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

[Fearless News]

 

 

We will soon publish a major client update for the PC versionBattlefield 3 as well as a server-side update for all platforms. The updatewill be made on Nov. 22nd 7:00 AM UTC / Nov. 21st 11:00 PM PST.  We’llshare release timing on the console patches as soon as we are clear on thetiming, these take a bit longer due to console certification process.

 

 

As always, if you have any feedback or want to discuss these changeshead to the Battlelog forums.We appreciate your feedback!

 

 

NOTE
Battlefield 3 will havea scheduled down time on Nov 22 between 07:00-09:00 AM UTC, during which you will notbe able to play the game.

 

 

 

PATCH NOTES

Selected improvementsin the Nov 22 Battlefield 3 client-side update

 

A full list of changes isavailable on the Battlelog

• General performance and loading timeimprovements
• "Black Screen" fix for an issue occurring on some PCconfigurations
• Stereo and rendering support for Nvidia and AMD graphics cards
• Fixed several crashes that occurred when joining multiplayer andco-op sessions
• Fixed a problem with high speed mouse movement (aka "negative mouseacceleration")
• You should no longer be able to damage a friendly vehicle when sittingin an open position
• Grenades now drop to ground if you get killed while attempting to throwit (dangerous in Hardcore mode!)
• You should no longer spawn too close to enemies inTDM, SQDM, or Conquest
• A large number of damage and range tweaks on a number of weapons tofine-tune overall balance in the game
• Added round duration and ticket summary at End of Round screen
• Fixed a problem regarding key bindings while playing
• Significant changes to the Join Squad interface, detailed atthe bottom of this post

 

 

Selected improvements in the Nov 22 Battlefield 3 PC server-sideupdate highlights

A full list of changes isavailable on the Battlelog

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

 

 

 

Newly added Battlelog functionality – Share your stats

• Ability to share your Profile and Stats pages to Facebook,Google+, and Twitter
• User Profile and Stats pages on Battlelog can now be accessedwithout 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 toOrigin and join a game server, Battlelog will automatically sign you in toOrigin 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 Selectionscreen
• 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 joinan empty Squad, you can choose the first one marked with white text

 

A detailed look at Squad refinements

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

That's it for this latest set of updates. Let us know whatyou think of the changes in the Battlelog forums.Thanks for playing, and see you on the battlefield!

 

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