Home Gaming DICE: Fixing Battlefield 4 netcode is “top priority”

DICE: Fixing Battlefield 4 netcode is “top priority”

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Topmen

Battlefield 4 was released in October last year – and for many people, it’s still largely unplayable. DICE is chalking it up to a range of issues falling under the “netcode” banner, and they’re promising that this time…this time, dammit, they’re going to fix it.

"Some issues, commonly referenced in conjunction to ‘netcode’ are preventing Battlefield 4 from performing optimally for everyone," said the developer in a shiny new blogpost.

"Fixing the commonly nicknamed ‘netcode issues’ – problems ranging between faulty networking latency compensation and glitches in the gameplay simulation itself – is one of the top priorities for DICE.

"We are working on fixing glitches in your immediate interactions with the game world: the way you move and shoot, the feedback when you’re hit, and the way other players’ actions are shown on your screen."

They’ve also detailed a list of what they’ll be fixing, or at least investigating in the more immediate term, including things like: Rubber banding, the dodgy kill camera, incorrectly updated server tickrates and even those reports of damage just not registering on the PC version.

You know when you empty an entire magazine in to somebody, and they shrug it off with a “lol” and stab you in the face? It might not be hacks, lag or your own ineptitude. It could actually be the game’s broken netcode!

I don’t know what’s happened with Quality Assurance in games of late. Maybe games are just too damned complicated in these modern times – or maybe publishers are happy to release broken games knowing full well that people are happy to pay top dollar to beta test for them, and that thy can just patch things later, thanks to the magical internet.

Yes, all of this post-release support does show that DICE is dedicated to fixing its game. that really shouldn’t have been released broken in the first place. Still, they assure that they have top men working on fixes right now. Top men!

Last Updated: March 4, 2014

103 Comments

  1. Alien Emperor Trevor

    March 4, 2014 at 08:35

    If it’s a top priority why did they give it to the ad agency in the header image instead of subbing to WB Montreal. They’ve got the time, they’re not patching their own game.

    Reply

  2. RinceThis

    March 4, 2014 at 08:37

    Not even 9am and I’ve already spilt my coffee with this header. Nice way to start the day! 🙂

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      March 4, 2014 at 08:40

      No it’s not. You spilled coffee – the cousin of alcohol. Spilling coffee is terribadong.

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        March 4, 2014 at 08:45

        Sorry ;( I was so happy, thought today would be a great day. But you have made me realise it isn’t, and never will be 🙁

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          March 4, 2014 at 08:46

          Mission accomplished.

          Reply

          • RinceThis

            March 4, 2014 at 08:46

            If you mean breaking my heart then yes, well done. What’s the point… *sob

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            March 4, 2014 at 08:50

            The point is to be a good consumer. Don’t think for yourself. Just spend your money on broken shit & DLC. Or else they’ll take their toys away from you. And watch reality TV – it’s good for you.

          • Kensei Seraph

            March 4, 2014 at 08:52

            Remember you heard it hear first, Trevor supports the EA model.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            March 4, 2014 at 08:59

            Imagine if I worked at EA. I hate to think how much damage I could do if I actually didn’t have empathy. I’d make even more millions off the suckers.

          • TiMsTeR1033

            March 4, 2014 at 09:10

            Imagine you the CEO of EA

          • RinceThis

            March 4, 2014 at 09:13

            You have ’empathy’? 0-O

          • TiMsTeR1033

            March 4, 2014 at 09:20

            Its a word he likes to use… has not meaning behind it.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            March 4, 2014 at 09:25

            I don’t know, I’m not a psychologist. He says that word to me all the time when he thinks I’m listening so I assume I have it.

          • RinceThis

            March 4, 2014 at 09:28

            LOL!

    • Hammersteyn

      March 4, 2014 at 08:48

      If the header was true I’d imagine the average BF gamer would be like

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        March 4, 2014 at 08:53

        HAHAHAHAH! AWESOME! 🙂

        Reply

  3. Umar Praise The Golden Sun

    March 4, 2014 at 08:38

    Battlefield 4’s anthem

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      March 4, 2014 at 09:04

      After this good news it should be this:

      Reply

      • Umar Praise The Golden Sun

        March 4, 2014 at 09:16

        Lolz except there is no bright side

        Reply

  4. Rock789

    March 4, 2014 at 08:40

    Yeah, right… Top men… Who, in over 4 months since release, have not been able to solve all the game’s issues… 4 months!! I think even a 6 – 8 month delay on release probably wouldn’t have helped. Which is sad because, from what little I’ve been able to play, it’s actually a decent game underneath all the broken code…

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      March 4, 2014 at 08:42

      They better hurry. This is a yearly series meaning BF5s announcement cant be to far off

      Reply

      • Skyblue

        March 4, 2014 at 09:15

        Every 2 years apparently, hence all the DLC… that still doesn’t fix what is still broken. Fucking EA are to blame for this mess with their deadlines.

        Reply

    • RinceThis

      March 4, 2014 at 08:44

      This really gets me man. They spend a fortune on it only to have it rushed out like all the other new gens. This is why OVG hates the current games model. Sell us, the STUPID consumer, broken stuff and expect us to thank them when they fix it…

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        March 4, 2014 at 08:49

        I think he has hated it all after the PS2

        Reply

        • RinceThis

          March 4, 2014 at 08:54

          You may be onto something there hey.

          Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          March 4, 2014 at 09:08

          The ps2 era was a simpler time.

          Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      March 4, 2014 at 09:07

      You know how it goes. Investors get upset when they don’t get their dividend on time. The suckers who bought the game can wait.

      Reply

      • Skyblue

        March 4, 2014 at 09:16

        100% accurate comment!

        Reply

    • iAmWeasel

      March 4, 2014 at 09:58

      So all you guys who continue to harp on about “broken” BF4.. have you guys actually played the game in recent times to justify calling it broken or is this one of those media bandwagon things that you’ve all hopped on? I play the game every day, it’s pretty fricken rad for a “broken” game.

      Reply

      • Rock789

        March 4, 2014 at 10:12

        Unlike some, I am no lemming! I speak from experience. And yes, since the updates, I still have issues when trying to play BF4. Last time I played was about a month ago and it broke again – I’ve now given up and haven’t touched it since. Tired of restarting my campaign or losing my MP progress… Get’s a little tiring doing the same thing over and over and over…

        I have heard that some haven’t experienced any issues with it, and those are generally the people who are loving it. Good for them. I, sadly, am not one of them.

        And yes, maybe the latest patch is the “miracle patch” and cures all of BF4’s ailments. But that’s not the point, is it?! The point is that the game was and still is broken… A game should be released when it’s finished, not when they want money. It’s as simple as that! If this were the car industry, they’d have had a massive recall which would cost them millions (just ask Porsche with their ‘new’ 911 GT3)!

        Sadly, this is the gaming industry where ‘anything goes’. The only way to be heard is to simply not buy a developer’s products – it’s the only thing they seem to understand. And I, for one, will never touch Battlefield again.

        Reply

        • iAmWeasel

          March 4, 2014 at 10:24

          Since the first patch I have not had a single issue. Sounds like maybe these are ongoing problems on the PC version? Anyway have had a ton of fun with it, even purchased premium last week.

          Reply

        • Maxiviper117

          March 4, 2014 at 14:36

          Yes but they cant update cars through the internet or using magic to fix problems in the car, they have to take it back. 🙂

          Reply

      • Mighty Meh

        March 4, 2014 at 10:22

        After a 3 month break I decided to give it another try this weekend. Of about 3 hours of “gameplay” I probably managed to play about 45min with out a hitch. The rest of the time was spent attempting to reconnect to games that I got kicked from for no reason. If I didnt have to reinstall BF3 I’d be playing it instead.

        Reply

  5. Alien Emperor Trevor

    March 4, 2014 at 08:42

    Maybe it’s not the netcode that’s broken. Maybe it’s a glitch in the Matrix & we’re all catching a glimpse into the real world beneath. What’s reality anyway?

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      March 4, 2014 at 08:47

      That kindda makes sense. Each time we catch a real glimpse Nana shows up…

      Reply

  6. Kensei Seraph

    March 4, 2014 at 08:50

    I remember playing the pre-release beta and shooting someone 3 times in the torso with sniper.
    He never took any damage and preceded to find me and apply edged force trauma to my skull.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      March 4, 2014 at 08:52

      Well of course he won’t take any damage if he killed you preceding your attack 😉

      Reply

      • Kensei Seraph

        March 4, 2014 at 08:53

        Which word is it that means afterwards but sounds similiar to preceding?
        It seems I’ve gotten them mixed up.

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          March 4, 2014 at 08:56

          lol. *proceeded 😀

          Reply

          • Kensei Seraph

            March 4, 2014 at 08:57

            That’s the one.
            Editing now.

          • Umar Praise The Golden Sun

            March 4, 2014 at 08:58

            *cough* nazi *cough* …. think you updated your profile pic now you can nazi everyone 😛

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            March 4, 2014 at 09:02

            I’m the king of the world! Wheeeeeeeeee

    • Umar Praise The Golden Sun

      March 4, 2014 at 08:55

      Maybe he was Steven Seagal

      Reply

  7. Hammersteyn

    March 4, 2014 at 08:53

    Quality Assurance costs money. How many testers would a company need to employ? That’s why Beta versions of a game. But that doesn’t seem to help at all. Also it’s so very easy to rush patches out with all games having to be online these days.

    Reply

    • Mighty Meh

      March 4, 2014 at 10:26

      It feels like Beta versions are more of a marketing gimmick these days than anything else.

      I think the world would be a better place if all lawyers and marketers were abolished. At least then a spade would be called a spade.

      Reply

      • iAmWeasel

        March 4, 2014 at 10:30

        Even if that is true, at least people are occasionally getting an opportunity to try out a game before purchase, now that demos are a thing of the past.

        Reply

        • Mighty Meh

          March 4, 2014 at 13:23

          Dont lie! We still get demo’s, we just need to pay for them. If we decide we want the whole game we can buy the DLC’s. 😛

          Reply

  8. MakeItLegal

    March 4, 2014 at 09:01

    i ve been playing battlefield 4 on the Pc now for lil over a week ( played over 36 hrours when i still has a PS3 ) and first and foremost , pc is where its at .

    i ve run into some odd issues , server randomly disconnects , empty a full clip in a guy’s face and he walks away , sometimes even audio takes long to load …but in all honesty what a killer game , esp when you have a tight unit

    anybody here wana jam with me? local guys ?

    add me on origin Mitch-17

    Reply

    • Umar Praise The Golden Sun

      March 4, 2014 at 09:02

      Before we add you….What exactly do you want to make legal 😛

      Reply

      • MakeItLegal

        March 4, 2014 at 09:15

        Honesty ? I would like to see the day , that the Human right to health is actually a human right and not some big company company’s right

        I would love to see the day where headaches and sleeping disorders and all sorts of arb and wonderful ills can be treated with a plant you can grow at home

        Reply

        • Johan du Preez

          March 4, 2014 at 09:24

          Amen 🙂

          Reply

          • ZumaIsPoes

            March 4, 2014 at 09:49

            not religious , but amen

  9. TiMsTeR1033

    March 4, 2014 at 09:03

    Bf4 has gone to the dogs, the game just sits on the shelves collecting dust. Despite being relatively new, there is no urge to get BF4 as there was with BF3. I truly hope they fix BF because it would be a sad day to see it become another COD or worse.

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      March 4, 2014 at 09:16

      Same here, I played a bit after Second Assault was released, but most of the time, I play Killzone and Warframe.

      Reply

    • Rock789

      March 4, 2014 at 09:24

      Sadly, right now COD kicks BFs a$$! Because it does 1 thing right – it works! BF4 has a helluva long way to go before it can even match BF3, let alone make a dent in the juggernaut that is COD… Love it or hate it, at least COD works.

      Reply

      • TiMsTeR1033

        March 4, 2014 at 09:27

        It’s sad when that is 100% True.

        Reply

    • iAmWeasel

      March 4, 2014 at 10:00

      So all you guys who continue to harp on about “broken” BF4.. have you
      guys actually played the game in recent times to justify calling it
      broken or is this one of those media bandwagon things that you’ve all
      hopped on? I play the game every day… it’s pretty fricken rad for a
      “broken” game.

      Reply

  10. MakeItLegal

    March 4, 2014 at 09:04

    to add to these comments , i am truly nervous about buying another online game from EA , looking at you Titan fall , i trust vince and the team at respawn , but do i trust EA ? i will in future be waiting atleast a month before a purchase any EA game thats online …. BF 4 rocks , when it rocks ,

    Reply

    • RinceThis

      March 4, 2014 at 09:06

      Totally with you on this. Not sure I can trust them any more either.

      Reply

  11. Robert Hart

    March 4, 2014 at 09:10

    It takes them 6 months to make the entire game and then 4 months+ to fix a single bug.

    Reply

  12. Robert Hart

    March 4, 2014 at 09:10

    This is what happens when companies brand their finished product as “beta”.

    Reply

  13. Robert Hart

    March 4, 2014 at 09:12

    I bet once the game hits beta they move everyone on to work on their next product, except for that one guy who no one likes because he is a terrible programmer. That one guy is told to fix all the bugs.

    Reply

    • Robert Hart

      March 4, 2014 at 09:12

      Its his “top priority”.

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        March 4, 2014 at 09:13

        You cynical bastard. And probably completely correct 😉 Probably the ‘intern’ programmer? 🙂

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          March 4, 2014 at 09:28

          Of course. They’re not charging for patches yet, so the free labour will have to make it. What an invaluable learning experience for that innocent young soul.

          Reply

          • RinceThis

            March 4, 2014 at 09:32

            And by learning experience you mean his/her inevitable turning to a bottle of vodka and codeine?

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            March 4, 2014 at 09:41

            At least you get to enjoy life for a few minutes before passing out & dying from liver & kidney failure.

  14. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    March 4, 2014 at 09:15

    They’ve certainly convinced me to skip Battlefield 5, 6, 7 etc. Good job EA! It’s sad though because when BF4 works, it works perfectly, but the netcode is absolutely terrible now, and actually got worse after their last patch. On the other hand, Killzone gets a lot of flack but at least its netcode is superb.

    Reply

    • Skyblue

      March 4, 2014 at 09:19

      Those dumbasses at DICE should employ John Carmac for a couple months to sort that shit out.

      Reply

      • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

        March 4, 2014 at 09:22

        At this stage, I don’t care what they do, as long as they sort it out. Even if it means invoking the Carmack!

        Reply

    • RinceThis

      March 4, 2014 at 09:19

      Hey man. Long time no see. How’s things? With your opinion here are you going to skip Titanfall?

      Reply

      • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

        March 4, 2014 at 09:21

        Yep, I’m skipping both Titanfall and Garden Warfare. I would have gotten both on xbox 360 or even PC, but I think EA has ripped me off far too much already. I actually got Premium for BF4 so I’m especially salty at the moment.

        Reply

        • General JJ the annihilator

          March 4, 2014 at 09:22

          I’m the same. Not getting any of them.

          Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          March 4, 2014 at 09:22

          Garden Warfare may end up being okay…

          Reply

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            March 4, 2014 at 09:23

            Definitely not a day one (or should I say month one) purchase any more, but I’ll see how it goes. It’s a pity because I really like the idea of Garden Warfare.

        • RinceThis

          March 4, 2014 at 09:22

          Ah, shame man. We were at the River Club on Saturday, and we are damn sure we saw you disguised as a gold instructor… We are on to you!

          Reply

          • Kensei Seraph

            March 4, 2014 at 09:23

            How can you see that which does not exist?

          • RinceThis

            March 4, 2014 at 09:24

            The Banana is like gravity, we know it’s there, we just can’t see it 0-O

          • General JJ the annihilator

            March 4, 2014 at 09:24

            He drop an apple on your head again? Hate it when that happens.

          • TiMsTeR1033

            March 4, 2014 at 09:24

            Jimmy is just shy!

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            March 4, 2014 at 09:24

            Just a little bit… 🙁

          • TiMsTeR1033

            March 4, 2014 at 09:26

            just take a chance and meet up with boys.

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            March 4, 2014 at 09:24

            hahaha a gold instructor?

          • RinceThis

            March 4, 2014 at 09:25

            Opps 🙂 Should have said gold conductor? LOL

  15. General JJ the annihilator

    March 4, 2014 at 09:20

    How’d you get a photo of the inside of the EA offices?

    Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      March 4, 2014 at 09:21

      They had cameras in the bananas.

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        March 4, 2014 at 09:27

        Many bananas died to bring us this information.

        Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          March 4, 2014 at 09:28

          Including Jimmies uncle Savy

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            March 4, 2014 at 09:31

            I thought Jimmies got rustled. I can’t keep up with you crazy kids & your lingo anymore.

          • General JJ the annihilator

            March 4, 2014 at 09:32

            I have no idea what either of you are on about.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            March 4, 2014 at 09:34

            Me neither. I’ve outsourced my typing to a BF4 patcher.

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      March 4, 2014 at 09:25

      EA’s management… hard at work!

      Reply

    • Unavengedavo(aka. Bilbo)

      March 4, 2014 at 09:29

      same way that I got this CCTV footage…

      Reply

      • General JJ the annihilator

        March 4, 2014 at 09:30

        That the CEO?

        Reply

  16. thelegendofmari

    March 4, 2014 at 09:34

    Invite me on PSN: mariusdev …and lets play some bf4 on ps4!

    Reply

  17. FoxOneZA

    March 4, 2014 at 09:54

    Buys Donkey Kong. Inserts disc. And plays.

    Reply

  18. iAmWeasel

    March 4, 2014 at 09:55

    Hate the term “netcode”.. such an annoying contrived word for something that does not exist.

    Reply

    • Rags

      March 4, 2014 at 10:47

      What do you mean it does not exist?

      Reply

  19. Wyzak

    March 4, 2014 at 10:59

    They should have fixed this before releasing the DLCs. This just shows where their priority lies.

    Reply

  20. Verrayne

    March 4, 2014 at 11:57

    Didn’t Battlefield 3 have these exact issues? How come the second version is plagued with all the problems the previous version had? What did they do in all that time? count their money?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      March 4, 2014 at 12:22

      It is a lot of money

      Reply

  21. Hammersteyn

    March 4, 2014 at 12:22

    And in the mean time four months later EA is rolling in the gamers hard in cash.

    Reply

  22. Uberutang

    March 4, 2014 at 13:00

    Leave the damn game alone. It has been working just fine since day 1. Every fix breaks something these days!

    Reply

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