[NeonAges]

    I don't think very highly of this beta, that's for damn sure.  Alright, so I install it just fine, fire it up okay, even create an account with no issues.  After I configure my options, I try to join a server.  It takes about twenty five to thirty minutes to load the map, and then when it finally does load, I select my kit, look at the customize screen, and before I have a chance to hit 'done', the client crashes.  Hmm... a stroke of bad luck, maybe?  Let's try this again.  So I reboot the client, try to join another server, this time it loads in about three to five minutes, but after it finishes loading, before the 'join game' button appears, the client crashes again.  Wow!  This beta rules, yo!
    Okay, I know it's a beta, but come the hell on, EA.  You want us to beta test this thing, and the beta client doesn't even work!  I know I'm not the only one experiencing this, because I've seen posts in various forums of people experiencing the same problems.  Are they going to fix it?  Probably not.  As anyone who has played Battlefield 2: Modern Combat on Xbox or PS2 will know that EA does not like to fix problems, they just like to move on to the next project as soon as possible so they can get more money.
    So today, I got somewhat lucky, and I managed to get into a game where I could run around, fly and drive a few vehicles, and even kill maybe one or two people before the client crashed.  So, I will give you my judgement based on that very small experience.  For starters, the air vehicles haven't gotten any easier to control since BF2, you basically have to have a joystick or be a master of the mouse to fly these things.  As soon as I got off my Titan, I flew a few feet before I started spiraling out of control for what seemed like no reason, and then crashed into a tree.  After watching my million dollar aircraft crash into a tiny tree, I got to thinking.  This thing is made out of titanium steel, with a reinforced hull and bulletproof glass, yet when it hits a tree, it explodes into a million pieces.  Hmm, sure, that makes sense, I guess.  Anyway, the next respawn, I just jumped off the Titan and parachuted to the ground.  I ran over to a nearby silo that was being taken over by a few enemies, so I shoot one with my recon rifle, kill him, then I get spotted by a walking mech and blown into bits.  That's cool, they were prepared, I was not.  So I decide, hell, let me get one of those mechs, and I'll take out a few more!  So I find a mech, hop inside and walk on over to the silo again.  Or at least, I got there somewhat.  I somehow managed to get stuck between a tree and a piece of rubble.  I'm a ten ton walking death machine, and I get stopped by my arch nemesis, mr. tree again.  You win this round, mr. tree.  So while I'm attempting to free myself, I get peppered by rockets and machinegun fire and then I explode.  At least, I'm assuming I exploded, because before I could find out, I crashed again.
    I've pretty much given up on the beta itself until they fix these crashes, though my hopes aren't very high, seeing as EA is notorious for not fixing anything.  Besides, even if I manage to get into a game without crashing, how will I ever defeat the trees?
    Update: Okay, so I found out what's causing the crashes by looking at the .dmp files.  It appears that the client is unable to locate textures for the HUDs in certain vehicles, AND in certain situations while on foot.  Most of these situations are unavoidable, so a crash is unavoidable.  I would like to try to redownload the client, but the way they designed the keys won't let you do that.  Once you enter your beta key, and register it to that client, it's used.  You can't uninstall, redownload, and re-enter the key.  It won't be valid.  So therefore, unless they release a patch for the beta addressing this pretty serious problem, no one will be able to give accurate feedback other than 'the shit crashes'.
    Update 2: DICE and EA released a 'fixed' and 'updated' client.  I downloaded it and the weapon and vehicle models look better and cleaner, but the game still crashes randomly.  Doesn't look to me like they fixed much of anything.  Good job, EA.  At least you're sticking to what you do best.  Screwing over your customers.  I'll continue to update you guys on my experiences.
    Update 3: As you may or may not know, the official Demo of 2142 was released.  Unfortunately, true to EA style, it doesn't look like they fixed the balance issues or some of the crashing issues.  I still crash when joining a server the majority of the time, but I'm actually able to play for a while now when I get lucky.  I don't think I'll be picking up 2142 until after a few patches.

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