Other video games have taken a large group of people and created an entertaining environment. Battlefield brought together 64 strangers, formed an organized structure to what would otherwise be a chaotic mob, evolved the gaming industry, and created another whole level of FUN.

Now instead of players just looking out for themselves, DICE created the conditions to encourage cooperation. They gave online players the tools and incentives to unite as a functioning team. Players volunteered to be an integral part of a structured group which succeeded with the concept of division of labor. Their specialized role allowed their small groups to unite under of the banner of a cohesive team to experience synergy. That’s right, all of the individuals produced a result that would not have been obtainable by any of them independently.

DICE introduced the lessons learned from centuries of warfare to online gaming. The Roman Legions of ancient times consistently defeated less organized adversaries. They united as a team using the combined arms approach to warfare.

Military organizations need a Leader. Someone must be in-charge. There has to be a unity of command. The commander establishes objectives to be accomplished by the collective group. Ask yourself, “How many professional sports teams do NOT have a coach?”

DICE broke new ground by putting in place systems that created a positive social atmosphere. They changed online gaming behavior. Here is their winning line-up:

Commander – Lead the team, Intelligence, Logistics support
Squad Leader – Lead the squad, mobile spawn, coordinate with team lead
Assault – Primary killer, organic indirect fire
Anti-Tank – Destroy vehicles
Spec Ops – Destroy equipment
Sniper – Long range killing, surveillance
Engineer – Repair, counter vehicular mobility
Medic – Restore health
Support – Ammo resupply, suppressive fire

http://spartanwarfighters.net/2top/3forum/images/BF3/assist/integrated_teamwork2.png

With the following modern military branches represented:
Infantry
Armor
Artillery
Air Defense
Aviation
Special Forces

And on a small scale (or represented function):
Medical
Transportation
Engineer
Ordinance
Signal (Commo Rose & Functioning VoIP)

So, why are Battlefield Veterans up-in-arms about the limited information that has been made public reference Battlefield 3 (BF3)?

First, because they care about the future of the Battlefield series.

Second, because of the disturbing information that has been released by DICE. Here is a brief summary of what was stated by the DICE representative to the GameInformer magazine (FEB 2011) reference the Commander mode:

“… giving the power back to the players so everyone could use it… We lowered the threshold for everyone because we gave it to everyone. We now know where the boundaries are for keeping the strategic depth and complexity while lowering the threshold to get in.”

Battlefield fans want the series to progress and not revert into pandemonium commonly known in other FPS video games.

The remaining portion of this message may come across as a little corny, but none the less,… on target. The 1991 film “Hook” starring Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman. The main character Peter Banning forgets he is, in fact, Peter Pan and must be forced to remember his past. I order to truly recall his personal history he must discover his “happy thought.”

The leadership at DICE should make their employees play the Battlefield 2 and Battlefield 2142 games. There are many indications that they have forgotten the unprecedented gameplay.

DICE, for the sake of the Battlefield series, you must commit to memory your “happy thought.” DICE remember your “happy thought” is – Integrated Teamwork.

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When I started playing BF2 I didn’t have a mic, certainly wasn’t too easy when playing in the clan without one :D

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@EGTF – dam man, don’t worry so much. *Most* pc gamers are cool so long as your on the right type of server, and they’re generally inviting.

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1) There’s probably a group of good buddies already playing with their own in-jokes, that are impegnerable to me.

2) I’m greeted with stony silence, where I then wonder if my mic is working or if people just plain don’t like me.

3) The other people using mics I just plain don’t like.

4) I hate my own voice.

However, I’m going to try to use it more over the next week and see what results I get. I do type and use other communication tools ingame, but it often means I’m frozen to the spot so isn’t good in a hectic game. Teamplay for the win.

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Yet I never really liked the BattleField games much. BF2 didn’t absolutely require teamplay, unlike the aforementioned games. And those BF games were catered more towards the average player than the more hardcore/demanding games that I was used to.

As for Team Deathmatch not promoting teamwork… try Quake Live. ID recently added pro TDM servers for players with a sufficient skill level. I tried them out yesterday and they were a good deal more organised than BF2 pubs and even most RtCW pubs. Players sharing weapons and pickups, grouping, calling out items, covering entrances, etc…

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