Battlefield Heroes™
Character Classes, Cameras, and Computers Mar 7
James Salt, Lead Designer
Hello Heroes,
James Salt here, Lead Designer for Battlefield Heroes. Ben is away this week, so I am going to be continuing the story of how we made the game. This week I’m going to be talking about our character classes and the 3rd person camera.
When I joined the team we started talking about what character classes we wanted. In previous Battlefield games you were a soldier who picked up a kit and assumed that role. For Heroes we wanted to take a different slant on that idea. We wanted you to own your Hero. First up, we started by thinking of all the heroic characters from old war movies, and what kind of things made them unique. After a couple of days trapped in a meeting room, we came up with these:
- That sneaky sniper character you never see coming
- The good all-round leader who seems to have a 6th sense about what the enemy is doing.
- The big and reliable fellow who’s always got the big gun and seems to be able to absorb bullets.
Mad design scribblings about Heroes
These archetypes were the starting point for the classes in Battlefield Heroes. The Sneaky Sniper became the Commando class. The all-round leader became the Soldier class, and the bullet absorber became the Gunner class.
The unique abilities each class has in Heroes are also based around the archetypes. For example the Soldier’s ability to ‘See enemy Soldiers’ is to give that class a feeling of having a 6th sense.
While the work on the classes was happening I got an text message from Ben, who was away again. It read, “We should try 3rd person cameras.” My first reaction was along the lines of “LOLWUT!”. But it cant hurt to try it out now can it? So we made a 3rd person camera in our Heroes prototype. I spent most of the day running around the world with this new view. I was surprised. It didn’t feel bad, it felt different for sure, but it felt good.
A non-typical 3rd person
The camera isn’t one of those you commonly find in 3rd person games, where you are controlling your character relative to the camera position. And that camera position is constantly moving around to give you the best view.
The best way of describing how our 3rd person camera feels is: rather than seeing the arm and weapon as with a traditional 1st person shooter camera, you now see your character. Everything else is basically the same as a traditional camera, so you still have a solid feeling of aiming and control.
There are a bunch of other things that were helped with this new camera. Firstly, new players seemed to have a much better idea of where they were and which way they were facing. Also it allows you to see your Hero character actually being a Hero in the game, along with all your customizations and emotes.
Last thing for this post is a quick mention of the lowest system specification we currently support:
- Operating System: Windows XP or Windows Vista
- CPU: 1.0 GHz
- RAM: 512 Mb (1Gb on Windows Vista)
- Video Card: 64Mb DirectX compliant video card with at least pixel shader 2.0 support
- Hard Drive space: 1Gb of space is required to install the game
- Internet connection: 256kbit Cable/DSL connection
When you are making a game, the system specs can move around quite a bit. Especially for the lowest spec. So this is what we are aiming for, but we may need to change them a little later.
Next time: Pitching the game to EA, and coming up with a name.
(1) Mar 07
I like those low requirements!
(2) Mar 07
looks cool,
I would much rather have it in first person though. my comp will easily handle this game. HORAH!!! BRING THIS GAME ON!!!!
(3) Mar 07
is Ben sick or something?
(4) Mar 07
I dont have Pixel Shader 2.0 >:(
(5) Mar 07
you look better with a tash :-)
(6) Mar 07
Is that 256 both for download and upload or just download?
(7) Mar 07
I am not sick. But James’ mustache is. I’ve been traveling in Asia this week.
(8) Mar 07
i dont have CPU ;/
(9) Mar 07
Excellent Tasche!
(10) Mar 07
Oh dear. Everything i could possibly not want from this thread has appeared. Definite 3rd person, classes that made me go “meh”- not a step away but 10 steps back from BF2, and insane noob friendliness. Its not hard for real people to think about where they are in 1st person is it?
(11) Mar 07
Well you could also do first person with the ability to go third person when emoting/taunting to view both emotes and your character similar to how the UT/Quake/TF2 taunts are used. Or have the ability to zoom in to a side shoulder type view similar to Tabular Rasa cause I imagine for me it will be kinda hard to adjust since I use inverted and seeing my guy will only make it that much harder on aiming for me anyways.
(12) Mar 07
vrey good requirements :)
(13) Mar 07
What actually is shader 2.0 and is it a very important and NEEDED feature?
(14) Mar 07
Fixbone,
how can you NOT have a CPU??? and lilmoder, how can you NOT have pixel shaders 2.0??? WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO???
(15) Mar 07
demo ? beta ? when?
(16) Mar 07
sorry for posting so much but I would like to add ONE more thing. If the way they are doing third person first person should be and option. think about it! take battleFRONT 2 — there are options to switch between 3rd and 1st person! please Ben! please EA! think of all the people your letting down! (I am not in the “let down” list of people, I’m just talking in general)
(17) Mar 07
Shader 2.0 means a DirectX 9 graphics card or higher. The thing to be worried about is how they’re going to do the servers. If its like AA than thats fantastic, if its like WarRock…. not so fantastic.
(18) Mar 07
Since 2 days ago, when I discovered you were making this game, I’ve visited this website around 15 times…I can’t wait!
(19) Mar 07
W0000t!! i hope they dont change the requirements!!
aint like i dont have much more but if they raise it a lil more maybe i will end up with another great onnline game w/o able playing it T_T
(20) Mar 07
coolw. can’t wait for this game. keep up the good work guys!
(21) Mar 07
I’m already loving this game so much that it even became my home page.
(22) Mar 07
That video looked awesome, these requirements are low, and many other things look good… I WANT IT O_O
(23) Mar 07
Yahoo it runs easily on my pc!!!!!!!!!!
(24) Mar 07
finally a game can over rule many others
(25) Mar 07
I lol’d so hard at the video. I’ve played every battlefield game with an insane addiction and this one looks like it’ll top them all. (with exception to maybe desert combat which was the best game/mod ever)
(26) Mar 07
ok this game requirements are sweet i have windows vista 2 gigs of ram and 3.2 ghz proccesor, 120 gig hard drive and ati graphics this game will rock my computer. the third person view idk loks kinda wierd but fun cant wait for this game looks sooooooooo swwweeeeeeeeeetttt
and its free the best f***ing part ever!!!!!
(27) Mar 07
What if u have like shader 1.5 would u be able to play the game?
(28) Mar 07
All I can say is that I’m excited again, since bf1942, for a Battlefield game.
Please do not listen to whiners or similar people (especially after the release) to modify the gameplay to their low skills.
Question: does the “Play now” button work in Mozilla Firefox?
(29) Mar 07
ok good
(30) Mar 07
So basically it has character classes just like any other game!
(31) Mar 07
If your PC doesn’t meet those minimum specs then I’m afraid it is time to upgrade, or just play all your games in 800×600
Those specs are very low though which is good for a large install base :)
(32) Mar 07
cool
(33) Mar 07
Not bad requirements. But Pixel Shader 2.0 bothers me… Why not include Directx 7.0 into the mix, too? My laptop’s video card renders Directx 9.0 properties incorrectly (It says 9.0 in the settings, but renders the whole game in 7.0 settings).
And please, don’t pay a heed to “FPS please”. It gives me a headache to listen to others whine about concepts which are new to them. Remember folks! You can always play BF2 or wait for BF3 if you’re not satisfied with BFH.
(34) Mar 07
cant wit on palying this baby, this should e a gret fun game aftre the realistic lookingg battlefileds.
will Geforce 6200 work for this game?
(35) Mar 07
whats summer
(36) Mar 07
Hope it runns smothly on my computer :/ intel q6600 and 2x ATI 3870
(37) Mar 07
I cant wait! Being a huge fan of BF42 cant wait for this title
(38) Mar 07
summer yesssssssss.carton shooter wow tanks,guns wow
(39) Mar 07
I think you should get 3rd and 1st view. 3rd - running, vehicles etc. 1st - aiming! It would be easier to aim in 1st, and you would see how cool you are in 3rd. Or you could make something like in Operation Flashpoint - you can change between view modes.
(40) Mar 07
If you have a DirectX9 supporting CPU, you have Pixel Shader 2.0 right?
(41) Mar 07
i think you should be able to chose if you want the 3rd person or 1st person I mean this hole 3rd person “someone in your way”thing dose not really sound good to the hard core battlefield fans.
don’t get me wrong though new is great but…I am really not sure this will go great with most people.I know how long the system probably took you but hopefully its all about the costumers…or…players in this case.hope you put this into consideration and use it to your help!(oh yeah and don’t take this as an insult to all your hard work i am just a guy who loves games)thanks for reading =)
(42) Mar 07
I cant wait more for this game!
I want it!
I needit!
I love this requirements!
(43) Mar 07
3rd person view really isn’t as bad as some people may think.
(44) Mar 07
Wow! you guys are updating the dev blog all the time.
Good to know your still working hard on it =)
(45) Mar 07
I can’t wait for it! i hope my notebook will be able to handle it…
(46) Mar 07
First question.
Why free!?
I thought EA where money sucking vampires, but this is a shock! Not to mention it actually looks good!
Please do a segment on your decision for making it free.
My theory is your bank account maxed.
(47) Mar 07
It does realy look cool!
(48) Mar 07
dang… i need a new video card… can barely run BFV, dont have pixel shader on it, NVidia GeForce 2 MX, <<<<<really old…
(49) Mar 07
WOOOOOOOT!!! 3.0ghz intel Core 2 duo, 2gigs RAM, 200gig HDD, Nvidia 9600 GT XXX, i can run it WOOOOOT!!!
lol looks AMAZYLING SWEET THO!
(50) Mar 07
When are the beta tests start? I whant to play it:]
(51) Mar 07
The new 3rd person camera looks cool…And its fun to see that we dont need a realy strong computer to make the game run. Keep up the great work guys!
(52) Mar 07
Needs to be more GNU/Linux compatible.
(53) Mar 07
I cant wait myself, i was th9inking about getting teamfortress 2 but this game seems to be nearly close as teamfortress 2 and its free :) i want it badly.
Gimme, Gimme, Gimme.
(54) Mar 07
if i got shader 1.5 can i run it then?
(55) Mar 07
This game support wide-screen???
(56) Mar 07
Oh no nonono nooo…. or before I lose faith, tell us it’s not 3rd person ONLY? A choice yes, but not only…. right…. guys…? *sniff*
(3rd person only must be a breach of the BF franchise code, yes?)
Ok, perhaps I should wait and see before I pass judgment but the “being there” feeling you have in the BF games comes from excellent game play AND the first person perspective.
(57) Mar 07
the game locks really cool… when is ready… i kill u all!!! jajajaja… see u in the battle field!!! PLAY 4 FUN!!! PLAY 4 FREE!!!
(58) Mar 07
Only thing i wanna know:
-release date?
-modding abilities?
-making your own server?
-matchmaking compulsary? (i hope not! i hope there will be a ‘normal’ server browser)
I think this game will introduce a fair amount of new ‘casual’ players to the online-shooter-genre, because of the low system specs and the cartoony style + the 3rd person camera (Please make this optional!!!!!!!!!!!)
(59) Mar 07
Woohoo!
(60) Mar 07
Cant w8 for it
(61) Mar 07
Wait a minute……. If the required specs is there, whats the recommanded specs???? Similar to Lego Star Wars II?
(62) Mar 07
Awesome.Good Specs for the Computer.I am waiting for bf3 news too. 8)
(63) Mar 07
Oh and about the ability, I suggest both, that we could toggle 1st person for better view and accuracy, and 3rd person for a better seeking. But my favorite is the 1st person, but if I had to sneak, it will be 3rd person (making it easier to see if enemy units are looking….)
(64) Mar 07
The fact that my computer meets the requirements except for pixel shader 2.0 tells me that i need a new computer.
(65) Mar 07
Thanks James & Ben for keeping us posted!
I’d like to reiterate a few requests:
1. Please give more access to rooftops and second floors of buildings. It really adds to the dynamic rather than having everyone just running around square buildings at ground level. Even if it just means the ability to use the “grappling hook” like the one in BF2-SF. This may be limited to second-story levels that are open to the air with the 3rd-person camera, but still, rooftops & clifftops would add a new dimesion to the game.
2. Grappling hook like in BF2:SF. This could be an upgrade for the Commando class enabling more of #1 above.
3. Special effects upgrades for intermediate promotions would give little prizes to people on their way to the next big level. Things like tracer rounds, better scopes, better explosive effects for each weapon (but no xtra damage), and better gun/nade/bazooka sound effects.
As always, thanks EA/Dice for listening!
(66) Mar 07
Heres a sugestion….
make it like soldier front. you can change inbetween 3rd Point of view and 1st point of view by pressing the Q button!
(67) Mar 07
This is the first time I’ve visted this site, and the game looks awesome, even with the cartoon graphics. I can’t wait.
And I’m happy i can play this game on my computer, yay!
(68) Mar 07
When can i play? ^_^
(69) Mar 07
those of you complaining about this not being BF2… go play that. I for one am excited to play this with my kids. And this just could be the game that introduces my wife to shooters! They are designing this as a casual game not for the hard core!
(70) Mar 07
how do i download it ? i can’t find it !
(71) Mar 07
very good that you dont need a powerful pc
(72) Mar 07
Low Requirment, good looks…i like that :)
(73) Mar 07
Just a note about 3rd person; it definitely contributes to the feeling of watching yourself in a movie, which makes your actions feel more epic.
Think to Max Payne for a great example.
Players will actually enjoy watching themselves execute things, an effect that is all but lost in first person.
A wise choice :D
(74) Mar 07
high fps ftw!
(75) Mar 07
It is a game with enough action!
(76) Mar 07
thanks for posting the requirements :)
@all haters:
3rd person is a good idea ;)
(77) Mar 07
Ummm…. can you please make for mac, pleeeeeeeeeease
(78) Mar 07
It would be verry nice if they bring also a version of the game for mac users.
(79) Mar 07
i have to say i can’t wait for this game from what i’ve seen so far and i like to see the new info from the developer’s blog. i just hope you will answer some questions that come to mind, either directly or in later blog entries. questions like: will you have the ability to switch between multiple hero characters? how many different armies or nationalities will be available to start and will there be more later? how many theater of operations or combat areas will be available? just curious.
(80) Mar 07
any chance of it coming out for us poor old mac users?
(81) Mar 08
I hope this game will work with 506 ram they shorted me 6mb of ram….
(82) Mar 08
NICE=D
(83) Mar 08
HERO TIME!
(84) Mar 08
I already have battlefield 2,2142, special forces and all the booster packs, just need this one to complete my colection!! and the best of all is free!!! great!!! … another thing this is what we need to have lots and lots of fun!!!
thx a lot EA and DICE! u are the best, the rest of the same type is just bad games or a ****y copy of this great developement
KEEP THE GOOD WORK SOLDIERS!!! U ARE THE BEST SQUAD ON GAMES!!!!!!
ps. another booster pack for 2142 i would like a lot…
(85) Mar 08
cant wait sounds rele gd
third person view that has been created sounds interesting, would be good if 1st person was included just so people have the choice.
Keep up the good work guys its looking great
(86) Mar 08
It seems like this is the perfect game for the mac user demographic. What gives?
(87) Mar 08
Great blog, it was cool to see where the inspiration for the characters came from. Also if you could give us an estimate or anything as to when the game is coming out it would be great. Thanx.
(88) Mar 08
Im likeing the low requierments, but when exactly will this game be availble to download?
(89) Mar 08
“”WOOOOOOOT!!! 3.0ghz intel Core 2 duo, 2gigs RAM, 200gig HDD, Nvidia 9600 GT XXX, i can run it WOOOOOT!!!”"
Ummmm lol the 9600 isnt out yet u sure are Pro!!!
:P
(90) Mar 08
I dont have Pixel Shader!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(91) Mar 08
NOW THATS A HECK OF A MUSTACHE OLD CHAP!
great specs KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
gotta love the relaxed/light/fun way you guys are making this game.
(92) Mar 08
i just happened to pop up on this site and im very intrigued. i plan on at least trying it out, but 1 quick thing. i would suggest taking a look at the 3rd person viewing used in Freedom Fighters. i LOVE the camera model in that game. right now, it looks like you guys are going for a close up 3rd person, but to me it just doesnt work. please, take my thoughts into consideration. thanks.
(93) Mar 08
awesome :P i’m sooo gonna play this game!
i’ve only got 1 request, and that is PLEASE do not make the hitboxes like BF2.( srry to say but Bf2 hitboxes were just screwed up )
the 3rd person camera is great, i mean there aren’t a lot of online 3rd person shooter on PC, so this is cool
good luck with the development, and i bet this game is gonna be a succes
(94) Mar 08
It’s looking good
(95) Mar 08
Pls give us a 1st person option. Newbies can go around in 3rd person, but at least give the rest of us the choice.
(96) Mar 08
As a long term BF1942 diehard - this looks good. When will it be out (summer just ended here in Australia) - will there be online beta version - there are lots of us out here willing to help you bring in a good game.
3rd person - need to try it see - nice to be optional, must admit I sometimes wished I could go to 3rd person in BF1942 when I was sneaking up on a sniper and lining up the back of his head with my pistol - mind you, in 3rd person he might see me coming!
Go DICE (… and EA)
(97) Mar 08
Cool , so this game Free
(98) Mar 08
I’ll be waiting for the summer.
(99) Mar 08
looks alright, but swearing,skilful 15yr who shoots people in the face in 1942 and vietnam. prety good for the younger though. looks goos i’ll try it when it comes out
(100) Mar 08
dis game is bangin,i think its the best
(101) Mar 08
“Low skills” - Bowser
What you mean by low skills? they made it into 3rd person because noobs can’t even tell where they’ve been, 3rd person makes things so easy even a 5 year old could own. This game doesn’t require much skill at all if any
(102) Mar 08
vbl you don’t actually miss anything with 1st person, your hands are the only thing that really do anything when you execute anything besides crouching and jumping, so why would you want to see any of that in a fast pace game?
(103) Mar 08
Multiplayer shooters with a Third Person Camera cause a lot of problems gameplay wise. I remember playing Metal Gear Solid 3 Online for the PlayStation 2 and how painful the camera made the game experience. Eventually players realized they could just hug walls and abuse the camera to spot the enemy without revealing their own location. If you wanted to win your best bet was to camp behind a wall. Yes, artistically it is the right decision. I would like to know how you plan to address this issue. I have very high hopes for this game and its groundbreaking play4free structure. It may not be the first but it’s definitely the most promising.
(104) Mar 08
game come now!!!!!!!!!OR ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(105) Mar 08
Looks awesome!
(106) Mar 08
would it be able to play on 1680×1050?
an open beta or a demo version?
the possibility to change between 3rd and 1st person view?
or to zoom in from the 3rd person view in a “over shoulder”-view like in resident evli 4?
(107) Mar 08
Looks really fun. I’m looking forward to trying it out. Being a “free” game should make for some very active competition. Please don’t kill me, so I can kill YOU!!! See ya all there soon.
(108) Mar 08
To all you Macintosh users… Get a real computer.
(109) Mar 08
This GAme will BE good ,
But What Is with The System Requerments, i bought A $4000 computer To play games Like Crysis But the They throw in some game that i can play on my $500 laptop
WTF?
(110) Mar 08
Thats great news James! When your done with a prodotype can you sent some few pictures of a standard soldger, commando, and a gunner? I would like to see what they look like in both sides! keep up the great work!
PS: Ben where have you been in Asia? Russia, Korea, China, Taiwan, or Japan?
(111) Mar 08
CHANGE IT TO 1st PERSON AND DIE BEN 3RD PERSON SUX
(112) Mar 08
i wish people would quit complaining about the third person point of view. I love the idea. If they put it both 3rd person and 1st person it will mess up the balance of the game. I think the only time 1st person should be used in this game is for sniping.
(113) Mar 08
uh man, i hope mine will work…
but it sound good enough xD
(114) Mar 08
Since you work for a large corporation, and I am an engineer, can you please show the actual pictures of the large flip chart with all the useless information recorded in unrecognizeable bullet points and perhaps a picture of a high-energy hand-waver running the meeting?
Once you have more process people than developers, its time to move on.
Plz add new vehicles instead of reusing the same BF1942 models.
(115) Mar 08
Yes i love these requirements :) and the download will be soon, and my new RAM will be soon :):):)
(116) Mar 08
we can i playing dies game?
(117) Mar 08
I´ve already played a game in 3rd person view!
i tought it was really amazing i dunno if u guys heard obout it GUNZ ou THE DUEL
this was a really cool idea and i think that if this works the way im thinking it is we will like this new BF too much
I always tried to find in all BFs ive played the button to change view
i like 3rd person it will be great
thank u all EA desing and thinking team because finally you guys are thinking like us players giving it us freeeeeeeee!!!!
tkx!
(118) Mar 08
Great - I just bought my oldest son a new computer at Xmas so we could play BF2 together and now with BF-Heroes coming out I’m going to have to buy my youngest son a new computer as well! :D Now I know how you guys are making this game free - kickbacks from Nvidia, Microsoft, and Intel. ;)
(119) Mar 08
It work nice on my pc
(120) Mar 08
I’m so excited I can hardly contain my glee. I’m just glad I have my trusty GeForce Fx 5500, or I might be crying at those sysreqs.
(121) Mar 08
I REALLLY hope they change it to less than 2.0 shader!
if i got 1.4 shader will i be able to play it?
(122) Mar 08
I hope I can play this game as soon as possible .
It’s funny ^_^”"
(123) Mar 08