More information can be found in the official site. Here is a quick breakdown on what it is all about.
VU /vi:ju:/ is a community-oriented Battlefield 3 modding platform that gives you back control of your gaming experience. VU is releasing this December!
About VU
VU (a.k.a. Venice Unleashed) is a modding and improvement framework for Battlefield 3. It offers a variety of features, such as the ability to host private dedicated servers, high frequency / tickrate servers, configurable suppression and color correction (ie. you can disable the blue tint), and extensive modding capabilities. With it, you can join servers offering custom experiences (such as the BF3 Reality Mod) or create your own using the modding tools.
VU is free to use for anyone who owns Battlefield 3 on Origin. To get started playing VU, simply register a new account here, download VU from the homepage and Battlefield 3 from Origin, and launch it from your desktop or start menu. For more information on setting up VU, you can go through the getting started guide on the VU wiki.
Server hosting in VU
Any player can host their own VU dedicated server on their own machine and configure it as they please. For more information on how to set up, configure, and run a VU dedicated server you can refer to the server hosting guide on the VU wiki.
Modding with VU
Through mods you can achieve a variety of different things, from slightly tweaking the game (eg. adjusting the recoil of a gun) to creating entirely new gamemodes and maps. For more information of how modding in VU works check out the modding category in the VU wiki.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the requirements to play this?
VU supports computers running Windows 7 SP1 and newer. To play, you’ll need a legit, licensed, and up-to-date version of BF3 installed on your computer, along with the VU client.
Do I need to own Battlefield 3 to use this?
Yes. You need a legit, licensed, and up-to-date version of BF3 installed in order to use VU and you will also be required to link your Origin account with your VU account the first time you launch it, so we can verify your ownership of the game. VU does not and never will work with cracked or pirated copies.
Do I also need the DLCs?
Not necessarily. You need the DLCs to play in servers using DLC content as you would in the vanilla game.
Will I get banned for using this?
No. VU functions separately from vanilla BF3, uses its own servers, and does not modify any game files. That means that you can just launch BF3 like you normally would through Battlelog and it’s like VU was never there. Any changes to your game data are performed at your discretion with the use of third party mod tools.
Are my Battlelog stats transferred over?
No. Your VU profile is independent from your Battlelog profile. There’s no progression and everything is unlocked for everyone by default.
Is it legal?
Yes. VU does not modify nor distribute any EA/DICE assets and functions separately from the vanilla BF3 client. VU is fully legal under EU interoperability laws