Patch 1.10

After beta testing, the patch is really nice.

The sidearms/pistols fire with improved accuracy and deadliness.

This, 1.10, is a really good patch.

Great job and patch EA! I have very few complaints about the game now.

Patch 1.05 is coming

On 11/16 EA announced through their weekly community update that patch 1.05 is currently being tested and will be released as soon as it is available

Through previous announcements, EA has stated changes to be expected in upcoming patches.

The following fixes will be included, along with many others:

• Titan will no longer be able to move once its shields are down, so that lag within the titan should be significantly reduced and being revived inside the titan shouldn't be a problem any more

• Changes in EA master server communication to greatly reduce disconnects

• Players are now able to receive the Titan Survival Pin

• All players will see the same missile silo location numbers in Titan Mode
  

• Assault Rifle Improvement: We have made slight adjustments to the deviation of the Assault rifles to increase the accuracy of short burst fire. Long duration full auto fire will still create significant deviation. These changes will help the assault burst-fire performance in medium range fire fights.

• Server Stability Improvements: We have made some improvements to the server stability. These improvements are currently being Beta tested by our ranked server partners in an effort to have a solid final release. We will continue our effort to provide increased stability with each new BF2142 Update

• Fixed an issue with the Silver Titan Destruction Badge not being awarded when core is destroyed

• Fixed an issue with the ground defense kills not being properly counted towards the Ground Defense Ribbon

Patch 1.05 is scheduled for release later in November

Battlefield 2142 default keyboard controls

Manual p. 4

Manual p. 5

Extra:

Sniper stabilizer requires [Left SHIFT]
Pick up squad beacon (and kits and certain weapons like mines and demolitions) with [G]
Hover in the gunship with [S]
While critical, press [C] for 3rd person camera view of teammates
Hover in the transport helicopter by releasing the throttle [W]

Why Battlefield 2142 is not a mod

If Battlefield 2142 is a "mod" like some are saying:

Then technicially, every FPS game since Doom is a mod and every new game is just that same thing with better graphics, weapons, vehicles, and gameplay.

Mods will be made from Battlefield 2142 itself. (source)
Saying that a mod made from Battlefield 2142 is also a mod of BF2 would be false, inaccurate
Thus, Battlefield 2142 is not a mod, it is a game.

I will be on the lookout for mods of Battlefield 2142, not Battlefield 2. There is a difference.

The only way to convince me that Battlefield 2142 is a "mod" and not a "game" is if someone can make a mod of BF2 that is better than Battlefield 2142. Good luck, you'll need it.

Patch v1.02

Latest patch (v1.01) can be found here. (What is the new patch and what does it fix?)

EA Customer Support FAQ

• (contained 1 page of questions 10/22; contains 3 pages as of 10/24)

Suggested issues to address for patch 1.02 (suggestions in small type):

Network

• Statistics/Promotion/BFHQ Delay
• Webpage statistics now available (link-BF2142-stats)
  
• EA: (My stats, rank or leaderboardpositions are incorrect.)
• EA: (Why have I not ranked up?)
• EA: (Battlefield Maintenance Times)
  

• Punkbuster
• Punkbuster does not auto-update
• link-PB files to manually replace necessary files
  
• link-PB Battlefield 2142 set up program
  
• after setting up Punkbuster program, you must:
• open the program
• add Battlefield 2142 to the list of games
• Click on the Check for Updates button
• as of 10/23: client version should be v1.280 (instead ov v1.229)
  

• Punkbuster must write to hard drive to operate. Writing to hard drive requires administrative rights to computer.
• EA support: (What are the different Punkbuster bans?)
  
• Master Server (demo)
• Try downloadng EA Downloader Installer and install again (to install a new launch icon). (uninstall and reinstall to be sure, instead of over-installing)
• Otherwise, the master server sometimes goes offline periodically at times other than scheduled maintenance; unannounced (eg Sat. 10/28/06 2am-7am and still waiting...). Program hangs after attempting to login to soldier profile.
  
• Lost BF2 Veteran name if different EA accounts used
• "The Battlefield 2142 Veterans Program is now closed. You will no longer be able to take advantage of this promotion."
  
• EA: (Battlefield 2142: Promotional Programs)
  

Collector's Edition (CE)

• 14 song soundtrack + making of video (buy Collector's edition webpage)
  
• no DVD in drive required
• EA support: (What is Battlefield 2142 Collector's Edition, or Battlefield 2142 CE?)
• 10/25: Collector's Edition Content available (Battlefield exclusive content link)
• if you have problems logging in, try Explorer not Firefox
  

Hardware/System (What are the minimum requirements?)

• EA: (Why is there graphical corruption in the game?)
  
• Nvidia Graphics Card Drivers (Forceware)
  
• ATI Graphics Card Drivers (Catalyst)
  
• Widescreen support?
• "Picture is too dark, hard to see things"
• unlike one would expect, under Lighting under (Options --> Video):
• Med or High settings under Lighting make the picture darker
  
• Low setting makes it easier to see things
• Yet higher setting taxes graphics card more
  
• Article to tweak system, tweak game. (Battlefield 2142 Tweak Guide)

• Soundmax compatibility
• use Options --> Audio --> Software till patched
• (onboard (integrated) sound will need to be enabled in system BIOS)

• EAX is supported by Creative (sound cards)
  
• Don't enable EAX if you have on-board, integrated (Software) audio
• Sound Quality setting "Ultra-High" is for Creative X-Fi cards only
• non-X-Fi systems have setting "Ultra High" automatically unchecked
  
• Other sound:
  
• EA support: (Why does my game lockup with repeating sound?)

• Windows background processes
• instructions on how to do this appear in the game manual
• link to manual only available through EA downloader
• manual download is a zip file containing every manual in all available languages
• make Englishversion more readily available and on the web (ftp)?
  

• Windows security update KB917422 causing crash to desktop (CTD)
• link-Microsoft hot-fix
• link-TotalBF2142

EA Downloader

• Shows patch 1.01 "Ready to Install," after patching

Connection problems

• "I don't see any multiplayer servers"
• patch v 1.01
• make sure firewall allows BF2142
  

Occasionally:
Can't leave squad
Can't create squad
Cant join squad

Rarely:
Application for commander accepted, but no commander is chosen

Often:
"There is a problem with your connection" briefly flashes at end of round; sometimes at beginning

• EA: (link-EA customer support-How do I resolve issues connecting to the servers?)
• EA: (How do you improve online gameplay and lag?)
  

Many disconnects from servers produce message:

Your connection to the server has been lost

Message results from all these:

• server crashes
• server restart
  
• auto-kick for:
  
• high ping
• teamkills
  
• reflex-punishing
• using banned words
  
• admin kick for:
• high ping
• making room for clan members or server donors
• violating server rules (e.g. bunny hopping, not squadding up, profanity)
• general annoyances like for distractions (excessive text chatting, griefing, whining)
• general annoyances like vehicle monopolizing, learning to fly with the team helicopters

Result is many players complain that they have one connection problem.

• suggest additional messages
• has been disconnected from server
  
• was kicked from server
• was banned from server
• left the game?
  
• suggest more detailed "kick-for" reason messages?
• One or few exist (kicked by punkbuster/admin for idling)?
  

• VoIP is causing disconnect issues

• Is VoIP enabled? If so, is "Voice Enabled" server filter also checked?
  

• Disconnect followed by message "error"

• appears when server chosen with reserved slots are in use although server doesn't appear full

Menu/Server Browser

• EA support: (What do the server filter icons mean?)
  

• Key Bindings not saving in some cases (eg mouse 1 to move [W])
• Doesn't allow pinging of a single server instance highlighted

• Server browser should remember to revert to last Tab used (Quick, Advanced, History) during game entry, instead of Quick by default
  
• Server browser, under Advanced tab, should remember to revert to last Gametype selected (All, Conquest, Conquest Co-op, Titan) in dropdown menu, instead of Conquest Co-op by default.
• disable retrieving the server list every time, instead?
  

• Server filters not accurately pulling up server information (ranked vs unranked)?
• (Occassionally) Reverts suddenly to server browser (menu) shortly after starting a map (but does not disconnect.
  
• Requires pressing [ESC] to return to game.
• The appearance is of a lost connection because of return to menu (and related menu_music)
  
• Color "Disconnect" button text red
• Color "Join Server" button text green
• Make corresponding button larger

• (Occassionally) Server info shows up with red number code for server names
• Server info shows up in red font color
• red = rank-restricted (10 bottom ranks only) (even though rank-restricted filter unchecked)
  
• (What do the server filter icons mean?)
  

• No indication of which servers maintain squads through subsequent rounds? Which servers require squad creation at the beginning of each round. Or is this a server bug?

• BFHQ doesn't list ranks and rank point requirements, like with the other awards

• Scroll bar arrow buttons are small? Scroll bar too narrow?
  
• News Ticker flashes postings too rapidly?
  
• Hovering tool tips? (What do the server filter icons mean?)
• Server browser and customization screens need their own mouse sensitivity control?
• Option to play soundtrack music in background during play? With separate volume control?

Motion issues

• Titan-related
  
• critically wounded players moving, appear to drift through walls; are unreviveable
  
• wall glitching
• Titan issue is not lag related, is processor related (link)
  
• disable movement after shields destroyed
  
• Walker-related
• "sliding on ice" upon entry
• sometimes walker keeps walking if forward (W) held down while walker is stuck
  

• Squad Leader Spawn Beacon (SLSB) (green spawn point)
  
• camera appearing under floor or partially under floor while critically wounded
• no "you are critically wounded" message displayed, must rely on reading "you were killed by..."
• no countdown time till spawn "joining battle in #"message displayed; must rely on pressing [ENTER] (again and again...)
• seemingly, while retrieving a beacon, if one is killed at the same moment, impossible to deploy another beacon for the rest of the round
• when revived in this state, there is no sudden jolt to alertness, just the sound of the defibrillator
  

HUD (heads up display)

[killed]

• more crosshair options?
  
• should elaborate more?
  
• Titan cannons should be attributed as [titan model number] like with the turrets atop the titan, and not [killed]

MiniMap

• does not display critical patients to be revived for medics?

Chat text

• difficult to read personally typed messages because commo channel has text displayed also
• frequently used statements like, "enemy sniper," "threat spotted," should be heard but not printed to text line if depressed 2, 3, 4 times by a single player; only once.
  
• Already spotted hostiles that are red icons on the minimap already, should not have associated text printed again, only heard?

Vehicles

• Titan spawn point not appearing on occasion?
• Transport vehicle (APC and Transport Helo) spawn point
  
• Spawn should be to passenger positions (F2,F3, F4...)?
• Driver's seat should require pressing [F1] or exiting and re-entering vehicle
  
• Walker not spotted as "enemy vehicle" when a lone F2 player seated?

Weapons

• Squad Leader Spawn Beacon (SLSB):
• attempting to activate more than one beacon leads to spamming team commo channel with "squad beacon is now active" with continued clicking on [8]
  
• make subsequent attempts "pop" like the medic and support (first aid and supplies)
• add to game tips: Only one squad leader unlock at a time. Press [G] to pick up the beacon
  
• no way to distinguish squad beacon from those of other squads or enemy
• Stationary vehicle turret Alt-Fire (zoom) zooms little but reduces mouse sensitivity much?
  
• Medic and Support kits make too loud? when deploying more than one
• Recon should get a "fire in the hole" voice commo (but when) pressing Alt-fire for the RBX detonator

Commander:

• vehicle drops (like in BF2)
• commander unlocks
  
• Commander Spawn Beacon unlock?
• 15% Titan shield restoral (Titan) and 15% deadlier orbital strike (Conquest)?
• "Raining Death" tactical nuke commander unlock? :)
  

• Commander can still spam "yes" and "no" at the entire team.
• The commander needs to spot and talk a lot, but depressing rapidly "yes" or "no" keys immediately ruins any game
• disable [page UP] [page DOWN] spamming of the commo channel
  
• Add commander voice command "squad up!" to the tactical commo rose?
  

Squad Leader:

• Under Manage Squads, no distinction made for already-squadded players
• add a quick invite button that randomly invites unsquadded players, the number to reach a 6-member squad
  

Customization (kit) screen

• getting suddenly revived by a medic does not automatically close configuration screen
  
• (yet people are tinkering with kits and customizations for next spawn)
  
• make the screen close with [right mouse button] otherwise, have to take right hand off of mouse to press [ENTER]
• 
  

• make it easier for the items to "fit" into the slots instead of having to center them just right?
• the 2 equip item slots (that appear on the left and right knees):
• one is default key [5]; the other is default key [6]
• when two equip items are entered into the slots at each knee
• it is not possible to switch the items in order to switch the [5] and [6] keys, when one has only 2 items (but only discover later that switching them is irrelevant, after rifle upgrades)
  
• it is possible with 3 items if the third item is used to displace one already in a slot
• add a Switch Position button between the knees?
• For Recon:
  
• RBX Demopak and Active Camo only fit in [5] and APM only fits in [6]
  
• (this good)
  
• For Assault:
  
• Scar 11 AR shotgun mode is [5]; Baur H-AR shotgun mode is [6]
  
• (this bad)
• make the Baur H-AR shotgun mode as [5]?
  
• maybe it's all like this for a reason? (I'm still working up in rank)
  

Field Upgrade screen

• Selecting upgrade choice requires clicking on Select button at the bottom of the window.
• Allow for double-click of upgrade choice to
  
• select upgrade
  
• close Upgrade tab
  
• For those who press [CAPS LOCK] or [ENTER] with left hand to exit screen, upgrade choice selected could be emphasized more, when selected?
  

Spotting

• add "APM mine" and "Sentry gun" into the spotting menu within the commo rose at top and bottom; leave the commo associated statement as "threat spotted;" add corresponding red icons to mini-map
• Harder to spot walkers than other field assets?

Points

• Enemy destroys vehicle, incidentally killing nearby friendlies. Driver is blamed for teamkill?
• Is that justice? :)
• should be " (player) is no more" just as when pinned by a stationary vehicle and killed?
  
• Recon is blamed for RBX Demopak in central reactor core?
  
• turn off as punishable tk in reactor room and at consoles?
• turn off friendly fire for demolitions in reactor room and at consoles?
• Points for jumping off Titan in time? Points for flying off with passengers? Killing the escapees?
  

Maps

• Wake Island 2142
• Wake Island in BF2 patched v1.03
  
• getting stuck in certain map points
  

Tutorials (suggestions)

• Commander tutorial
  
• (The Battlefield commander and Squad)
• Squad Leader tutorial
• TV missile tutorial
• Leadership tutorial
• Teamwork tutorial

Game Tips

• (1-100)

• (101) Knives do partial damage and no longer always one-hit kills
• (102) Medic first aid kits now require time to heal; no longer one-hit health
  
• (103) Sniper stabilizer requires [Left SHIFT]
  
• (104) Only one squad leader unlock at a time. Pick up squad beacon (and kits) with [G]
• (105) Hover in the gunship with [S] if you don't have or use a joystick.
  
• (106) Even though you don't hear yourself, you are saying "You're hurt, come here" or "need supplies?" and your team (and the enemy) can hear you.
• (107) 3D Map is [left ALT] and toggles numbers over silos, flags over control points, distance to them, and NetBat red diamonds
  
• (108) While you are critical and wait to respawn, press [C] for 3rd person camera view of teammates
• (109) The PAC team can be heard in English, just like the EU team. Select the English Voice Over Only in Options --> Audio
  
• (110) Practice flying skills by creating a local server (with no one trying to kill you while you learn). Multiplayer --> Local --> Create tab --> Pick a map with air assets --> :)
• (111) Hover in the transport helicopter by releasing the throttle [W] if you don't have or use a joystick.
• (112) Blood? Try changing cross hair color to red and the damage indicator flashes look similar to the blood in many FPS games.

First Post

This blog is Battlefield 2142 related.

No discussion of "adware" or data impression issues allowed here. Debate that on the game forum.

Each post will describe only one topic or suggestion.

It's the best FPS ever made, IMO.