If you only lived by what makes the news, you’d think that when not bashing the competition, EA is trying to emphasize their reputation as the Consumerist’s worst company in America by doing thing like forcing online passes, forcing the requirement of Origin to play games, charging players for in-game unlocks and renting out official Battlefield 3 servers to the detriment of players looking for “normal” online matches.
But that’s not the whole story. Developer DICE released the massive Battlefield 3 spring update a few weeks ago, hosted the first bonus XP event this weekend, have DLC coming in a few weeks, and over the weekend, announced that they’re adding more official servers for players who prefer the unaltered game.
The server problem originated when DICE and EA allowed players to rent BF3 servers, giving them the ability to change game rules so they could customize things like how many tickets teams have in a match, making games last over an hour for instance. In many cases, administrators set their own rules, restricting use of certain weapons, threatening players with bans if they don’t oblige.
The servers they rented out were once official servers, meaning the availability of standard game types that follow the game’s proper rule set began disappearing as they converted to custom BF3 servers – understandably, the community got rather vocal about this since EA is making even more money at the expense of part of the community (money on top of things like online passes and charging to quickly unlock in-game items).
DICE is listening however, and over the weekend they tweeted to confirm that they’re addressing the issue.
“We’ll be adding more servers & will reserve a percentage of them for players who prefer DICE servers. Thx for your patience!”
How many servers and what percentage will be saved for default games we do not yet know, but it’s a relief that they’re quickly responding to community concerns (and the negative buzz shared throughout the media). We wonder what the response from fans will be when EA/DICE implement a subscription service next.
Now, if they just fixed the M26 Dart problem…
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Source: DICE
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It’s about time. Every other custom server you see is a 200 – 300 ticket 24/7 metro where people just farm each other for copious amounts of points.
Even more so over the double XP weekend.
My clan’s 2 custom servers are Rush and Conquest, with default tickets and map rotations.
I missed double XP?!?!? What the f—?!?!
So glad I got this on PC and don’t have to deal with this server issue, or maybe I have and haven’t noticed? Since I play once a week, I always find at least 2 servers I want.
ATG, I missed it too but the PC one (where I primarily play) was pushed back to May 26 weekend due to server problems this weekend,
They need to do this fast! I just got the game and my first experience is horrible. This is going to alienate people who play this game the first time. For example: I’m trying to learn the game so I just want to play Team Deathmatch. Unfortunately, most of the servers rotate you with the other modes and you’re not prepared or notified of it until the map is loading. Also, when you’re trying to build up a gun, it may get banned on the next round so you have to use a gun that you haven’t built-up or don’t like at all. This has to go! What were they thinking? In Call of Duty games, you can have private matches and not have to pay for it.
And people wonder why Call of Duty is more popular.
the PC version of double XP weekend has been moved to May 26-27. Apparently, it wasn’t working at all and actually broke the game, where players weren’t receiving points for awards etc. Hopefully it’ll work in two weeks time.
I think they should have quick search only do official servers and if you want the custom ones u have to go to the browser.
It would also be nice if they had a hardcore quick search instead of just core.
Or is this only my experience?
Agreed. When i want to play a 1+ hour match on operation metro or caspian border ill look for one otherwise id rather play offical servers that run better and actually rotate maps and no bs rules or admins kicking you for playing good or for using.the wrong equipment item
What really stinks is to get killed by admin.And then spawn on the other loosing team that is being spawn trapped.
This is done so a clan member can join the clan which tends to win the matches.This means when spinning up a game your most likley to end up on the weak team that`s loosing people.
This has had a negative effect on the game.And the glitch weapon the m26 dart is ridiculous.Dice does have some work to do.