This is something we’ve never done before. There’s a piece of content coming in 2015 that we’re really excited about. We will build a Battlefield 4 map together with you – the community. Together with our development team, you will get to shape a playable map based on your input and expertise on what makes a fun multiplayer level. This map will then be tested and tweaked in the CTE (Community Test Environment), available for Battlefield 4 Premium members.
As part of this CTE testing you will be providing feedback* on the map, and creating the final thing together with us. During this process we’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes details of what the development process for making a multiplayer map looks like.
As a thank you to the Battlefield community for sticking to your Battlefield 4 guns and giving excellent feedback to improve the game, we want to show our appreciation by releasing the “Community Map” as a free download, available to players on all platforms.
Give Community Map feedback on the Battlefield 4 CTE forum
As part of this CTE testing you will be providing feedback* on the map, and creating the final thing together with us. During this process we’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes details of what the development process for making a multiplayer map looks like.
As a thank you to the Battlefield community for sticking to your Battlefield 4 guns and giving excellent feedback to improve the game, we want to show our appreciation by releasing the “Community Map” as a free download, available to players on all platforms.
Give Community Map feedback on the Battlefield 4 CTE forum
What else did the team reveal? Well, a "Winter Patch" is due out in March. This will include further improvements to the game's netcode and collision. It also comes with a new game mode.
In March, we’ll deploy what we call the Winter Patch, polishing things like netcode and soldier collision. This update will also tweak one of our competitive game modes, Squad Obliteration. Fast-paced and hugely focused on team work, this will become the lead competitive game mode for Battlefield 4.
In case you haven’t had the chance to try it yourself yet, Squad Obliteration features two five-player teams fighting for possession of a bomb on the map. Your goal is to destroy two out of three enemy bases with these bombs to win. Our ambition with Squad Obliteration is to create something fast and challenging for the players and an entertaining experience for those who watch the matches.
In case you haven’t had the chance to try it yourself yet, Squad Obliteration features two five-player teams fighting for possession of a bomb on the map. Your goal is to destroy two out of three enemy bases with these bombs to win. Our ambition with Squad Obliteration is to create something fast and challenging for the players and an entertaining experience for those who watch the matches.
It's not a publicly released map editor but at least it's something! Don't screw this up, community! Also, DICE, I think I'm starting to like you again, but let's keep that on the down-low.
(via Battlelog)
That's how I understand it. Again though, I think you need to be in the CTE to be actively involved in the process. I am not and do not have access to those forums to see for myself.
They dismissed the urban option because of "costs and optimization". Though a valid point, the start of this makes me feel like perhaps the community is going to be guided into the map the developers want.
I dont know, we shall see I guess. Worst thing that happens is we get a map that no one plays.