Battlefield 3

Pontus Ryman, Level Artist at DICE, has decided to share a few details about one of the latest maps coming to Battlefield 3 in the Aftermath DLC pack, Epicenter.

“With Aftermath having a post-earthquake city theme I was eager to take what had been established in the single player campaign and bring that into our dynamic multiplayer environment. Just like in the previous expansion pack Armored Kill, the environments in Aftermath are a feature in themselves,” he explains.

Ryman revealed that–similar to the single-player earthquake section–Epicenter will have the players experience aftershocks while fighting, shaking the player and throwing their aim off. “The aftershocks in the level go off with a randomized timer, so no one knows when the next shock is going to hit, making it a dynamic experience. The raw sound of the thundering earthquake combines with everything from car alarms going off to dogs barking in the distance just before the shake and debris with dust falling from buildings. Coupled with the literal shaking of the player, it really creates a unique multiplayer experience.”

This unique feature adds a new element to gameplay, the random tremors mean that players will never be able to prepare for them, this adds a quickfire decision element to the game, do you go for the shot or hold off until you can steady your aim? Some of the more skilled players will be able to take advantage of these windows.

The map also includes multiplayer routes for players to take thanks to the rubble and destruction, there are hidden doors that can be broken down offering flanking opportunities and broken pipes for quick navigation of the map while avoiding overhead fire.

“I wanted these interior areas to make sense, so each area was designed to fit their placement. For example if you destroy any of the doors that are placed around the hotel, you will find the maintenance and janitor access routes where the hotel staff used to be working. The same goes for the garage ramp staircase access route. These routes are not meant to be main gameplay areas, but I wanted the level to feel more expansive and give a sense that there is more behind it than meets the eye. These areas also create some interesting gameplay twists that will ask players to adapt their strategy as the round progresses,” Ryman adds.

The team also spent a lot of time getting the look and feel of the map just right, it wasn’t a simple task of just smashing up some buildings and wrecking the streets, every detail had to be thought out and executed well. Streets had to be cracked along specific realistic paths, buildings had to cave in and crumble not just look like a bomb had gone off in them. It’s these little nuances that make Epicenter a joy of a map to behold. You can see it for yourself in the video below.

What do you think of the map? Share your thoughts in the comments below.