VEEditor

As impressive and eye-catching as most games released in the past decade are, one area where many AAA titles fall short is the degree of customization they provide to players. With indie alternatives the likes of Ravenfield offering extensive Steam Workshop support for community-made mods, one way of bringing a similar level of flexibility is by incorporating modifications such as VEEditor.

While the developers move on to newer projects oftentimes mandated by the publisher’s leadership, many players are looking for ways to make the most of the product they paid for. When quality of life updates for the game stop being pushed, a handful of passionate programmers take it upon themselves to figure out ways through which they can bend the engine to their will.

In the case of Battlefield 3’s Frostbite 2, despite the difficulties and complexities behind its mechanics, modders have shown the possibilities are present even on a rather locked-down platform — a drastic change from the days of Battlefield 2’s impressive customization options.

With the extension at hand, users can initialize a game session and preview changes made to visual parameters in real-time, thus enhancing the workflow that would otherwise feel sluggish due to constant client restarting. Once set up, the mod allows you to change a plethora of environmental details that can consequently alter the gameplay style.

For instance, maps designed with daytime lighting in mind can have their brightness decreased to nighttime levels for a slower, more tactical-focused play-style compared to the usual all-out warfare type. With atmospheric effects such ranging from fog and wind to sun flare being just as customizable, users may also emulate the extreme weather effects present in the latest Battlefield 2042 title for a more challenging scenario.

Accessibility remains a critical pillar of an enjoyable gaming experience, its lack thereof being off-putting for a sizeable portion of the player base. That being said, the ability to change a level’s weather conditions to organically increase its difficulty should not be overlooked. Luckily, thanks to VEEditor, Battlefield 3 players enjoying what Venice Unleashed has to offer can replicate that capability.