Arma 3 announced

[WiseUp216]

Good ol' Arma engine.

All the plants are white in single player and every MP game times out.

I'm not complaining though... I knew going in that it would have quirks.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

Be patient. Alpha invites aren't available yet, and probably won't be for another week or so. The store page says that "Arma 3 Alpha Lite" will be running from "March 14th to June 18th", so it looks like you're going to have to wait a few days if you wanna get in for free.

I'll be your best friend Dan if you send a key my way. I have to ask...

 

[notposting]

Did they ever get proper helicopter control in ARMA 2? The throttle controls were crap initially. Might have a few months this summer to play...son is a toddler now and new baby isn't due till August. Bought a whole HOTAS setup, plus rudder pedals and TrackIR and then we had our first kid. Gaming time...GONE. Don't even have the stuff plugged in anymore.

 

[WiseUp216]

I can't run anything over Standard (Medium) graphics or I get all kinds of problems. I have up-to-date Nvidia drivers (314.14).

Auto-detect put everything @ Ultra w/ 8x FXAA.

Anyone else getting this?

 

[Childs]

Alright, I think I had enough of this. I forgot how bad the controls where. That video saying they modernized it is BS! I almost got it to where it controls like a regular FPS, but a bigger problem is I can't even see what the AI is talking about. I have to just poke my head out and look for tracers. By the time I can find an enemy my team already killed him.

No graphic issues at High, Very High, and whatever is above that, but it just doesnt feel responsive enough. I think the mix of High and Very High I was running at was getting 40 fps. Used 8x of the highest level of FXAA.

 

[DrunkenSano]

It's not a kiddie-shooter on rails with Rambo syndrome.
It's a mil-sim...the closest you will come to actual real life combat on a PC.

I know, being a former veteran...this game is written for adults, not 13 years old kids ith a controller...

Haven't played any of the Armas, it looks very interesting though. The graphics are very nice but it's run of the mill BF or MW graphics.

So... you can't do this in Arma 3?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDTgMyxWHTg

Never played a real sim FPS before, sounds very intriguing. Is it super slow paced though since it's realistic? Since it would a lot of just finding cover and shooting while in cover while slowly gaining ground.

 

[Dankk]

I'll be your best friend Dan if you send a key my way. I have to ask...

I have some IRL buddies who take priority, but if I have one left over, I'll give it to you.

 

[Dankk]

Haven't played any of the Armas, it looks very interesting though. The graphics are very nice but it's run of the mill BF or MW graphics.

So... you can't do this in Arma 3?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDTgMyxWHTg

Never played a real sim FPS before, sounds very intriguing. Is it super slow paced though since it's realistic? Since it would a lot of just finding cover and shooting while in cover while slowly gaining ground.

Yes, it's typically quite slow.

This video is a good example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImO4nHKqrOU

Edit: That video I posted above is a very specific scenario; here's a more general video that gives you a better idea of how to play ARMA. It's fairly long (25 minutes), but it's narrated and very easy to follow. Do yourself a favor and watch the whole thing. It's very intriguing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcnLq3_Tix8

 

[Sulaco]

So... you can't do this in Arma 3?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDTgMyxWHTg

Dear God, no.

 

[BrightCandle]

Alright, I think I had enough of this. I forgot how bad the controls where. That video saying they modernized it is BS! I almost got it to where it controls like a regular FPS, but a bigger problem is I can't even see what the AI is talking about. I have to just poke my head out and look for tracers. By the time I can find an enemy my team already killed him.

The controls are much improved but still slower than most FPS games. But they aren't a problem for the style of play arms presents.

When it comes to AI you are in the shacktac video how methodical you have to be. You listening for them, the effectiveness of them and scanning the terrain. Their obvious places shooters can hide, such as bushes, houses, trees and dips in the terrain and in there somewhere your shooter will be. But because its a team game often you can't see him but someone else can. It takes a while to develop the spotting skill in this game and its predecessor. Don't worry about it, you will improve given practice and it should be reassuring that to start with you are struggling to be good in a scenario other games don't simulate.

The game is slower, firefights are longer but all of it makes real life tactics worthwhile. Its the only game like it and once ACE3 and ACRE mods are out it will be even more realistic. The best way to learn this game is to join a community. Let them show you the ropes, teach you how to work in a team and then weapon systems and in 6 months time you might not be able to stand playing COD ever again.

 

[Jacky60]

Haven't played any of the Armas, it looks very interesting though. The graphics are very nice but it's run of the mill BF or MW graphics.

So... you can't do this in Arma 3?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDTgMyxWHTg

Never played a real sim FPS before, sounds very intriguing. Is it super slow paced though since it's realistic? Since it would a lot of just finding cover and shooting while in cover while slowly gaining ground.

Well I'm still learning Arma2 after thousands of hours of multiplayer (warfare) and it is slower paced than most fps's. It's unforgiving and the modded ai are lethal but flying around at dawn or dusk in cherno is sublimely beautiful and once you learn how to play it's immensely rewarding and fun.

 

[Stringjam]

Downloaded the alpha last night and spent some time with it.

It feels like they have smoothed things out a bit with their overall movement mechanics. To me, it feels a lot better than ArmA2 in that regard.

I hope the graphics are just alpha, because they look absolutely nothing like all these videos Bohemia has been giving us. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt here, after all, it is just an alpha.....but it would nice to see some halfway decent textures. It's really quite ugly.

What I REALLY like about this game is the gun handling mechanics. The movements they give the weapon while sighted are pretty much spot on to what you experience in real life, and you can tell they have put a lot of effort into making it.

Weapon sounds have been vastly improved over the previous games. I actually feel like I'm shooting a weapon (and being shot at by real weapons) instead of the annoyance of those laughable sounds in ArmA 2.

The troop voices have also been improved, as it no longer sounds like a bunch of lines run through Windows Talking Scheduler.

FP animation is still a little bit choppy, and for a game that's focus is simulation, why do you still have the superpower of vision magnification?

I'm looking forward to the BETA of this release. I think there is a lot of potential for a great game here. I am mostly interested in the SP campaign.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

Played multiplayer for like two hours last night (mostly PvP stuff) and I'm pretty impressed with the game.


Comments:
* The movements / fluidity of the game is leaps and bounds over Arma2

* FPS still relied heavily on the server, which sucks (could be an Alpha / beta thing) - somtimes I was 60+ fps, other servers was maxing out at 25 fps

* Sounds needs some work, many of the rifles sounds similar at this point

* New recoil system is great - gun does not "center" after a shot, you have to bring it back, so just taking .5 sec between shots won't make you accurate, shooting - reaiming - shooting again will.


.... for an alpha release I couldn't be happier and have high high hopes for beta / final build.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

Played about 30 minutes of the singleplayer in alpha last night. I've played Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis (AKA ARMA: Cold war Crisis), ARMA, ARMA 2, and now ARMA 3.

• Movement is much better in this game, headbob isn't as obnoxious.

• Aiming down the sights seems more fluid/realistic. Doesn't feel too Rigid.

• Helicopter flight is the same as the other ARMA games I've played, I can't tell a difference for the most part.

• Underwater is pretty cool, spent quite a bit of time doing that.

• Graphics are much improved, things aren't just "Blurred" for effect anymore

• Ragdoll physics are much welcomed. Scripted death animations were always pretty blah in the past.

Other than that it seems like it's staying true to it's engine. I haven't played online so I can't comment if the AI on servers has gotten better (The warping has ALWAYS been horrible when I've played online).

Looking forward to playing more

 

[DrunkenSano]

Played multiplayer for like two hours
* New recoil system is great - gun does not "center" after a shot, you have to bring it back, so just taking .5 sec between shots won't make you accurate, shooting - reaiming - shooting again will.

That sounds actually very cool, could be a major pain in the ass, but definitely new.

 

[Jacky60]

I have some IRL buddies who take priority, but if I have one left over, I'll give it to you.

Hey there Dan (or less than) how is your arma 3 alpha frame rate with your Piledriver?-just curious if it's better than Arma 2 as I think I need CPU upgrade.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

I can't run anything over Standard (Medium) graphics or I get all kinds of problems. I have up-to-date Nvidia drivers (314.14).

Auto-detect put everything @ Ultra w/ 8x FXAA.

Anyone else getting this?

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?147771-BUG-REPORT-ATOC-causes-blue-foliage

 

[Grooveriding]

Are you waiting for Titans (SLI)
and watercooling kit?

I have my Titans already, but waiting for water parts to install. There is a slim chance I will have it together by the weekend, most likely early next week though.

I'll report back some numbers. I know ARMA is a big title for you and you might want to upgrade for this one

 

[BrightCandle]

My rig is running this 45-60 with decently high graphics settings. I am actually CPU limited on the view distance I suspect just like in Arma 2. Its one hell of a beautiful game and much more fluid that Arma 2. We had some great custom missions yesterday and we will be doing more today.

 

[Jacky60]

I have my Titans already, but waiting for water parts to install. There is a slim chance I will have it together by the weekend, most likely early next week though.

I'll report back some numbers. I know ARMA is a big title for you and you might want to upgrade for this one

Thanks, I'm really curious about multi-threading/ more than 4 core utilisation. I have been suspecting this will require an upgrade and it's a good excuse if nothing else but will wait until the full version releases to avoid nasty surprises. ^_^

 

[Dankk]

Alright, I think I had enough of this. I forgot how bad the controls where. That video saying they modernized it is BS! I almost got it to where it controls like a regular FPS, but a bigger problem is I can't even see what the AI is talking about. I have to just poke my head out and look for tracers. By the time I can find an enemy my team already killed him.

No graphic issues at High, Very High, and whatever is above that, but it just doesnt feel responsive enough. I think the mix of High and Very High I was running at was getting 40 fps. Used 8x of the highest level of FXAA.

1) Turn off Vsync.

2) Turn off mouse smoothing.

The mouselook feels very unresponsive and "floaty" unless you turn these options off. Try it.

Hey there Dan (or less than) how is your arma 3 alpha frame rate with your Piledriver?-just curious if it's better than Arma 2 as I think I need CPU upgrade.

The game is running great on my main rig, on High-ish/Very High settings @ 1080p. Don't have any exact numbers, but I'll try to get some specifics tonight.

 

[caboob]

They must have some proprietary frame buffering going on. I average 50 fps but it's very smooth and fluid. This is coming from someone that must have 70 fps or better.

 

[Midwayman]

I've been waiting for this for a long time. Played BF2 hardcore, bf3 hardcore, realism mods etc and been frustrated with how twitch based they still are instead of rewarding good tactics. Never really could get into arma II with the ancient graphics though. Nice to finally see a modern update.

 

[Markbnj]

Wait, what's the deal here? I see an Arma III Alpha on Steam for $32.99. Then I read here about alpha invites. Confused is me. Are people paying $32.99 to test an alpha?

 

[Dankk]

Wait, what's the deal here? I see an Arma III Alpha on Steam for $32.99. Then I read here about alpha invites. Confused is me. Are people paying $32.99 to test an alpha?

No, people are paying $32.00 for alpha access, and beta access, and the full game (when it releases).

They're using a "Minecraft-style" business model. If you support the developers by pre-ordering the game early, you pay a discounted price as a reward (in this case, $32) and you get all future versions of the game, including the final release version.

Once the game leaves alpha and hits beta, the price will get higher (maybe $40), but it will still be discounted for people getting in early. Then, when the game is finalized, the price will finally go up to $50 or $60 MSRP or whatever.

From the store description:

Purchase Arma 3 Alpha now and receive the following:

• Alpha-access – Be one of the first to play Arma 3 and contribute to its development by providing feedback.
• 3 Alpha Lite Invites (not yet available) – Introduce your friends to Arma 3 by inviting them to the free invite-only Arma 3 Alpha Lite (available from March 14, 2013 until June 18, 2013).
• Beta-access & Full Game – Gain access to the Arma 3 Beta as soon as it becomes available. Get a Steam version of the complete game upon release.

The "Alpha invites", on the other hand, are free passes to the alpha that paid users can give out to their friends for free. It does not have the same benefits as actually paying for the game though; in this case, it doesn't include access to the full game. Just alpha.