Official A3 campaign thread - discussion, wishlists & more

[roberthammer 582]

Story needs exact 3D model of Moricky , mission to kidnap him and then torture simulation on him :icon_twisted:

[Masharra 10]

Working with no / unnoticeable bugs.

[NeuroFunker 11]

But without resources like vehicles, weapons, ammo and fighters how far do you expect to get?

---------- Post added at 04:45 ---------- Previous post was at 04:43 ----------

Arma is a milsim for those who don't have 3000 dollars lying around for themselves and there freinds.

there is no Ferrari, for thus who don't want give millions for ir. Ferrari is Ferrari, and anything else is different.

---------- Post added at 14:58 ---------- Previous post was at 14:54 ----------

Story needs exact 3D model of Moricky , mission to kidnap him and then torture simulation on him :icon_twisted:

or a mission, to rescue the collegues from jail? ;) (don't get me wrong here please)

[HKFlash 9]

Guys, campaign blog > Shut up and click me!

[GranolaBar 10]

As we approach the end of Beta, we are also faced with various things that lock us in creatively. One such thing is localization. The game needs to be translated for many regions of the world and that requires finalized source texts. Similarly, doing voice acting takes time. We can't wait and rush things in the last moments before release. Finally, games need to be rated in many markets, for which rating agencies need a solid and near-final playable build well ahead of release. Effectively this all means the campaign would have had to have been finished roughly two months ahead of its launch. It was not.

ADD to WISHLIST : BI, if a nice team of Fans translate the voice of the game in another language, french, german or other, could we imagine than you update the game with voices ? :cool:

[Tom_48_97 523]

ADD to WISHLIST : BI, if a nice team of Fans translate the voice of the game in another language, french, german or other, could we imagine than you update the game with voices ? :cool:

Translating voice acting is really a huge work... I doubt of the benefit provided to the campaign and the work it takes. Many tries has been made on previous but, almost nothing was finished :/

[Tyl3r99 41]

For example half life 2, ep 1 and ep2?

Or compared to like red harvest how big will a single episode be?

4-5 missions?

[runekn 3]

This

The official campaign will be added in 3 Free DLC Episodes, available to everyone who owns Arma 3.

And this

Every episode consists of a set of missions that form a sort of mini-campaign. These episodes are tied together to tell one story.

We don't know any more than that.

[zimms 22]

Well there are also Devs on this forum, so maybe his question is directed to them rather than to other community members.

But since the blog was just released I guess this is all they will/can tell us about the campaign for now.

[antoineflemming 14]

So, not sure I like the seemingly lack of Greek influence when it comes to Altis. At least they've now shown the factions, so that's good. Although seems to me like the Altians really liked the Guyana and Jamaican flags...

Factions are NATO, CSAT, AAF, FIA, and the Altian Civilians. What I'm curious about is the AAF being independent currently, and the FIA being listed as independent. So, I wonder if BIS will create another side to separate the Green faction from the independent. I'd like that to be honest, that way your guerrillas and your green factions are separate.

[fragmachine 12]

So, not sure I like the seemingly lack of Greek influence when it comes to Altis.

You probably missed it:

http://www.bistudio.com/images/stories/arma3/screenshots/a3_ghost.jpg (207 kB)

Greek influences have a good time :)

[Furret 0]

ADD to WISHLIST : BI, if a nice team of Fans translate the voice of the game in another language, french, german or other, could we imagine than you update the game with voices ? :cool:

I assume you will be paying the large cost of hiring a professional recording studio and the cost of transporting fans to and from it?

[T6_Gtr 10]

The dev blog can be found here . It is the direct link to the dev blog. I am assuming the campaign will be shorter than arma 2 but longer than OA. Why do I say that? Well, they are are focused on "quality over quantity". Frankly, do NOT forget that you can actually play each campaign in 4 different roles when you COOP. Sad to say, ive actually never touched the COOP campaign till last week... And it is a NEW experience for me. I hope there will be 4 different roles (at least) in Arma 3 campaign so we can enjoy it even more. For example: First couple of missions in OA you can be an AH64 pilot and provide cover/cas for your buddies down on the ground. I love flying and thats what I do best and it has been hella fun for us. Especially since we all belong to a realism unit, we use our tactics ;)

[GranolaBar 10]

I assume you will be paying the large cost of hiring a professional recording studio and the cost of transporting fans to and from it?

It's easier to make voice than the modeling. And it's Arma with radio protocol, not a GTA with joke all the time and many poor speaks without interest.

Radio was not a problem, campaign is harder (in time and investments) but even if i love the Arma series, with the aspect of simulator game, there is only english language and for modeling and a big community, we have the official forum, but between us, it's "often" be a pleasure to play with this natal language :)

[zimms 22]

I think BIS once said that the campaign won't contain COOP. Then again, past statements about the campaign are not to be taken 100% still true.

[dale0404 5]

You probably missed it:

http://www.bistudio.com/images/stories/arma3/screenshots/a3_ghost.jpg (207 kB)

Greek influences have a good time :)

That's frigging awesome!

[katipo66 94]

I wonder if they developed any procedural gameplay into it? I'm really hoping BIS is still interested in pursuing this.

Eg

...By turning the same scenario into procedural gameplay, we can implement a system which reacts to any helicopter in the game crashing. If the player is near the crash site he is dynamically presented with a task to check out the wreckage and rescue any survivors..

[CSLALUKI 30]

You probably missed it:

http://www.bistudio.com/images/stories/arma3/screenshots/a3_ghost.jpg (207 kB)

Greek influences have a good time :)

Awesome !

[antoineflemming 14]

You probably missed it:

http://www.bistudio.com/images/stories/arma3/screenshots/a3_ghost.jpg (207 kB)

Greek influences have a good time :)

Sure, it's still Lemnos/Limnos. I guess I really meant the Altis civilians and factions, as in the AAF and the FIA. IDK, I just hope that the story at least is similar to what the original story would have been. You had the Iranians install a puppet leader in Myrina who had an army/security force that was supportive of the Iranian occupation, while you had what I assume is now the FIA as a guerrilla faction in the more mountainous parts of the island who kinda forced the Iranians into COIN operations. CPT Miller, originally the main playable character and now the NPC commander of the UKSF apart of TF Aegis, was supposed to rely on the civilian populace, gradually dealing with Nikos and the resistance, to basically working with them to push the Iranians off of the island. At least, that was the gist of it. So basically from a lone ranger to an army. So, I hope that at least finds it's way in game in one form or the other.

The background story was that the Iranians grew strong, kinda restarted the Persian Empire, and in the face of an economically-challenged Europe, pushed it's way up through a natural-disaster-devastated Turkey and across half of Greece, including Limnos and Stratis. So taking back Limnos was really part of a larger effort to push the Iranians out of Greece, and by extension out of Europe. Hope this is still the overall story. Much more interesting than yet another fictional island republic or kingdom that is somehow the most important hotspot in the world.

[dale0404 5]

You need to remember where "Altis" is now in the world.

This is where Stratis is:

Would Altis be near?

[strangere 2]

Article on PC Gamer about Campaign:

http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/08/06/arma-3-interview-bohemia-explains-the-arma-3-campaign/

And this:

http://www.bistudio.com/english/company/developers-blog/394-survive-adapt-win

[HKFlash 9]

... island republic or kingdom that is somehow the most important hotspot in the world.

Well...

[antoineflemming 14]

Well...

Yeah, except that was in the US's backyard in the midst of a standoff between two superpowers. So, that's not the same. Just so you guys can compare, this is what the E3 2012 story was. Note the similarities.

Tensions rise as NATO and Iranian forces stand-off in the Aegean: the strategic fault-line between crumbling European influence and a powerful, resurgent East. But when a key radar facility drops off the grid, a Greek flashpoint risks escalating into global conflict.

Caught up in a situation beyond their control, a botched withdrawal traps men of the US 7th Infantry Division and a clandestine group of UKSF operators in a fight for survival. With only a crippled local resistance to turn to, they must rapidly adapt to overcome an unforgiving environment and defeat a brutal enemy.

Story:

Blighted by the long tail of a deep-rooted economic crisis and sliding toward the threshold of war, beleaguered NATO member-states stand weakened against an ambitious, resurgent Iran.

Flooded with profits from the rich export markets of a resource-thirsty SE-Asia and the rising price of oil, bolstered by strong ties with China and strategic entente with Russia, Iran sought to expand its influence.

Deployed under the auspices of a swift humanitarian response, Turkey – decimated by a series of devastating and unprecedented natural disasters – fell within months to ruthless Iranian Armed Forces. Iran’s aggressive expansion – spilling over into Greek sovereign territory – was brought to a halt in Rhodope Prefecture with the ratification of the Jerusalem Peace Accord of 2034, which crystallized a new strategic front along the shorelines of the Aegean Sea.

With the US locked into its own proxy-wars against aggressive Chinese expansionism in the Pacific, with each year more member-states leaving NATO on the promise of Russian oil, the fragmented alliance faces the growing risk of a global conflict that they can ill-afford.

Characters:

Captain Scott Miller

Character bio:

CTRG // Security Team A Commanding Officer / SHAPE

British national, born June 22nd 1992 in Killingworth, Northern England. Married (Kate née Greggs, 39), 1 child (Susan, 7). Enlisted into the Royal Marines in 2010, underwent Commando training following tour of duty in Afghanistan. Completed his studies and the Officer’s course in 2016. In 2021, joined Special Boat Service, becoming one of its troop commanders.

Took part in covert NATO joint operations in the Pacific Theater, Middle East and Turkey. After recovering from a severe injury, he was transferred from active service until drafted to the newly formed Combat Technology Research Group – a small NATO task force established to gather the intelligence on the opposing forces’ advanced weapons technologies – in 2032. CPT Miller commands CTRG security team A.

Col Martin Novak, MSc. PhD.

Character bio:

CTRG Field Team Specialist

Canadian national with Eastern European roots, Dr. Novak is a physicist with particular expertise in reverse-engineering, although his original specialty is particle physics. Born April 2nd 1995 in Vancouver, divorced. Dr. Novak studied at MIT with a military sponsorship, later took part in military arms research. Following the outbreak of hostilities, he went through extensive language training and became a member of a military scientific board which later led to the establishment of CTRG. During 2032-2033, he went through extended military training, SERE course and several Special Forces survival and clandestine ops courses to become a full member of the CTRG field team.

SGT Evan Illing

Character bio:

Deep Reconnaissance Team “Ice-8″ Commander

American, single, born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa March 15th 2001. Pursued a military career his whole life, he climbed the professional ladder due to his indisputable qualities, capable leadership and daring execution of missions behind enemy lines. He became a member of the 10th Special Forces Group in 2025, just to be deployed in the deadliest hotspots in the defense of Europe: Iraq, Caucasus, Turkey. After the European defenses broke, he and the rest of SOCOM elements were transferred to Great Britain, where SGT Illing was assigned another duty. He became leader of a deep reconnaissance team, one of many under the European branch of SOCOM. In 2034, he was captured by Iranian troops during a mission on Crete, but was liberated by a joint NATO task force operating in the area.

Sgt Illing commands the last surviving team of operation Ice Shard, the EJSOC’s attempt to gather information about the Iranian weapons test range on Altis. His team, codenamed “Ice-8″, is still stationed on Altis as the critical asset of operation Magnitude.

Cpl. Ben Kerry

Character bio:

TF Aegis // RSTA Squadron / 1st BTN / 4th IBCT (Light Infantry) / 7th ID / US Army Europe

Born in 2015 in Portland, OR. Drafted into the army at the age of 18, undergoing Airborne Infantry training at Fort Lewis, WA. Sent to Europe in 2034.

Earned exceptional infantry training records, promoted to Corporal and transferred to 1st Battalion’s organic Reconnaissance Platoon as Specialist. The Aegean deployment is his first combat assignment.

Sgt. Rick Hutchison

Character bio:

TF Bayonet // A Troop / Cavalry SQN / 3rd BCT (Heavy) / 7th ID / US Army Europe

Born in 2008, comes from Broken Arrow suburb of Tulsa. Started service at 18, went through Army courses and education programs. Joined 3rd BCT(H) / 7th ID cavalry in 2030 as tank gunner.

Took part in 2031 conflict in Turkey; field-promoted, combat injury, later served as armor gunnery instructor for 7th ID in Grafenwöhr. Requested transfer to a combat unit. His unit was assigned to the TF Bayonet reserves under Mediterranean JFC.

LT Jeff Larkin

Character bio:

TF Bayonet // 3rd General Support BTN (Aviation) / 4th IBCT (Light Infantry) / 7th ID / US Army Europe

Born in 2014 in Seattle, WA; brought up around helicopters in a successful family business. A wealth of first-hand experience with a keen understanding of what it takes to operate and maintain complicated and expensive machines.

Naturally gifted with technical work and flying helicopters, passed through the ROTC pilot courses with ease. Trained to fly the M-900 and CH-49. Sent to a transport wing and transferred to Europe after failing to qualify for gunship training. Assigned to fly transport helicopters for the 3rd BCT.

ODEVIL

Character bio:

Intelligence agent, CIA

One of the principal HUMINT sources for operation Magnitude, long-term resident in the Mediterranean. It’s assumed the source is genuine, however, its nature is a high-level secret.

Menelaos

Character bio:

Military Commander of the Altis Resistance

Most probably former officer or NCO of the Hellenic Armed Forces who took part in delaying the Iranian assault on Altis in 2033.

Reports suggest that this figure, related to the resistance high command, was appointed to be the military leader of the guerrillas on the island by a figure known as “Maroulaâ€.

Nikos Panagopoulos

Character bio:

Altis Resistance Asset in Myrina

Local Greek from Platy, former manager of Kourou Import Export Ltd. Age ~28-32. Runs weapons, bribes Iranian soldiers with synthetic narcotics; involved various questionable businesses to protect his network, supply the resistance, and secure his personal standing. Behaviour, appearance and taste of a petty criminal.

Rumours circulate that he may be closely related to “Maroulaâ€, thought to be a significant figure in the resistance.

Athene Kourou (“Maroulaâ€)

Character bio:

Former Owner of Kourou Import Export Ltd; identified as “Maroulaâ€

Georgios Akhanteros ["Tyrant"]

Character bio:

Former Mayor of Altis

Greek national, age 60-65, marital status and children unknown. Former mayor of Altis, now collaborating with Iranian occupation. Previously mayor of Myrina for several terms; ran local businesses and owned several hotels and other tourism-oriented companies.

According to the available resources, runs smuggling and confident networks. Tolerated by Iranians; provides information against resistance weapons traffickers.

Col. Vahid Namdar

Character bio:

Military commander of Altis

Colonel Namdar, a career officer of the Iranian Armed Forces in his forties, is Supreme Military Commander of the Altis task force. During his youth, he took part in The Lions Movement, joined the army and became an airborne officer; he led one of the Nationalist commandos in the Esfahan Coup d’état in 2024. His military record encompasses the Iranian campaign in Europe. In the First Battle of Brno, his airborne regiment assisted in the breakthrough in the NATO defenses. In 2030, he became a staff officer on an unidentified post in the European Theater Command in Izmir. His transfer to Altis suggests an ongoing important military operation or facility development. According to several sources, Colonel Namdar lately became a subordinate of General Ostad Javeed Attar, one of the chief officers of the Iranian military research and arms production.

Note: General Ostad (title for academics, adopted by NI) Javeed Attar – research director, P8H8 during opposition, Red Pegasus

Gen. Ostad Javeed Attar

Character bio:

CEO of Red Pegasus Engineering

Factions:

BLUFOR:

NATO

Faction info:

The troops serving under NATO’s Mediterranean Joint Force Command are deployed across the North and South Aegean municipal regions of Greece. Bases across the archipelago – a strategic borderline between NATO and Iranian influence – are in a state of alert, following a period of heightened tension since The Jerusalem Peace Accord of 2034.

The serving contingent is a composition of elements of the reactivated US 7th Infantry Division (7th US Army Europe), primarily tasked with the security and maintenance of Air Station Mike-26 – a critical part of NATO’s radar shield – and providing air support in the Aegean Sea region

OPFOR:

Iranian Armed Forces

Faction info:

The presence of Iranian Armed Forces in the Aegean is estimated to consist of a battalion-sized combined fighting force with conventional capabilities. This deployment is concentrated around a newly constructed military base, adjacent to a former NATO/Greek air force base (ICAO: LGLM). The majority of this force is designated to base perimeter protection and a counter-insurgency campaign, fending off the threat posed by an active local resistance movement.

The equipment and order of battle of the Iranian troops is reportedly compliant with the common Resource Zone Protection Force structure, including enhanced defensive, ELINT and SIGINT capabilities. Due to the proximity of the Turkish coast, the force is estimated to be fairly well supplied.

INDEPENDENT:

Greek resistance

Faction info:

With rumored joint CIA and SIS support, an armed local resistance was formed on Altis in the weeks and months following the Iranian annexation of the island. Composed of former Hellenic Armed Forces and aided by smugglers and weapon merchants, the resistance is an active, hostile, guerrilla faction acting against Iranian forces.

Little is known about their current strength or capabilities. Presumably, the resistance relies upon only light equipment, augmented by captured or stolen assets of the Iranian army, obtained from hidden military depots or via a black market network. Cooperation with local resistance seems viable, yet a cautious approach is required.

CIVILIANS:

Faction info:

Located at the crossroads of eastern and western sociopolitical dogma, 2035 Greek society struggles to remain a part of Europe. The financial crisis contributed to the rapid downfall of centralized governance, with smaller regional units and local areas becoming more close-knit; yet, standing apart from each other, economically and militarily weakened.

Locals now try to avoid foreign influence; they dislike the militant Iranian presence, and blame the rest of the Europe for the crisis that forced Greece to leave the European Union, and exposed them to rampant Iranian strategic expansionism.

OTHER: fish, dogs, snakes, goats

I just hope that CSAT is like some Middle Eastern coalition and that CSAT is as expansive as Iran is in the above story. As in I hope the background story isn't just localized to Altis and Stratis. I also really hope that there's still the Russian and Chinese influence, as well as the US being in proxy wars with China.

Edited August 6, 2013 by antoineflemming

[near_blind_sniper 10]

Yeah, except that was in the US's backyard in the midst of a standoff between two superpowers. So, that's not the same. Just so you guys can compare, this is what the E3 2012 story was. Note the similarities.

Tensions rise as NATO and Iranian forces stand-off in the Aegean: the strategic fault-line between crumbling European influence and a powerful, resurgent East. But when a key radar facility drops off the grid, a Greek flashpoint risks escalating into global conflict.

Caught up in a situation beyond their control, a botched withdrawal traps men of the US 7th Infantry Division and a clandestine group of UKSF operators in a fight for survival. With only a crippled local resistance to turn to, they must rapidly adapt to overcome an unforgiving environment and defeat a brutal enemy.

I just hope that CSAT is like some Middle Eastern coalition and that CSAT is as expansive as Iran is in the above story. As in I hope the background story isn't just localized to Altis and Stratis. I also really hope that there's still the Russian and Chinese influence, as well as the US being in proxy wars with China.

From the PC gamer interview

The player is a regular soldier, a Corporal who’s part of a NATO peacekeeping mission in the Mediterranean. Originally deployed in the wake of the total economic collapse of the Republic of Altis—a nation something like the size of Malta—a situation that flared up into a bloody civil war. It’s been a couple of years of uneasy peace following a cease-fire. This US-led force is now in the process of a staged drawdown, tasked to decommission the bases and coordinate the scrapping of military equipment and vehicles that they can’t afford to ship back home.

This withdrawal takes place in the context of decades of recession in the west and a rise in power and ambition of nations under the banner of CSAT, the Canton-Protocol Strategic Alliance Treaty. Stratis—the island where the player’s unit is based—is a key strategic position between east and west. But, with the US more concerned about its interests and influence in the Pacific and traditional European powers looking inwards at their flatlining economies and mass unemployment, it’s become something of an unaffordable operation.

The vacuum left by withdrawing NATO forces is being rapidly filled by CSAT, creating the conditions for, one might say, a flashpoint. The campaign follows the player from this point and examines his role across three distinct episodes: Survive, Adapt, Win.

[antoineflemming 14]

Well, I guess that's similar. SCO would have been better but oh well. Thanks for that. :)