Originally posted by: CVSiN
something is hosed with thier netcode..
No argument from me...
The production values associated with this release are, to be blunt, shameful:
- Menus with rediculous hitching. It seems better after the patch, but I don't think I've come across such a clunky interface in any other game. It's too bad, because the layout is intuitive and straightforward... you just can't click a button and expect a response. I would actually say that the GUI is better than most games if it wasn't such a headache to maneuver due to its slow response.
- Unbindable keys. This was really stupid. The patch fixed MOST of it (there are still bindings that don't show up properly, but it's been reduced significantly in the patch).
- Bloated installation. Man, has anyone looked through the installation? Talk about a sprawling mess. Hell, I think I found a few BF2 folders on the cell phone that was connected to my PC at the time of installation.
- Unplayable lag with no discernable pattern. This is the worst of it all, considering the game is marketed as an online-centric title. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to why some clients or servers experience horrific lag.
- Game freezes and crashes. I can't tell you how many reports there are of people crashing or freezing at totally random moments. This is to be expected to a certain degree on the PC platform, but man, this is running absolutely RAMPANT with BF2. Again, there seems to be no pattern or common components involved. That tells me that it's just flatout unstable.
- Terrible server browser. No favorites. No buddies. Heck, half the filters don't even work... let alone implementing the idea of custom filters. On top of that, it took a patch just to make the browser BARELY acceptable. We're too far into the world of game development with too much history behind us to still be having difficulty making a usable server browser. How difficult does it really need to be? Plenty of people have done it quite well in the past... why is this still a problem?
It's all such a shame, because on the rare occasion that these problem components click and work, the game is unbelievable... probably the best, most well-rounded gameplay I've ever experienced. It's so good, in fact, that people are desperately trying to put up with the rest of the crap just to play the game. The lack of polish does such a great disservice to the genius behind gameplay, visuals, and sound.
What I wouldn't give to see a game like BF2 get the production effort that titles like UT2004 received... I'd pay a premium for it. I know most people don't want to hear this, but I understand that the ratio of enjoyment to cost for a video game is much higher than most other forms of entertainment. Considering the demands developers face today (long production cycles, larger staffing needs, etc), it's pretty safe to say - in my opinion - that the $50 norm for a AAA title probably just isn't cutting it. For a title with the enjoyment potential of BF2, I'd gladly pay $65 (or possibly even more) if it would afford the resources to the developer to do it RIGHT, ALL THE WAY, TO COMPLETION. I relish that day that I don't find myself anticipating a patch within hours of the original installation.
In fact, the days of having to wait for 3 patches over 4 months post-release to get acceptable functionality need to disappear. Those are not acceptable standards by which to live, regardless of how common they've become.
I stand by the EA/DICE decision to only support certain GPUs. I say that because they spelled out their system requirements quite clearly, and regardless of whether or not people think they were too rigid, the fact is, they were honest about it. HOWEVER, by the same token, I expect them to live by what they say is included in the game and what they say SHOULD work.
i got my hopes up, lol. can anyone report back on if this improves the 1 GB memory issue? If you have 1 GB, please answer:
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