Arma 3

By Ian Boudreau @ The Wargamer

One of the difficult things about approaching a possibility space as large as the one presented by Arma 3 is deciding what you actually want to do with it. Beyond the campaign, there’s the game’s powerful editor which allows players to create remarkably complex combined arms combat scenarios across vast land masses. But if you’re like me, sometimes that’s a bit… much. Sometimes I’d rather just fire up a quick game and lead a fire team over a hill to shoot some bad guys.

Thankfully, some truly amazing mods have emerged over the past year, so we’ve put together this guide to cover some of the new content out there – whether it’s total conversions, new models, or AI environments, you should be able to find something for you in this list.

Read on…

Steam Free Weekend (April 26-30) and massive discounts on Arma games

After already welcoming 4+ million players to its highly-rated military sandbox game, Bohemia Interactive is calling in additional reinforcements by hosting a Free Weekend for Arma 3 on Steam. The Free Weekend starts on April 26 at 19:00 CEST (all time zones) and ends on April 30 at 19:00 CEST. It provides all Steam users with the opportunity to try out the complete Arma 3 base game. Plus, if they wish to continue playing after the Free Weekend, people can pick up Arma and nearly all of its DLC packs at massive discounts of up to 66% (and 80% off previous Arma games).

Arma 3 is an authentic military shooter game, in which you enter a massive military sandbox terrain to engage in diverse tactical combat. Players have access to a wide variety of gear and weapons – and are able to operate all sorts of military vehicles such as tanks, helicopters, and jets. The game also offers a large number of singleplayer scenarios (including a story-driven campaign) and multiplayer modes. Plus, there’s a powerful yet intuitive 3D Scenario Editor for users to create their own scenarios, as well as the Arma 3 Zeus interface that lets users act as a real-time Game Master for other players in multiplayer.

On top of that, Arma 3 fully supports all types of player-created content and modifications, which can be easily shared with other players via the Arma 3 Steam Workshop. The Workshop already hosts 50,000+ publicly shared items, ranging from weapons, vehicles, and uniforms to new gameplay features, singleplayer or co-op campaigns, and community-made multiplayer modes such as the original PLAYERUNKNOWN’s Battle Royale.

Since the initial release of the Alpha version on Steam Early Access in 2013, Arma 3 has come a long way by introducing lots of additional content, new features, and improvements. The game has received 75 free platform updates and 10 DLC packs, which have helped to achieve an impressive average playtime per Arma 3 user of 150+ hours. In a new infographic poster, Bohemia Interactive provides a quick overview of Arma 3′s development and how people have engaged with the game so far.

For more information about Arma 3, please visit the official website at www.arma3.com.

By Ian Boudreau @ Wargamer

One of the things that keeps me coming back to ArmA 3 is its stern-faced commitment to realism in an unchangeably goofy video game world. There’s something David Lynchian about the whole affair – you’re never quite sure whether the developers are completely earnest or if you’ve just gotten a wry wink at the absurdity of it all.

Take the latest Tanks DLC package. I’ll run through the vital statistics later, but there’s such a funny juxtaposition of an obsessively intense focus on simulating real-world military operations with the realization that a lot of what happens in the military isn’t any fun. While I was gleefully thundering around in my Rhino MGS, a tank destroyer introduced in this new pack, some incoming mortar fire blew out my front two passenger-side tires.

The damage model is detailed enough so that this has a pretty severe impact on handling. But then I got out of the Rhino, clicked a prompt, and had the tires back in action in about 25 seconds total.

Read on…

New armored vehicles, mini-campaign, showcase scenario, major free platform update

Celebrated with a new launch trailer, Bohemia Interactive today released Arma 3 Tanks DLC – a new downloadable content pack for the PC-exclusive tactical military shooter game Arma 3. Tanks DLC features 3 new armored vehicles (which come in multiple variants with various liveries), as well as a singleplayer mini-campaign and a showcase scenario starring the new vehicles.

Aside from the new premium content, the package is also accompanied by a major platform update. This update is free for everyone who owns Arma 3. It significantly enhances the experience of operating an armored vehicle, introduces new targeting features, and adds free new bonus content such as a competitive multiplayer mode, time trial races, new anti-tank weapons, additional vehicle variants, decorative objects, and more.

Key Features

• T-140 Angara Main Battle Tank
• Nyx Armored Weapons Carrier
• Rhino Mobile Gun System
• “Altis Requiem” Mini-Campaign
• Showcase “Tank Destroyers”

Free Platform Update Highlights

• Enhanced Armored Vehicle Experience (applies to ALL armored vehicles in Arma 3)
• 3D Interiors
• Improved Handling
• Extended Damage Model
• Vehicle Customization
• Upgraded Audio

And more:

• Fire-Control System
• New Missile Flight Profiles
• “Vanguard” Multiplayer Mode
• 3 Time Trial Challenges
• 2 Anti-Tank Launchers
• Additional (Anti-Tank) Vehicle Variants
• Decorative Objects
• Official Soundtrack
• Steam Achievements

Arma 3 Tanks DLC is now available for purchase on the Bohemia Store and Steam at € 9.99 / $ 11.99 / £ 8.99. It is also included in Arma 3′s DLC Bundle 2, which is available on the Bohemia Store and Steam at € 22.99 / $ 24.99 / £ 19.99, and saves more than 25% over purchasing Arma 3 Jets, Laws of War, Tac-Ops Mission Pack, and Tanks DLC separately.

For a complete overview of the new content and features, please visit www.arma3.com/dlc/tanks.

Half of Bohemia Interactive’s net revenue from Laws of War DLC in 2017 donated to ICRC

As pledged last August, independent games developer Bohemia Interactive has donated half of its 2017 net revenue from direct sales of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The total amount raised is USD 176,667 (one-hundred and seventy-six thousand, six-hundred and sixty-seven US dollars – approximately EUR 143,543 or GBP 126,016).

To further celebrate the special occasion, the studio published a special blog post, which includes a new story trailer for the DLC, plus an infographic with statistics on how people played Laws of War’s mini-campaign.

“With over two billion gamers worldwide, video games have an incredible potential to convey the importance of international humanitarian law (IHL). The collaboration between Bohemia interactive and the ICRC has been extraordinary and we have learned a lot from each other by exchanging ideas and our respective expertise on how to incorporate IHL into a video game. The success of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC has shown us that video games are one of the many ways to reach new audiences and call attention to the fact that wars do have limits and rules. We are also very grateful that Bohemia Interactive will donate $176,667 to the ICRC, which shows their commitment to support our work, to help people affected by armed conflict and other situations of violence in over eighty countries.” said Helen Durham, Director for International Law and Policy at the ICRC.

Bohemia Interactive’s CEO, Marek Spanel: “We knew this DLC’s theme might seem a bit unusual, but we also felt that it has a rightful place in a game like Arma 3. At the same time, our community normally expects more traditional content you’d see in a military game, such as new weapons, tanks, and helicopters. That has made it even more amazing to see the immense level of player support for the Laws of War DLC, which really shows again how both games and the gaming audience have matured. If you also consider that some of our players are in the military or might pursue a military career in the future, then we’re glad this DLC has been able to increase awareness for this important topic. And being able to also make a financial contribution to the ICRC’s efforts is a great bonus.”

Arma 3 Laws of War is a downloadable content pack for Bohemia Interactive’s military game Arma 3. It explores a different perspective on the battlefield by introducing a fictional humanitarian NGO faction called IDAP (International Development & Aid Project) to the game. The package also includes a new van, a drone, outfits and gear, and a range of decorative objects such as shelter tents and medical or food supplies. One of the main highlights of the DLC is the “Remnants of War” mini-campaign. Here, players take on the role of IDAP explosive specialist Nathan MacDade, and uncover what happened in the town of Oreokastro – witnessing the long-term consequences of war and particularly the effects of mines and unexploded ordnance.

Furthermore, the Laws of War DLC implemented a free Showcase scenario on the topic of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). This singleplayer scenario, which is presented as a virtual reality training course hosted by IDAP, aims to provide all Arma 3 players with the opportunity to become more familiar with the DLC’s complex and serious theme.

More information about the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC is available on the official Arma 3 Laws of War webpage.

Developer diary video reveals new armored vehicles and more

Bohemia Interactive today announced the release date for the upcoming Arma 3 Tanks DLC and revealed the DLC’s content and features. Available on April 11, Tanks DLC will conclude Arma 3′s current development roadmap by introducing a brand new Main Battle Tank, Armored Weapons Carrier, Tank Destroyer, a short singleplayer mini-campaign, and a singleplayer Showcase scenario.

The Tanks DLC will be accompanied by a major platform update. This update will be free for everyone who owns Arma 3, and implements a range of new gameplay features and bonus content related to armored vehicles, such as fully-modeled 3D interiors, more targeting options, new launchers and additional vehicle variants, decorative objects for scenario creators, a competitive multiplayer mode, and more. The complete package is explored in-depth in a new developer diary video.

Arma 3 Tanks DLC Key Features:

• T-140 Angara – The T-140 Angara is a Main Battle Tank (MBT) of Russian design and is used by the CSAT faction. This vehicle is built to deliver maximum destruction, while providing the best kind of protection to its crew. The Angara’s primary weapon is a new 125 mm cannon, which can fire three different kinds of ammunition, and has a longer effective range than the cannons on most Western tanks. Its secondary weapons are a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. Aside from the regular T-140, the Angara also comes in the T-140K ‘Commander’ variant, which replaces the heavy machine gun for a 30 mm autocannon, and is equipped with sensors to share target data via the Data Link with other units.
• AWC Nyx – The Nyx Armored Weapons Carrier (AWC) is of German engineering descent, but was licensed and modified by the AAF faction. Its smaller size makes it relatively fast and mobile, and even allows for it to be slingloaded by the CH-49 Mohawk helicopter. The Nyx comes in four variants: Anti-Tank, Anti-Air, Recon, and the Autocannon variant. All of these variants wear an armor jacket that is able to withstand 7.62 ammunition, but each vehicle variant carries different types of weapons or equipment to serve specific needs on the battlefield. Just like the other new vehicles in this DLC, the Nyx is available in multiple liveries.
• Rhino MGS – The Rhino is a wheeled Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) that is purpose-built to fight against tanks. For this reason, it’s also referred to as a ‘Tank Destroyer’. The Rhino MGS has a 120 mm cannon, which can fire all kinds of standard rounds, but also the new MARUK ATGM. It has a secondary weapon in the form of a coaxial .338 magnum machine gun. The Rhino also comes in the UP variant. This variant features an additional remote 12.7 mm heavy machine gun turret, and improved protection in the form of cage and ERA armor. It makes the UP more suitable for Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT), but does add weight and limits options for transport. Both variants of the Rhino are connected to the Data Link, which enables them to lock onto targets picked up or painted by friendly armed forces.
• “Altis Requiem” Mini-Campaign – Over the course of three singleplayer scenarios, you assume the role of an AAF tank commander, and you get to experience the opposite perspective of the NATO offensive featured in Arma 3′s vanilla “The East Wind” campaign. Here, you’re placed in command of the new AWC Nyx in the fight against the FIA. Later you’re also presented with the opportunity to operate the new T-140 Angara Main Battle Tank. This short mini-campaign leads to different possible endings based on your playstyle and performance.
• Showcase Tank Destroyers – In this singleplayer Showcase scenario, you play as a NATO crewman on board the new Rhino MGS UP. This Tank Destroyer has similar firepower to a Main Battle Tank, but is much more vulnerable in terms of armor protection. As such, you will need to make good use of the Rhino’s speed and maneuverability to complete your objectives.

Arma 3 Platform Update 

Tanks DLC will be complemented by a major free platform update (version 1.82). This update introduces free new features and bonus content for all owners of Arma 3:

• One of the highlight of this update is the addition of fully-modeled 3D interiors for all armored vehicles in Arma 3. On top of that, the overall experience of operating armored vehicles will be enhanced in the form of improved handling, an extended damage model, vehicle customization options, and upgraded audio.
• Moreover, players will be able to make use of various new targeting options while fighting with or against armored vehicles; the Fire-Control System (FCS) automatically measures the range and speed of a target, adjusts a weapon’s zeroing, and calculates the lead to increase the chances of a first-round hit, whereas new missile flight profiles and capabilities enable players to fire missiles in either a direct or top-down attack mode. The update will also add support for terrain-following munitions, plus a few weapons will now also have the ability to lock-on after launch.
• Aside from new features, the free platform update will also introduce a new team-vs-team multiplayer mode called “Vanguard”, 3 new Time Trial Challenges for the new DLC vehicles, as well as free bonus content such as 2 new anti-tank launchers, and new vehicle variants of the Offroad pickup and Light Strike Vehicles that carry a mounted launcher.
• Lastly, Arma 3 content creators will be able to make use of a variety of free new decorative objects via the in-game Scenario Editor.

Arma 3 Tanks DLC is now available for pre-order with a 10% pre-order discount on the Bohemia Store and Steam (original price: € 9.99 / $ 11.99 / £ 8.99). People can also pick up the Arma 3 DLC Bundle 2 (includes Jets, Laws of War, Tac-Ops Mission Pack, and Tanks DLC) at € 22.99 / $ 24.99 / £ 19.99, which saves them more than 25% over purchasing each DLC separately.

A complete overview of the content and features in Arma 3 Tanks DLC (and its associated free 1.82 platform update) is available at www.arma3.com/dlc/tanks.

By Ian Boudreau @ The Wargamer

Shoot, move, and communicate. I learned about this basic dictum of infantry tactics during a sweltering hot September at Fort Benning, Georgia, many years ago during basic combat training. And it’s a central tenet of ArmA 3, a game (mostly) about infantry movement in large-scale combined arms warfare.

ArmA 3 has a new piece of DLC out, the Tac-Ops Mission Pack, which adds three new micro-campaigns to the game’s single-player experience. These operations—Beyond Hope, Stepping Stone, and Steel Pegasus—span seven individual missions spread across the islands of Altis, Stratis, and Malden. While they’re mostly large-scale affairs, you’ll usually be leading a small squad of either infantry or special forces to take out mortar crews or secure villages, the kind of bread-and-butter missions ArmA was built for.

Read on…

Bohemia Interactive today released the brand new Arma 3 Tac-Ops DLC Mission Pack. Delivering a true boots on the ground experience on a large-scale battlefield, players will be taking part in three distinct singleplayer military operations. The DLC’s launch trailer presents a sneak peek at some of the combat situations in Arma 3 Tac-Ops.

In Arma 3 Tac-Ops Mission Pack, players are tasked to lead an infantry, mechanized infantry, and/or special forces unit across an unrestricted warzone, often with multiple objectives to accomplish. The keys to success are thoughtful mission preparation, careful movement and positioning, skillful shooting, as well as patience. Altogether, the missions should take at least 8+ hours to complete, which soon becomes more depending on playstyle and difficulty settings. Additionally, players can replay selected missions from the perspective of another unit. This, in turn, rewards them with a greater understanding of the military operation as a whole . Furthermore, people can watch special After Action Report (AAR) videos, which are presented by one of Bohemia Interactive’s military consultants, and offer mission-specific insights on military tactics and combat.

Key Features in Arma 3 Tac-Ops Mission Pack:

• 3 Singleplayer Operations – Designed for the experienced Arma player, this Mission Pack features three challenging military operations, spread across seven missions:
• Beyond Hope – Nine years prior to the “East Wind” conflict, civil war rages through the Republic of Altis and Stratis.
• Stepping Stone – NATO reinforcements responding to the “East Wind” crisis must first secure the strategic island of Malden.
• Steel Pegasus – During the invasion of Altis, NATO forces stage a daring air assault to open a second front.
• Authentic Warfare – Experience what true military combat is like with missions that favor intelligence, caution, and patience above all else. Fight alongside multiple armed forces, and lead your unit to victory, alive.
• Evolving Battlefield – Discover how your conduct and decisions on the battlefield can affect the operation by completing, failing, or ignoring (optional) objectives.
• Replayability – Replay a selection of missions from a different unit’s perspective to gain a greater understanding of the operation. Try out various tactics and figure out how to achieve your objectives in different ways.
• After Action Report (AAR) Videos – Develop your understanding of military tactics and combat with practical mission-specific insights from one of our military consultants.
• And More – Listen to newly composed music tracks, unlock additional Steam Achievements, and take advantage of new scripted systems to help create advanced custom Arma 3 scenarios.

Arma 3 Tac-Ops DLC Mission Pack is now available for purchase on Steam and the Bohemia Store at € 4.99 / $ 5.99 / £ 4.49. People can also buy the Arma 3 DLC Bundle 2, which saves them more than 25% over purchasing Arma 3 Tac-Ops Mission Pack, Arma 3 Jets, Arma 3 Laws of War, and the upcoming Arma 3 Tanks DLC separately.

For more information about Arma 3, please visit the official website at www.arma3.com.

Bohemia Interactive has unveiled the next downloadable content (DLC) for their PC-exclusive tactical military shooter, Arma 3. Available later this month on November 30, the Arma 3 Tac-Ops DLC Singleplayer Mission Pack challenges players to take part in three distinct military operations.

The Arma 3 Tac-Ops DLC Mission Pack consists of a set of missions that provide a true combat experience in an unrestricted war zone. Here, players will need to lead their brothers in arms through situations that require careful preparation, tactical movement and positioning, and skillful shooting – as well as the ability to adapt and improvise at a moment’s notice. The missions should take at least 8+ hours to complete altogether, which soon becomes more depending on people’s playstyle and difficulty settings. Players are also strongly encouraged to replay the missions with a different approach – or even from another unit’s perspective in some of the operations.

The key features of the Arma 3 Tac-Ops Mission Pack include:

3 Singleplayer Operations – Designed for the experienced Arma player, this Mission Pack features three challenging military operations:

• Beyond Hope – Nine years prior to the “East Wind” conflict, civil war rages through the Republic of Altis and Stratis.
• Stepping Stone – NATO reinforcements responding to the “East Wind” crisis must first secure the strategic island of Malden.
• Steel Pegasus – During the invasion of Altis, NATO forces stage a daring air assault to open a second front.

Authentic Warfare – Experience what true military combat is like with missions that favor intelligence, caution, and patience above all else. Fight alongside multiple armed forces, and lead your unit to victory, alive.

Evolving Battlefield – Discover how your conduct and decisions on the battlefield can affect the operation by completing, failing, or ignoring (optional) objectives.

Replayability – Replay a selection of missions from a different unit’s perspective to gain a greater understanding of the operation. Try out various tactics and figure out how to achieve your objectives in different ways.

After Action Report (AAR) Videos – Develop your understanding of military tactics and combat with practical mission-specific insights from one of our military consultants.

And More – Listen to newly composed music tracks, unlock additional Steam Achievements, and take advantage of new scripted systems to help create advanced custom Arma 3 scenarios.

Arma 3 Tac-Ops DLC Mission Pack is now available for pre-order with a 10% pre-order discount on Steam and the Bohemia Store at € 4.49 / $ 5.39 / £ 4.04 (normal price: € 4.99 / $ 5.99 / £ 4.49). Alternatively, people can buy the Arma 3 DLC Bundle 2, which saves them more than 25% over purchasing Arma 3 Tac-Ops Mission Pack, Arma 3 Jets, Arma 3 Laws of War, and the upcoming Arma 3 Tanks DLC separately.

For more information about Arma 3, please visit the official website at www.arma3.com.

Following its reveal a few weeks ago (watch trailer), Bohemia Interactive announces the official release of the Laws of War DLC for Arma 3. This new package lets players explore a different perspective on the battlefield in a story-driven singleplayer mini-campaign, and enriches the Arma 3 sandbox via the addition of a humanitarian faction, van, drone, clothing and gear, and more. To further introduce the DLC, Bohemia Interactive shared a new developer diary video, in which Arma 3’s Creative Director Jay Crowe and Project Lead Joris-Jan van ‘t Land examine the new content, discuss the origin of the project and its development process, and talk about the studio’s collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Instead of imposing any gameplay limitations, the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC aims to help players develop their understanding of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by placing a stronger emphasis on the consequences of their actions. This is also one of the central themes in the “Remnants of War” mini-campaign. Here you take on the role of EOD specialist Nathan MacDade, who is tasked with deactivating mines after the war on the Republic of Altis & Stratis has ended. While being interviewed by an investigative journalist, you uncover what happened in the town of Oreokastro via memory fragments that let you experience the perspective of various sides, ranging from a NATO soldier, to a CSAT special operative, FIA guerrilla fighter, and local car mechanic.

On top of the mini-campaign, the Laws of War DLC adds a variety of new premium character outfits, vehicles, and weaponry to Arma 3’s sandbox. This includes the IDAP humanitarian faction (multiple character outfits), a van (multiple variants with over 20 liveries), utility drone (different variants used either for cargo transport or demining operations), the controversial APERS Mine Dispenser weapon system, new vests, bags, head gear and face wear, a paramedic outfit, time trial challenges, and more. The DLC is supported by a major free platform update, which delivers free new content and gameplay feature extensions to everyone who owns Arma 3. Its highlights include refined cluster strikes, the simulation of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), improvements to the identification and deactivation of mines, the ability to drop custom informational leaflets from the sky using the new drone, a wide variety of emergency and medical supplies, faction-specific cluster bombs and bomblets, and many new decorative objects such as shelter tents and new furniture. In line with Bohemia Interactive’s existing DLC strategy for Arma 3, players who do not own the DLC will still be able to join multiplayer servers that make use of its premium content. However, some restrictions to the usage of the premium content will apply.

Last but not least, as part of the free platform update, there are also two free new Showcases available for all Arma 3 players. These individual scenarios serve as an introduction to the DLC’s theme and the new IDAP faction. In Showcase IDAP, you are a reporter visiting one of organization’s open days on Altis. Here you can learn more about IDAP’s history and activities. In Showcase Laws of War, you are a soldier attending one of IDAP’s instructional courses, in which you can run through three virtual training simulations that explain some of the basic principles of International Humanitarian Law.

The Arma 3 Laws of War DLC is now available for purchase on Steam and the Bohemia Store for € 9.99 / $ 11.99 / £ 8.99. Half of Bohemia Interactive’s net revenue from direct sales (not as part of bundles) of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC in 2017 will be donated to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The total amount raised will be announced on www.bistudio.com in 2018.

For a complete overview of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC, please visit the official website at https://arma3.com/dlc/lawsofwar. If you wish to learn more about the project and its development, we also recommend you to read the ’OPREP: Laws of War’ devblog.

About Arma 3
Arma 3 is the latest installment in Bohemia Interactive’s award-winning Arma series, and offers a truly authentic combat experience in a massive military sandbox. Set across richly detailed large scale terrains, the game features a diverse range of official and unofficial singleplayer and multiplayer content, complemented by a wide variety of weapons, gear, equipment, vehicles, and different factions. An in-game scenario editor enables players to create their own scenarios. These custom scenarios can be shared and installed via the Arma 3 Steam Workshop, alongside player-created addons and total conversions. Arma 3 is exclusively available for Windows PC and has sold more than 3 million copies to date. More information about Arma 3 is available at www.arma3.com.