New Squad interface, Battlelog features, server abilities in Battlefield 3 update

[Cain]

New Squad interface, Battlelog features, server abilities in today's Battlefield 3 update

http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/batt...lefield-3.aspx

Major client update for the PC version Battlefield 3 as well as a server-side update for all platforms.

The update will be made on Nov. 22nd 7:00 AM UTC / Nov. 21st 11:00 PM PST.

We’ll share release timing on the console patches as soon as we are clear on the timing, these take a bit longer due to console certification process.


---- Client-Side Changes:

-- Visuals, Stability and Performance Fixes:

• General performance and loading time improvements
• “Black Screen” fix for an issue occurring on some PC Configurations
• Stereo and Rendering Support for Nvidia and AMD Graphics Cards
• Adjusted the “stuttering” encountered on some PC configurations.
• Fixed several Crashes when joining MP and Co-Op sessions
• Fixed multiple problems when using multiple monitors (Eyefinity / Surround).
• Fixed visual corruption issues on certain Nvidia Cards
• Improved loading times for certain textures
• Added console command “GameTime.MaxVariableFps” to limit max FPS
• Added console command “UI.DrawEnable” to hide UI for screenshots / videos

-- Balance and Gameplay Adjustments (PC)

• Fixed a problem with high speed mouse movement
• Added back some missing Growlers on Kharg Island Conquest Large
• Added back EOR sound for SQDM and TDM
• You should no longer be able to damage a friendly vehicle when sitting in an open position
• Grenades now drop to ground if you get killed while attempting to throw it(note the affect this will have on Hardcore mode!)
• Spawn protection now should work in Conquest. You should no longer spawn on points too close to enemies
• You should no longer spawn too close to enemies in TDM and SQDM
• Combat areas on Kharg Rush tweaked in order to disallow defenders to access the carrier ship after 1st base is taken and being able to enter the AA gun
• Fixed a problem with revived players not suffering suppression
• Fixed a problem with the camera when being revived in COOP
• Added joystick deadzone setting
• Fixed sound for when climbing ladders
• Fixed an issue with some weapon sounds in first person
• Fixed a swim sound loop error
• Increased the damage of Helicopter Miniguns, AA guns, and Jet Cannons against infantry
• Increased the damage of Helicopter Miniguns against jeeps.
• Reduced the physics impact of AA guns and Jet Cannons, players under attack from these weapons should no longer lose control.
• Increased the damage of the 44 Magnum slightly.
• Increased the range and minimum damage of the .357 Round from the MP412 Rex.
• Increased the range of all .45cal and 9mm weapons.
• Slightly increased the range of the P90 and MP7 and PDW-R.
• Slightly increased the range of the 5.56mm PDW-R and decreased the minimum damage at long range.
• Slightly increased the minimum range of the Mk11, SVD, and M39 EMR 7.62mm rifles.
• Decreased the maximum damage and maximum range of the G3 and SCAR-H 7.62mm weapons.
• Reduced the damage from FIM-92 and SA-18 IGLA missiles against aircraft.
• Increased the damage and range of the 40mm BUCK rounds.
• Reduced the damage .50cal weapons do against Helicopters.
• Updated T90 canister shell tweaks to match Abrams canister shells
UI Changes (PC)
• Added round duration and ticket summary at EOR
• Advanced squad polish – should be more intuitive
• Significant changes to the Join Squad functionality (see below)
• Fixed a problem regarding keybindings while playing
• You should now get a better error message when being disconnected via Battlelog

---- Server Update Highlights

• EOD Bot exploit fix
• Several crash fixes
• Anti-stat padding measures taken, disallowing ranked servers to run obscure settings
• Improved team kill kick configuration
• Support for unranked servers. Unranked servers do not report players' scores to Battlelog, but server administrators can freely control all settings


-- Share your profile and stats with new Battlelog functionality

• Ability to share your Profile and Stats pages to Facebook, Google+, and Twitter
• User Profile and Stats pages on Battlelog can now be accessed without being signed in to Battlelog if you know a user's URL
• Single sign on from Battlelog to Origin. If you're not logged in to Origin and join a game server, Battlelog will automatically sign you in to Origin in the background and join the game server


-- Quick notes on Squad changes in the Nov 22 update

• Removed FIND ME A SQUAD option
• Allow players to join empty Squads alone, thus having 1/4 squad members
• Change order of options to LEAVE SQUAD, INV A FRIEND, SWITCH TEAM
• Disable Privacy flag when 1 man squad
• Reset Privacy flag from Private to Public when squad drops to 1 player
• All occupied Squads will now show up colored blue on the Squad Selection screen
• Players who choose not to join squads will also show up as Blue in the "Not in a Squad” line
• Squads that are currently empty will display as white -- if you wish to join an empty Squad, you can choose the first one marked with white text


-- A detailed look at Squad refinements

A detailed look at Squad refinements

Today's PC client patch features numerous tweaks to Squad functionality and is part of our ongoing efforts to make it easier to play with friends and Platoon mates. These changes will also be implemented for consoles when we release the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 updates shortly. Stay tuned for the exact date of the console updates.

First, we need to look at how joining with Squads and Platoons affects the balance of teams. Initially, servers are commanded to equal out each side, so joining with friends can impact that balance while joining with Platoons further hinders this. As a result we have made some adjustments to the in-game Squad management screen.

For PC, you are now able to highlight the various Squads and select which one you wish to join by selecting a Squad and then clicking the Join Squad button. Please note that the Squad Privacy option still allows 2 man Squads which, during 64 player sessions, can lead to players with no squad position –- the number of people with no Squads will be shown at the bottom of the Squad selection list.

After the patch is applied to consoles (in the near future) you will be able to join Squads by cycling through the list and selecting which Squad you wish to join.

[Schultzy]

Fixed multiple problems when using multiple monitors (Eyefinity / Surround).

I wonder if this has to do with the fact that when I have Eyefinity running, I have no icons indicating friend/foe.

Grenades now drop to ground if you get killed while attempting to throw it(note the affect this will have on Hardcore mode!)

Oh crap..


And still no dynamic squads. So we're going to be stuck with people who are AFK/Not playing as Leads in Squad Lead situations. The worst are the ones who are playing, but are oblivious to what it takes to be a SL.

[Raven Paradox]

Updated T90 canister shell tweaks to match Abrams canister shells
UI Changes (PC)

This I like. Was wondering how I'm far much better in the Abrams.

[Apache Warrior]

Grenades now drop to ground if you get killed while attempting to throw it(note the affect this will have on Hardcore mode!)

Spawn protection now should work in Conquest. You should no longer spawn on points too close to enemies

Reduced the damage from FIM-92 and SA-18 IGLA missiles against aircraft

It already takes two hits to down a jet.
At least somethings are fixed in the squads.
Apache

[Raven Paradox]

It took 1 stinger to disable a jet/helicopter, or at least did more than heat seekers.

[goldenfooler]

• Grenades now drop to ground if you get killed while attempting to throw it(note the affect this will have on Hardcore mode!)
This should be fun.... but at the same time I die when fighting a group. I usually try to nade them right when my ammo runs out, I get killed and they go on. Now I might be able to get a couple of more.

• Spawn protection now should work in Conquest. You should no longer spawn on points too close to enemies

[Quamin]

I like this, though it doesn't solve issues we have with no good joystick support :-/

[Schultzy]

Wait...

I have read through that list a few times now. Wasn't there talk about a "fix" for both the IRNV and the Flashlights?

[Dead_And_Gone]

Overall, i like the additions.... Win Win

[harpy]

Wait...

I have read through that list a few times now. Wasn't there talk about a "fix" for both the IRNV and the Flashlights?

I read where dice said the flashlight would be fixed in the future. I'm not sure about the irnv, but it certainly needs anerf also.

[Rand{CLR}]

Spawn protection=epic win.

Decreasing EVERYTHINGS' damage against aircraft=epic fail. This is going to be very problematic moving forward.

No nerfing of the flashlight=lame.

Squad changes? Remains to be seen.

-Rand

[K PhaNTOM]

Spawn protection sucks. You get revived in the middle of the battlefield and stay alive for 2 seconds even though 50 RPGs hit you? No, I'm not a fan of that at all. Spawn protection is for girls who need time to get ready.

[{CLR} Cobalt]

So they nerfed the G3, Scar, Ground to Air missles, and the .50 cal against helos.

Do these idiots know what 700gr. ball ammo does to a chopper. Or a stinger missle on aircraft.

Increased the sniper damage, just what we needed.

AA gun, mini gun and Jet cannon damage increase..;against freakin infantry no less

So let me get this straight, they increased damage for everything not infantry related.And took away some defensive effectiveness against said vehicles and aircraft by infantry. So if i'm not in some kind of weaponed vehicles with armor or in the air , or hiding on a hill half a mile away, I'm just SOL.

This sounds just wonderful.

[goldenfooler]

mini gun on the tank should be destroying people not take 2-3 hits, same with a planes guns.

[{CLR} Cobalt]

mini gun on the tank should be destroying people not take 2-3 hits, same with a planes guns.

Yea, and a .50cal should eat a chopper up too with AP rounds. But that aint happening. It aint classified as small arms.