Battlefield. Squad players became very mobile in Battlefield 3 and we saw a gap where some of the more team play focused gadgets required players to sit still. We adjusted this by tailoring the kits, the gadgets, and the available specializations.
As far as gadgets go, we’re allowing for stronger team play on the move by introducing all-new gadgets like the Portable Laser Designator, and adding new portable First Aid and Ammo Packs. These packs now allow Assault and Support players to top off a single teammate’s health or ammo on the move, while the traditional Ammo Box and Med Kit keep their stationary area heal and resupply roles. In the case of the Portable Laser Designator, it’s designed as a SOFLAM for the Recon on the run – allowing you to quickly laser designate targets without the longer setup time of a SOFLAM (with the tradeoff of not being able to deploy it and have it auto-designate targets for you.)
Suppressing Fire!
No one single gameplay mechanic has been as frequently discussed as the suppression system in Battlefield 3. Suppression will return in Battlefield 4, but we’re redesigning it based on your extensive feedback while keeping the intense feeling of being under fire that a system like Suppression provides.
We’re increasing the suppression effect of Light Machine Guns, exclusive to the Support kit, while other weapons are less suppressive. Additionally, we’ve decreased suppression at close range to ensure that close quarters battles always focus sharply on player skill. Besides changing the visual effects of suppression, we’re also replacing the accuracy penalty in Battlefield 3 with a scope sway effect – similar to what snipers get in Battlefield 3 while suppressed. A skilled, focused player can keep his aim on target and get hits, even while under the effects of Suppression.
Overall, we believe we have a great-performing suppression system in Battlefield 4 that doesn’t interfere in close quarters combat, while at the same time allowing for skilled players of the Support kit to really make a difference. Laying down covering fire as Support means your frontline runners can gain a crucial momentum in medium-range combat and still allows you to combat the improved long-range options we’ve given players who prefer to stay back at long range.
Choose your path – Field Upgrades and you
Last week on the blog, you could read about how Field Upgrades are the new specializations in Battlefield 4. You pick a set path of four upgrades which unlock in order as you perform squad actions like resupplies, repairs, healing, and following orders. You can track your progress in the Field Upgrade Progress Bar – or the “Bro Bar” as it has become known internally at DICE.
The focus on specifically squad-related actions means that the biggest rewards come from sticking with your squad and being a great team player. However, if your entire squad is wiped out, you will lose some of your progress in the upgrade path. Finally, Lone Wolves can still benefit from the base specialization since it’s always unlocked and available.
Each of the playable kits: Engineer, Recon, Assault, and Support, have four upgrade careers to choose between. Two of these are global and usable for any kit – one of them focusing on Offense and one on Defense. Offense starts with SPRINT and goes through AMMO, MORE GRENADES, and REDUCED FALL. These give you quicker sprint speed, more available ammo magazines, one extra hand grenade, and allows you to fall from greater heights without taking any damage, respectively. This universal upgrade path is great for players who enjoy being at the front lines and leading the charge.
Meanwhile, the Defense path will net you ARMOR, COVER, FLAK, and QUICK REGEN. These grant you increased protection from shots to the chest, a decreased rate of being suppressed, decreased damage from explosions, and a shorter time span before the out-of-combat health regeneration kicks in. If you are more defensive-minded, perhaps playing as Support from the sidelines, this can be an excellent choice.
Besides the two universal Offense and Defense Field Upgrade careers, you will also be able to choose between two upgrade paths that are unique to your class and allow an increased specialization in specific combat roles. So while the Assault kit has the unique Combat Medic and Grenadier upgrade paths, Engineer can choose between specializing in the roles of either a Mechanic or Anti-Tank soldier. The first of these is all about repairing your own vehicles, while the latter deals with taking out enemy armor.
While the path you choose will allow for different types of roles on the Battlefield, you’re never stuck with your first choice for the rest of the round. Whenever you wish, you can simple reselect. Doing this will never set you back in your current level of progress, so if you’re currently at level three out of four, you will keep that level and have it applied even if you change kit and/or upgrade path from the customization screen. Should you choose to leave a squad without entering a new squad, your current progress will be saved. So if you later in the same round join a new squad, you won’t have to start from scratch.
We have greatly increased the number of unique specializations available in the game from Battlefield 3’s seven to over 25 in Battlefield 4. It’s a conscious design decision to allow for greater variety in any kit’s battlefield role – and here’s your chance to impact the design of these for the launch of the game.
Vote – Get your favorite path included in BF4!
Now that you know a bit more about Field Upgrades and upgrade career paths – what would YOU like to see in Battlefield 4 when it launches? We still have the possibility to add one additional universal upgrade career based on your feedback!
Below, we have four different types of universal upgrade careers depending on your preferred style of play and what combat role you’d want to explore. Vote for your favorite in the poll and we’ll make sure it makes it into the game as the third and final universal career upgrade path. Vote now!
Community Career Path 1: Shockwave
Specializations: AMMO>ARMOR>GRENADES>SUPPRESSION
This is the career for players who want to wreak havoc at the frontlines. Built to promote offensive play and gung-ho attitude, you’ll need all the extra AMMO you can get. ARMOR gives you that increased protection that means you could walk away from chance encounters at zero range when rounding a corner, while an added GRENADE lets you clear out enemy camps more freely. Lastly, that extra SUPPRESSION boost comes in handy when you find out you’ve run into a hornet’s nest.
Community Career Path 2: Survivor
Specializations: REDUCED FALL>AMMO>QUICK REGEN>COVER
Fortune favors the brave. Or in the case of the “SURVIVOR” career, fortune favors players who have bolstered their survival capabilities by picking the right specializations. REDUCED FALL means you can jump off rooftops when enemies are blasting RPG into your building, while extra AMMO always helps when trying to shoot yourself out of a pinch. QUICK REGEN means you only need a short period of time before your soldier starts to auto heal, while COVER effectively means enemy suppression will not have as much effect on your ability to return fire with accuracy.
Community Career Path 3: Shadow
Specializations: QUICK UNSPOT>SPRINT>REDUCED FALL>STEALTH
Inspired by the fabled shadow warriors of the Orient, the “SHADOW” career grants you the mystical powers you need to infiltrate enemy territory without being seen. Okay, not really, but it grants you some perks that accumulated will give you an edge when going behind enemy lines. QUICK UNSPOT means you’ll disappear more quickly from enemy radars when you’ve been spotted, while SPRINT lets you move quickly from cover to cover. REDUCED FALL lets you jump from your favorite hiding places without taking damage, while STEALTH grants you the ability to remain undetected when passing within range of enemy motion sensors.
Community Career Path 4: Hunter
Specializations: ADVANCED SPOT>SPRINT>AMMO>GRENADES
So you want to be a big game hunter? ADVANCED SPOT grants you the ability to have targets spotted for extended periods of time – they can run, but they can’t hide. While they’re cowering behind cover thinking that they’ve escaped detection, SPRINT up to them and use your extra AMMO and GRENADE to flush them out! Sometimes, playing Battlefield is almost too easy.
And there you have them: Your choice of four custom-created community upgrade paths to choose between. Vote for your favorite and we’ll include the winner in the final game. Remember to cast your vote no later than August 22 so we can implement the necessary changes in time for launch.
Plan your career
Below is the full list of specializations that will be available in Battlefield 4. Note that we are still in Alpha stage, so all names, designs, and fine-tuning are subject to change. This will give you an idea about the type and variety of specializations in the game. Some of these are universal, some of them are tied to one of the specific playable soldier types – and most of them are all-new to Battlefield 4.
SPEC IN - GAME EFFECT
SPRINT - Increases maximum sprint speed
AMMO - Increases maximum inventory of bullets
C4 EXPLOSIVES - Increases maximum inventory of C4 explosives
COVER - Decreases amount of incoming suppression
SUPPRESSION - Increases the amount of outgoing suppression
FLAK - Decreases explosion damage
GRENADES - Increases maximum inventory of hand grenades
(NEW) ROCKETS - Increases maximum inventory of AT (anti-tank) and AA (anti-air) ammo
(NEW) MINES - Increases maximum inventory of AT Mines or M2 SLAM
(NEW) STEALTH - Player is undetected by Motion Sensors except when sprinting
(NEW) HOLD BREATH - Increases time you can Steady your scope
(NEW) FAST REPAIR - Increases speed and sabotage of Repairs
(NEW) DEFIB UPGRADE - Increases charge up speed of the defibrillators
(NEW) 40mm GRENADES - Increases maximum inventory of 40mm grenades
(NEW) ADVANCED SPOT - Increases time your targets are Spotted
(NEW) MEDKITS UPGRADE - Increases maximum deployed medic bags and packs
(NEW) MOTION SENSORS UPGRADE - Increases the maximum inventory of Motion Sensors. Increases the range of T-UGS and MAV
(NEW) MORE DEPLOYED EXPLOSIVES - Increases maximum deployed Explosives
(NEW) AMMO BAG UPGRADE - Increases maximum deployed ammo boxes and packs
(NEW) ARMOR - Reduces incoming damage to the chest
(NEW) QUICK UNSPOT - Reduces time you are spotted
(NEW) MEDICAL UNIT - Occupied vehicles will slowly heal nearby soldiers
(NEW) SUPPLY UNIT - Occupied vehicles will slowly resupply nearby soldiers
(NEW) REPAIR UNIT - Occupied vehicles will slowly repair nearby vehicles
(NEW) REDUCED FALL - Increases height you can fall without damage
(NEW) QUICK REGEN - Decreases time before out of combat heal
(NEW) MP-APS UPGRADE - Longer uptime on MP APS
(NEW) INDIRECT FIRE UPGRADE - Increases maximum M224 ammo. Increases maximum XM25 magazines
(NEW) CLAYMORES - Increases the maxium inventory of claymores
We still have a lot more details to share with you about weapons, gadgets, and vehicles – but I think long time Battlefield fans can see how we’re really focused on responding to the torrent of feedback that passionate fans contribute to the series. Battlefield 4 aims to stay true to the best parts of Battlefield 3, while also pushing to expand the game in fresh directions. Keep your feedback coming, and don’t be afraid to Point At All The Things you’d like to see in Battlefield 4.
-Alan Kertz
