14 DAY TRIAL // Battlefield 3 was developed primarily for the PC platform by its creators at DICE, but this doesn't mean that the console editions of the shooter suffered, largely because the team sought ways to keep as much of the PC version's quality as possible when bringing it to devices like the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360, at least according to its executive producer, Patrick Bach.
Battlefield 3 just been released in North America and is getting ready for its debut tomorrow in Europe. We've already had a quick look at the PC version and were quite impressed with its stunning visuals.
Now, the game's executive producer, Patrick Bach, talked with PC Gamer about the benefits of making the PC a game's lead platform, and how it could actually improve its console editions.
“Our biggest benefit for the console has been that we’re leading on PC,” said Bach. “It has forced us to push the limited technology of consoles compared to the PC to a new level, because we set the bar with what we wanted to create on PC and said, ‘How the heck are we going to do this on consoles?’”
Bach said that the team at DICE prioritized what features are crucial and need to be kept on consoles, but also allowed the PC platform to include things that are "really cool but not key for the gaming experience,.” Bach concluded by saying that, “it’s easier for you to make those decisions when you have a robust PC build to look at, and the console versions look great because of the PC.”
It seems that more studios should follow DICE's strategy, although many still prefer to focus directly on consoles like the PS3 or Xbox 360, and then worry about the PC, which is nowadays forced to handle delays, like with Batman: Arkham City or Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, and buggy releases, like id Software's Rage.