They brought the crossbow back! [video=youtube;bpMS_yQ4pBw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpMS_yQ4pBw[/video]
Anyone having fun with Final Stand? I think the maps are awesome. So much fun. BUT, it isn't the final DLC. Dice confirmed yesterday that there will be a 6th DLC. A lot of speculation around this one. Will it be free to everyone, just premium, or will they charge. They are giving back to the community here because of their patience while DICE fixed the game, the community test environment which was critical in testing new updates on the regular and immensely helped DICE optimize the game in the process, etc. Given that, I think there is a chance it will at least be free to premium at least, and a good chance free for everyone. They are talking about remakes and speculation was leading up to this point remaking some classic maps for BF4. That speculation is over, they are taking polls to see what maps people are most interested in. Vote now; http://battlelog.battlefield.com/bf4/news/view/battlefield-4-and-the-road-ahead/ PS. I really hope for some BF2 maps but the majority of the community joined late and have no idea about those maps and everyone is calling for Sienne Crossing (really? F me!), Grand Bazaar, Karkhand (obviously) and a bunch of BFBC2 maps, because they were good for rush. F me. Great opportunity to see Ghost Town, Warlord, Masthour City, Jalalabad, etc. Opportunity lost I believe. Especially since DICE will much easier convert BF3 maps since they are already on an earlier frostbite engine. If they do a map from anything earlier than BC2 I'll be surprised as it'll be completely from scratch.
I like the Final Stand maps, but I think their 2142 connections are out of place. BF4 takes place in 2020. We shouldn't be seeing prototypes of stuff that wouldn't be used for another 122 years. It just feels weird to me. And even if Final Stand takes place after 2020, it's still weird to see. Also, the hover tank is garbage. DICE LA has taken over BF4, since DICE Sweden is now working on Battlefront 3. LA started the CTE and has really solidified BF4. It's now in the state it should have been at launch. I think there's going to be more than one new DLC. The support and premium calendar were extended for another 12 months, so Battlefield 4 will still be supported at the same time as Battlefield Hardline (due out in April). I'm hoping the DLC includes maps that bolsters the non-Conquest game modes. Give us Noshahr Canals and Kharg Island for TDM and squad DM, Valparaiso for rush, etc.
I agree with everything, but I'll take the disconnect as it gives BF a whole new feeling when you're in Hangar 21. It is absolutely massive with so many levels. If you happen to be in the engine exhaust tunnels right after test ignition everything is glowing orange. That map feels like you're in a James Bond movie or something. Also, Dice LA has done a phenomenal job as soon as they took the reigns from Sweden for Final Stand but I wouldn't look into the extended calendar too much. Could be nothing, or some camos and knives, with only the one true expansion left. I only play conquest and would love to see Kharg Island and Noshar Canals. The thing is EA took down all the 1942 and BF2 servers, so there is no more access to those maps. If everyone loves Kharg and Nosahr TDM, load up BF3. If you like BC2 rush (arguably the best rush maps) load up BC2. I'd like to see some of the classics back, that's all. I would not be disappointed with Kharkand, Noshar, Kharg, and Shaqui though or Bazaar - assuming they want a quick port from BF3. Just leave out sienne crossing and damavand peak (pretty much a rush only map) please.
I just think it's out of place. It's fan service, I get it, but I think it would have made more sense if they made Final Stand maps occur in the same areas as select 2142 maps, only in the year 2020. The premium calendar expansion is meaningful because it was set to expire. Premium just got another year of stuff at no charge. Seine Crossing is the worst. I've had enough of Paris after AC Unity. Damavand Peak is big in demand because of the parachute drop, so that might come back.
Regardless, more content is good. Very good. I really enjoy the game so it is nice to see more maps to keep the longevity of the game going. Probably won't see another BF title until after Battlefront (Hardline doesn't count) so I actually think it is their intention to purposely keep people playing, the game fresh, and the community populated until the next installment.
They're probably going to drop support for BF4 around this time next year. DICE Sweden is working on Battlefront 3 for release in Q3 2015, and Hardline will be 6-8 months old by then. Battlefield 5 is in the works for a 2016 release, so DICE LA will have to ramp up efforts quickly after BF4's support window ends.
I'm officially done with BF4. All it took was 10 minutes with BF3 again to realize that everything from the maps to weapons was far superior in BF3. I play team DM primarily. (don't judge)
