Dice reveals that Battlefield 1’s maps will have a dynamic weather system, which will dramatically affect how the game is played from one match to another.

DICE seems to be doing everything it can to promote Battlefield 1 as a game that sets itself apart from other multiplayer shooters such as Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and Titanfall 2. The company made a huge pivot in the decision to set the game in World War 1 rather than the future, and the latest footage from Battlefield 1 shows off the game’s horse combat, which is an entirely new addition to the Battlefield series.

Well today DICE revealed another gameplay feature that will help distinguish the gameplay from the standard modern shooter. In a post on the Battlefield 1 blog, DICE reveals that Battlefield 1 will have a dynamic weather system, which they claim will drastically change the way a map is played.

“All multiplayer maps in Battlefield 1 have dynamic weather that can occur as part of a larger immersion ecosystem. Unlike the game's destructible environments, weather is an outside factor that you can’t control… Dense fog, for instance, limits your vision. This makes it harder for snipers to be effective from afar and changes the spotting distance. With heavy fog, an open map can turn into a melee, close-quarter experience for a limited time. People will need to pull out their bayonets, equip themselves with shotguns, and get ready for more intimate affairs until the fog dissipates.”

A dynamic weather system such as this could really change the way multiplayer works in Battlefield 1; in most multiplayer games, certain maps inevitably become divided into categories where certain classes have an advantage. The introduction of a dynamic weather system could force a player to totally rethink their strategy on a given map.

In addition to things like fog and rain, Dice also talked about what they’re calling “extreme weather” which can significantly hamper more than just visibility:

“Extreme weather, like the sandstorm that can kick up in maps like Sinai Desert, do more than just limit your vision. Its density makes it difficult to fly, more or less grounding any planes in the sky. That's not to say that you won't be able to learn to compensate, however – really skilled players who know the map could try taking to the skies and use their low visibility as a tactic.”

The sandstorm that the quote is referring to can actually be seen in the game’s latest trailer, which takes place in the Sinai Desert map, and appears to change the entire dynamic of battle. Fans won’t have to wait long to experience the dynamic weather mechanic, Battlefield 1’s beta will be available on August 31st, for all PC, Xbox One, and PS4.

Battlefield 1 is planned for release on October 21 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. An open beta is planned to begin in August 31.

Source: Gamespot