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| '''''Battlefield 1942''''' is an expansive ] (FPS) set in ] developed by ] and published by ] for the and Macintosh (2004) |
'''''Battlefield 1942''''' is an expansive ] (FPS) set in ] developed by ] and published by ] for the ] and Macintosh (2004). The game can be played single-player against ]s, but most of the focus has been on its support for large-scale, ] ] games. On average, there are 1700 or more servers running ''Battlefield 1942'', with up to 64 players competing on each. | ||
| It combines realistic ] with gameplay more extensive than the average FPS. Players are able to fly ] and ]s, captain ]s and ]s, man coastal defenses, drive ]s and ]s, or just fight as one of several classes of ]. Some believe that ''Battlefield 1942'' has one of the most realistic ] available in FPSs on the market. Each battle takes place on one of several maps located in a variety of places and famous battlefields in both the Pacific and European Theaters. While the combat is always ] versus ], the location determines which specific armies are used (for example, on the ] map, it is ] versus the ], while on the ] map, it is ] versus the ]). | It combines realistic ] with gameplay more extensive than the average FPS. Players are able to fly ] and ]s, captain ]s and ]s, man coastal defenses, drive ]s and ]s, or just fight as one of several classes of ]. Some believe that ''Battlefield 1942'' has one of the most realistic ] available in FPSs on the market. Each battle takes place on one of several maps located in a variety of places and famous battlefields in both the Pacific and European Theaters. While the combat is always ] versus ], the location determines which specific armies are used (for example, on the ] map, it is ] versus the ], while on the ] map, it is ] versus the ]). | ||
Revision as of 23:26, 12 July 2004
Battlefield 1942 is an expansive first-person shooter (FPS) set in World War II developed by Digital Illusions CE and published by Electronic Arts for the PC and Macintosh (2004). The game can be played single-player against bots, but most of the focus has been on its support for large-scale, multiplayer Internet games. On average, there are 1700 or more servers running Battlefield 1942, with up to 64 players competing on each.
It combines realistic 3D graphics with gameplay more extensive than the average FPS. Players are able to fly fighter aircraft and bombers, captain battleships and aircraft carriers, man coastal defenses, drive tanks and jeeps, or just fight as one of several classes of infantry. Some believe that Battlefield 1942 has one of the most realistic physics engines available in FPSs on the market. Each battle takes place on one of several maps located in a variety of places and famous battlefields in both the Pacific and European Theaters. While the combat is always Axis versus Allies, the location determines which specific armies are used (for example, on the Iwo Jima map, it is Japan versus the United States, while on the Battle of Britain map, it is Germany versus the United Kingdom).
Since its release on September 11, 2002, there have been dozens of mods (modifications) developed by independent gamers (see list of Battlefield 1942 mods). Each mod changes the gameplay by adding new content, gameplay balance, or both. The most famous of these, Desert Combat, moves the setting to modern combat in the Middle East.
The creators of Battlefield 1942 have released expansion packs entitled Battlefield 1942: Road to Rome and another, Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII. Both includes the addition of various new gameplay modes and design concepts. Road to Rome features a focus on the Italian battles and Secret Weapons focuses on prototype, experimental, and rarely used weapons. Downloadable patches fix bugs in the game and sometimes add extra content (such as the aforementioned Battle of Britain map).
Battlefield 1942 was a development of the less successful Codename Eagle (2000) computer game which was set in an alternate-history World War I. It featured a single and multiplayer modes. The earlier engine had more arcade-style physics and a less realistic focus the its sequel. A fan-made port of the game to the Battlefield 1942 engine, compatible with the 1.45 patch was made though. In continuation of the series, Digital Illusions developed a sequel to Battlefield 1942 called Battlefield Vietnam. It has conceptual similarities to the Desert Combat mod, except that instead of present-day helicopters and tanks, it features Vietnam War-era weapons comprising the game's arsenal. Its new features include a new game engine that heavily uses normal mapping, multiple weapons for most classes, and new maps.
More patches and maps may still be released in the future for Battlefield 1942, and a Mac compatible version of BF1942 is also being attempted. A huge amount of content is available in the form of its many mods, with a unknown amount still to be added. With the release of its sequel, another full-blown expansion pack is unlikely. However, its port to Mac is expected to add a new influx of players. Also, the possibility of it being released for a game console (such as the PlayStation 2) or for Linux cannot be ruled out.
Milestones:
- March 15, 2004 - 3 million copies sold, BF1942's sequel, Battlefield Vietnam released
- October 10, 2003 - 2 million copies sold
- September 4, 2003 - Secret Weapons released
- August 8, 2003 - Battlefield 1942 Secret Weapons demo released (Hellendorn map)
- February 2, 2003 - Road to Rome released
- 2003 - 6th annual Interactive Achievement Awards, BF1942 receives awards for:
- "Online Gameplay"
- "Innovation in PC Gaming"
- "PC Game of the Year"
- "Game of the Year"
- September 10, 2002 - Battlefield 1942 released
- August 16, 2002 - Battlefield 1942 multiplayer demo released (Wake map)
- July 19, 2002 - Battlefield 1942 single-player demo released (Tobruk map)