February = "Player appreciation month"

[CraigMitchell44]

EA stated, that February will be the month of "Player appreciation". Apparently, it will be a month of funny challenges and daily gifts, which you can get just by simply joining a game. They also said, that they made "several things often referred as ,,Netcode"". We can expect the return of the "fan popular" Platoons feature.
Now, to the gifts:
1st: Everyday, if you log into the game, you get a bronze or silver Battlepack. Bronzes during the week and silver during the weekend.
2nd: They will release free shortcuts (didn't state if for everyone or a limited number) for unlocking all the 'nades and pistols for regular users and additional DMR and Shotgun shortcuts for *Premium*.
3rd: There will be a double XP weekend for all players. And a 2nd one for *Premium*
4th: Community missions - prices are golden BPs. Missions are for example: Get a certain amount of knife kills in given time.
5th: Interviews with the creators where they'll answer some fan questions.

Personal opinion: Like dem free Battlepacks (not that I didn't have enough boosts, scopes for PDWs, Shotguns or Sniper rifles or even dogtags, but I miss 1 camo and tons of paints). But I kinda think that the shortcuts will ruin the idea of unlocking (especially the 'nade and shotty ones). Can't await to meet a lvl1 recon with RGO grenade, DBV-12 shotgun and a Serbu Shorty 12G secondary shotgun. But I kinda like the pistols shortcuts. It will be annoying to see tons of Shorties, G18s, M93R and .44 Magnums, but I'm too lazy to unlock them myself (got to the Shorty, hope to get the G18 soon)

Source: http://www.ea.com/cz/news/dice-zahajuje-mesic-plny-bonusu-pro-hrace-battlefield-4 (You're gonna need a translator)

[butt]

Cool. Nice find. I'll need the xp boost to catch up w/ you guys. Think I am low man on the totem pole, in the rankings.

[CraigMitchell44]

I'm sure that you're glad that Platoons are returning. 

[butt]

That is so ghey.

When? Is it a new platoon for bf4, or same info moved over from the bf3 platoon page?

[CraigMitchell44]

Watched several videos and after all, you don't need to play daily, you just need to log into Battlelog and it'll give you that Battlepack.

[butt]

Been having fun getting back into the swing of things. Learning the maps is always a PITA (and rough on the k/d) but feeling like I am on the upswing.

Its been nice w/ the daily 'prize packs', although most of its stuff I'll never need... I also got in on the free Handgun Shortcut Kit promo going on now. https://www.origin.com/en-ca/store/b...n-shortcut-kit

[butt]

Looks like the new Free shortcut kit is out. This time it unlocks all the grenades. See your origin order page for info. Add to your cart and proceed to checkout. Should show $0.00 at checkout.

[CraigMitchell44]

Here are the much expected and Butt's beloved Platoons™©®: http://battlelog.battlefield.com/bf4/news/view/introducing-bf4-platoons/
Launching 27th February, we'll be able to "rank up" with our platoon. I wonder if we can get Battlepacks for that. A score towards a rank is only counted, if atleast 4 players from one platoon play together in one round.
P.S. a lvl10 and *Premium*™©® is needed to start a platoon.

[butt]

Eric has it sorted. I've sent out the initial round of invites from my friends list. If you did not receive one, you may not be on my list. Let me know if I've over looked anyone that needs to be added. Thanks.