Last night EA Games and DICE released a new video showcasing the upgraded Battlelog that will be shipping with Battlefield 4 – and this could actually become quite a game changer.
Here’s the video and then we’ll break it down
Stats
First up, we have the statistics which Battlelog has always shown us and which is very similar to the Call of Duty Elite system. Personally I find this cool for about 30 minutes and then I get bored and never load it again.
Obviously this stuff could be of interest to the serious contenders but for the mainstream it’s nothing more than a funky screen.
Setup Classes
The next cool part is that you can setup and configure your classes on your mobile phone, pc or tablet while at work or your friends place. Imagine you’re at the pub chatting about the game and someone mentions that you should really equip your engineer with the crossbow instead of a rocket launcher.
He can load up the app and show you how many tanks he’s taken down with the crossbow (RAMBO!) and you can then load up yours and set your guy up so he’s ready to rock as soon as you get home.
What’s more, you can also use your Battlelog to change your load-out while playing. If that crossbow isn’t actually working you can swap it back to the rocket launcher on the tablet and the next time you spawn you will be back to kicking ass.
Server Selection
Running straight on from that you can also use Battlelog to choose the server that you want to play on. So you can all agree that when you get home you are going to boot up Battlefield 4 and join up on Jim Johnny’s Uber N00b Pwnage Server.
You select the server in the app and then when you get home you click one button and you will jump into the server with your pre-selected classes all ready to go.
Battlescreen
Second screens are the way of the future, if the publishers are to be believed – and Battlefield 4 and Battlelog pair up perfectly as a second screen. Except this time, the second screen is a damn fine idea.
You can place your iPad next to you while you game and it can turn into a large version of your mini map. This makes it a lot easier to see what’s going on with your team mates and objectives and what’s even better is that you can mark targets simply by touching the screen.
This marker will then be shown to everyone in your team instantly
For a game that is as tactical as Battlefield this could be invaluable.
Missions
This new feature is easily my most anticipated. Battlelog will now enable you to create specific missions that you can invite your friends to compete in. For example if drunken Johnny insists he is the top tank killer on the planet and no one can touch him then simply create a tank killing mission and get him to join.
This will now act like a custom leaderboard for everyone in the mission and at the end of the game your number of tanks destroyed will be stored on the leaderboard, if it beat your last score.
If you are leading and Johnny overtakes you then your phone will notify you to stop messing around at the pub and get home to start taking out more tanks.
It’s not clear how specific these missions can be but I’m hoping we can set one up to see who can destroy the most tanks with a crossbow… since I don’t believe that’s possible.
Oh these missions are time based, and the crew behind Battlefield will continuously add new community missions to the game to keep even the forever alone kids entertained.
And something just for us – Geo leader boards
We South Africans love to complain about how bad our Internet is and the only reason that snot-nosed yank beat us is because of lag… when in fact it’s because he plays 24/7 and is actually just damned good. But now with the introduction of Geo Leader boards we can easily see who is the best player in South Africa or if you have less lofty goals how about looking at who the best player in Gauteng or Randburg or Randpark Ridge is?
This would be an awesome addition to school tournaments and something that the MSSA should really look at to choose the best players from each province; invite the top 20 people in the leaderboard per province to attend trials and then really get the best the country has to offer.
Last Updated: July 26, 2013
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 26, 2013 at 09:21
After a night of heavy eating and drinking I have a battle log in the morning 😛
LordCaptainAwesomeness
July 26, 2013 at 09:21
That just made my day… thanks dude
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 26, 2013 at 09:26
Glad I could help 🙂
Trevor Davies
July 26, 2013 at 09:22
lollllllll
RinceandLeSIGH
July 26, 2013 at 09:32
thanks bud, made my morning
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 10:06
You mean.. a coil of Duty? 😛 ho ho ho!
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 26, 2013 at 10:06
More like a black op (if Guinness or Rum was consumed)
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 10:17
Mental Image…. Thanks for that.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 10:19
My apologies, but as Dr Oz says… “It needs to be an S-shape”.
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 26, 2013 at 10:59
Lock S foils in attack position
Trevor Davies
July 26, 2013 at 09:24
I’ll admit, these are some pretty cool ideas. Hope it works well once the masses get hold of it.
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 26, 2013 at 09:26
This will KILL all the CoDfanbois and they superficial bragging
Ultimo_Cleric N7
July 26, 2013 at 09:44
Haters gonna hate.
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 09:47
“Don’t underestimate the power of the CoDfanbois”
Ultimo_Cleric N7
July 26, 2013 at 09:28
I love CoD, I really do….but this…..
Checkmate.
Kobus Nel
July 26, 2013 at 14:10
One of us… one of us… one of us 😛
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 09:30
Uhm, I’d rather not share my location data, because invariably European sods will kick me because apparently South Africa is not EU. I hate the new generation of retarded badmins – who are happily turning Battlefield 3 into Call of Duty.
People… ruin everything!
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 09:32
Can’t wait for Skynet to take over huh?
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 09:37
Every morning, I check the news feed, just in case the machines have risen up, and the war has started! That and any signs of a zombiepocalypse… As we speak, I have cans upon cans of baked beans!
Trevor Davies
July 26, 2013 at 09:41
You mean the news feed generated by a… machine? TINFOIL HAT ENGAGE!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 09:43
Dear heavens, you mean it’s already started… ? Those fiendish machines.. they have bested the Banana!
Ultimo_Cleric N7
July 26, 2013 at 09:44
I AM THE VANGUARD OF YOUR DISTRUCTION
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 09:45
Disruptor rays set for stun! 😛
Mark Treloar
July 26, 2013 at 10:11
so you haven’t seen the facial recognition coffee dispenser at OR Tambo?
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 10:13
Wait.. that’s a facial recognition coffee dispenser? I tried to dry my balls with that thing. No wonder ACSA has banned me from OR Tambo. 🙁
I can only fly to Lanseria now 🙁
Mark Treloar
July 26, 2013 at 10:26
That could also explain those male enhancement emails you get
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 26, 2013 at 09:43
You gonna attack em with gas??? Zombies don’t breathe dude…or do they?
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 09:45
I’m hoping that I can generate such a stink cloud that it will mask the fact that I am alive.
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 09:45
Totally! I’m with you there, Zombiepocalypse? Where are you?
I already have my samurai sword and 2 of my bosses picked out to be my chained armless / jawless, zombie possie (ala Michonne – who is very badass)
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 09:50
I have a book on survival, cans of beans and a leatherman. I think that should keep me alive for a week… at least! Then, I’m joining the Zombie Horde Trade Union, because I kind of like the idea of lounging around town, moaning at things. 😀
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 10:05
It still baffles me that the entire world fails to an enemy that can be totally kept at bay with something as simple as a 6 foot wall.
Also these Zombies have like infinite walking energy, I’d say put these Zombies on a massive treadmill hooked up to a power generator and dangle a red-head in front them and….viola… infinite electricity!
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 26, 2013 at 10:06
Now that is thinking!!!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 10:09
What always baffles me is.. surely a zombiepocalypse would be a dog heaven? All those walking corpses? All those delicious bones? I reckon the undead wouldn’t be our biggest problem, it would be the packs of fat wild dogs roaming the streets…
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 10:14
Fek, I guess then we’d have to start taking those “Dog Whisperer” doods seriously.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 10:18
Hell no, any one who says they can tell a dog’s mood from its aura is clearly on crystal meth (tik)…
I did like the guy who was on Oprah once, he seemed to be legit. Dude, was an animal behavioralist, rather than some weirdo new age hippie…
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 10:22
“animal behavioralist”
i.e. someone who masturbates animals to gain their loyalty.
Works for the Police Dog Units.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 10:26
Hey someone has to keep the police dog’s stress down!! A job’s a job! 😛
PS: You really work for the K-9 unit? That’s awesome man.
Vampyre Squirrel
July 26, 2013 at 09:42
According to 90% of the websites around we, in SA, are no longer part of the EMEA. We’re now chucked into Asia. How that works? I have no idea, at all.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 09:44
I’m thinking optical illusion, or some magical cartographic adventure into alternative map projections…
Mark Treloar
July 26, 2013 at 10:09
I see an increase of assault cases coming on
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 10:12
Yeah, never underestimate the crazies and their desire to track you down because.. uhm.. you made the mistake of teabagging their corpse, in a fit of blissful joy! Hopefully, I can disguise my feed so it looks like I’m playing from Botswana. All hate mail can go to a lodge in Lobotse.
Mark Treloar
July 26, 2013 at 10:25
Shares in VPN providers will skyrocket
Matthew Holliday
July 26, 2013 at 12:55
wouldnt want to play on EU servers anyway
horrible ping
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 09:31
I wasn’t going to pick up BF4 as I’ve been kinda bored with BF3 and I had the impression that BF4 would just be BF3 with fancier graphics.
….but, I do love the changes to the battlelog, love stats and stuff like that, in fact this article has changed my mind, but I’ll pick it up on the PS4 this time around.
FreeStanler
July 29, 2013 at 09:41
Will this all work on PS4 version, not just PC?
Sageville
July 29, 2013 at 14:03
Well the current Battlelog works for the PS3, I’d assum they’d do the same for PS4
RinceandLeSIGH
July 26, 2013 at 09:33
“Second screens are the way of the future” BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 26, 2013 at 09:41
Yeh, some people BARELY function operating one, can you imagine the failzors.
Knife kills aplenty
RinceandLeSIGH
July 26, 2013 at 09:52
hahaha agreed. I like the concept, maybe in strat games like Xcom, but having to move eyes from the screen where you see your death to anywhere else is not a great plan!
Mark Treloar
July 26, 2013 at 10:13
hmmm, i cant wait
Verrayne
July 26, 2013 at 12:15
Must say I love second screen tech. And all the games utilising it is brilliant.
John Ambitious
July 26, 2013 at 09:35
I love battlelog
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 09:36
I screwed up in the beginning though I ran purely Recon for ages and hence screwed up my stats.
I hope they make recon more appealing this time round.
John Ambitious
July 26, 2013 at 09:43
I also only stuck to recon when I started. My death/kill ratio was quite terrible but at least my accuracy was higher than all my friends’
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 09:49
You mean… Return of the Ghillie Suit? I wish they added a strategic element to loadouts, with weight playing a huge role.
For instance, you could go out there with a 50 cal strapped to your wrists, and struggle to move, or be that zippy chipper ranger with a revolver and a Bear Ghryls knife.
John Ambitious
July 26, 2013 at 09:50
That would be a complete game changer. Man, that would make it so much better.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 09:54
But I guess balancing would be a major issue, and everyone would complain of all the revolver wielding bunny hoppers. Spec Ops the Line had a nice system, where weight played a huge role, but it was just me and a weird Norwegian guy who played that game’s multiplayer. :/
John Ambitious
July 26, 2013 at 09:56
That game really didn’t do very well. I would’ve actually enjoyed better camo options and techniques in BF.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 09:58
I always wished the camo was functional, like say you actually got a stealth bonus for equipping urban camo in an urban setting, rather then wearing your tiger stripes… like a timelord vietnam vet.
John Ambitious
July 26, 2013 at 10:02
Haha. Quite so. It’s the small details here that make the difference. You try so hard to hide but the guys carrying light machine guns have just as much of a chance to blend in to their environment than a Recon guy.
Gavin Mannion
July 26, 2013 at 09:53
Really it doesn’t work like that? Call of Duty works like that. The snipers swap to pistols to run faster because you can run faster with the rifle on your back instead of in your hands
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 09:57
Nope, because BF classes are set in stone, bar a few specific weapons that certain classes can’t use. Although, with COD you have perks to offset any disadvantage you might have by only running around with a tiny pistol in your pocket.
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 26, 2013 at 09:58
Shame, you running around with a tiny pistol in your pocket?
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 09:59
It’s not the size of your pocket rocket, but what you do with it that counts 😛
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 26, 2013 at 10:05
Riiiiight, tell me, can a .22 calibre puncture body armour?
John Ambitious
July 26, 2013 at 10:09
I think a guy wearing body armour is easier to trip though.
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 10:10
…and they dont have body armor covering the buttocks area.
CodeName Tailgunner
July 26, 2013 at 10:15
I believe it is the size of your battle log…
John Ambitious
July 26, 2013 at 10:21
Then I’m a dwarf
Sir Twakkus
July 26, 2013 at 10:38
Hey Gavin, if I recall correctly you said you where going to try BF again after some or other sale? So how has it been going with reentering into the BF franchise after playing COD for so long. Genuinely interested in hearing your opinion switching from one franchise to another.
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 09:56
I just wanted more environmental destruction and interactions. Yes it would be awesome to blow out the support pillars of a building to drop it on baddies, but I’d like something a bit more subtle …well… a bit more Hitman meets TLOU. Setting up environmental boobie traps or shooting some exploding enviroments to get at your enemy.
Well I can dream can’t I!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 10:00
Hey maybe in BF4. I do miss the building destruction from Bad Company 2 though. The first time I took down a barn with a bunch of noobs inside, I was on cloud nine.
ElimiNathan
July 26, 2013 at 09:40
KEEEEEEEEEEEEEN. So over BattleRage 3
Concerned
July 26, 2013 at 09:41
BATTLEFIELD – BEST FPS EVER! THE END! Damn you Hellkom, my latency on satellite dsl will not allow me to enjoy this on Multiplayer!
Tidycpc
July 26, 2013 at 09:55
Like the geo leader boards
Jafricaman
July 26, 2013 at 09:58
has anyone seen the camo customization that battlefield is allowing on the helis and tanks? and I read somewhere that you can edit your soldier to look like you? Small things I tell you . But I want this.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 10:03
I haven’t heard about the latter, although the forums were a buzz about character customization, and creating the perfect soldier… As for camo customization on tanks? Holy crap, I’d rock a pink tank with hello kitty decals.
Because that’s how we do it in the merchant marines… cough!
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 10:08
Gees bru, Hello Kitty Tanks?
You just quadrupled the market share in Japan
Jafricaman
July 26, 2013 at 11:09
my comment disaapeared! agh! Go find “chaaboy” on youtube. he does a video about what camo is available between tanks and attack helis. At e3 this year.
Wtf101
July 26, 2013 at 10:14
Ahem! Rambo had a bow and arrow, not a crossbow! Thank you very much!!!!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 10:16
John Rambo out “hunger games” that chick from the Hunger Games!
Sageville
July 26, 2013 at 10:18
Anyone whose med kit consists of bullets gets my vote.
Gavin Mannion
July 26, 2013 at 10:23
Wasn’t talking about Rambo… would have been better if I was but I’m not that smart 🙁
Wtf101
July 26, 2013 at 10:28
Gavin, I think you are getting old!!
Gavin Mannion
July 26, 2013 at 10:29
lol getting… I like that
Wtf101
July 26, 2013 at 10:31
Edit: Gavin, you ARE old! Heh-heh!
Gavin Mannion
July 26, 2013 at 10:40
stupid editor.. I didn’t put that in there
That Super Twit
July 26, 2013 at 12:34
Will the updated Battlelog just be just for BF4 or will it also affect MOHW & BF3?
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
July 26, 2013 at 10:27
AADDDRRIAAANNNNNN!!! (yes I know wrong movie)
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
July 26, 2013 at 10:41
THAT WAS MY ADDITION. 😛
Wtf101
July 26, 2013 at 10:44
Covering for the boss, Mr Tim? Is it increase negotiation time at the LG offices???
Tarisma
July 26, 2013 at 10:19
Best player in Bulwa!!!!
Kobus Nel
July 26, 2013 at 14:07
I’ll say it again… BATTLEFIELD! 😀 http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4jo2iPOOM1qkqwol.gif
bluegoon
July 30, 2013 at 14:36
South Africa, home of Rugby, Braais, and BATTLEFIELD
Kobus Nel
August 2, 2013 at 19:35
Or simply this 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf7opgTn1aQ
Coby McGoby
November 10, 2013 at 00:59
Are you serious? You want to change your loadout IN THE PUB? No, that isn’t cool or important. How about changing my loadout IN THE GAME Instead of alt-tabbing to a partially functional browser plugin while my computer struggles?
Is BL cool? Maybe it’s a little interesting. Is it a good idea to move necessary functions that every other game in the world puts IN THE GAME to a separate piece of software? No. Hell no. Battlelog ever was and remains stupid.