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Dynamic weather is a gameplay feature in the Battlefield series appearing in Battlefield 4 through Levolution, and formally introduced in Battlefield 1. It involves the constant changing of weather systems on maps, and the various effects it has on gameplay. Several technical hurdles had to be cleared in order to accomplish an in-game weather system that appears photorealistic, can be easily configured by developers, and operates at 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second, while leaving enough computing resources for core gameplay.[1]

Non-dynamic weather[]

Battlefield 2142 features many maps in the European theater with light snow.

Rain appears in the Battlefield 3 map Grand Bazaar.

Volumetric clouds appear in the Battlefield 3 campaign mission Going Hunting, and in the map Giants of Karelia from Battlefield 4.

Battlefield 4[]

Main article: Levolution

Dynamic weather is first seen in Battlefield 4 as Levolution events which activate at certain points during a match. It is featured on Paracel Storm in the form of a raging storm and Gulf of Oman as a large sandstorm and rain being featured on Lumphini Garden that will occasionally stop and later start again, and a snow storm being featured on Operation Whiteout. Gameplay is radically changed as vision is greatly impaired, making it more difficult to perform long-range, air-to-air, and air-to-ground combat. Objects on the map react to the weather in a natural way, an example being the trees on Paracel Storm shaking violently during the storm.

Weather also appears in Operation Locker in the form of a snowstorm outside of the prison. Your soldier's vision also adjusts as he enters back inside.

Battlefield Hardline[]

Main article: Levolution

Dynamic weather in Battlefield Hardline functions in a similar manner to Battlefield 4 in the form of Levolution. It is featured on Dust Bowl as a massive sandstorm and Riptide as a raging tropical storm.

Battlefield 1 and Battlefield V[]

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Monte Grappa under two different weather conditions.

Dynamic weather plays a much larger role in Battlefield 1 and Battlefield V, being featured on every map and occurring at random.[2] It can affect gameplay in many different ways:

  • Clouds converging on a map, creating overcast skies.
  • Dense fog may blanket a map, greatly reducing visibility and limiting long range and air combat. This can make close-quarter combat in the open a feasible tactic for a limited time. It is possible to fly above the fog to regain some visibility.
  • Rain does not affect how far a ground player may see but can be distracting and may distort vision. It can also make it more difficult to notice movement at a distance. Rain also collects on soldiers' gear and vehicles, and can cause mud to form in low areas. Mud can also collect on gear, and be washed off by rain.
  • Sandstorms and snowstorms greatly impair player vision and hearing, and make it extremely difficult to pilot any air vehicles.

The engine allows for unified interactions between the sky, sun, and clouds, allowing manipulation of time of day. It also provides for more consistent lighting, improved appearance of volumetric clouds, and correct views from the air as seen in the spawn screen.

Objects on the map may have dynamic interactions with the weather. For example, windmills may spin faster in a more windy weather.

Battlefield 2042[]

Dynamic weather in Battlefield 2042 is also quite game-changing.

On any map, there is a chance for a tornado to appear and start moving around the map. If you get close to the tornado, your HUD will start malfunctioning and will turn completely black and white, masking allies and enemies. The tornado can also pick you up and start blowing you around, potentially flinging you away in any direction. However, one can use the tornado to their advantage to either get a mid-air kill (e.g. on a vehicle) or to quickly move around the map with either their parachute or by using a specialist's unique ability, like Sundance's wingsuit. The sky will change color and the in-game announcer will warn you when a tornado appears.

Certain maps have other weather effects From rain to snow. Hourglass features a sandstorm that severely limits vision. Orbital and Kaleidoscope both feature a rainstorm that will change the atmosphere of the battle, and Breakaway features a light snowstorm

Trivia[]

  • In Battlefield 4, more Levolution-based weather events were planned for the China Rising expansion, but were cut before release:
    • Guilin Peaks would have featured creeping fog.
    • Altai Range would have had a snowstorm. No traces of this effect remain.
    • Silk Road was to have a sandstorm, but various heat effects remain in the release map.[3]
  • The dynamic weather engine featured in Battlefield 1 was first used in Mirror's Edge Catalyst and the Need for Speed series, and will be used for future titles using Frostbite 3.[1]

References[]

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