Nicholas 5 Posted January 14, 2012 I just thought of a really great idea for ArmA III: Automatic Updates! Most games have an automatic update feature so the user will be aware of an update. Currently, with ArmA you never know of an update unless you visit the website to check. I think there should be some sort of system which will inform the user such as - "A new update is available, do you wish to download and install now?" (Yes or No) What do you think? I think it would help with fragmentation of the community. As someone on 1.00 will not see the same servers or be compatible with mods for 1.60. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james2464 176 Posted January 14, 2012 Forced, the way steam distributes updates is fine for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maio 293 Posted January 14, 2012 Optional, as forced updates might prevent you from playing on dedicated servers that have not been updated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ArmAriffic 10 Posted January 14, 2012 The way it is now, I don't want to be forced to download anything against my will Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rye1 21 Posted January 14, 2012 I'm mixed, I put forced because I'm evil. :p 1) Optional means you can wait for modders to update their mod and the errors that came with new patches for them. I.e. bug fixes. 2) Optional means less 'universal' player base as they'll be all over the joint with difference patches and betas. On the other hand forced means we will have this universal setting but we'll have to put up with all the crap that comes with force updating in terms of modding and random bugs that may come along. One good thing... it might force BIS to actually bug test their SHAIT!!! :D (Joke, kids, don't start a flamewar) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nutlink 10 Posted January 14, 2012 If you want people to know about a new patch, why not take the middle ground? Don't force people to download the update, just have the game do a quick check to see if there is an updated version, and if there is just have a notice box pop up saying "New Update Available! Visit www.arma3.com/updates to download the newest version." with an option to say "No, let me keep playing," preferably with an option to put in the command line to stop checking in case you want to stay at a certain patch without having the notice pop up every time you start the game. People get notified of new patches with an easy download option and yet nobody is forced to download and update anything they don't want. Bam, problem solved. EDIT: Didn't know it would automatically make it a hyperlink, and even better yet it does lead to an updates page, ha! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cripsis 10 Posted January 14, 2012 I like your idea BOTA:49, I voted for Optional Updates. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
james2464 176 Posted January 14, 2012 If you want people to know about a new patch, why not take the middle ground? Don't force people to download the update, just have the game do a quick check to see if there is an updated version, and if there is just have a notice box pop up saying "New Update Available! Visit www.arma3.com/updates Yeah I agree that's a good middle ground. PS: what FPS do you get on Arma? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonci87 163 Posted January 14, 2012 Definately Optional! Imagine what happens if there is an update that breaks something and you have to wait for the hotfix.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
purepassion 22 Posted January 14, 2012 EDIT: Didn't know it would automatically make it a hyperlink, and even better yet it does lead to an updates page, ha! I did some research and found out that those words are just a placeholder text. It's called "Lorem ipsum" and helps to visualize the layout. On-topic: An in-game solution to display that new patches are available would be an outstanding idea but it should always stay optional. :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ProfTournesol 956 Posted January 14, 2012 Optional obviously. Updates aren't flawless and i only install them once proven not being game breaking. Despite beta patches testing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Colossus 2 Posted January 14, 2012 (edited) Optional. Perhaps in the form of a news ticker from AAN - which is in hibernation until a new RSS feed (or other format, but XML is already supported) from BI arrives. Maybe even customizing RSS feed so you can get news from fansites - and/or something like BOTA:49 suggested. ;) Edited January 14, 2012 by colossus Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norsu 180 Posted January 14, 2012 I vote optional. The game should inform players that an update is available. Updating the game should be possible using a manual exe or an in game download system. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
[evo] dan 79 Posted January 14, 2012 Optional, but somewhere in game have it so it tells you the latest version/ your version, as well as providing a link to a list of places to get the patch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sickboy 13 Posted January 14, 2012 Is it just me or do I remember that the game does notify you when there's a new official patch available? Or was this disabled / broken at some point? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
.kju 3240 Posted January 14, 2012 It was available in A1 and the on screen warning annoyed people. With a better interface integration it would be useful though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
[evo] dan 79 Posted January 14, 2012 Have it the top right corner or something like the Second life browser does, and not as an annoying popup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Przemek_kondor 13 Posted January 14, 2012 IMO it could be integrated with "Expansions" item (http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o55/HawkHurst/arma2oa.jpg). So not only game updater but also addons updater (it such will be implemented). You could manually request "Check for updates" or the game would check it in background when idle (some checkbox disabling automatic checking would be nice too). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pulverizer 1 Posted January 14, 2012 Optional autoupdates (like Steam). I've got better things to do than check, download and install updates to everything all day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
onlyrazor 11 Posted January 14, 2012 Agreed. Optional autoupdates are a good choice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smurf 12 Posted January 14, 2012 Optional. Make somekind of official launcher that has a RSS for oficial patches\betas and can also recieve feed from sites like Armaholic or Armainfo for mods and so on. The program can also work as a mod manager and other things that we have nowadays as a 3rd party. Something like THIS! :cool: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
purepassion 22 Posted January 14, 2012 Great concept Smurf! It would be absolutely awesome if the expansion menu would contain all those elements. The news feed via a community site is also a very good idea. (maybe something like the GTA social club) good ideas :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sgtice 10 Posted January 14, 2012 There's no real need for such a system since it takes away from the development of things that are a lot more important, and auto updates are quite minisqule when you could just take a look every few months. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonci87 163 Posted January 14, 2012 I like the concept smurf Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flash Thunder 10 Posted January 14, 2012 Just a message at the main screen saying theirs new content and Updates available currently would be nice addition. Automatic patching and stuff though I would decline. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites