Bad Company 2 BETA Update

For those who play the closed BETA an update is now available when you start to play.

Details:
This update is about performance and stability again. We are not doing any changes to the game's datafiles.

* Reduced input "lag"
On machines where the CPU would out-run the GPU, sometimes the GPU would queue up several frames' worth of rendering commands.
This could lead to the game having a high framerate, but input still feeling very sluggish.

Now there's a limiter on how many frames the CPU is allowed to be "ahead" of the GPU.
Control this setting via Settings.ini. Default setting: RenderAheadLimit=2

* Performance optimizations with biggest improvements on dual-core machines
* Fixed black "masks"
o The soot on buildings with holes in them had a bugged renderpath. We switched that over to a more well-tested renderpath.
* Improved hit-detection
o We've gone through the hit detection logic, and client+server will now give more consistent results.
* Fix for some "rubberbanding" issues
o C4 should stay attached to vehicles and not rubberband around
* Reduced spikes/dips in framerate
* Various fixes for alt+tab related CTD on Dx9
* More fixes for random CTD on Dx9
* Fix for crash when you're in a vehicle that gets destroyed

There was a race condition in the code;
System 1 thought "oh hey, you're leaving vehicle X"
System 2 thought "the vehicle got destroyed, let's remove it"

If system 2 ran before system 1, chaos would ensue.
This was actually fixed in the retail version since a month, but it was only when we got detailed crash reports from the community that we understood *why* the Beta was crashing.

Likely bugs in this build
I wouldn't be surprised if it (still) has trouble remembering your settings between rounds. It would be nice to have that fixed too, but it's better to get a patch out now, and look at the settings issues afterward.

-Mikael Kalms

 

Cool, I have not given the beta much of a chance just did not feel too fun to play. Nothing at all like BF2 or BF2142. But when the full game comes out with more maps and stuff it should be better.

 

Yeehaa! Just tried this update and it now makes it playable on 32player servers with my dual core laptop

 

I didnt experience any improvement in FPS aside from the hit detection upgrade.

Although the game now feels "jumpy" to me. Well they'll fix it.

 

cool anymore feedback regarding dual cores that was once sluggish now better would be nice =)

 

My minimum frames-per-second went from 20, before the patch, to 40 after in dx10 @ ALL MEDIUM settings.

The hit-reg is also much better. Good job dice, this was a fantastic update to the BETA.

I will now be keeping my pre-order, especially if the RTM is even more optimized.

Apparently im not the only one seeing drastic improvements: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1150880

 

awesome, there's still a very small chance of it running on M11x. On the safe side, I have it pre-ordered on 360 via amazon with $20 video game credit back =D

 

Dang, I may just have to go and pre-order again after cancelling once, I was so ticked at the performance, the way it was implemented, and lack of prone. But I may just have to give it another shot.

 

This update is huge, DICE did an amazing job listening to people using dual cores. They will most likely be getting a lot more preorders/ and reorders from this update. I was content with the game before the update, I was getting 30-40 in heavy combat and 40-60 with little going on screen. Now I'm getting 45-55 in combat, and 60-80 with nothing going on.

I'm on a Asus G51vx-RX05 -- upgraded with a T9900 running at 3.3/4
running at native 1366*768
dx10
2x AA
8x AF
bloom, HBAO, and vsync off
high textures
medium detail and effects
low shadows

 

Hmmm i dint experience any difference at all...

looks like my rig was already optimized from the start.

Some thoughts:

I dont really prefer sniping. I tried it but could not get any kill. I HIT the enemy but they still live.

I play in San jose server's and my ping is around 170-180. That may be he reason. I'll try sniping again in LAN in GG. I really miss knifing i tend to have late reactions in the game. SO every time i miss a knife or even die even before i knew what hit me....

I always say to myself "Wait until I play in servers with low ping, if i can be an ace player with high ping what more if i have low ping"

I usually am a rusher planting c4 and such when Attacking or a Medic when defending.

For those who criticize people who c4 rush then maybe think that your teammates are not really defending it. in the last part and 2nd part of the map where point A and B are secluded i tend to always stay there just waiting. No action BUT i do know the importance of my position. Maybe you should assign guys to defend it.
__________________

 

You cancelled your order, judging out from a beta? :|

 

No he said he order again. He may be experia=encing bad frames in the BETA before the update.

 

So how do u guys think an 8800 gts w/ a t9300 and 4gb of ddr2 ram would run this game now? I have a ps3 as well with a 46inch tv so I cant decide if I want to do ps3 or computer. I am kinda OCD about running on max resolution so that would be 1920x1080 on my laptop.

 

Go with the PS3 version. I own all the platforms (360, PS3, PC) and the game is just as fun on either of them. The PC does have a little more action, but in terms of performance my laptop gets an avg of 24-30 fps even with the new update on all high, 0 AA, 16 AF, V-sync and HBAO off at 1920 x 1080 resolution. So if you're looking at playing on high settings with good performance then the console will do just that.

 

Based on performance and the gameplay, and the fact that I got a $20 pre-order from Barnes & Noble instead that was eventually cancelled due to a mistake I was a little irritated due to lack of prone, but I'm over it now, and the latest patch seems to address performance issues. Although I'm not sure I'm completely sold yet on the way the game plays out. Die much more frequently than in BF2, almost too hectic pace and enemies are/were difficult to kill even though you blasted them in the head ten times.

But I'll give it another shot.

 

Theres no SLi support for the game yet. So m17x's aren't performing well in it yet I'm basically running it on a desktop 8800gt and its playable @ high 0aa 16af @ high 1440x900. IMO performance is good now.

 

With the new Catalyst 10.3 Beta, the G73 is getting average 59 FPS after this update. Impressive.

 

@ what settings?

 

Hey, I noticed a great performance increase with this update as well... just ran a game, and at the same settings, I went from mid 20's to 40's, it's now mid 30's on up to 60+, and usually in the upper 40's to mid 50's....

Definitely a great update! Now I'm really excited to get the full game! I was worried about performance, but not now.

 

Great, now maybe I shouldn't swap out my P9700 2.8GHz for a Quad Core Q9200 2.4GHz. But I already ordered it...

 

Nah, quadcore will be really good in the next 6months to a year. I wish I could get a quad in mine, but I really don't want to upgrade a system I have had less than 5 months. It would make me feel dirty.

 

Hmm if only the M11x had a chance in hell of playing this (A) we can all dream though

 

I was convinced it never would before this update, but honestly, curous now, it might on low. My "smoothness" seemed to have doubled with this update on my G51 (T9300). Framerate went up of course, but also smoothed out the dips as well.... may still be hope!

 

HA, this update definitely helped the Core2 guys like me, but I'd still take a Quad if I could get it... just can't run one in my Asus, or else there would already be one in it... so enjoy!

 

I have to say BC2 wherever i go sounds good But im sure if there is ever a i3/i5 refresh itl finally be able to be a competent portable gaming device

 

Hello mate.

I have been playing this on my Sony CW with C2D @2.5ghz and gt230m
Since the update I am now getting 30-70fps so to simulate your M11x I locked my CPU to 6x (so 1.6ghz) and on a 32man server I was getting 20-40fps so I think this will be quite playable for you.
Bear in mind your gfx card is better and I am sure the performance of the actual game will also be better in the retail version

 

thanks for that ninja =) future M11x owner

 

I was given a beta key so as long as my M11x gets here Monday or Tuesday I'll give feedback ASAP on BC2, otherwise I think the beta ends 3/25?

 

It's now playable for me at 1920x1200, all high, 4X AA, and 8X AF.

 

hi im considering upgrading my CPU or OC it as i have poor p8400 and have to be honest doesnt perform very well on BC2.. I'm getting really smooth frame rates when indoors or small areas however when i get into battefield its like 20-40-50 depends. I have 9600m gt O/Ced (3Dmark06 score= 7300points) . so i think im quite ok here to play on medium. I checked my cpu and its constantly 100% when playing. Do you think i would gain much performance upgrading to p9700 2.8mhz ? I would go quad but its 45W a bit too much for my 13.3 laptop. I turend all the settings to low as well as the resolution (im playing at native 1280x800) but it didnt gain much cause of again the CPU... Can someone give a proffesional opinion on that plz... The game is awesome an i wanna play it with no issues when released...

 

I have a T9600 and it plays "OK" I want a Quad now haha.

 

what do u mean by ok ? what FPS u get?

 

omg, I ve just read that BC2 will have dedicated server support!! I'm gonna pre order it tomorrow after work. One question though ... how well I can expect it to run it on my 9262?

 

Can they extend the beta until the release date at least? I would hate to go through a few days without playing this. OK means 40-50 fps low settings btw drops to 30s in heavy combat.

 

I can't download the latest beta. It says not available, do I want to play the old one. I say yes, and it's well populated. What is the version of this new one? I have 511270 and says latest is 519072.

I want to test this on my M11x before the beta ends tomorrow! Help! Thanks.

 

Well, I ended up playing a few rounds with my M11x and whatever version I'm at with low settings, O/C CPU (1.6 or 1.73?) and native resolution of 1366x768, default drivers, default GPU clocks. I am getting avg mid 20's. It's very playable and looks a lot better than I thought it would at low detail.

 

They will probably need to take the servers down to put the "finishing touches" on.

 

Check out my BFBC2 Beta very brief video on YouTube.

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yeah, that's about how mine was running, a bit better at 1280x720 that I was using and forced DX9 mode, I get right around 22-28 for the most part, with the occasional dips like you were getting. Hoping the retail version is a bit better or a newer driver streamlines things just a bit... it's so close to being really enjoyable, but not quite there.

 

Yep this is the #1 reason I've heard for throwing MW2 to the side for BC2.

I would guess that it looks good on lows res on low res screens, but look considerably worse on a high res screen on low res?

 

I recorded a video of how Bad Company 2 Beta ran on my XPS M1730 at 1920x1200 DX9, mostly medium settings except Shadows set to High and Terrain set to High. I can´t see any huge difference between medium and high settings, I heard that the high settings weren´t unlocked or something, not sure.

Anyway it runs pretty good as can be seen and this is the multiplayer too and recorded before the last update which yielded even better performance

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1DVYoDjNtk

 

I wish my BC2 game performed that well with those settings. I have found though that the difference from a server with 24 people on to 32 people makes a HUGE performance difference.

I hope the RTM performs better.

 

I haven't verified this, but read somewhere that DICE claimed the high settings in Beta are not the same high settings in retail, retail version high setting supposedly even higher.

 

Nice to hear ziddy, I think the game looks awesome as it is, but if they have even higher settings then I will probably drool


Nauticus a tip to improve performance is to set the sound to earphones, sound uses up a lot of CPU usage also setting the RenderAhead=2 to 0 improved performance for me.

 

Haven't made it home from work yet, but when are they going to turn all the servers off?

 

how can anyone play a game ESPECIALLY a fps at 20ish fps is way beyond me ><

 

I can't connect, they shut down?

 

How anyone thinks they need 60fps for a game to be playable is beyond me.

Yeah, today was supposed to be the last day. I was hoping they'd just keep it going until release day to let people have some fun.

 

How do you get the demo? There isn't even a place to download the sucker. Do you need like a code or something? Also, where do you even download?

edit: I just signed up for their beta thingy. I hope I can get it!!!

 

Lmao.... Umm hate to say so but today was the last day for beta. The game comes out next week.