Activision (Modern Warfare) versus Electronic Arts (Battlefield 3): Update. Part - 2 PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Sledgehammer seem to want to add a few tweaks and enhancements to their already proven game engine, without making any major changes or building something new. On one side, it means that the Modern Warfare experience, the world cannot seem to get enough
of, will remain intact, while at the same time, might be a case of the game not going anywhere new, reducing the ‘freshness’ factor.
However, Activision are trying to turn this in their favour when Glen Schofield,
Sledgehammer’s co-founder and General Manager stated, "You can go out and name your engine and call it whatever you want, right. You know, I've done that before, I've seen that trick and the bottom line is, this game will run at 60 frames a second. Not
sure any of our competitors will."
To put it simply, Schofield was taking a direct swing at EA. In his view, EA were focused on bringing a new engine, while Activision had perfected theirs to run at a 60 frames-per-second rate, which was unrivalled on consoles. In fact, even Battlefield is
confirmed to run at 30 frames per second, compared to Modern Warfare 3’s 60.
For those readers who still think that Schofield was making a general comment, aimed at everyone in the first person shooter industry, the next quote made the ‘attack’ a little more specific.
"I think 60 is our competitive edge and you just don't throw that away. You don't ship an engine, you ship a game."
Everyone knows EA has been marketing Battlefield 3’s Frost Bite engine as the main force that will propel the game to the number one spot in a gamer’s minds, with its enhanced destruction, improved sound and stunning visuals. There is no way the last quote
could have been for anyone else at EA.
While this is the latest swing on side has taken against the other, it is not the first. EA recently shared their sympathy at the huge leak at Activision, which resulted in a majority of the game’s plot made public and pretty much ruined any of the surprises
the publisher may have had.
Again the sympathy can be looked at in two ways; firstly, as genuine, and secondly almost as mockery of their competitor. While different people may have different opinions, there can be no denying that making peace is not on either of the side’s minds and
it had to be a combination of both, though leaning more heavily on the mockery side.
Another incident, which took place at this year’s E3, was when a representative from Activision made their way over to the EA booth, to test out Battlefield 3, was denied entry. Apparently the representative was asked to turn back and was furious.
Whichever way one looks at it, the rivalry in the gaming world is no longer Pro-Evolution Soccer and FIFA, or Halo or Killzone, but rather Modern Warfare and Battlefield. While the developers and publishers have a go at each other, gamers can be assured
of one thing, come this holiday season, they will have two great games to choose from.
More importantly however, the gaming world could very well see a new heavy weight take over the gaming world as Battlefield 3 attempts to knock Modern Warfare off its perch.
Both games are set for a release later this year, across all the major platforms.
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