Battlefield 3 is a 2011 first-person shooter game created by DICE and published by Electronic Arts. It is the twelfth game in the Battlefield series and follows Battlefield 2 (2005). The game was released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 in October 2011. The story takes place in multiple locations and follows two characters: Henry Blackburn, a U.S. Marine, and Dimitri Mayakovsky, a Spetsnaz GRU operative.

Development began in 2009 after Battlefield 1943 was released. DICE used an improved version of the Frostbite game engine to create realistic and interesting graphics. An open beta was made available forty-eight hours before the game’s release for gamers who pre-ordered the Medal of Honor Limited Edition.

After its announcement, Battlefield 3 generated a lot of excitement and interest. Critics mostly praised the game’s multiplayer features and graphics but pointed out weaknesses in the campaign and cooperative modes. It sold 5 million copies in its first week, making it one of the most successful games of 2011. The game’s follow-up, Battlefield 4, was released in 2013.

Gameplay

Battlefield 3 includes battles that combine different types of fighting in single-player, co-operative, and multiplayer modes. It brings back some features that were not in the Bad Company games, such as fighter jets, the ability to lie flat on the ground (prone position), and 64-player battles on PC. To match the smaller number of players on consoles, the ground area is smaller for Xbox 360 and PS3, but the space for flying remains the same.

The game includes maps set in Paris, Tehran, and other parts of Iran, Sulaymaniyah in Iraq, New York City, Wake Island, Oman, Kuwait City, and other areas in the Persian Gulf. These maps include city streets, busy downtown areas, and open spaces where vehicles can fight. Battlefield 3 introduces "Battlelog," a free online service that works across all platforms. It includes text messaging, voice chat, game stats, and the ability to join games that friends are playing (if both players are on the same platform).

A demo showing the new co-operative mode was shown at Gamescom 2011. Split-screen is not available. DICE stated that Battlelog would connect to all co-operative matches, letting players compete against friends' scores and track their progress. Playing co-operative mode lets players earn points to unlock extra content for multiplayer.

In multiplayer matches, players choose one of four roles: Assault, Support, Engineer, or Recon. The Assault class uses assault rifles and helps heal teammates. The Support class uses light machine guns and provides ammunition. The Engineer class helps build and destroy vehicles. The Recon class uses sniper rifles and spots enemies. Weapon mechanics were changed to work with the new engine: some weapons can have bipods attached, which improve accuracy and reduce recoil when used while lying down or near objects. Suppressive fire from weapons blurs vision, lowers accuracy, and stops health recovery. The Recon class can place a radio beacon anywhere on the map, allowing all squad members to spawn at the beacon's location.

The game includes several modes, such as Conquest, Rush, Squad Deathmatch, Squad Rush, and Team Deathmatch (which was not available since Battlefield 1942). More modes are available through downloadable content. The PC version starts through a web browser on the Battlelog website. Console versions include a server browser.

The servers for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Battlefield 4, and Battlefield Hardline closed on November 7, 2024.

Synopsis

In March 2014, U.S. Marine Sergeant Henry Blackburn (Gideon Emery) of the 1st Recon Marines is deployed to Sulaymaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan with his squadmates: Private First Class Jack Chaffin (Tony Denman), Lance Corporals David Montes (Ronan Summers) and Christian Matkovic (William Meredith), Staff Sergeant Steve Campo (Eric Loren), and Captain Quinton Cole (David Harewood). The squad is assigned the callsign Misfit 1-3. During a mission to disarm an IED, Chaffin is injured in an ambush by the People's Liberation and Resistance (PLR), an Iranian paramilitary group. Moments later, an earthquake destroys the city, but the squad escapes safely. The next day, the PLR leads a military takeover in Iran, prompting the United States to launch an invasion.

In October, after the U.S. Navy attacks Mehrabad Airport, Misfit is sent to Tehran to assess battle damage and capture Faruk Al-Bashir (Ray Haratian), the leader of the PLR. While investigating an underground bank vault near Al-Bashir’s suspected location, the squad discovers that the PLR has obtained Russian suitcase nukes, with two of the three devices missing. Overwhelmed by enemies, Misfit requests help from an M1 Abrams tank column, callsign Anvil 3 of the 1st Tank Battalion, led by Sergeant Jonathan Miller. Miller helps extract Misfit by helicopter, but his tank is destroyed and overrun while waiting for a Quick Reaction Force. Miller is captured, knocked unconscious, and executed by Al-Bashir and a man named Solomon (Mark Ivanir). The event is recorded and shared online.

In November, Misfit captures Al-Bashir, who dies after his escape vehicle crashes. Before dying, Al-Bashir reveals Solomon’s plan to detonate the nukes in Paris and New York City. From Al-Bashir’s cellphone, Misfit learns of Russian arms dealer Amir Kaffarov (Endre Hules), who worked with Solomon and Al-Bashir. They attempt to capture Kaffarov at his villa in northern Iran but encounter a Russian paratrooper battalion also searching for him. A battle ensues, during which Campo and Matkovic are killed in an enemy attack. Meanwhile, a Spetsnaz GRU squad led by Dimitri "Dima" Mayakovsky (Andre Sogliuzzo) attacks Kaffarov’s villa. Kaffarov tries to bribe the squad but is beaten by Dima. Blackburn arrives and finds Dima with a dead Kaffarov. Dima shares Solomon’s plan with Blackburn and asks for his help to avoid a war between their nations. Cole arrives, and Blackburn is forced to shoot him before Cole can kill Dima. Blackburn is then arrested and questioned by the CIA in Hunters Point, Queens.

While Blackburn is held captive, Dima’s squad fails to stop the attack on Paris, and a nuclear bomb detonates, killing 80,000 people. The CIA does not believe Blackburn’s claims because Solomon is a CIA asset, and there is no proof of his involvement. They accuse Russia instead, believing Dima tricked Blackburn. When Montes is also interrogated, he and Blackburn escape to stop the attack in New York. Blackburn evades police and sneaks onto a hijacked Long Island Rail Road train filled with Solomon’s men and explosives. He fights to the front car, where Solomon ambushes him. Blackburn triggers the detonator, causing the train to crash. He pursues Solomon through the sewers and onto the streets. Montes rescues Blackburn, and they chase Solomon and the PLR in a car crash that ends in Times Square. As people watch, Solomon shoots Montes. Blackburn kills Solomon by hitting him with a brick and stops the nuclear bomb from exploding.

The story ends with Dima surviving the Paris attack but suffering from radiation poisoning. He writes about his and Blackburn’s efforts to stop Solomon’s plan "to set fire to the world." A knock at his door suggests someone is approaching, and Dima prepares to defend himself.

Development

Battlefield 3's main platform was the PC at first, but it changed to consoles during development. The Xbox 360 version of Battlefield 3 is shipped on two discs because of the disc size limit, while the PS3 version uses one Blu-ray Disc. This game is the first in the series that does not support Windows versions older than Windows Vista, as it only works with DirectX 10 and 11. The PC version was only available on EA's Origin platform at first, where players also logged in to connect to the game. However, the game later became available on Steam in June 2020.

Battlefield 3 uses the new Frostbite 2 engine. This updated engine can show building and scenery destruction more realistically than earlier versions. It can also support large, busy urban areas, which previous versions could not. The game uses a new character animation technology called ANT, which was also used in EA Sports games like FIFA. For Battlefield 3, ANT was adapted to create more realistic soldiers who can move into cover, turn their heads before their bodies, and help fallen teammates to safety. EA said that Commander Mode would not be included, which caused some discussion on EA's forums.

On June 7, 2011, during Nintendo's E3 2011 press conference, John Riccitiello of EA expressed interest in Nintendo's upcoming system, the Wii U. Patrick Liu, the executive producer of Battlefield 3, said that DICE had no games in development for the Wii U at the time, and a version for the console "probably won't happen."

The open beta for Battlefield 3 started on September 29, 2011, for all platforms, and ended on October 10, 2011. Players who bought the Tier 1 edition of Medal of Honor or pre-ordered the digital version of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition through Origin received early access for 48 hours.

A soundtrack album was released on October 24, 2011, one day before the game launched. It is available on iTunes and Amazon. The music was composed by Johan Skugge and Jukka Rintamäki.

Battlefield 3 and its five DLC packs include many Easter eggs. Hidden in the game are references to other Electronic Arts games and franchises, such as Mirror's Edge and Mass Effect. Some Easter eggs are said to hint at future Battlefield games or DLC packs. For example, during a firefight in the mall to protect Al-Bashir, a store in the game displays a game titled "Frostbite," which refers to the engine used in Battlefield 3. A wall on the multiplayer map "Wake Island" has the number 2143, and a futuristic hovercraft on a different map in the End Game DLC has been linked to possible future projects related to Battlefield 2142.

Several dinosaur Easter eggs, such as a flying pterodactyl on the map "Nebandan Flats" and tyrannosaurus skulls or toy statues on various maps, have led some to believe a dinosaur-themed game or DLC might be released. The idea of a dinosaur-related minigame came from fan feedback on social media before Battlefield 3's release. However, EA has not confirmed any plans for these projects.

Marketing and release

Battlefield 3 was first announced on February 3, 2011, by Game Informer. The announcement included details about the game's development, interviews with the creator, DICE, and three trailers: a teaser and the first two parts of gameplay from the level "Fault Line." Additional trailers were later released, showing different parts of the game, such as single-player and multiplayer modes, and highlighting the new game engine. On August 16, 2011, a trailer showing co-op gameplay and a "Caspian Border Multiplayer Gameplay Trailer" was shown at Gamescom 2011. This trailer displayed co-op mode and the first footage of air combat.

Trailer releases increased in the week before the game's launch. EA released a multiplayer trailer that showed the variety of maps available in multiplayer mode, along with short gameplay scenes. It also included a map from the "Back to Karkand" downloadable content (DLC). EA also released a launch trailer that highlighted the different missions in the single-player campaign.

EA's CEO, John Riccitiello, said Battlefield 3 was designed to compete with the Call of Duty series. EA planned to spend over $100 million on marketing for Battlefield 3. Electronic Arts claimed the game was "flat out superior" to Call of Duty. EA said it would focus on marketing efforts early to create a strong presence for the game. People who watched a trailer for the movie Act of Valor through the Battlefield 3 website could get free downloadable dogtags for the game.

For marketing in Japan, EA partnered with Sega's Japanese branch to distribute the game nationwide. In January 2017, the game became compatible with the Xbox One (along with Battlefield: Bad Company 2) and was added to the EA Access service.

The game was removed from PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 stores on July 31, 2024. Online servers for both platforms were shut down on November 7, 2024.

All pre-orders of the Limited Edition included free access to the "Back to Karkand" DLC pack, which included four maps from Battlefield 2, ten new weapons, four new vehicles, five new achievements, and a new feature called "Assignments." The maps in the pack were: Strike at Karkand, Gulf of Oman, Wake Island, and Sharqi Peninsula.

Pre-ordering at certain retailers or through Origin included the "Physical Warfare Pack," which gave players exclusive weapons and items, such as a light machine gun, a sniper rifle accessory, and armor-piercing ammunition. It also included early access to the DAO-12 shotgun and other items. Initially, the "Physical Warfare Pack" was only available to pre-orders, but after negative feedback, EA made it free for all players later in the year. A trailer for the pack was released on YouTube on September 2, 2011.

All content except the "Back to Karkand" DLC was available from the game's launch. The "Back to Karkand" DLC was released on December 6, 2011, for PlayStation 3, and a week later for Xbox 360 and PC.

To play the online multiplayer mode on consoles, players needed an online pass. New copies of the game included one online pass for the original owner. Used copies or rented games required players to buy a separate online pass or use a 48-hour trial. Game designer Alan Kertz explained that the pass system was used because servers cost money and used games do not help developers earn income. Some online pass codes were invalid, and EA told affected customers to request replacement codes from retailers.

The first DLC, "Back to Karkand," was announced before the game's launch and released on December 13, 2011, for PC and Xbox 360. PlayStation 3 users received it a week earlier. It cost $15 but was free for those who bought the Limited Edition. The DLC included four remade maps from Battlefield 2, three new vehicles, and ten new weapons.

At GDC 2012, DICE announced three more DLCs. The second DLC, "Close Quarters," was released in June 2012. It included four infantry-focused maps, ten new weapons, HD Destruction, ten new assignments, five unique dogtags, and a new game mode called Conquest Domination.

The third DLC, "Armored Kill," was released on September 4, 2012, for premium PlayStation 3 users and September 11 for Xbox 360 and PC users. It was available to non-premium users on September 25, 2012. The DLC included new vehicles like tanks, ATVs, and mobile artillery, as well as new maps and what was called "the biggest map in Battlefield history."

A DLC titled "Aftermath" was revealed in a trailer for Battlefield 3 Premium. It was released to PlayStation 3 Premium users on November 27, 2012, and to PC and Xbox 360 Premium users on December 4, 2012. Non-Premium users received it later: PlayStation 3 users on December 11, 2012, and PC and Xbox 360 users on December 18, 2012. A video from DICE showed that a crossbow with customizable scopes and bolts would be included.

The fifth DLC, "End Game," was released to PlayStation 3 Premium users on March 5, 2013, and to PC and Xbox 360 Premium users on March 12, 2013. It was available to non-Premium users on March 19, 2013, for PlayStation 3, and March 26, 2013, for PC and Xbox 360. It was developed with Visceral Games.

Andy McNab wrote a related novel titled Battlefield 3: The Russian, which follows the story of GRU Spetsnaz commando Dmitri "Dima" Mayakovsky and his role against the PLR, as well as his connection to the antagonist, Solomon. McNab also advised the game on military tactics. The novel was released on October 25, 2011.

Reception

Battlefield 3 received mostly positive reviews. IGN gave it a score of 9.0 out of 10.0 for all platforms. The review praised the game’s graphics and multiplayer mode but noted some problems with the game engine. Despite these issues, the review stated, “Regardless of the narrative missteps or the occasional glitches, Battlefield 3 offers an unforgettable, world-class multiplayer suite that's sure to excite shooter fans.”

Joystiq awarded the game 4.5 out of 5 stars. The review said the campaign was “tactically linear” and the artificial intelligence (A.I.) was “murderously un-fun to fight.” The review also mentioned that the multiplayer experience had less destruction than expected, noting, “It's not Bad Company 2, and levels won't start out intact and end looking like the surface of the moon the way they often did in that game.” However, the review praised the multiplayer experience as “unmatched,” stating it should be the sole reason to buy the game.

GameSpot gave Battlefield 3 a score of 8.5 out of 10 across all platforms. The review praised the deep multiplayer mode, the variety of vehicles, well-designed environments, and a great reward system for team play. The cooperative mode was viewed favorably, though the review noted that “there aren't more of them to keep you busy.”

Official Xbox Magazine gave the game 9 out of 10, commending the multiplayer mode but criticizing the solo campaign. Official Xbox Magazine (UK) gave the game 8 out of 10, applauding its multiplayer gaming and calling it “The most expansive, refined Battlefield multiplayer yet.”

During Sony’s E3 2011 press conference, Jack Tretton of Sony Computer Entertainment of America announced that the PlayStation 3 version of the game would be bundled with a free copy of Battlefield 1943. However, at launch, the game was not included. EA then said Battlefield 3 PlayStation 3 owners would receive timed-exclusive DLC for the game instead. On 20 November 2011, a law firm named Edelson McGuire took EA to court on behalf of disappointed gamers. The complaint focused on EA’s communication of the change of plan and the second proposal with early DLC that had already been announced. Shortly after being threatened with being taken to court over its failure to deliver the free game as announced at E3 2011, EA announced they would offer owners of the PlayStation 3 version of Battlefield 3 a free downloadable copy of Battlefield 1943.

A scene in which the player is prompted to kill a rat that is attacking their character was criticized by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In a press release issued by the organization’s German office, it claimed that the game “treats animals in a sadistic manner.” The release also stated that the scene could have “a brutalising effect on the young male target audience.”

The reproduction of various scenes in Battlefield 3 are highly accurate of their real-life counterparts, such as the Grand Bazaar. Iran reacted to the scenes set within Iran by banning the sale of the game. As the game had not been officially released in the country, the authorities were strictly enforcing the prevention of the distribution of pirated copies of the game. This came after Iranian gamers had protested the release of the game and called for an apology.

According to EA, Battlefield 3 garnered 3 million pre-orders by the day of its release. The pre-order total makes it “the biggest first-person shooter launch in EA history,” according to the publisher. Two days after launch, EA CEO John Riccitiello announced via a conference call to investors that Battlefield 3 had already shipped 10 million units within a week of release, with 3 million of those being pre-orders. Electronic Arts stated that the title sold 5 million units within the first week of availability, easily becoming its fastest-selling game. After one month, EA chief financial officer Eric Brown announced Battlefield 3 had sold 8 million copies, and that the publisher had shipped 12 million copies of the game to retailers, 2 million more than it shipped for launch week. Peter Moore, the high-profile COO of EA, insisted that Battlefield 3 successfully captured a slice of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s market share. On 29 June 2012, EA revealed that the game had sold 15 million copies.

In the United States, Battlefield 3 was the top-selling game in the month of October and the third best-selling title in November. Overall, the game was the fourth best-selling title of 2011.

In Japan, Battlefield 3 had sold around 123,379 copies for the PlayStation 3 and 27,723 copies for the Xbox 360 when it was released. In the first week, the game had sold 18,792 copies for the PlayStation 3 for a total of 142,171 copies. The PlayStation 3 version later sold 8,094 copies for a total of 150,265 copies.

• Best Shooter, 2011 IGN People's Choice Award
• Best Multiplayer Game, 2011 IGN People's Choice Award
• Best Xbox 360 Shooter, Best of 2011 IGN Award & 2011 IGN People's Choice Award
• Best Xbox 360 Multiplayer Game, Best of 2011 IGN Award & 2011 IGN People's Choice Award
• Best PS3 Shooter, 2011 IGN People's Choice Award
• Best PS3 Multiplayer Game, Best of 2011 IGN Award & 2011 IGN People's Choice Award
• Best PC Shooter, Best of 2011 IGN Award & 2011 IGN People's Choice Award
• Best PC Multiplayer Game, Best of 2011 IGN Award & 2011 IGN People's Choice Award

During the 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences awarded Battlefield 3 with “Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design,” along with nominations for “Action Game of the Year” and outstanding achievement in “Art Direction,” “Connectivity,” “Online Gameplay,” and “Visual Engineering.”