Battlefield 3: Got an Xbox 360 Slim? You might be stuck with PS1 graphics

By David Houghton Wow. This we can barely believe. In fact if it hadn't happened to me personally, I probably wouldn't. It seems that if you're playing Battlefield 3 on one of the new-ish 4Gb slim Xbox 360s, unless ours is a freak isolated incident (and a couple of references I've found on forums imply that it certainly is not), you might well be stuck with crappy last-gen (or worse) textures throughout the game.

[Pintheshadows]

I know most proper gamers will have large hdd. But this made me feel a bit sorry for people who don't or were not aware of the texture pack.

[DrFUD]

every teenage kid I've ever seen in the stores carrying a 360 to the register always holds the cheap one. No joke, I personally have NEVER seen anyone buying the more expensive models.

We both know in reality that "most" of the 360 sales are the cheap model.

[Pintheshadows]

That's kind of what I meant. We on N4G (I consider us the proper gamers) know we should have plenty of space available. But what about a mum buying an xmas present or someone who doesn't visit gaming sites. So I guess a majority of the general public.

It's worrying that Play are packaging BF3 with the 4gb consoles. I sense problems in the near future.

[deadpoole]

Im not sure why ppl r makin such a big fuss out of it when u can use regular usb drive which literally cost 10 times cheaper then hdd for game file installation ... Xbox Arcade and premium has got 3 usb ports ... for the love of god use it and stop cryinnng.

All these damn dumb websites are also cryin and offerin no easy solution for it.

[3GenGames]

A USB drive would be as slow as crap to load it. Although still, with a slim, replacing a drive shouldn't be a problem anyway, just buy a 2.5" drive and stick it in FFS. At least it's a bit easier than either finding a external drive or fricking with installing a bigger 2.5" in the case and flashing it right on the big models. I mean, they made it so easy to do it if you complain you're the only one to blame for 1. Being cheap and 2. Being cheap.

[Pillville]

@deadpoole

You can't install the texture pack on a USB drive.

[PetitPiPi]

I tried installing the texture pack on a USB drive. It wouldn't let me because it has to be a Microsoft HD. What BS! Anybody know why?

[gamingdroid]

***We both know in reality that "most" of the 360 sales are the cheap model.***

That is *NOT* true at all. In fact, the average retail hardware price sold is $306 for the Xbox 360.

Source: http://www.gamasutra.com/db...

Full analsysis: http://www.gamasutra.com/vi...

That said, I think this is more a software bug that EA just needs to flip the switch on. You know

if (is_harddrive == True or is_memory_unit == True) {
install_texture();
...

[DiRtY]

The Xbox 360 is sold at a higher average price than the PS3 in the US.

So this proves you wrong. Stop anectdotal evidence stuff when there are facts proving you wrong. Thank you.

http://www.gamasutra.com/vi...

[theonlylolking]

@DrFud
Its true. I have seen the same thing and it is always the mom pushing for that xbox 360. Then she is going to wonder why their child needs to buy HDD space for the console.

@Vladplaya
True to that

[Christopher]

@gamingdroid: you do know that Sep 2011 included the new price of PS3s and the just released Gears of War 3 bundle, which was the biggest seller of the month. Also, two months of such skewed factors does not a trend make throughout either platform's lifetime.

IMHO, no one has enough info here to support either claim. Not that using skewed data will stop anyone from claiming otherwise.

[SilentNegotiator]

@deadpoole

Oh really?
*see attached image*
This is why you read the article before commenting.

That is a MASSIVE difference. It really is a shame that Microsoft split the audience by making an SKU without a HDD.

[milohighclub]

Dunno why people are getting at those without a hard drive its not their fault you have to do an install to play a game with mediocre graphics.

[_LarZen_]

The word expensive and console is just plain "wrong" in so many levels.

[darthv72]

I think on the package it says something about the use of a hdd.

Anyways, i see it like this:

mountain, meet mole hill.

Also, hasnt it been shown that even without the texture pack the game looks good? To say PS1 is a blatant flame creating way of putting it.

[RegorL]

@gaimingdroid

"That said, I think this is more a software bug that EA just needs to flip the switch on. You know

if (is_harddrive == True or is_memory_unit == True) {
install_texture();"

That shouldn't really be the applications concern.

a) Microsoft: A minimum OS layer (even linked to application) should abstract it.
b) Microsoft: Why even add an 4GB SSD that does not behave as an ordinary HD?
c) Microsoft: is the 4GB disk soo slooow (write) that the install program gives up?
d) DICE: Do you do something on purpose to identify that the device you are talking to really is a spinning HD?

This resembles the PS3 problem I learned about a few days ago. The disks in 40GB PS3s are slower than the original!

[Hayabusa 117]

Controversially, I don't know anyone who owns a 360 without a hard drive. And on the other hand, anyone who owns a 360 without a hard drive, probably isn't that big a gamer to care whether they're getting high res textures or not. So I would suggest you stop feeling sorry for those kids, because they're probably blissfully ignorant.

And for 4gb slim owners: may I suggest one solution? Don't waste your money on Battlefield 3 anyway.

[mugoldeneagle03]

And usually try to tell people that upgrading to the HDD later would be $30 more than just getting the 250GB.

The crazy this is that most people (or Parents or Kids) honestly don't have a clue how much 4 gigs can do..."Well that should last them 7-8 months right?". Ahhhh....

[gamingdroid]

***you do know that Sep 2011 included the new price of PS3s and the just released Gears of War 3 bundle, which was the biggest seller of the month. Also, two months of such skewed factors does not a trend make throughout either platform's lifetime.***

How is that skewed data? This is an average, and the number of Gears of War 3 consoles sold is barely going to make that number move. Limited Edition bundles historically has not made a huge factor in the total sales.

Historically, the Xbox 360 average selling price has been going up since the MSRP has stabilizied.

You can see it here and how that changed:

http://www.gamasutra.com/ph...

... but I'm sure Gamasutra is in the business of analyzing skewed data to favor MS. MS probably paid them off! /s

@RegorL

***That shouldn't really be the applications concern.****

It does on the Xbox 360, as a hard drive obviously isn't a USB Drive or Memory unit. That gives you the option to choose for whatever reason as it might have different properties.

If I don't remember wrong, there were certain content you can't move to memory unit like music and movies.

[da_2pacalypse]

you can use your 10 dollar jump drive to install the HD pack... This article is bogus...

[Ch1d0r1]

@Solid-Snake

Sadly but true :-(

I mean HL2 looks better than anything consoles to me aside from UC2 and in the near future UC3.

[saumer]

The people that think that the data rate transfer on usb and a hd are the same need to go do some research. Their is a reason you can't install on USB.

[AAACE5]

I wonder if the flashdrives will work...

[da_2pacalypse]

lol transfer rate of data from flash format is faster than transfer rate of disk drive... lol no, you need to do research...

[Christopher]

***How is that skewed data?***

Explained above. Did you not read it?

***This is an average, and the number of Gears of War 3 consoles sold is barely going to make that number move.***

Really? Sales say otherwise...

***Historically, the Xbox 360 average selling price has been going up since the MSRP has stabilizied.***

Historically, it's gone up and down. When they added Kinect bundles, it went back up. Going from $280 in July to $306 in September, all things point to the increase not based on hardware pricing and all on focused hardware sales around a specific game release as well as a new higher priced LE bundle. Which did have a noticeable impact on sales. One much greater than I thought it would have.

***... but I'm sure Gamasutra is in the business of analyzing skewed data to favor MS. MS probably paid them off! /s ***

*rolls eyes* Grow up. Gamasutra reports news the same as everyone else, meaning they report it when there's a change that they consider newsworthy. That doesn't mean that they think through the reasons behind the changes when they're sharing the numbers.

When October shows a decreased average price, what reasoning will you use then, which is the expected change to happen (and is the change that happens the month after new major releases)?

[gamingdroid]

***Explained above. Did you not read it? ***

Well, your explanation was another speculation. I was looking for something more concrete than "Gears of War 3 bundle sold really well in my opinion" and therefore it must be true.

***Really? Sales say otherwise...***

Where did you get the numbers from?

As I said, historically the bundles makes up a very small portion of the sale.

Regardless, the July 2011 number is solid. There were no bundles released that month to "skew" the data.

***Historically, it's gone up and down. When they added Kinect bundles, it went back up. Going from $280 in July to $306 in September, all things point to the increase not based on hardware pricing and all on focused hardware sales around a specific game release as well as a new higher priced LE bundle.***

That is not entirely correct. Prior to the ASP in July 2011, the ASP in February 2010 was slightly below $250.

Source: http://www.gamasutra.com/vi...

In fact, at a later point the ASP for the Xbox 360 was even lower at $230.

Source: http://www.trefis.com/stock...

In 2009 the ASP was $260-270.

Source: http://www.gamasutra.com/db...

The trend is showing that it is moving upwards.

***Which did have a noticeable impact on sales. One much greater than I thought it would have.***

Again, how do you know what the impact was?

****rolls eyes* Grow up. Gamasutra reports news the same as everyone else, meaning they report it when there's a change that they consider newsworthy. That doesn't mean that they think through the reasons behind the changes when they're sharing the numbers.***

You do know that this is an analysis done by Gamasutra based on NPD numbers, right? Are you saying NPD is wrong or Gamasutra is wrong?

It is not just simple reporting and may I add that Gamasutra's reports are well respected in the industry including their career guides and salary report that is sold.

I guess it is just easier to dismiss data if it doesn't fit in with your model....

***When October shows a decreased average price, what reasoning will you use then, which is the expected change to happen (and is the change that happens the month after new major releases)?***

Fluctuations happens. However, I dont't expect it to change much since the full impact of PS3's price drop has occured in September. That said, historically even before the July 2011 numbers, the ASP has been going down and this is a reversal which is my point. It is clearly a trend even in face of obstacles.

It's not hard to see the price history $270 (2009) -> $260 (2009) -> $250 (2010) -> $230 (2010) -> -> $276 (2011) -> $306 (2011) that there is some kind of trend here.

So maybe I'm not the one that should grow up....

[frostyhat123]

Hahah this is funny! who could seriously have a modern console today and only think 4gb's is enough?

[xtremeimport]

And thats why its important for every console to have a HDD. You cant do some things on Halo if you dont have a HDD, so im not surprised with this. who says xbox doesnt limit the game experience?!

[banner]

Assuming you have a 360 with an hdd bigger tha 4gigs.... How has it limited you?

[zerocrossing]

I know that there is only so much they can do, but they really should have made people more aware of just how big of a difference there will be in texturing.

This could really turn around and bite DICE and EA in the A**.

[xoxideu]

ps1 graphics with disc swapping

[ambientFLIER]

Show me a PS1 game that looks anywhere close to this

[Heartnet]

@ambient

True.. ps1 games do look a lil better hmm

[frostypants]

The 4GB in those slims is NOT a hard drive. It's flash storage. Thus, it fails to meet the system requirements.

I repeat: the game does not see it as a hard drive, because IT IS NOT A HARD DRIVE. It's basically a glorified thumb drive, at best. It's intended for storing save files and perhaps a bit of media, not for this.

I know this sounds bad, but this guy should either blame himself for not understanding what he bought (with the console AND the game), or blame Microsoft for even putting such a crappy SKU on the market.

I'm one of the suckers. I foolishly bought one of the old 360 Arcades (the old clunkers that these newer 4GB clunkers replaced) that had only 256MB of space. I realized how pointless it was to not have a legit hard drive, so I went out and bought a used one, when a very similar incident occurred with Halo Reach.

You get what you pay for. Again, blame Microsoft for even putting such a sketchy spec'd SKU out there. A hard disk is a no-brainer for a current-gen system. It's just not viable to go without one.

[saladthieves]

This is another reason why each and every Xbox should come with a hard drive. They are dirt cheap, heck even 20 GB would be good, rather than the measle tiny 4GB.

[Venjense]

PS1 graphic is a major exaggeration but it will definitely look much worse.

I hope all new games utilize the harddrive for superior graphics.

[hassi94]

Yeah I think people tend to forget what PS1 graphics were like.

This was one of the best looking games on PS1.

http://ui01.gamefaqs.com/16...

And it was in a cutscene!

[Raven_Nomad]

I don't think it matters to the majority of gamers out there. Also, PS1 graphics? hardly.....

[yesmynameissumo]

Consoles need internal storage. That can be saved to.

[dirthurts]

Like a hard drive??

[yesmynameissumo]

Or flash memory. If you have 2.8GB free on a 4GB 360, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to save/install to it.

[badz149]

read the article buddy. you can't install the HD pack other than in a HDD. 4GB internal also not supported!

[dirthurts]

You really missed what my comment was implying. That's ok though.

[frostypants]

dirthurts, "no reason"? Did you consider that maybe the architecture of the 4GB flash memory can't provide the necessary throughput needed,or even if it could, there was some other downstream bottleneck with the interface? After all, that was the entire reason for moving the textures from the DVD to the hard drive: throughput/bandwidth. They said hard drive, and apparently they meant it.

[GraveLord]

There's a bunch of people on Amazon giving the game 1-star reviews because of this lol.

[frostypants]

Yeah, they're idiots. Who buys a game despite not having the specs for it, then whines? What a bunch of self-entitled children.

"The PC version of BF3 won't work on my Wii! Ima gonna whine on teh Amazon!"

Not much different.

Would they have been happier if DICE had just left out the hi-res textures all together? Bravo to DICE for finding a solution to the DVD/Blu-Ray bandwidth limitation.

Here's the kicker: developers were SCREAMING about this when the 360 was released and Microsoft started putting these flash memory variants on the market. They said something like this would happen, but Microsoft didn't listen.

[Deathdeliverer]

This just goes to show that the average consumer is not all over the internet like we are. The average consumer simply wants to walk into the store of choice, buy the product, and expect maximium results. If you would try to look at things from the perspective of said consumer you would realize that they are being served a raw deal. The Xbox commercials don't say "you might come across games you can't play and/or have low performance if you buy the cheap console. Half way jump in!" If im enticed by a Wii, DS, PSP, or PS3 commercial or any game console related commercial in the past and I went and got it, there were no "sorry this is unavailable to you" woes once I got home. I also feel that the vast majority of gamers are actually of the "uninformed" variety. I know we probably all have maxed out friends list with friends with maxed out list and its hard to imagine. Its like seeing a car commercial that shows long road trips and happy times. Then heading to the dealer and buying the car only to find out that it has a one gallon fuel tank. Sure it works, but you wont go far without an upgrade.

[Captain Qwark 9]

looks like ass no doubt, but you cant fault dice for trying a new way to deliver next gen graphics on 6 year old hardware.

i blame the ignorant consumer who did no research before he went and purchased a "cheap console" and a game it really cant support, you get what you paid for and if you chose to not read into why you should "have" a large hdd, then its his bad....

i hope more games utilize this technique to deliver better visuals

[TheEatingVodka]

I love you, your attitude and your name. I love you.

[Captain Qwark 9]

awesome lol love is good :P

[thereapersson]

I don't usually use this acronym, but..

Q.F.T.

That's the exact attitude people should have. Not, "DURR WHY CANT MAH 2005 CONSOL DUE DA 2011 PC GRAFFIX??

Why the f*ck can't my 8800GT run BF:3 on anything but the lowest setting? Oh wait, because no 5-6 year old hardware can do that in any computer when the right game comes along that actually takes full advantage of modern technology. I bet DICE got the console versions (with install) to at least run a bit better than my PC could.

Gamers are so goddamn spoiled this generation. It's really aggravating, honestly.

[PetitPiPi]

"i hope all future games utilize this technique to deliver better visuals"

Fixed! :D

[Captain Qwark 9]

lol yeah nice fix ;)

[gamingdroid]

I think you are right on the money. The console is now 5-6 years old, so what do you expect compared to a PC?

If you didn't buy a hard drive, then why would you expect those benefits?

It could have been worse, you could have bought a low spec PC or a Wii and you wouldn't be able to play BF3 at all! 0_o

[Biggest]

This isn't even about compared to a PC. This is Xbox 360 compared to Xbox 360. Microsoft sold consoles without a real hard drive and certain games have "suffered" for it.

Things could always be worse. Things should at least be fair within the same exact item. Nothing says crazy like "My Xbox 360 has better graphics than your Xbox 360!"

[gamingdroid]

No, MS gave you an option and you choose the cheaper option, so why would you expect anything else in performance?

Isn't it obvious? If I didn't buy a Lexus, why would I expect that kind of experience in my Toytoa?

The difference is of course, you can still upgrade your Xbox 360 i.e. your Toyota unlike the Lexus.

Personally, I prefer options over one size fits all.

[dirthurts]

To be fair, this is the first 360 game that the graphics were actually affected by not having an HDD right?

[badz149]

for Halo Reach, you can't play online coop without HDD and with Burnout Paradise, you can't play online at all without HDD. there were various issues before and I think DICE is starting a new one with this.

on the other hand, BF3 is HUGE, that's why they dare to do this. if it's any other game, it will get massacred in reviews and sales!

[DiRtY]

@ badz 149

I think that was fixed some time ago. You can play coop now with a 4GB console.

http://m.co-optimus.com/art...

[Picture_Dancer]

Nope. There was Rage recently, which is unplayable without HDD.

[thereapersson]

wrong reply

[Slayer697]

You should never blame the consumer for being misled. It should be very clear that the quality of the game is going to be degraded if you do not have an HD to install the HD texture pack to.

[mynd]

"It seems that the game is seeing the 4Gb internal memory as a Memory Unit rather than a hard drive."

Really?, these guys a geniuses, I guess they have never heard of transfer speeed.

They clearly havn't played PS1 games either.

Love the tittle too..

Battlefield 3: Got an Xbox 360 Slim? You might be stuck with PS1 graphics, despite the texture install.

Despite the texture install? Their isnt a texture on slim installs you idiots.

[Vladplaya]

Man, I remember when a benefit of having a console was the fact that you don't have to install anything, you just pop the disk in and play the game, no installations, no hassle with patching.

Now that you have to buy Consoles with large hdd space, you have to install the game, they patch just as frequent as PC games, and after all that the game still will look like lowest settings on PC. Wouldn't it be easier to just get a PC?

[negative]

Nope. For FPS games maybe, but I've played racing and sports games on a PC and I'll never go back.

I play all different types of games. Overall you can't beat a console. Which is why I sold my PC and will always stick with them.

[HardCover]

Have you considered using some peripherals for PC?

I mean, if you like controllers, then they've had those for PC for like, decades, man.

[BraveToaster]

You sold your PC? How are you posting on N4G?

[gamingdroid]

I completely agree with this installation BS (although I still install myself to save wear and tear on the optical drive), but patches and other cr@p.

Consoles used to be instant.... good news is that consoles also evolved this generation, something it really couldn't previously due to the static nature.

[Christopher]

Disc drives are never going to be able to keep up with the speed, durability, and storage of a HDD. Never. If graphics continue to improve, you will require a HDD. No way around that until someone creates a truly new method of storing and retrieving data on a cheap medium (though I suspect 32-64 MB flash media will be a big part of the future if costs can be brought down to what we currently pay for a disc).

[kneon]

Optical disks don't need to be as fast as a hard drive, just fast enough for the data needs of the game.

At 12x a bluray drive can push 432 Mbits/s, soon I expect we'll see 16x drives. That should be plenty for streaming data in a game. I expect the PS4 to have at least an 8x 100gb+ bluray drive, that's 288Mbit/s and unlike DVDs that speed is constant across the surface of the disk.

[gamingdroid]

I don't see why a hard drive is "required" for better graphics. It would help, but there are smart ways to work around it especially as disc speed is picking up and ready for next generation.

In some ways do, I do want a digital only future. That might be a decade away though....

@kneon:

How fast is that blu-ray disc going to spin? or is that data just more tightly packed? maybe they can have two lasers for twice the read speed?

[kneon]

Hmm, I don't know the rotational speed of a 12x bluray rive. I have one in a couple of my PCs and it sounds pretty fast so I don't think we're going to get much higher rotations. 16x is probably the max, maybe even that is too fast.

I've heard of prototype drives with multiple lasers but I really doubt such a drive would be in the PS4 as they need to keep the cost down. I think 8x is a pretty reasonable guess if it comes out in the next couple of years. But if they just up the memory to 2-4gb then you don't need such fast drives as more can be loaded into memory.

Edit - Just looked it up and 12x seems to be the practical limit. Beyond that we're going over 10,000 rpm and we get into the same wobble issues that limit DVD and CD drives.

[Christopher]

***I don't see why a hard drive is "required" for better graphics.***

Because higher resolution and quality (less compression) graphics will require higher data reading rates. While, yes, 12x bluray drives can push a ton of data, they also have a much higher chance of being worn out through constant use.

Look at Rage and the level of pop-ins compared to installed or uninstalled on the 360. Look at BF3 and HD texture packs that can work when installed but not when streamed from the disk.

Sure, another massive factor is the VRAM and GPU processing capability, but the reason so many games are being made that are suggested to be installed on the HDD is because they require much higher read rates for streaming data at a constant rate than what either system can provide (including the 360 and not running it's variable high speed read rate without causing it to work too hard, which it's not intended to do).

No matter what, HDD drives are made for constant use at high speeds compared to disc drives that still have an issue with greatly increasing the chance of breaking when running constant high speed read rates.

I'm thinking the next gen PS4 will use a slim 6x BD drive, which is a lot of data to be pushed. But, tests still show that a constant high speed transfer/read rate on the device greatly increases the chance of hardware failure. The thing is that this isn't seen commercially since 2x is more than enough for data transfer and read and PC video games are installed on the HDD automatically and not run from BDs.

[thebudgetgamer]

Really? ps1 graphics. Really.

[BattleTorn]

I know. PS1 is a little bit of an exaggeration.

but after viewing the video. BF3 without the HD-pack looks absolutely horrible.

But I have 250gb-HHD, so I really don't care what other cheap Xbox owner 'might' be seeing

It's kinda like hearing someone complain about RAGE's texture pop-in; but they didn't install both discs.

[thebudgetgamer]

Yea, but it's not go out and buy an eight hundred dollar rig horrible. Besides i got a 120 gig hdd.

[kudakadere]

the Xbox 360 could have have had 20g worth of texture as dlc but 1.5g seemed just about right and DICE weren't given enough time to utilize the 360's 1 Gb of ram .

[RankFTW]

Sure.

[WitWolfy]

Its 512mb Ram dude not 1GB. MS wishes!

[InTheLab]

I'm guessing most of the people that bought a 4 gig Xbox just came off a stent with a console that maxed out at 512 megs...so 4 gigs seems like a ton of space.

In reality, those people are being ripped off by MS...willingly. It really is a shame MS chose the proprietary route with memory. You'd think that after 6 years, a decent sized Xbox HDD would be dirt cheap. I guess it's always about profit with MS.

[CoLD FiRE]

You can get a 250GB HDD for ~$45 for the 360 off amazon and just plug it in and you're ready. Or if you prefer to do it yourself you could buy the shell and the HDD separately and the tutorials on how to make it work are all over the web.

So if you're smart enough you'd get the 4GB slim for $200 + $45 250GB HDD off amazon + $15 Headset

This way you would've saved $40 and still got a 250GB Xbox with extra 4GB of internal memory :)

[InTheLab]

Hmm...a nice work around for one of my problems. The other is getting over the fact that I shouldn't have to replace my dead X360 pro...

Perhaps a sub $99 sku would do the trick...

[CloseSecond]

You know, you can say the same thing about Sony. They don't include internal storage for the Vita and you have to buy a proprietary format card.

[RevXM]

Ps1 graphics?, well not exactly.
But looking at it makes me sad, though Im glad Dice tries new things.

Microsofts "arcade" soultion consoles always made me sad too.

How can they have a 360 model or two without a hard drive or or a proper one (360slim) when the original Xbox had plenty for its time?

Well lets hope people dont get too upset about this.
...Some will obviously, but thats what you get appearantly with no/little internal storage. :/

[Soldierone]

You get what you pay for. People think they are walking away with gold when they see a cheap console, when in reality its cheap for a reason. Look at all the Wii owners that probably won't buy another console if it wasn't dirt cheap. Look at how many people pass up a PS3 because of the price on the box.

Fact is people look at the price, and the simple fact that one costs 100 dollars cheaper pulls them over. MS knows this and was smart to play the game. Now the question is will Xbox owners get mad and switch, or will they simply buy the better console next time around? (no im not saying PS3, Im saying either PS3 or the better version of 360 for example) During the holidays last year, when I was getting my brother a 360, the only thing that sold out everywhere was the cheap 360's, the other models were fully in stock everywhere.

With that being said I don't know why Core gamers would have this issue, they probably all have actual 360's. The others are probably just kids, or people that don't mind it because they simply can't afford to have the better one.

[jjb1981]

250 gigger baby!

[xtreampro]

I would like to know which PS1 model the author of this article had because that thing was too ahead for it's time.

[cr33ping_death]

yikes!

[e-p-ayeaH]

Nah its xbox 1 graphics.

[mcstorm]

What i would like to know is how many people who are buying this game have a 360 or 360s with out a hdd? Because i dont know anyone who got the 4gb 360 or the 360 arcade that has not got a hdd for it.

[XDF]

Another doom and gloom X360 article as expected on N4G. Seriously, All my Live friends have a HDD on their 360 of some sort. I myself have a 250 xbox slim and Battlefield is running great.

The Arcade and 4g Slim X360 are made for casual folks, kids, grandma, and Kinect people that just want to pop in a game and play and the population that buys more core games like Gears and Battlefield are few.

A refurbished 20gb harddrive is $20 at gamestop so if little Johnny is crying because of PS1 graphics, then mom can just stop by gamestop and get one. It is not like Arcade owners need to buy another brand new 250gb X360 just to see Battlefield 3 in all its glory.

[Zephol]

What!?? This its bad for xbox

[AriesSiren]

1. if you own the big lots 99cent store 4gig model, you really aren't a hardcore gamer and prefer kinect
2. the fact you need to install these games on 360 just to make them run in HD, pretty much tells you the 360 is outdated.
3. all 360's should come with a hard drive to avoid this crap

[SDF Repellent]

@AriesSiren.
you said:
"2. the fact you need to install these games on 360 just to make them run in HD, pretty much tells you the 360 is outdated."

I say:
Let me see, so the PS3 does not require you to install the game on a Harddrive for the full HD experience? Is that system outdated too? Is the PC outdated too because all their games require full install.

you said:
"3. all 360's should come with a hard drive to avoid this crap"

I say: You do know there is like only 1-2 games out of the 500-600 games in the X360 library that requires the texture pack option on X360 right?

[MaxMurdoch]

This is a huge problem, and I am surprised its coming up so late on N4G. Battlefield 3 forums on EA site had people complain about this since the moment the game was released.

people are pretty pissed they have to play with no HD textures... But gamers need to understand that upgrading hardware once in a while is important. (Be it PC or Console).

[WitWolfy]

The only people complaining are the stupid kids whose parents refuse to buy them a $60+ HDD to play the game like it was intended. Whats the bet the packaging even recommends you to have a HDD to experience the console version.

[MaxMurdoch]

im not arguing about who is complaining. Im just saying people ARE complaining. Thats all. Who it is, i dont know because i didnt take a survey on EA forums.

[Jamaicangmr]

Thats really gonna suck for the person who runs out and picks up the Xbox360 starter pack and a copy of BF3. Only to find out that he'll have to then pony up more money to truly get the game he paid for.

Just saying.

@ AriesSiren

"1. if you own the big lots 99cent store 4gig model, you really aren't a hardcore gamer and prefer kinect"

So? that means i shouldn't buy BF3?

@ XDF

So that persons BF3 experience should cost $90+ because it's their fault for not being able to afford a Xbox360 with a HDD in the 1st place?

@ MaxMurdoch

"people are pretty pissed they have to play with no HD textures... But gamers need to understand that upgrading hardware once in a while is important. (Be it PC or Console)."

Thats BS and you know it. Yes i've spent almost US$3,000 upgrading my PC but i haven't spent 1 cent upgrading my PS3 and i still play every cross platfrom game.

If this is ur belief then you miss the point of what a console is.

At what point in the lives of some of you do you realize that you are whats going wrong with this industry?

PATHETIC!!!!

[XDF]

@ Jamacangmr. So killing 3 birds with one stone hey.

You are such a single minded fanboy:
"So that persons BF3 experience should cost $90+ because it's their fault for not being able to afford a Xbox360 with a HDD in the 1st place?"
No huh!, that is why they purchased the cheaper x360 in the first place. To get a system they can afford at the time and add a few games and an extra controller so they can just play. These people have no need for Harddrive, Blu Ray, exc. Oh, last time I'd checked, HD AAA games like Gears and Red Dead Redemption and 99.9% of the games can be played on the gimped Arcade system just fine. Now one game that have an extra benefit of texture install and it is the end of the world. Give me a break.

"Yes i've spent almost US$3,000 upgrading my PC but i haven't spent 1 cent upgrading my PS3 and i still play every cross platfrom game."
Good that you are loaded unlike the poor X360 owners that you had just bashed. So like you said, if they don't have a X360 250gb or a PS3 because they can't afford it, how else can they play Battlefield 3? Oh that's right, on a non-HDD X360 that they bought because it is within their budget.

you also said "If this is ur belief then you miss the point of what a console is."
Yes a console is a device that allows someone to just pop in a game and play within seconds without worrying about installs. wait, you are telling me your PS3 is not a game console because it alot of game requires a MANDATORY install, Battlefiled 3 included.

Have a nice day.

[SDF Repellent]

@Jamaicangmr

Who are you calling PATHETIC? It is trolls like you on N4G that is pathetic. We get that you have a SPEC-OUT 3K PC and you have your PS3 but calling X360 arcade owners and Microsoft out for providing an affordable HD next generation console is truly ignorant and pathetic. Please look in the mirror.

Guess what? There are better games out there now and in the future that is full HD and does not require a HDD to get the best including Gears, Forza, Halo 4, Skyrim, Mass Effect 3 and Modern Warfare 3.

So enjoy your little satisfaction to know that Battlefield 3 has PS1 graphics on non-HDD X360 because at the end of the day, it is just another game that will be forgotten when another game comes out.

[Jamaicangmr]

@ XDF & SDF Repellent

I bet if i should bother i'd fine these 2 accounts are the same person, anyway.

Ok ur XDF alter ego is just a rambling idiot because

"Good that you are loaded unlike the poor X360 owners that you had just bashed."

When was this bashing that you speak of? I was more speaking for the "Poor Xbox360 owner" by highlighting that Microsoft is to be blamed for their gimped experience. Hope you helped clear up any comprehension problems you are having.

You were doing good until you got to Manditory installs. *Rolls eyes*

Now for ur other personality...

"We get that you have a SPEC-OUT 3K PC and you have your PS3 but calling X360 arcade owners and Microsoft out for providing an affordable HD next generation console is truly ignorant and pathetic."

Really hard to pretend to be smarter than you really are isn't it?

My reason for mentioning my "SPEC-OUT 3K PC" is to show that i have no problem upgrading. However i do not believe i should have to spend extra on hardware to play ANY CONSOLE GAME PERIOD.

Now i hope i have cleared it up for both ur personalities.

If not then let me spell it out because i just have this feeling im givin you more credit than you deserve. Microsoft should never have sold a None HDD SKU and people like you shouldn't be in defense them doing so.

Its really that simple.

Oh yeah and....
"Who are you calling PATHETIC?"

Well you took offense so i'll let you figure it out.

;)

[GroundsKeeperJimbo]

How's the view from that throne?

[dirthurts]

Pas less get less. Why can't people handle that?
It's not that the HDDless gamers are getting shafted, it's that the guys with HDDs are getting more.
Dice did very very well with what they had to work with. I applaud them.

[tunaks1]

"You might be stuck with PS1 graphics"

wtf?

[SDF Repellent]

@tunaks

How else can you get headlines on N4G without using catch phrases like "PS1 graphics"

[Jihaad_cpt]

its called an hyperbole

[kingofhalo2050]

So what just grab a $10 usb stick, 16gb data should be enough for the install.
correct me if i am wrong

[Sprudling]

You are wrong. Didn't read the article did you?

[kingofhalo2050]

Not really, haha but yeah same problem with Halo Reach, couldn't play online with 4GB because of "lack of memory".

[Kostchtchie]

hd textures for the console looked great, if you cannot afford proper hardrive for your 360 that is your problem not dice..like always if you care about graphics get pc, if you just want good games to play on couch get console...at least they put the hd texture patch out there for people

[kesvalk]

this guy never saw a PS1 game...

[TyrannoTaurus]

Lol! I was thinking the exact same thing...

[Jihaad_cpt]

and you haven't hear of a hyperbole. can't believe I'm using my last comment to say this again...

[kesvalk]

and i can't believe you are defending this guy...

[kma2k]

I have a 4gb model with a microsoft 60gb hdd & i installed the texture pack. The game looks for the most part good if you are running through it, but if you slow down & look the shadows especially are HORIBLE!!!! In the first mission i was looking around & almost every shadow that should be a straight line is a jegged edge like when you blow up a small picture. Looking at the ground from the rooftops the ground looks like a bunch of small squares. Im disapointed in the graphics with this game!

[Ethereal]

Some people just don't get it....

[256bit]

i still dont get it when people think of low end graphics they always have to say ps1 or ps2 graphics. i never once heard ppl say gamecube or xbox graphics. are ps1 and ps2 that bad? lol

[Bathyj]

Sorry, the best thing MS even did was make HDD's standard.

I still cant believe they brought out a 4gb just to save money.

[bobrea]

Having a nice PC would eliminate this problem :)

Just saying.

[2pacalypsenow]

i wish ps1 graphics would of looked like that

[emartini]

WOW. WITHOUT THE HD TEXTURE PACK the game looks more like COD. UMM all of them. Thats how all COD games look . After all they are all rendered at 600P Resolution

[annus]

The resolution the game renders at has nothing to do with the texture quality, all though CoD does have bland, single coloured textures that look disgusting.

[emartini]

Good thing for the HD PACK.

[SyluxPT]

oh shhhhh

[bunfighterii]

no hdd fail

[lochdoun]

Some people still don't have a hard drive???
Shocking, especially since the "core" audience that's buying this game SHOULD have a damn hard drive by now.

Shame on the consumer, not Microsoft. The consumer has the option to buy the hard drive version of the console.

[Jamaicangmr]

"Shame on the consumer, not Microsoft. The consumer has the option to buy the hard drive version of the console."

This is the most incomprehensibly idiotic thing i've ever read and i've read some dumb ish on N4G.

OMG!!! LMFAO!!!

[Chnswdchldrn]

but its not the graphics that matter, its the gameplay, right console guys?

oh wait, so you're saying that if you had the opportunity to improve graphics on a console game, you would?

well hmm hmm hmm isnt that strange

[Yodagamer]

that is one looker of a playstation 1 game then ;)

[tommygecko]

get a portable hdd, format it for xbox 360. allocate 16 gb or so, and you are done!

[thedarkvault]

amazon 2GB USB thumb drive $3.45. Get over it.

[iceman2885]

I'm sick of this crap. Unless, during the play of the game, you commonly stop to stare at random parts of the environment it does not affect the gameplay.

It's just so stupid that people act like some random piece of the environment that really has no affect on the game such that you wouldn't notice it unless you stopped and stared at it or someone pointed it out to you, is such a big deal in some people's eyes.

[SITH]

Get a harddrive. It is pathetic people would trot along in 4gb.

[Dantheman1]

gaming is not all about graphics this game is rubbish anyway

[Pillville]

It's amazing that no matter how many people comment and prove that you can't install the texture pack on the internal memory or USB drive, there are still people posting "Just install it on a USB drive".

Also, this is PS1 graphics:
http://www.videogamesblogge...

I think battlefield is not that bad without HD textures.

[FrigidDARKNESS]

the article is kinda flame bait 360 has ps1 graphics.???????

[Snowii]

thats pretty weird...

[Condemnedman]

This is a ps3 fanboys wet dream

[Bleach]

Bad publicity indeed.

[Beastradamus]

That's why you don't buy the 4gig slim. Glad I spent the extra 100 bucks bucks and bought the 250gig.

[Raoh]

LMFAO

so are the multiplatform owners on n4g that are platform agnostic going to stick with the superior ps3/pc versions or are they going to tough it out with the 360?

360 slim hd issues
360 game cases coming with two disc 1's or two disc 2's due to multidisc packaging errors.

its a good thing microsoft and its fans love mw3 cause bf3 has been a rough one for yall.

[Kos-Mos]

Biggest news seems always to be about graphics. What about gameplay?

[base0064]

This is a pretty dumb move by DICE, hopefully there's a fix soon.

[contra157]

Rip off console . XBOX 360 is a joke and a rip off for what you get. 200 bucks for an xbox with 4gb hard drive? what a joke.