First time Arma buyer

[pwrmx24 10]

First time getting a simulator like this. My sys probably won't hack Arma III so going for Arma II. Never done 1st person shooter games before.

Which "version" should I get? Straight up Arma II, Arma II w/ OA? there are several. Will want to work alone at first but then go to online interactive. So need to know which has the most options for team play. thanks.

MB: ASUS IPIBL, CPU: E8600 3.33 GHz, 3 gb RAM GPU: ASUS 450GTS 1gb

---------- Post added at 03:58 ---------- Previous post was at 03:22 ----------

Also...Should I buy from steam? or DVD. never used Steam before....

If I get the Combined Operations pack can I install that on two separate computers that can multiplay together on a local LAN in Chernarus?

thanks

MB: ASUS IPIBL, CPU: Core 2 E8600 3.33 GHz, 3 gb RAM GPU: ASUS 450GTS 1gb

---------- Post added at 04:08 ---------- Previous post was at 03:58 ----------

and what controller type devices do you recommend for this game. A joystick? do they make a rifle controller? I know sounds dumb but gotta ask.....

---------- Post added at 04:25 ---------- Previous post was at 04:08 ----------

Sorry to keep adding to post. If i buy the complete Arma II series from the Bohemia I. website it's E30.38 Euro. getting a DVD on ebay or somewhere else is more. But I thought i read somewhere i would have to get on steam anyway to make it work. I'm confused. Thanks.

[Joe98 90]

There is a stand alone game called Arma 2.

There is a second stand alone game called "Arma 2 - Operation Arrowhead" also known as "OA".

You can install the 2 games separately. If you install both into one folder that is then called "Combined Operations". From your point of view you then have one game installed.

"OA" has some improvements to the game engine so it is well worth while.

The 2 games come with different maps. They have mostly different soldiers and different weapons. If you combine the 2 games you can use all soldiers and all weapons on all the maps.

Afterwards 2 add-ons were released "BAF" and "PMC" I recommend getting both. In some player made missions it will be a requirement that you have them.

I recommend getting all on DVD or getting all by Steam. If you mix it will lead to problems.

.

[cruoriss 12]

Arma 2 complete collection is the one you should get .

Keyboard/mouse is fine for arma .

And if you buy the dvd on amazon for example you will be able to activate the game on steam ( with the cd key so make sure it's not a second hand product )

But i don't think it will run smoothly on your pc , so before buying check arma 2 free to see if it works : http://www.bistudio.com/english/games/arma-2-series/arma-free

[Mirek 166]

Definitely go for Complete collection if your computer can run it.

If you want to play on 2 computers simultaneously you would probably need to buy the game twice even if you have CO.

Use mouse and keyboard.

Buy on STEAM it is the best safest way in my oppinion.

[pwrmx24 10]

Thanks for the replies. Is there any advantage to having it on DVD from a reputable source? Is there any disadvantage to buying on Steam? It seems less expensive there. Does it limit what i can do somehow?

[Gunter Severloh 3949]

Steam is the same file and structure, its just automatically updated if you have that feature set, which by default it is.

With dvd however you have the choice of patching your game, but it will be a manual option, which is easy as the patches are applications, just hit install it does the rest.

You definitely want to patch your game to the latest at least to v 1.62 for arma2CO which will update your arma2 to v 1.11 which is the latest for arma2.

To answer your other questions, there are no limits to either, the game is the same whether on steam or dvd, or another digital version (nonsteam).

Suggest you buy from BISstore and support the developer--> https://store.bistudio.com/

If your not totally sure about what will run on your computer you can do the following test:

Can U Run it?

http://cyri.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri

it will scan your computer for the chosen game and then give you the results, and list what components (hardware) meet the requirements, and which ones failed, and if

they failed it will list which components are recommended to meet the requirements.

Buy on STEAM it is the best safest way in my oppinion.

Idk about that, consider when steam goes down for repairs or some other bs like it does and you want to play online coop, you'll have to find another way, as once steam

goes down your stuck in offline, but as said theres alternatives, steam aint no cure all, its just one method to play the game which has its own advantages and disadvantages

for whom ever prefers it, I like it but then i dislike it, overall I could care less as long as i can play the game and do my thing.

Welcome to the community and a real game Pwrmx24!

If you have other questions about mods, missions, and many other things for the series, the community here is very helpful.

[eggbeast 3673]

arma 2 + operation arrowhead (OA) + BAF + PMC + ACR = complete collection (and we use them all in our servers and missions)

steam - 24.99

http://store.steampowered.com/sub/40710/

BIS store (it was £15 last week) now back to E31.50

https://store.bistudio.com/arma2-complete-collection

complete edition would be the way to go in my opinion, if you want the most multiplayer compatibility, and all the campaigns and content.

additionally you can play with mod overhauls like these:

I44 mod - WW2 europe http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=12465

hell in the pacific - ww2 us vs jap http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=18114

unsung mod - vietnam http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=12267

cold war rearmed - 1970's east v west http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=14568

dayZ mod - zombie apocalypse survival http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=16612

BAFX - British Armour mod http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=26409

dutch armed forces - http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=17658

over the top - WW1 mod http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=25587

Republic of Sahrani (RACS) - http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=17950

+ a whole lot more on armaholic here

http://www.armaholic.com/list.php?c=arma2_oa_files_modules

most will run with just A2 and OA and the DLCs (BAF, PMC, ACR) in thelite versions included with OA.

ACR lite is a separate free download though http://www.arma2.com/download/805

so you get a lot more content than just the basic game when you try quality community mods.

good hunting

[pwrmx24 10]

Awesome. I understand the game add ons now.

Question about steam: "once steam goes down your stuck in offline"......sounds like I can play offline solo after it's installed without steam but will need steam to play cooperatively with others. That should be fine I guess unless folks are setting up their own server for coop play. I just don't want to be stuck somehow. I guess the question is: if I buy it from Steam then will I ever be able to just get 4-5 friends together without using Steam?

[Mirek 166]

You can use HAMACHI. thats what i do.

[MrSanchez 243]

Hamachi, Tunngle, Evolve are all programs you can use to play LAN.

Keep in mind, Afaik, Steam provides only the master server (the server where all other servers report to in order for them to show up on the server browser). If Steam master server goes down you can still play co-operatively.

There is a button on the server browser called 'Remote' which allows you to direct-connect to an IP and port. A masterserver is therefore not required, so even if Steam is down you can still play. No need for a VPN program that way.

edit: also, afaik, you must buy ArmA 2 on Steam or otherwise buy a retail version and then activate it on steam (if that is still free). This is only if you want to play on the latest version, and have the chance to join other (public) servers without using a remote IP at least.

Kind regards,

Sanchez

[kbbw123 115]

you should buy it on steam because ArmA 2 is not supported anymore as of end July because Gamespy closed down. OA/CO is still supported by the steam browser but only if you have it on Steam. if you buy the disk versions you won't be able to play on server with the proper BattleEye anti hack/cheat but on unprotected servers where hackers can do there things without anyone stopping them.

Also i advice you to put your RAM a bit up when you consider that OA/CO takes about 2 GB of RAM and your system and everything i suggest you take another 3 GB so you have 6 that should do it

[eggbeast 3673]

Game 50% off

https://store.bistudio.com/arma2-complete-collection-steam-version