Despite being a broken, glitchy mess online, Battlefield 4 is still a technically stunning (and demanding) game. It’s on the other side of the visual spectrum, pushing hardware to the limit for photo-realistic representation. You would never expect to get something like Battlefield 4 on a mobile device. Well at least that’s what I thought yesterday.
Because today, DICE has Battlefield 4 running on an iPad. Sort of. It’s not the entire game ported to Apple’s new iPad Air 2, but rather a technical demo of what Frostbite and Metal can do when they’re allowed to share a bed. The results are some beautiful, logic defying visuals on a mobile device, which could mean a lot for the future.
Mobile manager at Frostbite Stockholm, Kristoffer Benjaminsson, stressed that this was merely a demo to see how well Apple’s Metal technology got on with Frostbite. Only parts of Battlefield 4 have made it onto the iPad, although there isn’t video proof of how well it actually run. There are screenshots though, which doesn’t show that much of a visual compromise.
Pretty impressive, right? But what does that mean for future Frostbite games on the iPad? Well Benjaminsson teased that this was just the first look at a project underway for the iPad, proving that the Frostbite engine can function on Apple’s smart devices with the Metal API. That probably means there are some games in the pipeline, as EA expands the install base for its most popular engine.
But what about the games themselves? EA is notorious for exploitative, in-app purchase ridden titles on mobile, so does all of this really matter if their business approach to games doesn’t change? Probably not, but it’s still extremely impressive to see.
Last Updated: November 7, 2014
FoxOneZA
November 7, 2014 at 13:32
But Frostbite won’t run on the Wii U :/
Ghost In The Rift
November 7, 2014 at 14:06
Is it really worth getting a Wii U?
Ghost In The Rift
November 7, 2014 at 13:38
NO!!!!Please don’t give Apple any attention!!!
th3SiCn3ss
November 7, 2014 at 13:57
hehehe next, far cry 4 on blackberry
Admiral Chief Wang
November 7, 2014 at 13:40
Genugtig
ToshZA
November 7, 2014 at 13:44
That fake vector iPad screenshot yo.
Photoshop ftw!
th3SiCn3ss
November 7, 2014 at 13:55
aaaaaaaaaaand it’s broken……
Jedi Consular Kromas
November 7, 2014 at 13:56
Hahahaha … now get back to work you lazy bastard!
th3SiCn3ss
November 7, 2014 at 14:05
me no lazy senior Kromas, just resting. Also need more Lemon Pledge
Brady miaau
November 7, 2014 at 14:16
you guys “work: together?
th3SiCn3ss
November 7, 2014 at 14:28
it’s complicated 🙂 but yeah. We’re just on 2 different sites a.t.m.
Corrie
November 7, 2014 at 14:01
Seriously why apple?, I mean they made a big thing of 2012 specs in 2014?
Ceyber, Hans
November 7, 2014 at 14:14
Bit of a hyperbole, but isn’t this like buying a movie-house to watch a film you’ve only ever seen one fully-produced but entirely static still-frame of?
Okay, two still-frames, but still…?
Weerwolf
November 7, 2014 at 14:18
Those aren’t static still frames. They’re actually gameplay videos. Just has really really bad fps. Next level cinematic feel
Ceyber, Hans
November 7, 2014 at 14:21
Aah I see. Have you seen it in action by any chance? This opens up so much potential for mobile gaming, maybe it can even counteract all the freemium pay-to-play pay-to-not-wait nonsense somehow (Republique is a great example).
Ceyber, Hans
November 7, 2014 at 14:27
Just witnessed the upvoting prowess of The Hammer. Didn’t even have to check who was making all them ones and twos appear, just got that feeling… you know?
Anyway, awe-inspiring to witness that speed and finesse! 😉