Battlefield Bad Company 2 - R8 Release Patch Notes

After numerous delays, R8 is finally going live tomorrow! Below is a refresher on the patch notes. Stop by the TeamLQD bc2 server and say hi!

• Server - Some potential sources for lag/rubberbanding have been eliminated
• Server - The old reserved slots has been replaced by a kick-on-demand system like in BF2
• Server - Log file for server admins: all remote admin interface commands/events are logged
• Server - Log file for server admins: major server events + all chat messages are logged
• Server - Idle kick is controllable
• Server - Profanity filter can be disabled
• Server - Teamkill-kick system is controllable
• Server - Ticket counts and bleed rate are controllable per-level
• Server - Infantry only mode available per-level
• Server - Initial spawn delay and respawn delay are adjustable
• Server - Server description can be up to 400 characters, and use "|" for line breaks
• Server - Banlist can contain up to 10.000 entries
• Server - reduced latency in packet handling
• Admin Interface - fixed the player.onKill spam that occasionally happened
• Admin Interface - ensured that player.onJoin events always report the player name
• Admin Interface - events triggered when people spawn
• Admin Interface - much more info on kills
• Admin Interface - detailed stats are reported at end-of-round
• Gameplay - Various minor level bugfixes
• Gameplay - Helicopter handling has been tweaked
• Gameplay - Weapon tweaks have been implemented based on PC public feedback
• Gameplay - Tracer dart gun speed has been changed from 300 m/s to 200 m/s
• Gameplay - Fixed technical hang when a crate was armed outside of the combat area
• Gameplay - "Victory is near" message was shown for the wrong team on Valparaíso, this has been fixed
• Gameplay - Countermeasures can be fired when driving a helicopter
• Gameplay - The brightness of the pilot view in the Russian helicopter has been reduced
• Gameplay - Advanced Spotting scope works better
• Gameplay - Knifing people in the back works again (we backed out the change that we had done for Server R11)
• Gameplay - Hit box for moving targets expands based on the speed of the targets movement
• Gameplay - G36 now has crosshair when in Hardcore mode
• Server Browser - Servers are sorted into 3 categories: Normal, Modified, Hardcore depending on their settings
• Server Browser – Added support for retrieving update progress
• Server Browser - Now refreshes information
• Server Browser - Join queue system when attempting to join a full server
• Server Browser - All settings are automatically saved between sessions
• Server Browser - Pings are sent via an alternate mechanism, which should work for non-Administrator users as well
• Client - Fixed DX9 issue, which likely caused graphics glitches and perhaps crashes
• Client - Fixed some crashes
• Client - Toggle/hold crouch is user controllable
• Client - Toggle/hold zoom is user controllable
• Client - Vsync bugfixed for DX10/DX11
• Client - Rewritten how settings are written to disk; this should reduce/eliminate the spawn lag
• Client - Fixed bug where a player could join a server before the stats has been downloaded causing faulty stats in "EOR- unlock progression"-screen
• Client - New chat system allows chatting when dead (but not during end of round) and keeps a 100 lines log
• Client - Improved Play Now functionality
• Client - Removed K/D ratio and Skill Level filters in the leaderboards
• Client - Any points you get while being dead will be added to your score
• Client - Reduced negative mouse acceleration
• Client - Increased health on the Cobra to match other vehicles
• Client - More informative disconnection/kick reasons
• Client - Support for Map Packs so PC gets future VIP maps at the same time as consoles
  
  
  
  The Balance tweaks are as follows:
  Slightly increased the damage of the UZI at long range.
  The AKs74u now has more felt recoil when aiming.
  The G3, VSS, and all SemiAutomatic rifles now settle slightly faster between shots when aiming.
  The PKM, Type 88LMG, G3, An94, and 40mm shotgun have returned to their former glory.
  Increased the damage of the MG3 to bring it in line with the rest of the LMGs.
  Fixed a bug where the Saiga12 with slugs would do too much damage at long range.
  Fixed a bug where the SVU would do too little damage at long range.
  Fixed a bug where M95 rounds would not kill armored targets with headshots.

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And in other news: RRRRAAAAAWWWWRRRRR!!!!

Bad Company 2 - Patch Delayed - AGAIN

As EA warned, there's been yet another setback in the on-going battle to release version R8 of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 on the PC:

There will be no PC patch this week, Kalms is on the case.This pushes our release to Monday next week as long as all goes well with QA/Steam.

Further delays are inevitable at this point, so expect the patch to be released this November, just in time for the Vietnam expansion pack.

Medal of Honor - Multiplayer Game Trailer

What would happen if Bad Company 2 and Call of Duty: ModernWarfare 2 merged and created a step child? Wonder no more... feast your eyes on the Medal of Honor Multilayer Trailer.


Medal of Honor will release on October 12th, 2010. Beta begins today if you preorder and already own Bad Company 2. 

If you preorder and do not already own Bad Company 2 you will be granted beta access Monday, the 21st.

Demigod - 1.30 Patch Released

• Abilities while moving fix: Demigod movement has been re-architected to resume attacking previous targets after using abilities. This fixes multiple problems with triggering Demigod abilities while moving.The following exceptions and modifications are by design:
• Direct targeted abilities, where it makes sense, will cause the Demigod to switch targets (like Warp Strike and Pounce). This will also set the old target variable so if they use a further ability they will go back to attacking their new target.
• Escape abilities (like Warp Scroll and Bat Swarm) will not re-engage the old target and will actually clear the old target so using another ability will not cause you to re-engage.
• Giving a move order will clear your old target. So, giving a move order and then casting Warp Area will cause DA to attack whatever he ends up closest to.
• Fix for ranged units stopping short when ordered to attack structures.
• Fix for summoned minions not starting at max health when the player has +minion health items.
• Fix for Oculus' Ball Lightning spawning in invalid locations.
• Unclean Beast's Plague ability will no longer overwrite Post Mortem.
• Wings of the Seraphim will no longer be removed when healed.
• Heart of Life effects will no longer be removed when healed.
• Fix for obscure Russian-translated map domination crash. Thank you, Ptarth, for helping to point the way on that.
• Achievement and Single Player tournament screen Demigod lists now have scrollbars.
• Oculus’ Ball Lightning will now benefit from standard minion HitPoint Buffs.

Lord of the Rings Online - Free to Play

Warner Brothers and Turbine announced today that Lord Of The Rings Online is to be relaunched as a free-to-play game this Fall:

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced today that Turbine, Inc. will unveil a major update this fall, making The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO) free-to-play for everyone. Extending its award-winning story, LOTRO delivers the ultimate adventure featuring a massive world with state-of-the-art graphics and gameplay, and a rich set of features that until now could only be found in premium subscription-based online games.Launching this fall across North America and Europe, with Codemasters operating the game free-to-play in Europe, LOTRO will introduce Turbine’s innovative new pricing model that allows players to download the game and play for free, purchase expansions, quest packs, items, and account services a la carte from the new LOTRO Store, or join the VIP program to get unlimited access to all of the game’s content for one low price. Players interested in getting a sneak peek of the new LOTRO can sign up for a chance to participate in the Beta programwhich begins June 16, 2010.
“Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is bringing quality games based on The Lord of the Rings to multiple platforms, and the franchise’s expansive adventure story lends itself perfectly for LOTRO free-to-play, giving a wide range of players the opportunity to experience the game,” said Jeff Junge, Senior Vice President Online Games and Digital Games Platforms, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “We are focused on expanding our game franchises onto new digital platforms to maximize quality experiences for gamers worldwide and LOTRO’s new model is a great leading example of this.”
“Turbine’s Dungeons and Dragons Online®: Eberron UnlimitedTM was the world’s first truly premium free-to-play online game that ushered in a new era of choice for online gamers seeking quality entertainment,” said Jim Crowley, President and CEO of Turbine. “The popularity of DDO validated the extraordinary demand by gamers for quality entertainment they can experience at their own pace and within their budget. Extending free-to-play to LOTRO will offer another premium game to a broad spectrum of fans.”
“Having successfully taken two titles free-to-play in the past we are very pleased to be doing the same with The Lord of the Rings Online in Europe,” said David Solari, Vice President and General Manager of Codemasters Online. “It’s a fantastic, award-winning game with a wonderfully realized world and this step will only broaden its appeal and increase its player base.”
LOTRO will offer players unlimited choice!

Free means Free! – Players will download LOTRO by visiting www.lotro.com and join with millions of other adventurers as they explore the most complete and authentic recreation of Middle-earth ever created and participate in LOTRO’s award-winning epic story up to level 50 for free.

Visit the new LOTRO Store! -- The LOTRO Store is loaded with thousands of convenience items as well as expansion packs, premium content, additional character slots, potions, character customization and more! The LOTRO Store is seamlessly integrated into the game and lets the player identify new and exciting ways to enhance and customize their experience using points which can be purchased in the store or earned through gameplay.

Be a LOTRO VIP! – Players who elect to become a LOTRO VIP will have unlimited access to all premium content, receive priority server access, 5 character slots, a shared bank slot, and a monthly allotment of points to spend in the new LOTRO Store.

A FAQ regarding the announcement may be found here.

Steam Weekend Deal: 50% Off Supreme Commander 2

Supreme Commander 2 is on sale at Steam this weekend only for the low price of $10.99! Grab it while you can.

StarCraft 2 - Patch Notes - v0.16.0.15580

Viking - Ground damage decreased from 14 to 12.
The Viking’s damage has been reduced to make them a little less effective on the ground. Massed Vikings were a little too powerful in a few late game scenarios. Vikings have also become very dominant in terran vs. terran matches and we are testing to see if a small damage reduction will make some other units more viable.

Archon - Build time decreased from 17 to 12.
Archons can now merge a little faster so “mid battle merges” will be a little bit more practical. 

Ultralisk - Anabolic Synthesis upgrade removed. - Health increased from 450 to 500.- Speed increased from 2.25 to 2.9531.
Ultralisks have been buffed to include their speed upgrade as by default and to give them a little more endurance in big fights. This may or may not be enough to get the Ultralisk ultimately where we want him to be. We will continue testing going forward. 

Infestor- Burrowed move speed increased from 1 to 2.- Peristalsis upgrade removed.
Roach - Organic Carapace upgrade removed.- Tunneling Claws now also increases burrowed regeneration rate from 5 to 10.
There are many different upgrades on the zerg, the Roach and the Infestor both had three upgrades. We are reducing and combining these upgrades so the units get a little bit more powerful or so that you have to buy fewer upgrades to complete your units. We have also reduced the cost of several energy abilities on the Zerg that didn’t see a lot of use. We will continue to monitor these abilities moving forward.

Balance Changes:
• Protoss:
  
  
  • Archon
    
    
    • Build time decreased from 17 to 12.
• Terran:
  
  
  • Viking
    
    
    • Ground damage decreased from 14 to 12.
• Zerg:
  
  
  • Corruptor
    
    
    • Corruption energy cost decreased from 100 to 75.
  • Infestor
    
    
    • Burrowed move speed increased from 1 to 2.
    • Peristalsis upgrade removed.
  • Overlord/Overseer
    
    
    • Pneumatized Carapace cost increased from 50/50 to 100/100.
  • Overseer
    
    
    • Infested Terran energy cost decreased from 125 to 100.
  • Roach
    
    
    • Organic Carapace upgrade removed.
    • Tunneling Claws now also increases burrowed regeneration rate from 5 to 10.
  • Ultralisk
    
    
    • Anabolic Synthesis upgrade removed.
    • Health increased from 450 to 500.
    • Speed increased from 2.25 to 2.9531.

Bug Fixes:

• Map Publishing: the default Battle.net host now points to the correct server.
• Time Expiration notices that were added for testing of the Guest Pass functionality have been removed.
• Fixed a crash when trying to open an old replay by double-clicking it in Explorer.