Operation Peacekeeper Preview

[Sevigon]

Recently, I got to sit down and beta test the new <a href="http://www.opkmod.com">Operation Peacekeeper Mod</a>. And what an exciting <i>adventure</i> it was, playing this modification. Although still a little way from release, and a few more things to tweak, I can tell it's going to be a promising modification for Battlefield 2. Warning, I am not a pre/reviewer, this preview is rated H for horrific.

What I found interesting about this modification.. was that it introduced me to a whole new outlook on Battlefield 2. I don't know if it was the new look of scenary, or the new weapons. All I knew, is that first step into a map, and I was hooked. Let's take a look at the amazing player model detail:

<a href="http://www.totalbf2.com/images.php?img=news/images/screen18718.jpg"><img src="/news/images/thumb_screen18718.jpg"></a> <a href="http://www.totalbf2.com/images.php?img=news/images/screen25965.jpg"><img src="/news/images/thumb_screen25965.jpg"></a>

You can read the full preview <a href="http://www.totalbf2.com/modifications/previews/operationpeacekeeper.php"><b>here</b></a>.

Honestly, I can't express how much I'm looking forward to this mod. And I'd like to thank the OPK development team, for letting me beta test this mod. Rock on, guys.

[gx.]

Oh Man Buildings That Burn!!! :rolleyes:

anywho, love this game and cant wait for it to come out :rock:

[Rataboom]

"Bang and your Brain is Gone!"

[Souljah]

Nice read!

too bad u were not satisfied with the sounds, I was really looking forward to hearing the sound of opk, especially for the rifles.
I will download it anyway but I hope they improve their sounds for their 1st release.
As the old saying... "u can have all the peanuts in the world but without the refreshing Heineken then their just regular old peanuts." :p

[Phil Fresh]

Nice preview. Thanks.

I'm definately ready for this mod. Any mod for that matter. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long.

[Osis]

The test was with an WIP-Version. There was a lot to fix. And tons of new sounds. ;) The focus was on new vehicle and weapon sound. ;)

And it´s a hard work to improve all. :D thin we will get 8.5/10 next weekend.

[Sevigon]

The test was with an WIP-Version. There was a lot to fix. And tons of new sounds. ;) The focus was on new vehicle and weapon sound. ;)

And it´s a hard work to improve all. :D thin we will get 8.5/10 next weekend.

As I am aware of. But it was all I had to work with. Keep up the good work though, Osis. ;)

[Hot Tub Man #1]

I think a WIP mod that gets an 8.5/10 is definitely ready for release. Perhaps its my impatience, but I believe that if a mod releases early and often, they're bound to succeed. Starting small and adding content as you go on, I think, is much better than going for the home-run, perfect first release, because when you do the latter, people's interest starts to wane as you wait. It seems that OPK has a good number of features and if the only problems are nitpicky things like sound, then I think it's definitely ready. If the mod is good, it'll stay afloat with bad sounds, which can be fixed later.

[Sevigon]

I think a WIP mod that gets an 8.5/10 is definitely ready for release. Perhaps its my impatience, but I believe that if a mod releases early and often, they're bound to succeed. Starting small and adding content as you go on, I think, is much better than going for the home-run, perfect first release, because when you do the latter, people's interest starts to wane as you wait. It seems that OPK has a good number of features and if the only problems are nitpicky things like sound, then I think it's definitely ready. If the mod is good, it'll stay afloat with bad sounds, which can be fixed later.


Let's not forget my comment about the overpowered items. The anti-tank has a: gun, RPG type weapon, and the wrench. The G3 has the ammo bag (as if it isn't overpowered already)..

Might need to be fixed before release.

[jimbob]

Perhaps its my impatience, but I believe that if a mod releases early and often, they're bound to succeed. Starting small and adding content as you go on, I think, is much better than going for the home-run, perfect first release, because when you do the latter, people's interest starts to wane as you wait. .


wrong wrong wrong - its YOUR impatience im afraid.

if this truly was the case you would have seen ALOT more mods out by now. but it isnt. If a mod releases too early, it is normally full of bugs and incomplete work which results in people complaining and b@tching about how they should of waited till it was finished... and the mod loses fans and inevitabley and loses all of its reputation.

this is the way it is now and this is the way it has been since bf1942.
be patient, and let the mod teams bring you a finished complete product... lets not make mod teams take EA style tactics :rolleyes:

[Osis]

AT the moemnt we don´t have a overpowered class. ;) That show the tests. But will be simple to fix.

But classes are changed. Sure.

An yes, A guy with ammo and G3, but without grenades,,, ;)

And in this version are some still some bugs. The Bov dreives like a drunken cow. :D Some skins are missing. Some vehciles need tweaks becuase they are sliding...

[Hot Tub Man #1]

Well, my saying this isn't just my impatience, although I admit I am a bit anxious for a release, looking at those screenshots and enjoying the BFV version of the mod. I suppose I'm opening up a dialogue to kill the time.

I don't think it's as simple as you state, Jimbob. Betas by definition are incomplete works with (possibly many) bugs. Playtesting in closed betas is supposed to catch bugs, but they won't catch everything. It's the bitching and complaining by the regular players that in many ways helps a mod improve upon itself, and any responsive mod team (one that is interested in maintaining a fanbase, anyway) will listen to these concerns and implement them in future betas.

There's plenty of evidence of this cycle of implementation-and-feedback in both developing mods and even commercial games. The most popular mod of all-time, Counter-Strike, released betas often, going through 5 public betas in the half a year after its initial release. I read this in a magazine so correct me if I'm wrong, but Desert Combat had a new release every 45 days. I can speak from experience with CS that while new features were added, if there was a clamour in the community about an issue, it would usually be addressed. You can even see this in BF2, where, contrary to popular belief, the devs actualy do implement fixes for issues that are important to the community. Cases in point: Dolphin diving, Spec Ops not recieving points for destroying commander assets, blackhawk whoring, and even in the latest patch, the squad jumping issue. (Of course, there are many other bugs yet to be fixed, and this is what people focus on when they get angry at Dice.)

In terms of a mod's reputation, I'll concede that a mod's polish helps to leave an impression on a player. A graphically ugly mod, or a frustratingly buggy mod would certainly lower one's opinion of that mod. At the same time, a mod's fun factor leaves an impression on a player as well. I think most reasonable players would overlook a few bugs or graphical misses if the mod was fun to play.

So, I stand by my statement. From reading the review, it seemed that the reviewer had an overall fun time playing the mod. None of the gripes (the bad sound, or the kit imbalances) seemed to take away from the overall experience, and in the end, I think fun in games is more important than polish. What's great about a mod in beta is that even if the sound or the kit imbalances do take away from the overall game, it can be improved upon in the next version. It's not like they have to get it absolutely perfect the first time.

[jimbob]

^^^^ im sorry mate - but it is obvious you havent had to deal with modding the bf2 engine.

dont compare it to modding bf1942 or HL - its like apples and oranges buddy ;)

the cycle of implementation and feedback in all cases for BF2 is a job solely for the beta testers - that is what they are taken on to do and that is what they are good at. releasing incomplete builds of BF2 mods is, while being downright stupid (sorry but it is), a completely irresponsible act.


let me put it to you this way - coming from a mod dev.

you spend months and months and months working for a project that everyone is keen to play - expectations are high, not just yours but everyone elses. you pour your heart and sole into a project doing everything possible to make it the best experience possible.

now - after hearing that, do you REALLY think we want to give out our "art" before its finished? when a chef bakes a cake, does he serve you the batter? which do appreciate more? - driving a hull or a finished car? get it? infact, by releasing the product incomplete you really do take away the impact that the full version will have on the community... the version the mod devs REALLY care about.

i see where you are coming from, unfortunately this has been brought up 1000 times before. i used to think like you, until i actually joined a dev team :D fact of the matter is, whilst i value your opinion, NOONE will heed that advice ;) as it really is just impatience on the players part.

be patient :laugh: and be grateful that there are so many out there working their asses off for your enjoyment.


SO CANT WAIT OSIS! - i am amazed that your team has managed to leap ahead of the pack - and keep the quality along the way! well done!

GOOD WORK and best of luck with your upcoming release!

[[OPK]DaWallace]

Sounds are kind of flat, and a little bit dull. :cry:

[Boje]

I was one of the happiest guys, testing this beta-version and i can say:
It will be much better than vanilla! 9/10
of course there are some things to do - its a beta...

[Sevigon]

I was one of the happiest guys, testing this beta-version and i can say:
It will be much better than vanilla! 9/10
of course there are some things to do - its a beta...

I am going to have to agree with you on that. But not 9 quality, as of yet. It's still a WIP, and like Battlefield 2, updates will need to be released.

[^Hellraiser]

Definitely worth the read on the OPK Mod. Not sure about other's but I've been waiting quite awhile for some good unbiased info on mods, as Vanilla BF2 isn't much fun anymore.

Anyway, OPK is looking good, and by the review of it, and screenshots, looks like it will make it to my mod collection. Keep up the good work.

[Boje]

I am going to have to agree with you on that. But not 9 quality, as of yet. It's still a WIP, and like Battlefield 2, updates will need to be released.

9/10 because its a preview version ;)