Official DICE servers disappear from Battlefield 3

[garyopa]

Also, EA explains...



Looks like console gamers are reporting that the official DICE servers for BF 3 multiplayer have been completely withdrawn. However, EA says dev is not shutting them down...

Console gamers have reported that official DICE servers for Battlefield 3 multiplayer have been completely withdrawn, and now the game is largely playable only on private rented servers.

Apparently, this is related to the bold move of introducing a server-rental scheme to console versions of the game.

Initially there were plenty of official DICE and EA servers running concurrently with the new private servers. Over the past week, however, console players have noticed the official servers disappearing, to the point where DICE-managed servers are no longer visible on either PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360.

Running a search on the PS3 version of Battlefield 3 this morning — by looking for the prefix P24 and the letters PRGM — I managed to track down just 17 EA-run servers. I could not find a single official DICE server. Compare this to the hundreds of private servers that were up and running, with names such as “Heaven & Hell,” “Guerilla_hilbily’S SERVER” [sic], and “Just 4 Fun 24/7” — most of which were completely empty. Anything with the word DICE in the title was simply a rented server with the official name dropped in by the host.

This what a few users said:

“I haven’t played in over two weeks because of it; abusive admins and 2000% ticket servers are everywhere and I can’t seem to find a normal server with vanilla BF3. I thought Rent-a-server was not going to affect my habits of gaming, but it seems I was wrong.”

[...]

“I’m looking for official DICE/EA servers on the Xbox 360. There are none. You took that out, and let kids pay for your hosting.”

According to Electronic Arts, "DICE is not shutting down servers," but they did confirm that the apparent lack of official servers comes from community members claiming servers.

"If DICE-managed servers appear unavailable, it is because they have been rented and customized by players."

"Custom Servers have always been extremely popular with Battlefield PC players. With Battlefield 3, we've introduced a Custom Servers program to console gamers. Response has been overwhelmingly positive. Custom Servers gives players the ability to tailor the settings and parameters of a given server, which directly affects gameplay. It also gives players more choice as they select which server and gameplay style they like best."

"As with any new innovation, there may be some confusion among players who are experiencing Custom Servers for the first time. We encourage players to use server filters and 'favorite' options to find the servers that best suit their play style," the rep advised us.

Well, there you go. However, this is what DICE community manager Daniel Matros, also said: “I’ve heard this for a while now and the feedback has gotten louder. This is definitely something I will raise when I get back into the studio tomorrow.”



"Dynamic" eh? Let's hope all these concerns get addressed soon.

"We have enormous respect for the Battlefield community and are listening to the feedback. It is our #1 priority to ensure all players are having the best possible play experience," the rep told us. "DICE will continue to add servers and will reserve a percentage of servers for players who prefer to connect through DICE-hosted servers."

NEWS SOURCE #1: http://venturebeat.com/2012/05/09/of...battlefield-3/
NEWS SOURCE #2: http://www.shacknews.com/article/737...-battlefield-3

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news story!

[Captain N1]

i prefer private servers. the admins/mods actually care about the players and ban cheating noobs. so good we don't need the DICE servers.

[billysastard]

i prefer private servers. the admins/mods actually care about the players and ban cheating noobs. so good we don't need the DICE servers.

how about those who just want to play a normal game, or those really fantastic players who are getting chucked off servers simply because they are too good for the server owner, its almost like going back to quakenet.