Poll: Will you buy Arma III?

[demon cleaner 1]

Steam will stop me though because I'll be forced to use software I otherwise wouldn't have to.

[sproyd 2]

Firstly, I think a poll on "will you buy Arma 3" posted on the BIS forums for... Arma 3, may be a touch biased.

Secondly, re: the Steam thing - if you actually give half a care about Arma at all you would probably buy Arma 3 even if it meant signing over your soul to the devil or something worse like using XBox Live for Windows...

If you are keen enough on Arma to (a) have a BIS forums account but (b) you say you won't buy it out of protest to it being on Steam exclusively, either you are lying or you are childish.

Oh and a couple years ago in NZ I bought Arma 2, BAF and PMC all separate retail boxes non-Steam. I then moved country to the UK, and when en route lost the DVDs somewhere, bought a laptop in Toronto and then re-bought A2 CO on Steam while in Washington DC. My point being - aside from the fact I double-paid, which in this instance is fine because its BIS - had I owned on Steam in the first place I wouldn't have had an issue - Steam goes with you wherever you are in the world, whatever PC you may have. My other point being - both methods of ownership are equally valid and all the complaints have been more or less addressed - i.e. running in Offline Mode, Retail DVD still available for install, BIS having direct access to patch the game etc. Furthermore, my "Steam" version of Arma 2 CO still launches fine without Steam using PlayWithSix etc. Who's to say A3 won't.

Edited February 24, 2013 by sproyd

[sabre 244]

Steam won't stop me at all.

Steamworks if it is in may stop they way I do certain things.

[NeuroFunker 11]

well, you'r forced to use a OS software in order to be able to use ur pc, you'r forced to use antivirus software, to safe ur pc at certain way. You're forced to use browser software, to browse the internet, i could go on, but i guess you got my point. And i don't see a problem to use a software in order to buy and play a game.

[simon1279 52]

That is if you believe that people accept being forced to use something a certain way. Time will tell but I'm not so positive on the "growth" of the ArmA community. More players does not mean more quality players. Looking at the overall multiplayer experience of other games it could very well end up in a disaster.

More players does not mean more quality players, but means BIS best business, more players = more moneys the equation is like this:

more players + [more moneys + BIS] = more fun and better future for our favourite game series development, more fun like to try to imagine the Coddy guy buying ArmA 3 and coming to play against your clan in a PvP ..... lol lol lol x 1 000 000 :D so it will be very funny thinking also to chat spam

[demon cleaner 1]

I have the choice to use the OS I like. I have the choice to use or not use anti virus software. I have the choice which browser I want to use. If you don't see a problem that's good for you but other people obviously do see a problem in being marginalized.

---------- Post added at 01:21 ---------- Previous post was at 01:20 ----------

NO, i won't!I do hate Steam, and won't buy Arma III because of that!

I have voted "No" but my reasons are different than those stated.

1. I don't feel like any currently available digital distribution platform will solve an issue for me which I could not solve otherwise. I've never had any trouble finding, installing, updating, running, distributing any kind of content for the games I own (especially not for OFP / ArmA) so I'm puzzled as to what actually are the user benefits BI is talking about.

2. I'm a collector and as such I frown upon digital distributions. The games I like I usually buy twice. One copy for my shelf (if there's a collectors edition with *valuable additional content I'll go for that one) and another for normal use. An empty box with a sheet of paper in it is nothing I'd like to collect. Believe it or not but some people actually care beyond instant gratification and kill streak surfing.

3. I tend to not displace my software (and I wonder how this can happen in the age of digital archives anyway) and already have a central place to keep my software safe.

4. I'm not using any of the social features that those platforms provide and I'm not planning to. I actually know the guys I'm playing with personally and don't need another tool to help me manage my "friends".

5. I do have a problem with the way that digital distribution platforms force their ways onto their users mostly in disregard of local legislation.

The bottom line for me as a customer is that I want to be able to buy a complete product. A product that I can use without having to rely on a 3rd party to allow me to use the product. A product that I can still use even if 3rd party ceases to exist or does not offer their services in the country I live. A product that I can fully use regardless of the availablity of services from a 3rd party. A product that does not subject me to any form of usage monitoring. The list goes on but my point should be clear by now...

If BI wants to embrace the **casual gamer that cares over a niche game (which the ArmA series always has been) as much as I care about digital distributions - good luck with that! I mean there surely must be lots of examples where forcing a certain policy onto your customers by reducing their options to "accept it or get lost" has well served the product you're trying to sell. Especially in cases where your product actually survives because of the countless free (as in free beer) content additions and fixes provided by a community of dedicated users.

... but hey it might be just me feeling like being escorted to the exit.

* whatever I consider valuable

** in the sense of a user that is not dedicated to a specific game

[sproyd 2]

I will buy it and see how it goes.

But, I DO have a problem with Steam.

The usual complaints about Bloat, offline mode not working 100%..login issues, slow downloads...etc but the biggest problem is Steam/Valve having WAY to much power over developers and a virtual monopoly on Digital downloads.

Steam seems to me to be a natural monopoly - one that functions best with one dominant player - in this case only because Steam/Valve while (probably) hugely profitable, is also one of the most awesome, down-to-earth and benevolent companies I've seen.

You read the blog post, didn't you? Without Steam you would be seeing a 2014 release - is this REALLY what you'd prefer? BIS did this out of choice.

[NeuroFunker 11]

I have the choice to use the OS I like. I have the choice to use or not use anti virus software. I have the choice which browser I want to use. If you don't see a problem that's good for you but other people obviously do see a problem in being marginalized.

yeah i agree here, but you have to use windows, to play most of the games at least.

[simon1279 52]

Steam seems to me to be a natural monopoly - one that functions best with one dominant player - in this case only because Steam/Valve while (probably) hugely profitable, is also one of the most awesome, down-to-earth and benevolent companies I've seen.

You read the blog post, didn't you? Without Steam you would be seeing a 2014 release - is this REALLY what you'd prefer? BIS did this out of choice.

Peronally i don't hate steam and i own many games on it expecially Total War games wich from empire total war are steam exclusive, but i really don't believe in:

Without Steam you would be seeing a 2014/2015 release.....

because the file packaging is the same, nothing changes to a "ready" title steam/non steam, this is just an apology for non steam lovers, when a game is done is done not depending on wich platform you'll release it and with the only difference to have +5 .dll wich are for steam platform

[sproyd 2]

5. I do have a problem with the way that digital distribution platforms force their ways onto their users mostly in disregard of local legislation.

A product that I can still use even if 3rd party ceases to exist or does not offer their services in the country I live. A product that I can fully use regardless of the availablity of services from a 3rd party. A product that does not subject me to any form of usage monitoring. The list goes on but my point should be clear by now...

Hi Demon Cleaner - you raise some good and valid points. However, many of your comments I'm sure you know are very unique to you - especially in regards to social features.

Anyway, realistically it is more likely that BIS will cease to exist before Steam in my opinion... (this is common sense, but also happens to be my full-time vocation, assessing creditworthiness). In the event that Steam tipped over, I am 100% sure you would be able to continue to play your game. Steam firstly has huge brand value and IP so would likely continue trading. Worse case scenario and it doesn't, I am certain BIS would back their (indirect) customers by coming up with an alternative solution so you can continue using the software you paid for.

As a hardcore user that I'm sure you are, I would caution against taking the middle finger approach to BIS (which you may feel they have given to you). After all, you don't know the full circumstances behind the decision - just think, those same people that make the games that you have loved so much to date, may actually know what they are doing when it comes to their chosen profession and field in life.

[NeuroFunker 11]

Peronally i don't hate steam and i own many games on it expecially Total War games wich from empire total war are steam exclusive, but i really don't believe in:

Without Steam you would be seeing a 2014/2015 release.....

because the file packaging is the same, nothing changes to a "ready" title steam/non steam, this is just an apology for non steam lovers, when a game is done is done not depending on wich platform you'll release it and with the only difference to have +5 .dll wich are for steam platform

but u havent answered to

You read the blog post, didn't you?

Maybe you should read once again, to understand why?

[sproyd 2]

because the file packaging is the same, nothing changes to a "ready" title steam/non steam, this is just an apology for non steam lovers, when a game is done is done not depending on wich platform you'll release it and with the only difference to have +5 .dll wich are for steam platform

Yeah - this is a fair point. Especially seeing as BIS already have the distribution network (although to be fair their digital footprint is small, and gaming high street retail is collapsing left/right and center).

Then why do you think they did it?

My best professional guess is this: Steam said that they would take a lower margin/cut if they got exclusivity because they know a potential DayZ situation could occur. Also maybe a multi-game deal with Valve across Arma3 and DayZ.

Edited February 24, 2013 by sproyd

[simon1279 52]

yeah i agree here, but you have to use windows, to play most of the games at least.

the problem ain't steam i really would like to see arma running on linux also, i really can't wait to kick microsoft's bottom once for all, after windows 8 it is even worst

[NeuroFunker 11]

Then why do you think they did it?

it is all consipracy! ... or business, which we as pc gamers won't understand.

[simon1279 52]

it is all consipracy! ... or business, which we as pc gamers won't understand.

they are a company and for sure they've made this decision because it is better for their business, and i'm happy to buy arma 3 helping to incrementing by buying it BIS business, wich actually is the most community friendly videogame company all over the world, in arma communities seems to be in a kind of big family and BIS developers and/or empolyees are always around in posting and interacting with community, they are the only company left, doing this, in VBS2 you have to pay to have assistance of any kind, but btw BIS support staff is always around for helping without to ask a single cent... this is BIS the only one company left doing this

[^Th0mas^ 10]

No, im not a fan of renting games from developers. I want to own them.

[kilroy the nerd 14]

All the better for me, I'm buying as soon as I gather the money and it's available for purchase. I used Steam before that anyway, so I'm almost wholly fine. I do have some worries for VAC, but BE was as bad as Punkbuster in my opinion, that is assuming VAC will be replacing BE with Steamworks. Other than the occassional loss of connection (when I can always play SP) even when my internet is still fine, I've had no problems with Steam.

The fact I can't sell my game back will definitely not be a problem with ArmA 3, of course.

Edited February 24, 2013 by Kilroy the Nerd

[W0lle 1050]

Since the Steam discussion is going on, and yes I understand that it's somehow inevitable, I closed the poll and thread here and transfer the poll results into a new poll at the Steam discussion thread.