Battlefield 4 fans looking forward to the launch of the new game on October 29th for Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3, and PC will be interested to learn that the game’s developers, DICE, have now increased the Battlefield 4 squad count to 5 from 4 after players asked for bigger squad sizes.
Why the Increase in Squad Size?
DICE’s Aleksander Grondal explained to Joystiq a little more about their decision to increase the Battlefield 4 squad count to 5, explaining:
“They’ve been asking for bigger squads,”-“We believe five is a good figure. It allows for more team-based gameplay, basically. You have more options and you can spawn in more places.”
The decision to increase the squad size was not made lightly. The developers took into account extensive feedback from the gaming community. Players felt that a larger squad size would enhance the cooperative experience and make the game more engaging. By allowing more players to join a single squad, the game encourages better communication and strategy among team members. This change is expected to make the gameplay more dynamic and immersive, as players can now coordinate more complex maneuvers and tactics.
Historical Context and Design Choices
Continuing when asked why the previous squad count was only 4, Grondal elaborated: “It was a design choice back then – forgive me, I don’t exactly remember why it was chosen four. You know, it feels like light years ago from previous games,”-“But five is a little better; it gives a bit more flexibility and more interesting choices.”
The original squad size of 4 was a design decision that made sense at the time for various reasons, including balancing gameplay and ensuring that matches were not overly chaotic. However, as the Battlefield series has evolved, so have the expectations and desires of its player base. The increase to 5 players per squad reflects a shift towards more inclusive and strategic gameplay.
In previous Battlefield games, the smaller squad size sometimes limited the ability to execute complex strategies, as players had fewer teammates to rely on. With the new squad size, players can now have a more diverse range of roles within a single squad, such as medics, engineers, and snipers, making it easier to adapt to different combat situations.
Moreover, the ability to spawn in more places adds another layer of strategy. Players can now choose from a wider array of spawn points, making it harder for opponents to predict their movements and set up ambushes. This change is expected to make matches more unpredictable and exciting.
The increase in squad size also aligns with the overall trend in multiplayer games towards larger, more inclusive teams. Games like “Call of Duty” and “Apex Legends” have also experimented with different team sizes to find the optimal balance between chaos and coordination. By increasing the squad size to 5, Battlefield 4 aims to offer a more balanced and enjoyable experience for both casual and competitive players.
The decision to increase the Battlefield 4 squad count to 5 is a thoughtful response to player feedback and a strategic move to enhance the game’s team-based dynamics. This change is expected to make the game more engaging, offering players more flexibility and interesting choices in how they approach each match.
Source: Joystiq
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