New PC Gamer + Thinking of ArmA 2

[liquidpinky 11]

After all Steam is not that bad thing for Arma2 as it is usually portrayed.

You can already use Arma 2 Launcher etc with Steam version. So you don't have to get rid of it in anyway. It took 11 days extra for Steam to update the game. However, one could have updated the Steam version manually before that, just like _everyone else_ had to do. Steams automatic updating is actually a good feature for casual gamers.

Perhaps next time BI waits till the Steam version starts to update and then releases the manual patch download links? I guess pathological gamers would be against this...

Imo, A2 should have had a built-in mod/addon GUI Launcher from the start. Steam version or not. All this -mod @blaablaa is not practical when there are 10+ mods to load and puts off casual players ( which every game needs as much as possible to maintain a player base for pathological gamers ;-/ )

I agree, if the steam version was handled more like Fallout New Vegas for example I would have no problem with using the Steam version.

A lot of my clan mates are not as mod savvy as myself and the Steam version causes them a lot of problems when it comes to modding.

At the end of the day, the DVD and direct download versions are still easier to use.

Another thing about Steam is you can't go and play a game discretely and all your friends know you are online, for days when you can't be arsed and want a little me time online.

[walker 0]

Hi Imogen

There is a community wiki with lots of help for beginners.

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA_II_Hints_and_Tips

For Multi Player, have a visit to the DAO server for some Valhalla as that is a quite lite way of entering the online ArmA-verse.

Unlike other FPS games ArmA Multi-player comes in many forms:

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=79628

A lot of the diversity in ArmA is as a result of user created content you start out on the editor for the basics, which has been more or less the same since BIS's OFP days.

So information on both BIS's OFP editor

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Mission_Editor_User_Interface_%28OFP%29

And the ArmA 1 editor still apply

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA:_Mission_Editor

And in fact the ArmA II editor page refers back to ArmA 1 except where it has been extended.

http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA_2:_Mission_Editor

You make your self missions for fun, pretty soon you make one you think others may like to play; so you visit ArmAholic

http://www.armaholic.com/

and ArmAinfo to post it up

http://www.armedassault.info/

Then start to wonder where all those 10s of thousands of addons and islands you can download at ArmAholic

http://www.armaholic.com/list.php?c=arma2_files

http://www.armaholic.com/list.php?c=arma2_oa_files

and ArmAinfo

http://www.armedassault.info/index.php?game=1&cat=addons

http://www.armedassault.info/index.php?game=1&cat=islands

Come from?

Pretty soon you find your self visiting the editor pages of the forum.

http://forums.bistudio.com/forumdisplay.php?f=92

And then you are DOOMED!

Kind Regards walker

Edited April 11, 2011 by walker

[jakerod 254]

I disagree with everyone else's comments about SP. I think the SP is great. I do like the MP better (in many circumstances) but I think you get the most out of it if you play both. I think the campaigns were all pretty good but can occasionally be buggy.

[mrcash2009 0]

I disagree slightly about SP. I think that's reference to the SP campaigns / stock that come with it, I think Armoury is good for SP, I think the OA training is good, I thought OA campaign was good for SP.

Also search out in the user missions section the "Seize Zones" missions, they are great SP experience.

It much more worthy of SP first to get used to things, MP to me is something to work into. MP can be dry unless you search out a clan or good servers, randomly playing any old MP game can be just as bad experience.

BTW this is good for learning controlling AI etc:

http://www.armaholic.com/plug.php?e=faq&q=87

Edited April 11, 2011 by mrcash2009

[Zipper5 74]

I disagree with everyone else's comments about SP. I think the SP is great. I do like the MP better (in many circumstances) but I think you get the most out of it if you play both. I think the campaigns were all pretty good but can occasionally be buggy.

Eagle Wing and Operation Crimson Lance are truly fantastic, followed by Operation Black Gauntlet, but Harvest Red and Operation Arrowhead are just "okay" to me.

[jakerod 254]

Eagle Wing and Operation Crimson Lance are truly fantastic, followed by Operation Black Gauntlet, but Harvest Red and Operation Arrowhead are just "okay" to me.

I like Harvest Red and Arrowhead the best. Eagle Wing follows that but I liked all three of them. I haven't been able to get the DLC yet since i'm trying not to distract myself from my last classes but since you think their better than the ones that I like I will make sure that I get them at some point.

[liquidpinky 11]

I like Harvest Red and Arrowhead the best. Eagle Wing follows that but I liked all three of them. I haven't been able to get the DLC yet since i'm trying not to distract myself from my last classes but since you think their better than the ones that I like I will make sure that I get them at some point.

Crimson Lance is pretty decent and the scenarios that come with BAF are pretty good too.

I agree with mrcash2009 about the OA training as well, it is well worth going through for new starts or people like myself who are relatively new to the ArmA experience but have a few missions under their belt.

[Tonci87 163]

Try some user made SP campaign, ther are some really good out there

[Tankbuster 1733]

I disagree with everyone else's comments about SP. I think the SP is great. I do like the MP better (in many circumstances) but I think you get the most out of it if you play both. I think the campaigns were all pretty good but can occasionally be buggy.

My point is that for a brand new player, being in MP means there's always someone else who can hold your hand through the difficult first few hours. In SP you're very much thrown in at the deep end.

[Tonci87 163]

Whats wrong with learning the hard way?. You can get a good feeling for the Weapons and the general playing before joining MP

[Tankbuster 1733]

At the risk of stating the obvious... because the easy way is easier.

[EDcase 87]

Its better to get familiar with the basics using SP at first.

People will get rather miffed if they have to wait for a new player who doesn't know how to get in a vehicle or accidentally fires a rocket at their base etc....

So... play a few of the SP missions and campaign (I liked em all to varying degrees) and then when you feel a bit more confident you can venture into the wider MP world ;)

(When you go MP make sure you get a microphone. Typing in a battle is a sure killer :D)

[mrcash2009 0]

Thats odd becuase if im not sure about control or mp, then jump into MP Im going to piss off people on a server, you know real people. So logic would be to get used to everything nice n safe in SP environment, then select a decent server and "go MP".

I cant see how its making it easier jumping into MP, especially if you just jump into server browser .. thats just as much "diving in" as SP.

My point is that for a brand new player, being in MP means there's always someone else who can hold your hand through the difficult first few hours. In SP you're very much thrown in at the deep end.

True but if your new to MP and you "dive in" I bet allot of people wont hold anyone's hand as they would expect you to know the drill before entering. Plus if you are just learning via MP you wont understand much SP ... and thus, need to learn again anyway. I doubt many MP players are going to stop and show someone the ropes or basics, nor will that learn any SP features, esp in things like BON's missions where its a bit of both. Edited April 12, 2011 by mrcash2009

[SteveJA 12]

Well the other side of the coin is that most Groups (good ones :p ) have training sessions to make sure newbies are up to scratch :). Plus the're ussally good fun at the same time.

Apart from the points where Newbies try and select Automatic fire for CQB and the next thing you hear is "GRENADE!!"

[mrcash2009 0]

Yes but lets face it if people are new to the game to the point of this thread (asking about it and just installing it) then theres finding those places first, as opposed to learning the sim itself of which would come first either way before you settle into the game.

I cant see many not learning any SP or much at all .. then suddenly seeking a clan, then asking them all the questions, sure as hell know I didnt and wouldn't :) Theres a bit of "lessening the noob factor" before online shame :)

[SteveJA 12]

I couldn't agree more, i supose you need some understanding of the game before seeking a group. I guess what i ment is once you've got the controls sorted and etc then theres no reason not to join a group.

[Tankbuster 1733]

You're all missing the point, n00bs. :)

I'm saying that been shown around the game and a few maps by someone who is prepared to give up an hour not actually playing but showing the ropes is probably more beneficial than firing up a campaign or SP mission.

I didn't mean jump into a competitive team v team game and then start asking noob questions, of course. That'd be silly.

[concurssi 11]

If you're looking for some people to play with, check us out! We can show you the ropes and all that, get you settled in.

http://www.nakedfanatics.com

If you do decide to join, shoot me a PM here and I'll tell 'em to activate your account.

Edited April 14, 2011 by Concurssi

[Brewster Bufallo 0]

I agree with the above poster, NF is a nice and friendly place for laid back but still serious gaming. Also there is a lot of helpfull people if you want some help to get started in arma. And dont be afraid to be a noob like some warned you about going into mp. NF is already full of them:yay:

[cotabucky 10]

You get what you put into it. If you like editing missions ARMA2 is endless but requires some dedication on your part to get the most out of it.You can make massive missions with hundreds of AI and join with buddies online and wage war. Its the best game ever if you get into this type of realism and coop missions. I would build a PC again jsut for this game.Never dissapointed but editing can be difficult because it requires scripting knowledge to get everything out of it.That being said you can put missions together realy fast too. Its just depends on what exactly you want from your mission.

The realism is incredible!

[mrcash2009 0]

I'm saying that been shown around the game and a few maps by someone who is prepared to give up an hour not actually playing but showing the ropes is probably more beneficial than firing up a campaign or SP mission.

He he, well very true, but if your that new to it then finding this golden place for many isn't as simple as having the sim sat in front of you to then look at the manual and playing about. After all you have to go "through" it to get to this golden MP heaven in the first place :)

Anyway ... I see what you mean LOL :)

[Tankbuster 1733]

You're right. It's not that easy finding such a group. I guess I was lucky when I first got into this game because I did have a couple of nice chaps show me the first few steps.

[rikjuuh 10]

I agree with the above poster, NF is a nice and friendly place for laid back but still serious gaming. Also there is a lot of helpfull people if you want some help to get started in arma. And dont be afraid to be a noob like some warned you about going into mp. NF is already full of them:yay:

the only noob in there is you brewster! ;)

but anyway I do agree with Brewster and Concurssi :P

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=102268

Edited April 15, 2011 by rikjuuh