Road to End Game: Fight all year round on four vast maps

02.15.13 [DICE] H Brun | 162 comments

Battlefield 3: End Game brings the battle to four distinct environments featuring everything from arid desert landscapes to snowy mountain areas. Learn more about the map variety on offer below.

Four distinct maps are on offer in End Game. Size-wise, they are comparable to Caspian Border and Operation Firestorm from the base game, while the flag layout resembles that in our previous expansion pack Armored Kill – Meaning that we have spaced the capture points and bases to make full use of the entire Battlefield.

While all maps are carefully created to cater for the new dirt bike, the new AA vehicles should see heavy use on most of the maps as well. This new transport has a roof mounted turret that can switch between rockets and anti-air missiles to protect your infantry and combat air threats.

OPERATION RIVERSIDE

Internal working title: “XP5_001” or River”
Supported game modes: Capture the Flag (NEW), Air Superiority (NEW), Conquest, Rush, Squad Rush, Team Deathmatch, Squad Deathmatch
Distinguishing features: This fall themed map houses an electric power substation at its center, with a small river flowing along its axis. The layout of the bases in Operation Riverside caters somewhat towards infantry action rather than all-out vehicle warfare. It’s generally speaking an infantry-friendly landscape where soldiers can go by foot between the bases, while ground vehicles need to take more roundabout roads to traverse the environment.

Across the river giving this map its name, players can find a spectacular jump in the form of a partly destroyed wooden bridge. A lot of other ramps have been carefully placed in the environment on Operation Riverside to make sure that the map is full of exciting options for riders of the new dirt bike. You can read more about the spectacular jumps in End Game in this previous blog post.

NEBANDAN FLATS

Internal working title: “XP5_002” or “Flats”
Supported game modes: Capture the Flag (NEW), Air Superiority (NEW), Conquest, Rush, Squad Rush, Team Deathmatch, Squad Deathmatch
Distinguishing features: In this arid desert dotted with gigantic wind generators lies a seemingly non-distinguishing warehouse. But behind its unassuming exterior hides a secret weapons and munitions depot, leading to a clash in the area. The relative openness of the desert setting allows for full freedom of movement for the entire range of vehicles at disposal in Battlefield 3 multiplayer. The low amount of natural cover available also demands quick transportation between capture points, as players are otherwise open to attack.

KIASAR RAILROAD

Internal working title: “XP5_003” or “Railroad”
Supported game modes: Capture the Flag (NEW), Air Superiority (NEW), Conquest, Rush, Squad Rush, Team Deathmatch, Squad Deathmatch
Distinguishing features: This picturesque summer logging industry setting sees a strategic railway stretch across the map – with covert weapons deliveries being its main purpose. The many height changes in this undulating landscape can be used to your advantage – There’s plenty of opportunity to hide from the enemy and use cover as you approach your targets.

While this map also has ample opportunity for dirt bike riders to catch big air, the jumps on Kiasar Railroad are typically more carefully molded into the landscape itself, or not as obvious.

SABALAN PIPELINE

Internal working title: “XP5_004” or “Pipeline”
Supported game modes: Capture the Flag (NEW), Air Superiority (NEW), Conquest, Rush, Squad Rush, Team Deathmatch, Squad Deathmatch
Distinguishing features: Ever since we demoed the Alborz Mountain map at GamesCom 2012 and saw the amazing fan reactions, we’ve known that snow is one of the most stunning settings we can provide in Battlefield 3. Sabalan Pipeline is no different. The oil pipeline traversing this frosty winter landscape has immense economic value and is a highly contested battlefield.

Similar to Operation Riverside, Sabalan Pipeline was built to cater for a mix of vehicle and infantry gameplay. Compared to the other three maps in End Game, Sabalan Pipeline has fewer and narrower roads that are important to control if you want to dominate the opposition. At the center of this map lies a central base that is also an essential asset, as it allows you extended control over the road leading to and from your main bases.  This is equally important whether playing the signature Battlefield Conquest mode or our take on Capture the Flag that we are introducing in End Game.

We’re excited to present our players with such a broad variety of environments to expand their Battlefield experience with come March. Join us here on the Battlefield Blog for more breaking news on End Game up until launch. Let us know what you think in the poll and comments section below, and we’ll make sure to check in and discuss with you!

Did you miss the previous entries in this in-depth End Game blog series?
Road to End Game #1: High-speed warfare
Road to End Game #2: Creating the perfect dirt bike playground
Road to End Game #3: High-speed Capture the Flag

Battlefield 3: End Game is out this March. You can purchase it separately for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 – or get it two weeks early at no extra charge if you become a Battlefield 3: Premium member.