Gritty, realistic, tactical: The Reality Mod wants to deliver Battlefield players a down-to-earth alternative and will be released as early as July.
The Reality Mod for Battlefield 3 finally has a release date after a long development period: From 17 July, the ambitious fan project will be available for download.
To celebrate the occasion, the developers released a new trailer that perfectly captures the serious mood of the Modern Military scenario and the new authentic weapon handling:
First-time Battlefield fans who are still familiar with the BF2 mod Project Reality should immediately recognise the parallels here: This is a realistic game! The makers themselves write:
“The Reality Mod focuses on communication and collaboration, taking inspiration from Project Reality for Battlefield 2. Our mod completely revamps gameplay and interface to create a tactical and meaningful gaming experience ”
The big difference to Battlefield 2042: What is immediately noticeable is the gritty atmosphere and the focus on down-to-earth combat. While BF2042 focuses on a rich colour spectrum, futuristic gadgets and specialists with snappy sayings, the BF3 mod wants to paint a realistic picture.
Muted colours, soldiers in uniforms and a minimalist HUD convey a tangible atmosphere that is more reminiscent of Squad or Insurgency. Dynamic level destruction, only present in a few places in BF2042, also returns from Battlefield 3.
Most important innovations: Back in January 2022 we presented Battlefield 3 Reality Mod in detail, here again the most important points and features in a quick overview:
- Hardcore mechanics: Weapons are deadlier, movement speed is slower, and HUD is limited to a compass.
- Teamwork at the centre: Collusion within the squad should be of paramount importance, a new in-game VoIP with position-based output has been developed for this purpose.
- Dynamic maps: Destruction, changing weather and a day-night cycle are to provide variety and tactical challenges.
Here are a few pictures that perfectly capture the look of the game:
Download the Reality Mod: From 17 July you can download the mod via the (official website). To get started, you will need the base game Battlefield 3 and all associated DLCs. Subscribers to EA Play will automatically have access to all of this content.
But the mod is not finished yet: The Reality Mod for BF3 starts in version v0.1 and will be further developed and updated in the course of the next months. At the start, a server browser, increased tick rate and the hosting of private servers are already integrated.
If you are more interested in single player, there is good news from DICE, because apparently a real story campaign is being developed again for Battlefield 7.
What the Reality Mod is all about
Originally, the Reality Mod was supposed to be released by the end of 2020, but the pandemic and numerous technical problems have pushed the release further and further back. According to the developers, memory leaks and VoIP functionality were the main headaches.
But now there is finally first gameplay directly from a match that shows you how tactically you have to act as a team. But the best thing is to see for yourself:
What is the Reality Mod going to change in Battlefield 3? Here the (official website) is very informative. Because the mod is supposed to make the old shooter presentable again and, above all, significantly more demanding. That means: no more running around in the middle of a hail of bullets. Instead, you have to coordinate your actions as a team and, above all, proceed with a plan.
By the way, the mod uses the (Venice Unleashed Framework) as its technical foundation, which enables significantly more features for mods than the original game. Among other things, the Reality Mod will offer you the following features:
- New HUD: The entire user interface has been streamlined and adapted to the realistic touch of the game. Apart from chat overlays and a compass, no further information is displayed.
- Huge battles: Games with over 100 players are supposed to take place on the servers.
- Realistic Pacing: Thanks to a different weapon handling and an adjusted movement speed, the Reality Mod is supposed to play much more leisurely.
- Ingame-VoIP: Since team coordination will be so important in matches, in-game communication via voice-over-IP is particularly useful. This also includes several channels with position-based output.
- New models and familiar destruction: In order to offer BF3 veterans enough new visuals, the team has created numerous assets, from game figures and vehicles to completely fresh maps. Of course, the destruction features known from BF3 will also be on board again, the older version of the Frostbyte engine makes it possible.
- Dynamic weather and 24h-cycle: Not only the mood on the maps changes depending on the weather and whether it is day or night. Your tactical approach is also influenced by this. In the fog it”s easy to hide, but in broad daylight you”re a quicker target.
But there are already plans for the time after the release: A (extensive roadmap) is to be gradually realised after the launch of the mod. Among the planned features are a map editor, further game modes and controllable vehicles
Release trailer with great atmosphere
By the way, an atmospheric release trailer was already released in September 2020 – in retrospect, a bit too early. But that doesn”t detract from the atmosphere, which is why we recommend it to you again at this point:
When can I play the mod myself? This question might be on your mind after reading all the info. Unfortunately, we can”t give you a concrete date, but the team is working flat out to finally make a playable Open Alpha available.
However, there is still one important requirement to be able to play the Reality Mod: You must be in legitimate possession of Battlefield 3 and own all released DLCs – no matter if via Steam or Origin, both versions are supposed to be supported.
If you want to connect directly with the developers and stay up to date, you can join the mod”s (official Discord server).
What do you think of the Reality Mod? Would you give Battlefield 3 another chance thanks to this conversion, or are you rather put off by the aged visuals and stick to more modern genre representatives? Feel free to write us your opinion in the comments!
