Just bought this. Need some help.

[ArmA_n00b 10]

So I just got this through Steam yesterday. I'm still going through the boot camp to get all the controls down.

My question is, in multiplayer, when I go to join a server, every time it said I didn't have the map. Is it supposed to automatically download somewhere or do I have to do it manually? I'd like to play online, but I can't. :(

[dmarkwick 261]

If you have ArmA2, then the only maps you'll have are Chernarus and Utes. If you have Operation Arrowhead, you'll have Takistan and Zargabad. If you have Combined ops (ArmA2 + OA) you should have all 4. Most online missions play on one of these maps, so unless you were quite unlucky you chose servers using downloadable maps, for which you'll need to hunt them down and download them.

I suspect though, that you're missing either ArmA2 or Operation Arrowhead.

[Tonci87 163]

You have to do it manually. Many Clans have a Set of Addons they use. The best way is to look whick clan owns the server and then search for their Homepage. Good clans have the needed Addons listed on their HP.

I can only advise you to search for a squad that suits your style of playing. You will have more fun with an organised group!

[ArmA_n00b 10]

It's Operation Arrowhead by itself. I was contemplating buying both as a package but didn't think it was important. I guess it is. :/ So I just need to find a server playing Takistan and Zargabad. Cool. :)

[nettrucker 143]

It's Operation Arrowhead by itself. I was contemplating buying both as a package but didn't think it was important. I guess it is. :/ So I just need to find a server playing Takistan and Zargabad. Cool. :)

Welcome to the forum

If you want to have access to everything of the ArmAverse than you should purchase also the original ArmA II and merge it with Operation Arrowhead so it will become ArmA CO (Combined Operations). There will be servers who will use usermade content. In any case follow Tonci's advice. Get info on the addons needed. Read the stickies on the forum and at least once the forum rules it will avoid you to run into troubles with the mods. The search button on this forum will be your best friend.:D All info needed is there search, find and read it. Thanks for your understanding.

If you are new to ArmA you should come to gripes with the game itself first and then head into MP it will increase your fun.

c'ya:D

[metalcraze 290]

I can only advise you to search for a squad that suits your style of playing. You will have more fun with an organised group!

Seconded.

Also get Six-Updater.

More and more squads use presets for it that let you download their modset with just a single click

[Nicholas 5]

ArmA is advance and confusing to new players, so it's best to stay away from mods at the moment until you are really comfortable with the game.

I don't understand why people always recommend that new players install mods right away. The game is confusing enough as it is for them, mods/addons could potentially make it worse.

And I highly suggest you buy ArmA II as well. This way, you can play on most servers.

[xx_fr0st-w0lf_xx 10]

If I were you, I would not touch mp untill you have finished boot camp, and at least some single player missions. Once you hit MP as it was mentioned you must play on the 2 maps that come with AO

When you do begin to install mods thought I highly recomend six updator, but thats a diffrent topic....

[Tonci87 163]

Well there is one very important thing for you to do now. Get yourself a Soundmod! The BIS Sounds are quite bad to be honest. I recommend JSRS.

[ArmA_n00b 10]

How do I download/install a mod? Is there an option in-game?

[metalcraze 290]

ArmA is advance and confusing to new players, so it's best to stay away from mods at the moment until you are really comfortable with the game.

I don't understand why people always recommend that new players install mods right away. The game is confusing enough as it is for them, mods/addons could potentially make it worse.

And I highly suggest you buy ArmA II as well. This way, you can play on most servers.

Because for starters that will let a new player to go to something like UnitedOperations.net training server where veteran ArmA players teach newbs how to play the game from formations to map orientation. And join a tactical coop server (with most of them running ACE) afterwards for a proper ArmA experience.

[dmarkwick 261]

How do I download/install a mod? Is there an option in-game?

Quite honestly, I wouldn't bother with mods yet. Most servers don't use them anyway, and if they do they're running Combined Operations. If you're running just Operation Arrowhead, and you're new to the game, just play it as it comes out the box (patched if necessary).

If & when you decide you'd like to go further, an idea of how OA plays vanilla is a good base to start from.

[Tonci87 163]

How do I download/install a mod? Is there an option in-game?

Its quite easy actually. Most mods are hosted on www.armaholic.com

And there is a huge Addons and Mods section in this Forum.

Example: You want to have a soundmod. Lets take JSRS. Tipe JSRS in the Forum search, you should find this

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=104514

Download the Mod

You will want to have a game launcher. It makes stuff easier.

I recommend this one

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=89731

Download and install it.

Now lets take a look at installing mods.

Mods consist of files with the ending .pbo and .bisign

The .pbo files are the mod, the .bisign files are needed to play with this mod on a Server that allows it. Those files go into a folder called

addons

which goes into a folder called

@Modname

which goes into the Arma main folder

the path looks like this C:\Games\Arma\@Modname\addons\AllThePboAndBisignStuff

JSRS has already prepared those @ Folders for you, just move them into your Arma folder. Now open the launcher. You will see the @ folders on the left side. Drag&drop them all into a group on the right side. Activate the group and launch the game through the launcher. Notice the Difference!

[Bee8190 10]

Its quite easy actually. Most mods are hosted on www.armaholic.com

And there is a huge Addons and Mods section in this Forum.

Example: You want to have a soundmod. Lets take JSRS. Tipe JSRS in the Forum search, you should find this

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=104514

Download the Mod

You will want to have a game launcher. It makes stuff easier.

I recommend this one

http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=89731

Download and install it.

Now lets take a look at installing mods.

Mods consist of files with the ending .pbo and .bisign

The .pbo files are the mod, the .bisign files are needed to play with this mod on a Server that allows it. Those files go into a folder called

addons

which goes into a folder called

@Modname

which goes into the Arma main folder

the path looks like this C:\Games\Arma\@Modname\addons\AllThePboAndBisignStuff

JSRS has already prepared those @ Folders for you, just move them into your Arma folder. Now open the launcher. You will see the @ folders on the left side. Drag&drop them all into a group on the right side. Activate the group and launch the game through the launcher. Notice the Difference!

Whoa now that's what i call a real effort to help a newcomer out.Bravo Sir tonic.:pc:

I might add that (if im not terribly mistaken) if you get msg - You cannot edit/delete this mission CAW wheeledBTR90.... that means that you're joining server that indeed runinng arma combined ops.

It took me a good month to figure out what was the problem untill i installed arma2 too:o

Just what came to my mind atm - D-HUD , BierAG, Veterans gaming, PARA or nice team, still runinng arrowhead only afaik

[ArmA_n00b 10]

Thanks for the write up!! :) I'll have to try that.

I downloaded and installed Arma 2 last night, through Steam. Is there a certain way you combine them or do they just combine themselves?

Edit: Nevermind. Found this. :) http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=101214

Edited July 21, 2011 by ArmA_n00b

[ghostnineone 10]

dont forget that the oa patch adds all the baf and pmc lite content + shapur and the proving grounds, so if you see a server running shapur or proving grounds you can play them without getting the dlc's (baf and pmc lite is everything except for the campaign but the lite units have reduced texture quality)

[gossamersolid 155]

@ArmA_n00b:

I'd still suggest you don't use mods for at least a week. Get a feel for what the game is like first, then once you are comfortable, start using mods :)

I'd recommend:

- TGW Fixes (http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=104715, http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=107589, http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=108540)

- MapPlus (http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=90826)

- JSRS (http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=104514)

- WarFX Blastcore (http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=111985)

[sorophx 25]

edit: nvm

[ArmA_n00b 10]

Will Steam automatically Patch ArmA2 and OA?

[dmarkwick 261]

Will Steam automatically Patch ArmA2 and OA?

I think it will insist on it :D

(Going by my Orange Box experience...)

[Zipper5 74]

Yes, it does it automatically and you can't stop it. Personally I dislike the feature but Valve seem adamant on keeping it forced.

[gossamersolid 155]

Yes, it does it automatically and you can't stop it. Personally I dislike the feature but Valve seem adamant on keeping it forced.

You Can stop it. Right click on the game, go to properties and select do not automatically update my games.

Something like that.

[Tonci87 163]

Well this Feature doesnt always work. Sometimes the games load the update anyway

[Zipper5 74]

Doesn't it require you to update before you can launch the game again, though? I seem to recall that but, admittedly, it was a while ago...

[ArmA_n00b 10]

It keeps minimizing on me, and I can't restore it. I can see it in my taskbar, and I can hear what's going on, but it doesn't show up. It does it after like 5 minutes of gameplay. It's driving me nuts.