A quick update on BKops and the Polite and Friendly Servers.

February 16th, 2010

BKops:

  • We are revamping the Podcast right now and should start recording in the next few weeks. Bigger and better then ever.
  • We are redesigning the home page to make to have it as a great news feed for important stories in the BKops and the gaming world.
  • We are working on offering more matches in COD and will be also looking at matches in BF BC2.
  • We are working with our allies VHB and DD. Soon we will officially renew our relationship with both VHB and DD.
  • For the first time in years BK, VHB, and DD will all be playing the same game at the same time.

Polite and Friendly Servers:

  • We are very excited to have BF BC2 servers on the day the game comes out.
  • We will be keeping our eyes on the new Call of Duty and Medal of Honor games coming out this year. Will there be Polite and Friendly Servers in those games? We will have to wait and see.
  • We are seeing activity on our servers that we have not seen since MW2 came out and we are going strong.
  • Feb 2010 has seen our servers rated higher then they have ever been at game tracker.
  • We currently have 5 COD W@W servers. 3 public and 2 by invite only.
  • This is just the start of everything we are working on. We have bigger and better plans coming soon.

GOA.Luke*BK*

Battlefield Bad Company 2 Beta Hardcore Mode

February 3rd, 2010

BF BC2 Beta info

January 27th, 2010

The beta client itself will apparently be available on various mirror and torrent sites along with Steam. The client will also have SecuROM which DICE says is being used only “to make it difficult to hack the Closed Beta client to run the final game”. The final game will also use SecuROM for a one-time authentication only; once that happens you can play the single player gae without needing to go online. EA will allow for the full game to be installed on up to 10 PCs. However the full version will also require an EA.com account to play online.

Read the full story here: http://www.gamedaily.com/games/battlefield-bad-company-2/pc/game-features/battlefield-bad-company-2-pc-beta-details-revealed-drm-explained/

GOA.Luke*BK*

BK Stickers for sale!

January 25th, 2010

You can now buy 3″ BK stickers! $2 for one sticker or $3 for two stickers. Use the pull down menu to select your color and quantity. I you would like to buy more then 2 please contact Luke for pricing.

Color and Quantity

New BF BC2 video shows new game mode.

January 25th, 2010

Are you getting kicked by punk buster?

January 19th, 2010

If you are getting a punk buster kick for a disallowed driver we may have the answer. Most players who get this error have fixed it by disabling steam notifications. Steam had an update that seams to not work well with punk buster.

If you need help with punk buster please post here.

GOA.Luke*BK*

TeamSpeak Beta 11 notes…

January 18th, 2010

=== Client Release 3.0.0-beta11 – 18 Jan 2010
! A beta11 client is required to connect to beta13 servers
* Handle “host:port” entries in connect and bookmark dialogs. Automatically
jump into the port field when typing “:”.
* Added “Make current channel default” button to bookmarks manager
* Added ability to drag&drop channels into default channel lineedit in
bookmarks and connect dialog.
- Autounsubscribe now takes effect when being moved or kicked out of a channel,
not only when switching oneself.
- Fixed opening filebrowser for a passworded channel, after password is
entered correctly.
- Added hotkey “Master Volume” to turn “up” and “down”.
- Deactivated hotkeys “Bring to front” and “Send to back”. Because it didn’t
work as intended.
* Use only one plugin API number instead of major/minor. Plugin authors, please
check the now single ts3plugin_apiVersion() function in the plugin SDK.
* Exported some missing clientlib_rare function to plugins
- Reset use volume when removing user from contacts list
- Reactivated plugins in setup hotkeys
* Warn user when server version mismatches client version

=== Client Release 3.0.0-beta10 – 10 Jan 2010 (never officially released)
* Added new sound notifications when a user (not own client) requested talk
power and when own client was granted or revoked talk power.
+ Added hotkeys “Bring to front” and “Send to back”
- Filetransfer somtimes crashed on localhost server
- Broken filetransfers in filetransfer manager can be restarted/resumed
+ Filetransfer downloads from other servers are deactivated for now
* Added check if CPU supports SSE instruction set. If not, TeamSpeak will not
start. This check can be disabled by passing “-nocpucheck” as commandline
parameter.
* Let user confirm when cancelling Identities dialog when there are changes.
* Added warning when selecting MODALQUIT hostmessage mode in the virtualserver
edit dialog
- Removed assert thrown when opening options, reported by user on forum
* More verbose output when .wav files failed to play (especially which file
was not found). Should help soundpack authors.
- Removed double quotes on channel creation
- Fixed displaying images in channel info
- Escape “]” in ts3file links when drag&dropping from filebrowser into chat
* Updated bundled apps.ini
* Removed some fields from info frame on the right
- The chattab close button didn’t appear when the tab was closed and a new
message arrives on this tab.
* Workaround for the occasionally broken horizontal line after reloaded chat
* Bluesky minor fixes
- Fixed crash in Lua plugin when using “/lua run” without function parameter.
- Prevent chatlog from getting double entries
* Added option to disable muting when locking screen. It is enabled by default.
(Windows only feature)
* Plugin can now decide if it wants the configure option called from a new
thread or the Qt GUI thread. See the ts3plugin_offersConfigure() function in
the plugin SDK for details.
- ServerQuery window: If no login data was given in the “Manual” setting in the
loginname/password input fields, skip login command instead of sending empty
strings.
- Token Manager now shows the creation time and also the description.
- A token description can be entered, when adding a token.
- Revert to default soundpack if the soundpack from config file does not exist
- Fixed ASSERT thrown when uploading files with drag&drop on Mac OS X.
- Fixed renaming client or channel. The rename box does no longer get smaller
than the text if some changes occur in server tree.
- Fixed capture URLs
- Fixed use of bb- codes
* G15 plugin now requests server variables once per minute instead once per
second to reduce traffic.
* Client no longer requests server variables on login but only on-demand to
reduce traffic.
- When in filebrowser list- mode are just directories, the header label “Size”
was cut off when its not default (english) language
- Removed double quotes when edited a channel. Inserted client clickable link
in “renamed” message
+ Added hotkey “grant next talk power”
- Talk Power can also be granted and cancelled by double clicking the request
talk power icon
* New ts3server:// parameters:
- “token=<token>”: Will send token to server on connection
- “addbookmark=<Server label>”: Requests to add the link to the users
bookmarks (with confirmation) with the specified server label instead of
connecting to the server
* Added confirmation dialog when removing clients from servergroups
* Display group name in the group-delete confirmation dialog
- Disable bookmark autoconnect when starting the client via ts3server:// link
- Fixed splitting escaped channel path string
- Ensure connect-to hotkey is executed only once in current serverview
* Updated plugin.h sample code for C++ compilers
- Fixed possible crash when exiting the client while ServerQuery window is open
- Ensure ServerQuery “quit” is sent only once when closing the window
- The chat timestamp section will no longer be wrapped if someone sends a huge
text without spaces.
- Stripped out more bb- code to avoid the appearance of urls or images
- Removed double escaping of meta data in clients info
+ Clients can also be banned when they are just gone offline. Click clients
name at disconnected message.
* Limit various client text input dialogs to server-defined max length.
* Trim whitespaces of client and channel nicknames
* Optimized banner animation code. Added workaround for image files with 0 ms
animation delay to prevent them eating up all CPU cycles.
- Adjusted add-ban dialog taborder
- Fixed glance button not resetting properly when switching server tabs
- Typo fixes, updated German translation
- Fixed Escape key in Mac hotkey dialog, wasn’t detected properly to abort the
hotkey input
- Fixed hotkey input window sometimes not getting the focus on Mac
* Ensure at least the default hotkey profile is loaded when using voice test,
else the PTT key might not be available for voice test.
- Fixed possible crash with hotkeys when closing server tabs
- Don’t request channel description when subscribing channels with clients
inside
- Don’t spam “Error getting channel from channel names in Action-SwitchTo”
to client protocol when not connected
* Show custom name from contacts manager even if recording. However, both
custom and nickname are not shown, text would be too long.
* Windows TTS now only uses one channel instead of five simultaneous voices.
* Added sound warnings when users in your channel start/stop recording and when
you switch into a channel where users are already recording.
* Show special warnings when deleting template server/channel groups.
* Improved chat autoscroll
- Chat does no longer scroll history when a multiline text was pasted and arrow
up/down was pressed
- Some chat sections grayed out, where they shouldn’t
- When opening a text chat, the tab gets immediatly active
- Fixed hotkey for start-/stop recording
+ Added hotkeys to switch to next/previous channel but be aware, if you change
too frequently, the server will take antispam measures!
- Various tweaks containing the chat – (history, bb- code, html, saving cursor
positions)
! Plugin API increased to 2.0, all included plugins updated.
* Added more functions to Lua plugin
* Overhauled Token manager dialog
- Fixed missing template groups when reconnecting to server (force reload from
cache when needed permissions arrived)
- Fixed grayed out channel chat and setting tabname when changing channel
- Fixed formatting of “/help” output in channel chats
* When automatically subscribing all channels on login, don’t spam log with
subscribe message for each channel, just print one line.
+ Improved chat text selection
- Fixed that a ban entry gets deleted when its editing fails due to permission
- Fixed chat tab order of server and channel
- Fixed a crash when 3D Sound is still open and TS3 closes with STRG+Q
* Visibility of toolbar and statusbar is now stored in configuration file.
* Contacts window now stores and restores its geometry. The sector of clients
will also take the largest possible size.
- Fixed bug with request talk power that could lead to no talk power being
requested even though the user issued the command
- fix “Assertion “m_pChanClients” failed at
client\clientlib\serverconnectionhandler.cpp:1196″ bug

BF BC 2 Beta Update

January 14th, 2010

From my understanding these are the fixes from the PS3 beta to the PC beta:

Completely reskinned the weapons and scopes for much improved visual quality.
The reddot sight no longer has a FOV penalty compared to iron sights.
Pistols now have the same FOV level as other weapons in iron sights.
Tons of weapon tweaks to improve the balance of play.
Increased accuracy when stationary and aiming for better first shot accuracy.
Decreased accuracy when moving and aiming, especially for sniper rifles.
Several gun specific balance tweaks to bring them in line with the other weapons of that class.
Lowered the damage of the XM8 and F2000 at close range.
Lowered the damage of the AN94 at long range.
Raised the accuracy of the M16’s burst.
Lowered the damage of the Type88 LMG.
Raised the damage of the MG3.
Raised the damage of the M249.
Fixed the recoil of the M249 when equipped with a reddot sight.
Lowered the damage of the SMGs and Carbines at extreme range.
Lowered the accuracy on the move for the SCAR-L, AKS-74u, and the XM8c.
Raised the damage of shotguns, especially for the pump shotguns and slugs.
Semiauto and Auto snipers and slug shotguns cannot 1 shot headshot at extreme range.
Fixed the Knife’s stab animation and improved the reliability of Knife attacks.
Lowered the long delay between Knife attacks.
Fixed the animation speed for switching to the grenade launcher on assault rifles.
Fixed the too huge blood splatter effect for sniper shots at long distance.
Fixed the minimap disappearing if you switched weapons while aiming a sniper rifle.
Removed the fade to and from black when aiming a sniper rifle.
Adjusted graphics for sniper rifles and RPGs when zoomed.
Bolt action sniper rifles will chamber the next round if the trigger is pressed twice while zooming.
Fixed the close range damage of bolt action sniper rifles. Now a 1 hit kill on unarmored infantry in 5m.
Raised the damage of the VSS but lowered accuracy when moving.
Grenade carry limit with the Grenade Vest lowered to 2 hand grenades and 4 40mm grenades.

Tweaked the airstrike missile called in by the UAV so it gives a longer warning to victim vehicles.
Exiting the UAV now also exits the UAV ground station.
The UAV station no longer self destructs when the attacker’s base changes.
The UAV station can no longer be destroyed by friendly fire if friendly fire is off.
Lowered the direct and splash damage of UAV’s airstrike.
Lowered the damage of the UAV’s alternate fire LMG.
UAV station screen shows offline when the UAV is waiting to respawn.
Many additional UAV bug fixes.

Lowered the splash damage of tank rounds. 1 shot kill radius is smaller now.
Raised the damage of the gunner’s 50caliber machine gun and added a visual effect when it overheats.
Tweaked the damage tanks take to be more consistent. Tank front armor especially is more consistent.
It takes 2 to 5 RPGs to kill a tank with no specializations. (was 3 to 8)
Tanks should no longer get stuck on destroyed terrain or inclines.
Increased the precision of tank turrets.
All armored vehicles have new engine sounds.
Added environment specific camouflage to all vehicles.

New vehicle control layout: R2 and L2 for accel and brake, fire on L1 and altfire on R1.
Or lefty vehicle control layout: fire on R1 and altfire on L1.
BFBC1 style vehicle controls are still available as an alternate.

Jeeps now burn when hit by tank shells instead of instantly detonating. This effect is the same as with RPGs.
Raised the damage of the jeep HMGs and added a visual effect when it overheats.

Shielded heavy machine guns now have a bullet proof glass front. Flank these guns or blow them up.
Raised the damage of the stationary HMGs and added a visual effect when it overheats.

Fixed the name of the UH-60 and corrected the caliber description of the miniguns.

Raised the launch speed of the RPG7’s missile for better long distance shots and less drop.
Raised the splash damage of all infantry launched Rockets and 40mm grenades.
Improved the visual feedback for locking onto tracer darted vehicles, this is be much clearer now.
Note that TOW/Kornet and M136 missiles are wire guided and cannot lock on to tracer darts.
Fixed wire guided missiles sometimes going erratic (even though this was realistic yet unintentional).

Improved the trail and blinking effect of Tracer Darts so they are more visible.
Vehicle Smoke Launchers and 40mm smoke remove tracer darts and spots on friendlies in the effect.
Targets which have been unspotted by smoke are immune to spotting for a few seconds.

Added a short cooldown to the Repair Tool after repairing 50% of a tank’s health.
Lowered the repair speed of the Repair Tool but raised its range.
The Repair Tool can only repair or damage vehicles and stationary weapons.

The Mortar Strike is now called in via a pair of binoculars.
Lowered the number of shells in the Mortar Strike barrage, but raised the damage of each shell.
Raised the effectiveness of the Mortar Strike against armored vehicles.
Fixed a bug where the Mortar Strike would fail to begin to reload.
Switching kits no longer instantly reloads the Mortar Strike.

Fixed a bug where the Defibrillator would not reload unless held in the player’s hands.
The Defibrillator icon on downed squad members now appears in green.
Soldiers who suicide from the menu cannot be revived.

Lowered the amount of Motion Sensors carried to 2 and limited each soldier to 1 deployed sensor at a time.
Deploying a new Motion Sensor before the previous sensor expires will replace the previous sensor.
Motion Sensors no longer detect players and vehicles sitting perfectly still.
Motion Sensors now beep when deployed and detecting a target.

The Vehicle Motion sensor now beeps for all occupants of the vehicle when it detects a target.
Vehicle Motion Sensors on the UAV and other Airborne vehicles now detect targets at all altitudes.

Fixed an exploit where players could deploy unlimited Ammo Boxes, Medkits, C4 and Mines.
Fixed a bug where players could detonate Detpacks placed the previous life upon respawning.
Detpacks can still be detonated if player’s kit is picked up with in 15 seconds of his death.
Lowered the damage Detpacks do to crates.

Fixed AntiTank Mines not detonating when driven over at medium speeds.
AntiTank Mines should now properly persist after the player has died.

The Ammo Box, Medkit, Defibrillator, Repair Tool, and Motion Sensor are now unlocks for each class.
Players new to Battlefield will be introduced to these teamplay items when they are unlocked.
Battlefield Veterans will automatically have these teamplay items unlocked from the start.

Lowered the duration of spotted targets. Aiming at a close target will refresh the spot timer automatically.
Lowered the effectiveness of the Sniper’s Spotting Scope, targets must be tracked longer before spotting.
Fixed so the player can properly spot from the UAV.
Added an overheat to spotting to prevent spot and order spamming.
Spotting now requires the player be aiming significantly closer to the target.

Added Destruction 2.0 to the Guard Towers around the first Defender Base on Arica Harbor (and all other maps).
Fixed buildings collapsing without any warning sound or effects.
Moved M-COM station A into a Garage at the second Defender Base on Arica Harbor.
Fixed collision issues on the Patio in the upper level of the Town.
Fixed sometimes spawning underneath the Patio in the Town.
Fixed the collision problems with the Train Car containing M-COM stations on Arica Harbor’s 3rd and 4th base.
Train Cars now have more specific destruction zones to encourage mouse hole tactics.
The Attacker’s first base is now a protected spawn zone that defenders cannot enter.
Added additional alternate spawn points to all bases for both Attackers and Defenders to counter spawn camping.
Added a system that disables individual spawn points if enemies are within 20m. Does not apply to Squad Spawn.
Players can still spawn at a base if all spawns points at that base are blocked.
Spawn protection will be disabled if the player aims or fires during the short timer.
Wrecked civilian cars now have secondary explosions when hit with explosive weapons.

The Attackers now recieve 75 reinforcement Tickets to start instead of 100.
Taking a base restores the attackers to 75 Tickets instead of adding 50.

Improved soldier collision vs objects, especially for crouching under obstacles.
Fixed issues with certain objects popping into view as the player approached.
Reduced the amount of screen blur when in ultralow health.
Increased the visual and audio feedback for low health, healing, and returning to full health.
Out of Combat healing now starts sooner but takes longer to fully heal.
Slightly increased the healing power of medkits to increase their usefulness.

Improved the sensitivity of soldier controls. Adjusting sensitivity should have a much greater effect now.
Sensitivity when aimed is now consistent across all weapons.
Turning while sprinting is now more responsive.
Reduced forward input needed to sprint to 50% from 90% to smooth the transition to sprint.
Tweaked aiming and turning curves to be more responsive from the hip and more precise when aiming.
Fixed several issues with switching weapons and being unable to shoot or aim.
Fixed the player’s control setup reverting to default when entering and exiting vehicles.
Fixed bugs when going to swim while sprinting.
Sped up the deploy and undeploy animations for the parachute.
Improved the precision for switching weapons on the Dpad.

Fixed several stats padding exploits.
Fixed various awards that did not work as designed.
Tweaked rank and class unlock progression based on data gathered in the beta.

BF BC2 Part 4.5 Beta Update

January 8th, 2010

As promised here is the PC Blog on the Beta & a few other things, yes some people, places, and things may have leaked a little something, but we are here to clarify everything and make it all official since we can now commit to the listed dates! :-)

Click here to read more: http://blogs.battlefield.ea.com/

GOA.Luke*BK*

BF BC2 Part 4 Beta

January 7th, 2010

Digital Illusions announced last month that PC players would have to wait until “early 2010″ to get into the multiplayer beta for Battlefield Bad Company 2. Now a listing on GameStop’s web site indicates that if you reserve your copy of the game now, you will get access to the beta test on January 28. The site also states the beta will end on February 25.Naturally this info should be considered a rumor since it comes from a retailer and not from DICE itself. However the timing of the beta would seem to be about right considering the full game is scheduled to ship to stores on March 2. [Via Blue's News]

Source: Game Daily