Battlefield 3's multiplayer maps detailed

Battlefield 3's nine maps have all been detailed by DICE.

October 14, 2011 1:15 PM

Why does Battlefield 3 feature the multiplayer maps it does? "Creating levels at DICE is a democratic affair, and a process that is ruled in equal amounts by art and gameplay design," DICE's David McDonagh said. At the start of the design process, DICE's artists and level designers mocked a few potential levels. Then, the team votes on which maps would make "the most compelling and diverse package." Ultimately, the team whittled down the list of maps down to nine. These maps are the ones "that combined bring out everything we want both veteran and new Battlefield players to experience in Battlefield 3 multiplayer." Caspian Border It is one of the few "lush and green" maps included in the game, and is considered an "obvious map choice" for players that want to play with vehicles. "Base distances are generally too long to cover by foot," DICE explains, which is why nearly every type of vehicle is available in this map.

Damavand Peak

Damavand Peak Called "Base Jump" internally at DICE, this map takes place on a mountain ridge above a mining facility, and thus, "features our most extreme height differences ever in a Battlefield map." Because of the change in terrain, vehicle gameplay becomes more prevalent the further you progress in the map. Grand Bazaar Set in the urban center of Tehran, it is a "classically mirrored map" so that both sides will take very similar paths. It's a close quarter combat map "where shotguns tend to be favored." Kharg Island One of the few maps with boat gameplay, Kharg Island is set in the Persian sea, not far from the Iranian coast. This is one of the more vehicle-friendly map, thanks to the longer distance between flags. Noshahar Canals "We wanted to contrast the urban and rural with something more industrial," DICE explains. Being an industrial harbor, the canals feature a mix of infantry, land vehicle, and boat gameplay. Because it's a much smaller map than other vehicle maps, there's "tighter infantry combat."

Operation Firestorm

Operation Firestorm This is one of the largest maps in the game, and is "classic Battlefield gameplay taken to the extremes." According to DICE, "you could actually place three Atacama Deserts" within the playable confines of Firestorm. "Construction sites dotting the area bring interesting possibilities for infantry to hide in elevated positions, spot vehicles, and take them down by mortar or RPG." Operation Métro This is the map from E3 and the open beta. "It is a map that perfectly illustrates that we want to take our players on a journey," DICE says. Because of its diverse sections, "it's a map that asks you to constantly adapt your class and load out."

Operation Metro

Seine Crossing Yet another Parisian map, this one features a bank building--one of the largest indoor environments in the game. "Infantry can sneak through tight alleyways and climb staircases." Tehran Highway "One of the inspirations for this map was a photo of a night time skyline of Tehran which now is basically the same vista that is available in the game." This nighttime map is balanced for both vehicles and infantry, starting in an open area, but ending with an urban "tight note."

Tehran Highway

Battlefield 3 is coming to PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on October 25.

Andrew Yoon

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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October 14, 2011 1:15 PM

Andrew Yoon posted a new article, Battlefield 3's multiplayer maps detailed.

Battlefield 3's nine maps have all been detailed by DICE.
- tnyswonger
  
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  October 14, 2011 1:39 PM
  
  Can't wait to play the full game! Beta was fun to test my new rig out on and get a taste for the action.
- ShineDaGreatest
  
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  October 14, 2011 1:56 PM
  
  All the maps looks amazing seriously can't wait
- DM7
  
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  October 14, 2011 2:00 PM
  
  Op Firestorm is going to be great. :)
  - Finchypoo
    
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    October 14, 2011 4:13 PM
    
    agreed, that video released showing it off looks amazing.
- jacobvandy
  
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  October 14, 2011 2:53 PM
  
  Pretty crappy screenshot presentation today... I was hoping for more high-res ones like with part one, and not half of them over-stylized thumbnails.
- deject
  
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  October 14, 2011 4:19 PM
  
  I want to play the shit out of Tehran Highway. Night time maps are awesome.
- OutlawSundown
  
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  October 14, 2011 5:01 PM
  
  I'll at least some one positive thing about metro it did cause me to adjust loadouts from section to section.
- pizzaput
  
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  October 15, 2011 9:57 AM
  
  A lot of people are unhappy with the map sizes and designs. There is an index of their threads on the official BF3 forums:
  
  http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/battlefield-3/1438307-my-body-isnt-ready-dice-index-threads-about-communitys-concerns.html
  
  It kind of seems that DICE is declaring CoD the winner with BF3, because it has sold out its characteristics in order to be like CoD, with smaller maps that are much more infantry based.
  - wytefang
    
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    October 15, 2011 3:36 PM
    
    I don't know. I find that heavy vehicle maps that are TOO large end up just being a "who can grab a vehicle" quickest contest, which isn't much fun if you can't get a vehicle (obviously). I'm far more interested in smaller maps OR maps that somehow find a way to combine good infantry fighting with the ability to bring vehicles into the mix, as needed.
    
    If they can swing both of those aspects into most of the maps, it should be cool.
    - Finchypoo
      
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      October 16, 2011 1:05 AM
      
      This was always my beef with Heavy Metal in BC2
      - pizzaput
        
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        October 16, 2011 8:34 AM
        
        Heavy Metal wasn't a good map. Larger Battlefield 2 maps like Road Rage, Dragon Valley, Dalian Plant and FuShe Pass never had that problem.
        
        fw_rams
        
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        October 16, 2011 10:35 AM
        
        ^ this
- terylene
  
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  October 16, 2011 2:08 AM
  
  I wonder if you can actually base jump from one area to the next on Damavand Peak, that would be cool.
- sweetnutz
  
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  October 16, 2011 12:52 PM
  
  Road to Jalalabad and Mashtuur city remakes would be awesome.