I haven't reinstalled the game yet either. As long as there are servers that are running the patched version - I'll keep it. I imagine that the next patch will require a full reinstall, just to prevent the mess that you mentioned xXBatmanXx.

As for the aircraft....I can't fly...at all. I've tried and the results are never good. At one point, I would warn my passengers...."if it looks like we are going down...we are..bail out!" Now, I just wait for someone who can fly and man the gun position. I've found that changing the view once (the button that goes through all the different views) allows for better gunning. (The view that is like sitting on the nose of the aircraft).

The class I play most is Engineer because lately, no one has wanted to be commander...so I am the commander and seem to be the only one who wants to fix the radar, artillery, etc.

Okay for all of you here is a list of server browsers that I know of (in no particular order). Google them all if you want them.

Kali
Qtracker
HLSW
Kquery
The All Seeing Eye

Xfire also supports the patched version of the game, but it took forever to connect with it.

I guess the 'test fix' they were working on turned out to be a "Not-so-HOTFIX"

I was able to play the game patched again last for a few hours with only a few instances 'connection interrupts.' There were alot of servers running the new version - btw.

I'm thinking that the "suggestion" to revert back to the original out of the box version means that it will be necessary to do when they finally release the new and improved patch. (improved is used relatively)

I also think that they should've spared the clients the hassle of reinstalling by releasing a patch to revert whatever files needed to go back. Sure it might've taken them some time, but at least everyone would know what the F**k is going on and would be using the same client version instead of what is happenening now.

There is no "weapons unlock" setting where you said to look. There is a "global unlock" setting. I think that controls whether or not your unlocked weapons work. However the ingame server browser reports every server as having 0 which means it does not allow unlocks. This is strange because the same server in a server browser like ase shows that its setting is set to 1. So the ingame server browser is not displaying that setting correctly. For example the server =AAF=Arizona Armed Forces 206.71.153.71:16567 hows as having the "global unlocks" variable as 0 in the in game server browser but in ASE it shows as having that variable a 1. Which proves that the ingame server browser has a bug with it. I challenge you to find an ingame server browser that shows that variable as 1. You won't. I went through about 50 servers in the ingame server browser before I gave up on finding one that showed a 1. It's another bug.

Oops...my bad. I was going from memory here at work and was unable to check my game. "global unlock" is it...thanks.

I saw some servers with it set to "1" in the demo before the game was released, and I may have seen it in the full game, but definitely not since this last (first) patch. (In the demo, you could select all of the unlockable guns for all the classes - I think EA frowns on this for the retail game)

I forgot that the 3rd party server selection programs work. I'll check one of those out.

thanks.

From what I understand....

When you are looking at the server browser, it shows the server settings below the list of servers. The settings for the highlighted server will be displayed. On the right side of the settings, you will see 'auto-balance' and 'weapons unlock'. If there is a "0" next to them, these settings are turned off. A "1" signifies that they are turned on.

Hollowguy: You get to choose which weapon, but choose carefully. Getting additional unlocks takes exponentially more time (the 1st unlock is at 1000 pts, the 2nd unlock is at 10,000 pts, 3rd at 20k, 4th at 200k....). It's really, really stupid.

Thanks. Wow! That will take alot more time. I might achieve the 4th around the time Battlefield 6 is released.

Thanks for the info.

After first installing the patch (2 days ago), I had all sorts of problems with the game. From the browser freezing to being kicked randonly from games. (Actually...it was a connection error that lead to freezing for a bit which lead to being kicked.)

Last night, I had no problems with the browser and was able to play on the same server for 3 hours. (It did freeze a couple of times, momentarily, but I was never kicked off)

After reading that the troubles were server-side, I decided to play ONLY on Official EA servers. I figured if it caused problem for the server operators that I would do my part in "notifying' EA about it.

No idea about the unlock...I'm just about to reach that rank. Does it unlock the wespon for your most played class or do you choose?

Btw...I've noticed a lot of these online games usually have a patch or two during their life cycle that either breaks or makes playing it hard. It's lame, but just another aspect of PC gaming, I guess.

Thanks JAGUART!

That is a great site.

First off...

I'd like to thank everyone here for their contributions to all of the BF2 articles because it has been (for the most part) an endless source of information on this game.

I've been playing it alot since it came out and have had a good time doing so. I have figured out some things that may be helpful...[I've been playing on Ranked servers exclusively]

- I've noticed all of the 'Art of War' servers (regardless of ping or amount of players) play horribly. No offense to anyone who has anything to do with them, but this is what I've found.

- I've found that the best way to work with the server browser is to hit refresh and let it sit for a bit. I guess it takes a long time to do what it has to. I hope they add the ability to refresh a single server because it seems a bit ridiculous that something that has been common in games for years could be so messed up.

- 24 slots and lower servers seem to run the best for me. Anything above that and it eventually goes into a slideshow. It gets worse when flying or driving...but is bad all around.

- I read somewhere (one of the posts from the thread listed above - Wolf gaming network) that this patch mainly addresses server issues and the netcode. According to someone there, the netcode that shipped with the retail game PREDATED the demo netcode. Odd...but at least they are working on it.

I like the RANKED server aspect of the game. I don't have the time or desire to attempt to reach the high scores some people have, but the unlockables and rewards are a cool addition.

Someone here mentioned that the ranking system isn't good at sorting out the best people from the people who just play it alot. I agree....however, Dice and EA want people to play their game - so rewarding people who play it more often makes sense...from a business standpoint.

it's designed to be left open

I'm pretty sure they designed it that way to ease the strain on the servers when new stuff is released. I'm sure it's covered in the 'agreement' somewhere.

Personally, I start it up when I want to play a Valve game and am sure to close it down when I am done.

• no learning curve thanks to a simple, intuitive point-and-click interface
• runs smoothly on older machines thanks to low system requirements

These are features?!?! lol. (2 of the 5 listed no less)

The wacky part is, I wanted to get a look at the game. Launch after installed gave me a window on my desktop that is completely black. Nothing else happens. Even reinstalled the bastard and still no love.

I got a "not responding" message about the installer twice before it actually "kicked" in. After it was installed, I started it up and got that window for a second then it went full screen said 'DreamCatcher' - then it went back to that window again then back to full screen saying '3000AD', etc.

I thought it was odd, but it ended up working...until...I realized I'd rather not be playing it at this time.

edit: removing double post
This comment was edited on Feb 11, 21:12.

...I'll post impressions in a bit...

Actually...I recently got home from a 23 hour shift at work, and the last thing I feel like doing is reading a 38 page tutorial to play a demo.

I'll mess with it over the weekend and post thoughts afterwards...if anyone is interested.

I usually don't take part in these "bash" threads, but if one person ever deserved it - it's Derek Smart.

Visit his forums...you are bound to come across a prime example of what everyone is talking about.

The used car salesman analogy posted below is pretty much dead on.

I just finished dowloading the demo...I'll post impressions in a bit....that is...if I have enough paper to print out the manual.

I'll probably check this demo out over the weekend sometime...

You know, just to see how things are "progressing."

lol

I thought it was pretty good. You hit upon most of the questions that people would have about it. Short and informative...nice work.

One question...was it an "email interview" (You send a list of questions to them and they reply with the answers) or was it a "real time interview" (Sitting down with them, talking on the phone, etc)? The reason I ask is that...

Q-GameTactics: Have you thought of turning this game into a series with several sequels in the future?

...came right after he mentioned it. Unless you wanted him to expand on it. Regardless, just some nitpicking

Good work!

I guess it's better than the fate that 3dfiles.com met. (It just "went away")

I'll wait and see what(if any)changes are made to the current set up before damning it.

I also use this site exclusively for downloads (demos, patches, etc)because it doesn't require logging in(registration) and the mirrors are usually quite fast. It also doesn't require going through a virtual maze of links to find the damn file...which I hate.

check this Steam Forum thread out...

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?s=2eba876685050d4007b87a2c15d2b31b&threadid=141849

This kid posted a screen shot of his desktop displaying a virus scan that came up with results that he believed were the cause of his VAC ban....

..however...

...the screenshot also shows the folders for 3 different cheat 'utilities' on his desktop.

lol

I'm guessing they are already tracking cheaters and will do a large ban the day VAC goes live.

Should be a fun day over at the Steam forums the day that happens. lol.

I recall one kid's "argument" over his banned ID. He needed his Steam account activated so that he could get in touch with his cousin. Apparently, all other forms of communication weren't an option and he had to tell his cousin about a relative that had taken a turn for the worse. All within 15 minutes, his "relative" went from being diagnosed with some fatal disease to passing away. He even went as far as to say that it was Valve's fault for her death. Funny stuff....and quite a story.

See?!?! Steam kills.