Battlefield 4 HVT Suggestions and Thoughts

The addition of the HVT (high value target) system in BF4 adds an exciting new dynamic to the battlefield. Commanders now have the ability to designate a player on the opposing team as an HVT. When an HVT is marked a persistent 45 second beacon is placed on the chest of the opponent.

Currently, this beacon can be seen through walls and reveals the exact location of the HVT.  While a player is marked as HVT they will get a bonus for each kill they achieve. Likewise, if a player on the opposing team will get a bonus for killing the HVT.

Overall the HVT is a good concept that adds a rewarding dynamic to the game, both for the HVT and the opposing team in principle, but placing a beacon on the player that reveals his exact location is taking it too far. The current system is no more than a way to punish players that are performing well, or for commanders to harass a player.

Perhaps a better way to implement the HVT tagging system would be that the HVT beacon only shows up when spotted by the enemy, in the same manner the squad leader is designated with a star when spotted.

Another alternative, or in addition to the above, is that if the HVT breaks line of sight and is no longer in range of any of the spotting devices (tugs, mav, suav, drones, etc.), an area marker would show on the map instead. This maker on the map would show up as a radius of his approximate whereabouts.

Since the persistent beacon would no longer be in effect, when the HVT is designated it should be communicated if he is in a vehicle and what type of vehicle he is using. This could be done by the commander communicating to his team in the same manner supplies are dropped by using a voice over.

There also needs to be an award system implemented for being designated as the HVT or for getting kills as the HVT or both. Personally, I think the award should be for kills as the HVT. Get 4 kills as the HVT and you score a ribbon. I say 4 because it is the same requirement for melee kills. Acquire 50 ribbons and a medal should be awarded.

BF4 Transport Chopper

The transport chopper is an amazing vehicle in BF--when you have capable gunners. It's fun to fly and rewarding when you take on an attack heli head on and win. Check out my video that captures some of the fun that can be had in the BF4 Transport Heli.

BF SRAW: Can't Get Enough of It

The FGM-172 SRAW is quite possibly one of the most entertaining weapons in Battlefield 4. Its versatility is unmatched; it is great for destroying vehicles, aircraft, and personnel. The most rewarding kill, however, is taking down a chopper.
I've taken footage that would not fit into my SRAW FTW video and consolidated it into an anti-air kill only video. Enjoy!

SRAW FTW

One of my favorite weapons in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 was the AT4. It was a wire guided rocket that required a developed skill to hit your target, especially choppers.
So when BF4 introduced the SRAW, naturally I had to give it a whirl. It quickly became my favorite weapon in the game.
Here is some sample gameplay with the SRAW in BF4.
SRAW FTW

BF4 Admin Abuse

Admins that regularly participate on their servers in most cases provide value and a more enjoyable environment for gaming. They can quickly put an end to players that are disrupting the gameplay and make others think twice before doing the same.

However, it seems that an increasing number of admins are not using their authority to enhance their server environment, but rather to troll their constituents. Beware of beating the admin too many times lest you incur his hasty wrath.

Surprisingly, after conversing further with the admin about his reasoning it would seem that you're talking with a teenager that hates the world, but rather he/she is middle aged in many cases!

Just recently on the SNiG clan server, evidently I bested one of their admins too many times and was kicked. The stated reason was an insult that made no sense.

After several of us questioned his reasoning, he simply stated, "because I can" and then kicked me, but not before seasoning it with a vulgar personal insult. Unfortunately, the only recourse that is available in response to such behavior is to no longer frequent that server. In some cases you can visit the clan's website and provide a case there. I have had some favorable results when that is an option.

Even if DICE decided to make an option for reporting admins, it would be subject to such abuse that it would become prohibitive for them to maintain it. Until then, I'll just be happy to record badmin behavior and post it for a good laugh.

Cox Internet Service Fails at Fixing the Real Problems

We've all been there: your internet speed slows to a crawl for some unknown reason. It's happened when you're watching a youtube video and it stops loading halfway through, or websites take a much longer time to load than they should. And then, after a short while, maybe after rebooting your modem and/or router or even restarting your computer, things begin to operate normally.

Well, that's not what I've been experiencing with Cox Communications. For over a year I have complained that the quality of service (QoS) I have been receiving is inconsistent and unacceptable.

"Have you restarted your modem?

When my internet service quality takes a nose dive my first reaction is to check my hardware to make sure it is functioning properly. After verifying that my equipment is functioning properly the only other conclusion I can arrive at is that Cox is not delivering the service that I am paying for, so I call their tech support line.

Now for the frustrating part of the story that does not seem to have a happy ending on the horizon. Whenever I call Cox, the tech support ignores my entire explanation of how I arrived to the conclusion that the problem must be on their end and not mine and asks, "have you restarted your modem?" and is immediately followed by, "are you using a router?".

Once the tech sees that they cannot convince me that my hardware is the source of the problem they arrange to send someone to investigate further and explains if the problem is on my end they will hit me with a hefty fee.

And round and round we go as I beat my head bloody against the wall, exasperated that I cannot find enough single syllable words to reach a level of understanding that is cognizant to the tech. The problem is not at my house, but somewhere between Cox and my house. My neighbors are experiencing the same level of inconsistent service and at the same times, which is becoming more frequent and for longer periods as time progresses.

And then you say, why don't you just change service providers? And then I reply with disdain, because Cox is our only choice.

So it would seem that I, and my neighbors, are doomed to power cycling our modems and routers in the vain expectation that it will someday fix the problem. 

How to Change Your Origin ID - Without Waiting 7 Days

Have you ever changed your Origin ID or in-game name and then regret it moments later? Or maybe the name you changed to is now giving you login problems because it was previously owned by someone else?

Well, by default Origin will make you wait 7 days in between name changes if you use their web service. However, if you change your ID using Origin you will not be required to wait the 7 days!

Here's how:

1. Go to your profile in Origin by clicking your picture on the top right.
2. Click Edit next to Basic Information
3. Answer the security question
4. Change your Origin ID