After days of fans clamouring about which next generation system will win the next generation console wars, DICE, that one game developer from Sweden, showcased at E3 its multi-platform and highly anticipated shooter extraordinaire, Battlefield 4.
The highlight of the demonstration on one of gaming’s most prolific modern shooters was “Angry Sea,” a single-player demo at the Microsoft media briefing, “Xbox: A New Generation of Games Revealed,” and “Siege of Shanghai,” a 64-person multiplayer match at “The Download: EA 2013 Preview” press conference. Both demonstrations were running at 60-frames per second, something many console gamers should be excited about.
Of even greater importance and innovation, DICE also revealed “Levolution” and the return of Commander Mode. DICE is known as the innovators in real-time destructible environments in both its game’s single-player and multiplayer modes. This time, however, it is taking that destruction to another level. Levolution creates a dynamic environment where gamers can strategically use their surroundings to alter the tactics of battle. So, for example, a player can cut the power to a building to keep the enemy in the dark or, as we have already seen, can level an entire building.
“With Levolution, the environment reacts to the player’s every move and ensures no two games will ever be the same.”
Commander mode will pit two battlefield commanders on opposite sides who have a bird’s-eye-view of the battlefield. Just like the commander mode in Natural Selection II, commanders are tasked with delivering intelligence and assets to their troops below to achieve victory. In an interesting twist, commanders can take control of the battlefield from their iPad or Android tablet.
Battlefield 4 will be available on November 1st, on both current and next generation consoles, as well as the PC.
Check out the “Angry Sea” demo:
Observe, commander mode:
Finally, get a load of some multiplayer gameplay:
