Battlefield 2

[reddog418]

After a long week of playing the demo, I thought I'd be able to handle anything anyone had to dish out when the game hit retail stores this week. In my first round of playing the newest game on the market, I found I had met my ultimate arch nemesis: lag.

The debut of such a colossal game should grant some leeway to EAGames, after all, how can they possible anticipate the stress the game will be under when thousands of people try playing all at the same time? They should, since they stress tested it with their largest test group ever.

The newest feature of this game was the ability to track your combat progress and award you with promotions and medals as you fight your way through the various landscapes of BF2. The only way to do this though is to play on the Ranked Servers, servers which adhere to a very strict set of rules to be approved by EAGames and listed as ranked. However, due to the structure of Ranked play, each kill is confirmed by the master server, producing an overhead of latency that can bring a game to its knees. Not only are you combating M1A2 Abrams tanks or Mi28 Havoc helicopters, you're fighting the dreaded "Your connection has a problem" and subsequent "freak out" of your character as he tries to resynch with the server.

Despite the glorious three dimensional eye candy, it can't rid the frustration of not being able to fight back because you're lagged up. Lining your sights up on the perfect kill only to be interrupted caused headache upon headache. Although, the non-ranked servers, while not tracking your progress, are lag free, and play as the game should be played. Stat hungry players swallow their pride and play with only the satisfaction that their name is on the top of the stats list for one round, only to be reset and forgotten a few seconds later. Personally, I tend to be competetive, and play only on the ranked servers, since I see playing the other servers a sort of deathmatch. Even if you play 3 hours straight, the second you quit, it's as if you did nothing at all. There's no sense in accomplishment, which is why I think the ranked server lag problem should be number one priority on EA's fix list.

Despite this problem though, when the game actually does work, it's a marvel to behold. The fury and destruction of the battles are overwhelming to the senses. The realism of war, despite the arcade style gameplay, is astonishing. Watching a 2,000 pound bomb land on your unsuspecting squad, decimating them while leaving you unscathed leaves you with a feeling of guilt; if you had walked with them, you would've suffered the same fate. It's situations like these that bring the game to life and give it the personal touch, which is why the Battlefield series has been so successful, and will continue to be with such great sequels as Battlefield 2.

[temmink]

I know alot of people have been complaining about the lag in bf2, But I haven't experianced it at all. There are about 5 servers that I have found, ranked btw, that give me a ping no greater than 30. I'm on 1.5 adsl in Australia and it doesn't seem to be a problem, you just have to find the right server. And make sure that you have selected LAN T1 as your connection speed, I found that if you select Cable 256 or better it is really laggy and slow.

As to the rankings, if you go to your BFHQ page then all the stats and awards you earn on ranked servers are cumulative and are collected here. You progress in rank as you earn points, unlock new weapons and stuff for your character.
The only problem I have had with the game is with the atrocious in-game server browser which hangs all the time, as far as I can tell something to do with the servers that it failed to return a ping from, it seems to keep trying to refresh them while they are displayed on your screen... bleh.

Unfortunately this is an EA game, that means that the game is excellent but a bit buggy here and there, once the first patch comes out it will be a phenomenon. I suggest you pick it up, but only if you have fast net.

[Xbrid]

i just got it. 2 Qs. how do you get the se4cond set of weapons in instant combat and is there a story mode/ campaign?

[reddog418]

i just got it. 2 Qs. how do you get the se4cond set of weapons in instant combat and is there a story mode/ campaign?
You get the second set of weapons by playing on Ranked servers and earning points (or playing on servers with the weapons unlocked). And there is no story mode. Battlefield games are just kill everything that moves.

[temmink]

Battlefield games are just kill everything that moves.

Except your team mates, then you get kick-banned. Try accidentally shooting a blackhawk full of your team mates with a rocket launcher when you narrowly miss an enemy tank that has already taken said blackhawk down to minimal health. Not so fun :>

[Xbrid]

i mean like the campaign in 1942. is there any way to get the second set without playin online?

[sXenoG]

My friends both have this I kinna fear it. I tried bf1 and I was terrible because it is soo different then cs:s I havent had a chance to paly on my friends comps. Anyone know how hard it is to adjust from cs:s to bf2?

[jonopaul01]

Xbrid, yes there is a way of unlocking those weapons. In the game files there are .qt files. These can be read by notepad and then be changed. This allows you to unlock weapons, well that is on the demo at least. However I don't think you can do that on thae actual game. I have not tried on the actual game but I here that this (http://forums.totalbf2.com/showthread.php?t=12821) comes highly recommended. Good luck.

PS: I have not had any lag to speak of so I don't know what you guys are complaining about.

[timmer]

sxenog, I myself played cs:s until I got BF2....casue BF2 is just so much more fun with being able to respawn and having 16 on 16 battles with tanks and planes and stuff. Plus there is no such thing as an AWP in BF2. It takes atleast 2 shots to kill a person witha sniper (unless you get a hs), and where you have your scope crossharis doesnt mean thats where the bullet will end up. You need to factor in gravity and distance it takes the bullet to get there and stuff.

[sXenoG]

Well I'm mostly curious jsut how hard is it for you to deal witht he recoil on that game?

[timmer]

It depends on the kit your using. Some guns are full auto/1 shot and some are 3 burst/1 shot. It's just like cs, where your close you can spray and pray but when you are far you should shoot slowly. You can always download the demo and try it out for yourself :)

[sXenoG]

I'll prolly give it a try tomorrow. I get in the rest of my parts so im prolly going to build it. As long as all goes wel.. (with my luck lately it will not) I should be up and running tomorrow.

[wretched73]

oooo yea wat servers u play in?

[timmer]

I don't have a specific server, I just play on ranked servers. My xfire is t1mmer if you wanna meet up sometime

[Seven]

Still haven't got it yet...I'm excited for the day it arrives though.
I'm pretty good at flying, so if you guys are good at backseating, I could use you :D

7

[timmer]

I'm good at flying until my wireless gives out and refreshes or something, then I head up in the ground/water.

[jonopaul01]

I bought BF2 after playing the demo for about a week and have been playing ever since (A clue as to why I haven't been posting much lately). Yeah, I don't really play on any particular servers but you have to play solely on ranked servers if you want to level up (wow, that sounds really wierd when talk about FPS) otherwise you will never unlock weapons. And how long does it take to get from Lance Corpral to Corpral?

I have played CS:S and BF2 and I actually like both but as strictly seperate games. BF2 is more about having fun and CS:S is about playing as well as you can. I personally prefer BF2 though.

[timmer]

jonopaul you get to corpral at 10,000 global points.

[2bigfan]

this is a site that shows ur stats http://bf2s.com/

this is some thing odd that happen to me. i joined a gamearena server (thats were i play) and all the guns where unlocked. from then on i had all the guns unlocked. cool glich ah. well its not now, i cant log in eney more. :( :( (i was a Lance Corporal and i got the G3, its good. )

| edit | i forgot this site http://www.ubar.sc/ it tels u how to get badges and stuff

[sXenoG]

I tried the demo I like the single player alot but cant stand the multiplayer.. All people did when i played the demo was use vehicles Im a terrible pilot. I saw a person once every 5-10 mins and it was annoying since all iw anted was 1 on 1 combat.

[2bigfan]

there r some small city maps that make vehicles useles. i like them the most coz im a cs guy. knife kills for all.
(not a css guy its too slow and random but i play it for fun)

[Aero]

I hate the online play, its slow and vary laggy. But the one player rocks, good AI.

[2bigfan]

what? the net code is grate. i have 256 and i get 90 ping with 64 ppl in a server.

and the bots r good. http://battlefield2.filefront.com/ in there some where is a thing that lets u have 32 bots or 64 bots in a 16ppl map :). (dont get this if u can just run bf2.)

[427]

Anybody know of any graphics glitching at all? I just put 512MB of RAM in my computer, installed the latest ATI drivers for my 9800PRO and im now getting huge graphical glitches in the game. Wish some1 could help

[MisterChief]

Anybody know of any graphics glitching at all? I just put 512MB of RAM in my computer, installed the latest ATI drivers for my 9800PRO and im now getting huge graphical glitches in the game. Wish some1 could help

I'm playing with a 256MB 6600GT and an X800Xl, and I've had no problems at all (of course, there is that lag problem yet to be resolved.)

[public_eyesore]

Anybody know of any graphics glitching at all? I just put 512MB of RAM in my computer, installed the latest ATI drivers for my 9800PRO and im now getting huge graphical glitches in the game. Wish some1 could help

ive had that problemm too, on the demo. I dont know if its a demo problem or my card, a 5200, is just way too outdated. Even on the lowest settings

[2bigfan]

i get a glich too. the brick / rock wall look very shiny. my freand has a graphics glitch, that gets fixed when he changes his graphics setings.

[MisterChief]

Are any of you guys overclocking? It may be a cooling issue.

[sXenoG]

I heard that alot of people playing the new games have issues if they dont have 256mb ram on their gfx card. I have done research on it but ive been told this and also have heard from 5 people who had 128mb having problems.

[MisterChief]

I heard that alot of people playing the new games have issues if they dont have 256mb ram on their gfx card. I have done research on it but ive been told this and also have heard from 5 people who had 128mb having problems.

I doubt memory would cause graphical issues; it usually causes stuttering. It's probably just that those cards are too old. As an example: I had a 9600Pro in my P4 rig and played HL2 a lot. When I switched cards, I noticed that the characters overall looked MUCH better; it wasn't any ingame settings, they were always on High. I'm guessing that the newer architecture helps a bit.

[crazybillybob]

I'm running a 5200 w 256 and BF2 runs great (I can't run it higher than Low for most settings, but it works @1024x768 with no glitches or shutters) I've ran into a bit of lag but only when there were 64 peeps in the server and two of use were playing on it over my cable connection (hay we like to see the guy I'm screaming @)

There was an issue with ATI cards and the new drivers...you had to have the ones that were like 2 or 3 point releases old to get it to work right....EA and ATI were working on it though, Check EA or ATI Forums for more details (I didn't pay that much attention to it cause I's running a Nvidia card)

Crazybillybob

[Nathan]

what card are you running it on?

[MisterChief]

I'm running a 5200 w 256 and BF2 runs great (I can't run it higher than Low for most settings, but it works @1024x768 with no glitches or shutters) I've ran into a bit of lag but only when there were 64 peeps in the server and two of use were playing on it over my cable connection (hay we like to see the guy I'm screaming @)

There was an issue with ATI cards and the new drivers...you had to have the ones that were like 2 or 3 point releases old to get it to work right....EA and ATI were working on it though, Check EA or ATI Forums for more details (I didn't pay that much attention to it cause I's running a Nvidia card)

Crazybillybob

Ok, why did you bother wasting 8kb by typing that second paragraph?:rolleyes: And whats the problem? A little lag or what? Cause if you're just complaining about lag, that's just stupid.

[sXenoG]

He was trying to help someone with that second paragraph becasue someone is having issues and i belive it was an ati card. Honestly cant we all be nice. Also on a side note i doubt its 8kb :)

Actually i just checked and it was:
Size: 301 bytes
Size on disk: 4.00 KB (4,096 bytes)
YES IM THAT BORED lol

[crazybillybob]

Ok, why did you bother wasting 8kb by typing that second paragraph?:rolleyes: And whats the problem? A little lag or what? Cause if you're just complaining about lag, that's just stupid.

The issues were Tearing, ghosting, severe aliasing, and some cases BF 2 not working at all...
The gentleman with the problem had described similar issues.

I was answering 2 posts with one (saving more space than what it took you to whine about it!)

Have a nice day! :redface:

[THRASHER2]

What's the deal with the lost connection...Issues? They are pissing me off.
I will be sitting there whippin' some butt...and than BAM!! lost connection :( Rrrrrrr

[jonopaul01]

I think there is not enough distinction in most peoples minds between lag and simple FPS loss. The way that I see it LAG is when your internet connection goes wierd and people start jumping around from one place to the other without going through the space between. FPS loss is when all of a sudden your screen is only updated 3 times a second.

I ran BF2 on a standard FX5200 on lowest settings but I would get random FPS loss sometimes and predictable FPS loss when I ran into a fire fight, not very cool dude. SO basically It was like

"Die you USMC DOGS!!!!"
FPS loss to 1 fps
"15 seconds till respawn"

very annoying. But I now have a 6600gt so that has fixed it mostly although I still get random FPS loss occasionally. But I think that most problems are from a lack of memory (512).

[crazybillybob]

I'm Running a FX5200 and Never have FPS loss. The only time I have issues with FPS loss or LAg is on a slow server this weekend I went from a 64player (running 57 peeps) LEET server to a 32 player Comcast server (running 27 peeps)and had major lag issues on the 32player server, I then found another 64 player server (running 60 peeps) and Life was good!

Now I'll admit My FX5200 has 256Mb onboard and I'm running 1Gb system ram but I'm on a AMD Barton 2500XP+ (ok OCd to 2800)

So I'm not convinced it's all in your VidBoard.



Crazybillybob

[jonopaul01]

ahhhh, you see I only had an fx5200 128. Not that it really makes much differences unless you have texture turned up above minimum. I am convinced that BF2 is Memory intensive more than anything else. Is your FX5200 an Ultra? I happened to run some benchmarks if anyone is interested between the two GPUs which can be found here (http://shikaga.blogspot.com/2005/08/benchmarking.html)

[public_eyesore]

new mod is available, called battlefield 2: nights. I suggest you get it, it makes all the levels night time. Planes are a bit unflyable right now, but i hear night vision is on the way.

[crazybillybob]

The 5200 256Mb fx I have is not the ultra model. Here is it's spec sheet it will help sort things out for you.
Spec Sheet for EVGA Fx5200 256Mb (http://www.evga.com/products/pdf/n307.pdf)

BF2 Still running great on it!


Crazybillybob

[public_eyesore]

nathan runs his on a 5200 128 and there are glitches all the time, i wonder if its a driver porblem, hes running it in wmce and its an old driver.

[crazybillybob]

I had to update my drivers before I could install the Game (and I was only behind 2-3Revs) So that maybe his issue. I've updated drivers once after installing BF2, I didn't notice any changes.


Crazybillybob