Battlefield 4 is a 2013 first-person shooter game created by DICE and published by Electronic Arts. It was released in October and November for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It is the thirteenth part of the Battlefield series and follows Battlefield 3, which was released in 2011. The game takes place six years later in a fictional war called the "War of 2020."
Battlefield 4 received good reviews for its multiplayer mode, gameplay, and graphics. However, some people criticized its single-player story and reported many technical problems in multiplayer. The game sold more than seven million copies.
In July 2024, the game was removed from sale on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Online servers for these platforms stopped working on November 7, 2024.
Gameplay
The game's heads-up display (HUD) includes two small rectangles. In the lower left corner, there is a mini-map and compass for navigation, along with a simple message about the player's goal above it. In the lower right corner, there is a small counter showing how much ammo the player has and a meter showing their health. In the top right corner, the screen shows messages about players being killed in the game. On the Windows version, the top left corner has a chat window when playing with others online. Both the mini-map and the main game screen use symbols to show three types of characters: blue for allies, green for squadmates, and orange for enemies. This symbol system is used everywhere in the game. The game also allows players who have trouble seeing colors to change the symbols to different color options, such as tritanomaly, deuteranomaly, and protanomaly.
Players can customize their weapons in many ways. Primary and secondary weapons can be changed with attachments, colors, or designs called "skins." Most weapons can switch between firing modes, like automatic, semi-automatic, or burst fire, to help players adapt to different situations. Players can "spot" enemies, which means showing their location to their team on the mini-map and with a triangle icon above the enemy. This feature is available in both the single-player story and multiplayer mode. The game's bullet system has been improved, making it harder to aim at enemies from medium to long distances. Players also have more abilities, such as blocking melee attacks while standing or crouching, shooting with their sidearm while swimming, and diving underwater to avoid being seen. Other abilities include reloading while running, sprinting without limits, lying down, and jumping over obstacles.
The single-player story has different features compared to multiplayer. Players often move through small, open areas, sometimes using vehicles like tanks and boats. The main character, Recker, can use two special tools: the "Engage" command, which tells squadmates to attack enemies in Recker's view, and the tactical binocular, which helps identify enemies, weapons, explosives, and objectives. If Recker loses the binocular, he must rely only on the "Engage" command to direct his team.
The story includes missions that unlock weapons for use in multiplayer. Collectible weapons and dog tags, which can be used in multiplayer, are also included. Weapon crates are found in levels, giving players ammo and the chance to switch weapons. Default weapons are in crates, but collectible weapons can be used anytime they are found, and level-specific weapons can be used after completing certain missions.
In multiplayer, three factions—United States, China, and Russia—fight in matches with up to 64 players on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One (24 players on older systems). A new "Commander Mode" lets one player on each team view the entire map and give orders to teammates. The commander can also control vehicle and weapon drops and launch missile attacks. A spectator mode allows players to watch others in first or third person or use a free camera to view the map from any angle.
At E3 on June 10, 2013, the game showed a map called "Siege of Shanghai," where the People's Liberation Army fights the U.S. Marine Corps. The gameplay included "Commander Mode," new weapons and vehicles, and the "Levolution" mechanic. Levolution allows players to change the environment, such as destroying a support pillar to trap an enemy tank or causing a skyscraper to collapse, making an objective closer to the ground. Other effects include filling rooms with clouds by shooting a fire extinguisher, triggering car alarms, activating metal detectors, or cutting power to reduce visibility.
The main game includes maps like "Siege of Shanghai," "Paracel Storm," "Zavod 311," "Lancang Dam," "Flood Zone," "Rogue Transmission," "Hainan Resort," "Dawnbreaker," "Operation Locker," and "Golmud Railway." Game modes include Conquest, Domination, Rush, and two new modes: Obliteration and Defuse, along with traditional modes like Team Deathmatch and Squad Deathmatch.
Four weapon kits from Battlefield 3 are in Battlefield 4 with small changes. The Assault kit must wait for a defibrillator to recharge after reviving teammates quickly. The Engineer kit uses PDWs, and carbines are now available to all kits. The Support kit can use a remote mortar and the XM25 for indirect fire. The Recon kit is more mobile and can use carbines, designated marksman rifles (DMRs), and C-4. Sniping has new features, like adjusting sights for distance and using more optics and accessories. The Recon kit can still use the MAV, T-UGS, and Radio Beacon.
New vehicles include the Chinese Type 99 MBT, ZFB-05 armored car, and Z-10W attack helicopter. Jets are split into "attack" and "stealth" classes, with attack jets focusing on ground targets and stealth jets focusing on air combat. New boats, the RCB and DV-15 Interceptor, are added as heavily armed water vehicles.
Customization options are expanded, with new camouflage patterns for all weapons and vehicles. A new "adaptive" camouflage automatically matches the map without needing changes. Camouflage can now be applied to jets, helicopters, tanks, transport vehicles, guns, and soldiers. Previously, camouflage was only on parachutes, but now emblems are printed on parachutes instead.
Synopsis
Battlefield 4's single-player Campaign takes place during the fictional "War of 2020," six years after the events of its predecessor. Tensions between Russia and the United States are very high because of a conflict that has lasted for six years. At the same time, China is close to war because Admiral Chang, the main antagonist, plans to take control of China's government. If he succeeds, he will get help from Russia, which could lead to war between China and the United States.
The player controls Sgt. Daniel "Reck" Recker, second-in-command of a U.S. Marine Corps Force Recon squad called "Tombstone." His squadmates include squad leader SSgt. William Dunn (Charlie Weber), Heavy Weapon Specialist SSgt. Kimble "Irish" Graves (Michael K. Williams), and field medic Sgt. Clayton "Pac" Pakowski (Andrew Lawrence). Early in the Campaign, Tombstone is joined by CIA operative Laszlo W. Kovic, originally known as "Agent W." (Thor Edgell) from Battlefield 3's Campaign, and Chinese Secret Service agent Huang "Hannah" Shuyi (Jessika Van). The Campaign also brings back Dimitri "Dima" Mayakovsky (Pasha D. Lychnikoff) from Battlefield 3's Campaign—he is still alive after a nuclear explosion in Paris six years ago and is being held by the Chinese military for unknown reasons.
Six years after the events in Battlefield 3, a squad of U.S. Force Recon Marines, codenamed "Tombstone" (including Dunn, the squad leader, Recker, Irish, and Pac), tries to escape from Azerbaijan with important information about a possible military uprising in China. After being trapped underwater in a car while being chased by Russian special forces, Dunn is seriously injured and sacrifices himself by ordering the squad to break the windshield and escape, leaving Recker in charge of Tombstone. Reuniting with their commanding officer, Captain Garrison (codenamed "Fortress"), Tombstone learns that Admiral Chang has taken control of China with Russian support and has killed Jin Jié, a Chinese presidential candidate who wanted to reform the government. The group is sent to Shanghai to rescue two VIPs: a woman named Hannah and her husband, with help from an intelligence agent named Kovic.
The rescue is successful, and Kovic takes the VIPs back to the USS Valkyrie, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship. Tombstone becomes trapped in the city and is forced to save civilians despite Pac's objections. After returning to the Valkyrie, Garrison assigns Kovic as the squad's leader and sends them to the USS Titan, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier that was recently attacked, to recover its voyage data recorder before the wreckage sinks. When Tombstone returns to the Valkyrie, they find the ship under attack by Chinese Marines. The squad rescues Garrison and the VIPs, but Kovic is killed and passes leadership to Recker. Learning that China's air force is unable to fly because of a storm, Garrison sends Tombstone to help U.S. forces attack the Chinese-controlled Singapore airfield to weaken China's air power. Hannah joins Tombstone on their mission, even though Irish is unhappy about it.
Although the airfield is destroyed by a missile strike, Pac is separated from Tombstone during the evacuation and is assumed to be killed in the blast. Hannah then appears to betray Recker and Irish, causing both to be captured by Chinese soldiers. They are imprisoned in the Kunlun Mountains for interrogation under Chang's orders. In his cell, Recker befriends a Russian prisoner named "Dima," who survived the Paris nuclear blast but is now suffering from radiation poisoning. The two escape from their cell, start a prison riot, and use the chaos to flee, with Recker rescuing Irish along the way. As Chinese forces arrive to stop the riot, Hannah helps the group avoid recapture. Although Irish distrusts her, Hannah explains that her actions were necessary for her mission and reveals that her husband is Jin Jié, who survived Chang's assassination attempt.
The group escapes the mountains using a tram, but it is shot down by an enemy helicopter, killing Dima in the crash. Forced to travel on foot, the group finds a jeep and drives toward the U.S.-occupied city of Tashgar. During the journey, Hannah explains how she lost her family to Chang's forces after bringing Jin Jié to meet them, leading Irish to apologize for his earlier behavior. Upon reaching Tashgar, the squad helps U.S. troops by destroying a nearby dam, flooding the area and eliminating enemy forces. Learning that the Valkyrie is near the Suez Canal, Tombstone is airlifted to the ship to warn it about Chang's navy. The squad stops Chinese forces from boarding the ship and finds Jin Jié among other survivors, including Pac, who had survived the events in Singapore.
Knowing he must appear publicly to end the belief that he is dead, Jin Jié convinces Recker to let him show his face to calm tensions between the three forces. The attack ends when Chinese soldiers spread news of Jin Jié's return. Chang tries to stop this by attacking the Valkyrie with his personal warship. Recker, Irish, and Hannah board Chang's ship to destroy it using C-4 explosives. When the explosives fail to detonate, Irish and Hannah volunteer to replace the charges, sacrificing their lives. If the player does nothing, Chang destroys the Valkyrie, killing Pac, Garrison, and Jin Jié. If the player chooses Irish or Hannah to rearm the explosives, that character is reported missing in action after the ship's destruction, while the survivor and Recker are recovered by the Valkyrie. During the credits, the player hears new dialogue between Irish and Hannah discussing their pasts and how they must move forward without regrets.
Development
Frank Gibeau, the president of Electronic Arts, said the company planned to make a sequel to Battlefield 3 during a speech at the University of Southern California. He said, "There will be a Battlefield 4." Later, an Electronic Arts representative told IGN that Gibeau was talking about the Battlefield brand, which the company cares about, and the fans who support it. Before Battlefield 3 was released, the Swedish studio EA Digital Illusions CE said it hoped to create Battlefield 4 one day. Patrick Bach, an executive producer, said, "It feels like day one now. The Frostbite 2 engine has created many new possibilities for us."
Battlefield 4 uses the new Frostbite 3 engine. This engine allows for more realistic environments with clearer textures and special effects. A new system called "networked water" lets all players see the same waves at the same time. The way surfaces are detailed has also been improved. An Alpha Trial started on June 17, 2013. Players who owned Battlefield 3 received random invitations the day before. The trial lasted two weeks and tested the Siege of Shanghai map without its textures, making it look like a "whitebox" for testing.
Because many players did not like the two-player Co-op Mode in Battlefield 3, DICE decided not to include it in Battlefield 4. Instead, the team focused on improving the story mode and multiplayer features.
AMD and DICE worked together to use AMD's Mantle API in Battlefield 4. This technology was meant to improve performance on AMD GCN Radeon graphics cards, offering better results than older systems like OpenGL or DirectX. Early tests showed that Mantle helped slower processors perform better.
DICE released an Open Beta for Battlefield 4 on Windows (64-bit only), Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. The beta included game modes like Domination, Conquest, and Obliteration, all playable on the Siege of Shanghai map. The Open Beta began on October 4, 2013, and ended on October 15, 2013.
When Battlefield 4 was released, it had many technical problems, including bugs, glitches, and crashes on all platforms. Electronic Arts and DICE quickly released updates to fix the game. DICE later said they would pause work on future games, including Mirror's Edge, Star Wars: Battlefront, and Battlefield 4 DLC, until Battlefield 4 was stable. In December 2013, more than a month after release, an EA representative said, "We know we still have a lot of work to do to fix the game. It is our top priority. The team at DICE is working hard to update the game."
In January 2014, EA President Peter Moore said the technical issues did not hurt sales. He explained that sales challenges were due to the shift from older consoles (PS3, Xbox 360) to newer ones (PS4, Xbox One). Other games, like FIFA and Need for Speed, faced similar problems. To thank players who bought the game early and kept playing despite the issues, DICE gave free multiplayer content, including Battlepacks, XP boosts, camouflage skins, and weapon bundles.
Because of the many bugs and glitches, EA faced legal action. A law firm called Holzer Holzer & Fistel, LLC investigated whether EA made false claims about Battlefield 4 between July 24 and December 4, 2013. Another law firm, Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP, filed a class action lawsuit, saying EA made misleading statements about the game's quality. A third firm, Bower Piven, claimed EA broke a law by not telling investors about the game's development problems. In October 2014, a judge said one lawsuit was dismissed because EA's pre-release statements were not intentional lies but rather "vague optimism" and "puffery."
In April 2014, six months after release, DICE launched the Community Test Environment (CTE), letting a small group of PC players test new updates before they were released widely. One major update tested was the game's netcode, specifically the "tickrate," which determines how often the game updates. Because Battlefield 4 handles a lot of data, DICE initially used a low tickrate, which caused problems like incorrect damage registration and unfair kills. The CTE program tested a higher tickrate and other fixes, and patches were released in mid-2014.
In October 2014, nearly a year after release, David Sirland, a producer at DICE LA, said the company admitted that Battlefield 4's poor launch hurt the trust of fans. He said the company changed its approach, planning to be more open and offer earlier beta tests for future games, like Battlefield Hardline (2015). Sirland added, "We still have many players who don’t trust us to deliver a stable game. I want to show them what we are doing, not just say things. We need to prove trust through action."
Marketing
In March 2013, Electronic Arts (EA) launched the Battlefield 4 website with three official teasers titled "Prepare 4 Battle." Each teaser introduced three types of battle environments: air, land, and sea. EA then released additional teaser trailers before the official announcement of Battlefield 4 at the Game Developers Conference on March 26, 2013. The next day, EA shared the game’s first gameplay trailer, which also showcased the Frostbite 3 engine. Shortly after, EA made the game available for pre-order on Origin for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. However, EA did not mention next-generation consoles in the pre-order listings.
In July 2012, Battlefield 4 was announced when EA offered early access to the game’s beta version to players who pre-ordered Medal of Honor: Warfighter (either the Digital Deluxe or limited edition). This offer was later expanded to include Battlefield 3 Premium owners and any Origin users who pre-ordered the Battlefield 4 Digital Deluxe Edition. Players who qualified for access through multiple methods received only one beta pass, which could not be transferred to others. The "Exclusive" beta began on October 1, 2013, and the open beta started on October 4. The beta was available on PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 and included the Siege of Shanghai map in the Conquest game mode.
At the E3 2013 event on June 10, 2013, DICE shared more details about Battlefield 4, such as multiplayer modes, and allowed attendees to play the game. Additional information was released at Gamescom 2013 in Cologne, Germany, including the "Paracel Storm" multiplayer map and Battlefield 4 Premium. Battlefield 4 Premium includes five digital expansion packs with new maps and in-game content, two weeks of early access to all expansion packs, personalization options (such as camouflage patterns, paint, emblems, and dog tags), priority server queue positions, weekly updates, double XP events, and 12 Battle Packs. Battle Packs are digital packages containing weapon accessories, dog tags, knives, XP boosts, and character customization items. Three Battle Packs were included with all pre-orders of the Origin Digital Deluxe edition. The Premium service also allows players to transfer their membership from Xbox 360 to Xbox One or from PlayStation 3 to PlayStation 4. Premium membership pre-orders began on August 21, 2013, the same day the service was announced. DICE also announced that players who purchased Battlefield 4 for PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 could trade it in for a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One version of the game for as little as $10. Additionally, all PlayStation 3 and 4 copies included a code to redeem a digital copy on the PlayStation Store.
A key part of DICE’s marketing strategy for Battlefield 4 was a series of TV and web advertisements titled "Only in Battlefield 4." Each ad featured a player describing a unique experience from the game, paired with gameplay footage. These ads highlighted the game’s open-ended gameplay, such as the destructibility of environments and the dynamic combat engine. Examples included demonstrations of the Levolution feature, gameplay upgrades, and unscripted moments that cannot occur in other games’ multiplayer modes.
Due to negative feedback from players, EA stopped requiring an online pass for all existing and future EA games, including Battlefield 4, on May 30, 2013.
A companion app for Battlefield 4 was also released for iOS and Android devices.
Downloadable content
Battlefield 4 included five downloadable content (DLC) packs that added new maps and gameplay features. All five DLC packs were created by DICE LA and were available to players who purchased Premium two weeks before their official release dates. After support for Battlefield 4 Premium ended, DICE LA announced that all future DLC would be free.
On May 21, 2013, DICE announced Battlefield 4: China Rising through a Battlelog post. This DLC added four new maps (Silk Road, Altai Range, Dragon Pass, and Guilin Peaks) on the Chinese mainland, ten new assignments, new vehicles, and a new game mode called Air Superiority. It was free for players who pre-ordered the game. Premium players received it on December 3, 2013, and it was released to all players on December 17, 2013.
On June 10, 2013, DICE LA announced Battlefield 4: Second Assault during the Microsoft Press Conference at E3 2013. This was the first expansion pack for Battlefield 4 and was released on the Xbox One. It debuted on November 22, 2013, the same day the Xbox One launched. The DLC included four maps from Battlefield 3 and introduced a new game mode called Capture the Flag. On February 18, 2014, Second Assault became available exclusively for Premium members on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC. It was released for non-Premium players on March 4, 2014.
From January 29 to February 28, 2015, Battlefield 4: Second Assault was free for all EA Access subscribers.
On August 20, 2013, DICE LA announced Battlefield 4: Naval Strike at Gamescom 2013. This DLC included four new maps (Wave Breaker, Nansha Strike, Operation Morter, and Lost Islands) set in the South China Sea and a new game mode called "Carrier Assault," inspired by Battlefield 2142. The original release date was March 25, 2014, for Premium members and April 8, 2014, for non-Premium members. However, the release was delayed for Xbox One and PC without a new date. Naval Strike was released for Premium members on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Xbox 360 on March 26, 2014. The Xbox One version was released for Premium members on March 27, 2014, and the PC version was released on March 31, 2014.
At Gamescom 2013, DICE LA announced Battlefield 4: Dragon’s Teeth. This DLC featured maps set in war-torn cities controlled by the People’s Liberation Army. It was released for Premium members on July 15, 2014, and for non-Premium members on July 29, 2014. The DLC included a new game mode called "Chain Link" and four new maps: Lumphini Garden, Pearl Market, Propaganda, and Sunken Dragon. It also added 11 new assignments and a new assault drone called "RAWR" found on those maps.
On August 20, 2013, DICE LA announced Battlefield 4: Final Stand at Gamescom 2013. This DLC focused on the conclusion of the in-game war of 2020 and included four new maps: Operation Whiteout, Giants of Karelia, Hammerhead, and Hangar 21. It also added secret prototype weapons and vehicles, including the Rorsch X1 Handheld Railgun, DS-3 Decoy, XD-1 Accipiter MKV, and a hovercraft tank based on the Levkov 1937 Hovercraft MBT. Final Stand was released for Premium members on November 18, 2014, and for non-Premium members on December 2, 2014.
The Weapons Crate DLC was announced by DICE LA on March 30, 2015, as a free DLC. It added five weapons (Mare’s Leg, AN-94, Groza-1, Groza-4, and L86A2) and included the game mode "Gun Master" from Battlefield 3, along with other stat changes. It was released in an alpha form in the Community Test Environment and launched with the Spring 2015 Patch on May 26, 2015.
In August 2015, DICE and DICE LA announced the free DLC pack Night Operations. The first map, Zavod: Graveyard Shift, was a nighttime version of the Battlefield 4 map Zavod 311 and was released with the Summer 2015 Patch. Two other night maps (nighttime versions of Siege of Shanghai and Golmud Railway) were developed but not released, as further development for Battlefield 4 ended. All three maps were created by DICE LA and tested in the Community Test Environment with player feedback.
Community Operations was released on October 27, 2015, as a free DLC pack. The map, Outbreak, is a medium-sized level with many trees, shrubs, and grass for hiding. It includes limited heavy vehicles like tanks and LAVs but no anti-air vehicles. The map does not include air dominance features like stealth jets or attack aircraft. It was created by DICE Los Angeles and the Battlefield 4 gaming community and included major changes to weapons and vehicles.
Legacy Operations was released on December 15, 2015, as a free DLC pack. It included an updated version of the Battlefield 2 map Dragon Valley and was released alongside the Winter Patch content update.
Premium is a downloadable pass that provides all DLC for a discounted price. It includes personalization options like exclusive dog tags or camouflage patterns. Premium also offers special events available only to Premium members.
Reception
Battlefield 4 received good reviews from many critics. Chris Watters of GameSpot praised the game’s Obliteration Mode and multiplayer features but was not impressed with the story part. IGN’s Mitch Dyer said Battlefield 4 is like a collection of the best parts of DICE’s multiplayer history. Evan Lahti of PC Gamer noted that while Battlefield 4 looks and sounds similar to Battlefield 3, it is still a visually and sonically strong first-person shooter. Commander Mode and the variety of multiplayer maps were also praised as useful additions. Joystiq’s David Hinkle said the game gives players freedom to play in a sandbox style, allowing teams to fight in any way they choose. Hinkle liked the story elements but found the multiplayer part to be predictable. GameZone’s Lance Liebl said success in Battlefield depends on teamwork and that the multiplayer experience is rewarding, though the game’s Battlelog system and frequent crashes need improvement. Machinima’s Lawrence Sonntag praised the Levolution feature and multiplayer mode.
However, some reviewers pointed out that the multiplayer part of the game had many serious bugs when it was first released on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. These issues included server crashes and lag. Polygon gave the game a score of 7.5 on the day of its release but later lowered it to 4 after realizing many players could not play the game properly.
DICE, the game’s developer, acknowledged the multiplayer problems and said they were working to fix them. They also said they would not work on expansions or future projects until the issues were resolved. Despite this, the game’s second expansion was released before many of the problems were fixed.
In late December 2013, shortly after the "China Rising" DLC pack was released, China banned the sale of Battlefield 4. Stores and online vendors were asked to remove the game, and players were encouraged to delete it from their devices. The game was considered a threat to national security because the DLC included maps set on the Chinese mainland.
An article in the China National Defense Newspaper, a publication linked to the Chinese military, criticized the game for challenging China’s sovereignty. The article noted that while past games often used the Soviet Union as an enemy, Battlefield 4 now focuses on China.
During its first week of sales in the United Kingdom, Battlefield 4 was the second best-selling game across all formats, behind Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Sales were 69% lower than Battlefield 3 in 2011. EA, the game’s publisher, said the drop in sales was due to uncertainty about the transition to next-generation consoles.
The PlayStation 3 version of Battlefield 4 topped Japan’s Media Create sales charts in its first week, selling 121,699 copies. This was higher than Pokémon X and Y, which had been the top-selling games for four weeks. However, sales dropped sharply in the second week, falling 84.148% to 19,291 copies, and the game lost its top spot to God Eater 2.
According to NPD Group data, Battlefield 4 was the second best-selling game in the United States in November, behind Call of Duty: Ghosts. In February 2014, EA reported that the game’s Premium service had sold over 1.6 million copies. By May 2014, the game had sold more than 7 million copies.
EA stated that Battlefield 4 won awards from over 30 gaming publications before its release. The game appeared on multiple year-end lists of the best first-person shooter games of 2013. It won awards from the 18th Satellite Awards and GamesRadar. At the 17th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the game was nominated for "Action Game of the Year," "Online Game of the Year," "Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design," and "Outstanding Achievement in Visual Engineering."