More details for Battlefield 3’s update

More news on Battlefield 3’s upcoming update, last time we reported that updates in the weapons stats were expected, recently more information were given out.

DICE’s Alan Kertz has once again ‘come out of the dark’ and revealed more about the upcoming update when answering to a couple of questions (marked in bold below)

When asked if sniper rifles would be getting a fix in terms of their red dont/holo inaccuracy when trying to aim down sights: “Indeed”

When asked if the game could get an RPG rocket that fired at real-life speed but with realist inaccuracy: “Generally I try to stay away from inaccuracy as a balance mechanic.”

When asked if there is any chance of the Support class getting Heavy Barrel option like in the beta: “Maybe on the clip based weapons. It would be an interesting choice for them.”

When a BF3 fan said that he loved the .44 Magnum, but ‘don’t you think 5 hit kill at range is a little much. It has 6 rounds.’: “We agree, you and I.”

When asked if DICE is really thinking about nerving the javelin: “Wut? Against choppers a bit maybe.”

When a player says that they think the M320 should be removed, or that players shouldn’t be able to refill ammo for them (due to, in the player’s words, a ‘whole team using only M320′s is just annoying’): “The refill speed on them is too fast, will update.”

Also on the M320, when asked if it is near the top for most kills stats-wise: “No where close.”

When asked if an Underslung Rail on the L85 would be possible: “The L85 rail requires a substantial increase in hand guard length. Its not a prio for me at the moment.”

When asked if tracer darts might be brought from Bad Company 2 to Battlefield 3: “No tracer darts, the SOFLAM fills that role.”

That’s all that was revealed so far, although not so long ago, a side story showed up. It seems that Electronic Arts is currently having issues with Textron over a “realism” problem, so to speak.

For all who do not know, Textron is a parent company  of Bell Helicopter, manufacturer of helicopters (as its name suggest). Some of its models currently in production include the AH-1Z Viper (attack), UH-1Y (multipurpose/transport) and V-22 Osprey (transport, equipped with distinctive tilt-rotors), coincidentally enough, all three of these are very well represented in the game.

Therefore, as is customary in these times, a lawsuit was filled by Textron who demanded EA stop depicting its three Bell helicopters.

However, it’s not so easy for Textron, EA isn’t in as much trouble as one would think, since a landmark Supreme Court ruling in June that video games have the same free speech protections as other expressive works as film, books and music. In other words, aside from EA winning more frequently in cases similar to this one, it has been ruled that EA’s depiction of a recognizable yet unnamed aircraft without permission is within the bounds of free expression.

As to whether or not the current helicopters will remain in the game is not told, although it seems EA is pretty confident to be out of trouble for now.

Sources: TweakTown, TPU