The PC Centric Extravaganza 08.12.2008
Posted by Chris Evans on 08.12.2008
This week sees Chris Evans take a look back at Battlefield 2 and much more.
The PC Centric Extravaganza 12th August 2008
Welcome to another edition of The PC Centric Extravaganza my good friends. This week sees my good-self look back at Battlefield 2 along with a whole host of other random PC news including GTA IV finally being confirmed for a release on the PC and Valve discussing being taken-over.
In a shame-less piece of self-advertising/plugging you can win a spot in the Red Alert 3 Beta by heading over here and following the instructions. The Beta is really good fun, and despite having lost all of my matches so far, I still persist.
Looking Back at Battlefield 2
It is strange to think that it has been three years since Battlefield 2 was originally released, even stranger to think that the series is taking such a radical next step with Battlefield Heroes. The Battlefield series has had some highs, and some lows. The original BF1942 was most certainly a classic game, Vietnam was a bit of a let down while 2142 was just there. For me Battlefield 2 was the high point of the series, and is one of the best PC based online-FPS games.
It all started with the demo, what has got to go down as one of the best demos released in recent years. The Gulf of Oman presented a brilliant blend of the different features we would witness come release of the full game. It may have lacked the jets, choppers and any ranking system, but it gave us a clear idea of what to expect, great squad based combat and plenty of blood-pumping action.
With the full game everything was just that much bigger with bigger maps, more vehicles, stats and everything else. Playing Battlefield 2 is like entering a world which finely balances the run and gun of Call of Duty and avoids the harsh realism of mods such as Project Reality. It is this fine balance which makes Battlefield 2 such a great game, if they had gone too far one way or the other then the whole thing may have fallen apart.
That DICE managed to create such a fine game to play is a testament to their certain something which makes them one of the leading developers of the present era. It is not just the core game itself which is so great, it is the stats system which provides that extra something to play and strive for. Looking back in hindsight it is clear that what DICE introduced with Battlefield 2 has played a large part in the ever increasing presence of achievements and stats systems in more modern games.
While many other games in recent years have tried to shoehorn the Battlefield 2 system into their own games, the way it worked with Battlefield 2 is unsurpassed. Logging onto the game, jumping on a server and earning those last few points to gain your promotion are memories that will stay with me and many other players for a lifetime. The role of the unlockable weapons interwoven in with the stats tracking was also a well crafted piece of game design.
It meant that in addition to playing for medals and ranks, players were out on the battlefield fighting to get their hands on some new equipment. The joy about the way this was done in Battlefield 2 is found in the fact that it was simple and streamlined. Unlike in Battlefield 2142 there wasn't an overwhelming range of unlockable items, and the unlockable weapons in Battlefield 2 for the large part didn't turn those who held them into unstoppable killing machines. You can ask many Battlefield 2 players which weapons they prefer to use and many of them will say they prefer to use the standard weapons. It is this perfect balance in the stats system and unlockable weapons that made Battlefield 2 such a great game at the time, and still makes it standout today.
Mention must be made of the squad play, this is what attracted myself to the game so much and has kept many people still playing today. The squad play created a terrific sense of teamwork and camaraderie that wasn't and still isn't found in many games that dominate the charts today. It is this which keeps me coming back, I know that I can find a server and create a squad with the knowledge that those who join will follow my orders and work coherently as a unit.
While the game may be looking a bit dated after three years of great service to many gamers it still holds up well, this is in down to the great stats tracking system and the sense of teamwork that has evolved over time thanks to the squad system. With Battlefield Heroes just around the corner, what better way to reacquaint yourself with the series than by booting up Battlefield 2 again.
Valve on being acquired
I always think of Valve as being a totally independent developer which runs its own show and does its own thing. That is true to an extent, but it must be remembered that EA has been involved in the publishing in several console releases of Valve games. The question must arise, would Valve be interested in being acquired by another company? In an interview with Gamasutra Doug Lombardi reveals that it isn't out of the question.
If anyone is interested in acquiring Valve, VP Doug Lombardi is "happy to have that conversation," he told Gamasutra.
"By the same token, the company's doing pretty well, and we're really happy with what we're doing," he added.
"So we'll see. I mean, anything is possible."
In regards to deal with EA and their thoughts on Steam Doug revealed this.
"EA was very progressive about saying, 'We understand who you guys are. We understand what Steam is. We don't want Steam to go away.' Well, they might want Steam to go away, but they're not asking us to make Steam go away."
So while I doubt Valve are going out actively looking for someone to buy them up I think there is room for their relationship with EA to become even closer. As long as Valve stay true to what they are then they can do whatever the hell they want.
PC Gamer Top 100
The PC Gamer Top 100 is a regular feature in the magazine, so regular it appears every single year. This years Top 25 with a great Number 1 can be seen right here. This year however we the readers (or even non-readers) have the chance to vote on our favourite games over on this website.
Remember this is your chance to vote for your favourite games, so go at it. For those interested my Top 10 follows.
Bear in mind these are just my favourite games, not what I think are the best games ever. A subtle but important thing to remember.
Rest of World – Latest
The Steam group Rest of World is one that I have talked about a couple of times before. I am fully supportive of the efforts of the group and I wish them the best in their future endeavours. For now though they have this new, absolutely stunning video.
We can expect to see GTA IV land on the PC on the 18th November in the US and the 21st November in Europe. I am excited, November will be a great month for PC games, Mirror's Edge, Left 4 Dead and now GTA IV.
Hell. Yes.
Tally Ho!
And with that I am outta there! Next week, it's a deal.
It is strange to think that it has been three years since Battlefield 2 was originally released, even stranger to think that the series is taking such a radical next step with Battlefield Heroes. The Battlefield series has had some highs, and some lows. The original BF1942 was most certainly a classic game, Vietnam was a bit of a let down while 2142 was just there. For me Battlefield 2 was the high point of the series, and is one of the best PC based online-FPS games.
While many other games in recent years have tried to shoehorn the Battlefield 2 system into their own games, the way it worked with Battlefield 2 is unsurpassed. Logging onto the game, jumping on a server and earning those last few points to gain your promotion are memories that will stay with me and many other players for a lifetime. The role of the unlockable weapons interwoven in with the stats tracking was also a well crafted piece of game design. 
The PC Gamer Top 100 is a regular feature in the magazine, so regular it appears every single year. This years Top 25 with a great Number 1 can be seen right 
