Expect to see lots more of Battlelog in the coming years. EA have bought ESN the company who built Battlefield 3's browser based stat tracking/social network/game launcher site. Gamasutra highlight a statement from the company suggesting that they'll be hunkering down with DICE for a while to "focus all of its energy on DICE, Battlelog and the Battlefield series."
The move dovetails nicely with EA's determination to add an online component to every game they ship, whether that be a multiplayer mode, or a series of apps and social services that exist in parallel with each game. Need for Speed's autolog system is another example. EA's Frank Gibeau recently pointed out that “today, all of our games include online applications and digital services that make them live 24/7/365.”
Battlelog's stat tracking tech works well, but it's still a clunky, shoddy way to get into a game, especially if you're trying to do it with a squad of friends. Backing out of the game with every server switch is also a pain. Hopefully the version that ships with Battlefield 4 next year will deliver a much smoother experience.
Overwatch 2's new tank hero will be playable for a short time only this Friday, and so far, Hazard looks like he'll be a treat for brawlers
Valve signed a deal for Counter-Strike 2 in 2003 because they were 'running on fumes', and Gabe Newell was so happy he made a celebratory knife with his own hands
