Release of FCSP-missions! (FCSP=‘Frontline Commander Strategy Playground’)

[majorexperimental 3]

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Release of FCSP-missions! (FCSP = ‘Frontline Commander Strategy Playground’-mission concept)

NOW I RELEASE 4 MISSIONS FOR ARMA3!

When I started to make simple Arma3-missions for my own pleasure for a little more than about a year ago I had no intention to release them officially. Gradually, over time, after lot’s of “what-would-happen-if-I-tested-this-and-thatâ€-situations ( = I had been pretty mission-editing-abusing; an edit-Armaholic) I got the idea to perhaps put the missions “out there†since at least myself had fun playing my them!

During the process, visions of what I like to find in my missions got a bit clearer but since I had no coding knowledge it was a bit rough to make all stuff to work but I got lot of help from the Bohemia Community in general and in particular SaOk so at least some of the visions are incorporated. My profession is in the area of art/graphic design and I’m used to work with concepts so after a while I pinned down my visions to the “Frontline Commander Strategy Playgroundâ€-mission concept; in short FCSP.

FCSP-CONCEPT BACKGROUND STORY

The Frontline Commander Strategy Playground-mission concept, FCSP, is an test to sum up some of the gaming experiences I got when playing different war type games through the years. For example I did like Battlefield up to version 3 (after that to much arcade) but I thought the concept of capturing flags was a bit to generic; I wished more “adventureâ€. I did like the sandbox world of FarCry but to few seemed to play on the online servers and the missions seemed to be generic too. I did like some flight simulators, as ancient but solid A10 Cuba, but missed the combined arms concept and that the ground was not accessible FPS-style meaning for example adventurous rescue mission after being shot down was not possible. Basically I wished to create missions where the ADVENTURE are central but where things as strategy and clear mission goals still was important. Then I discovered Arma and the almost unlimited possibilities there...

FCSP-CONCEPT INFO

As said above the shortening ‘FCSP’ stands for the ‘Frontline Commander Strategy Playground’-mission concept. The word ‘Commander’ signifies that these missions are centered around the commander which means one player MUST know how to use that role. At game start the different units, both friends (Blufor) and foes (Opfor) are placed on semi random locations and the strategies to complete the tasks have to be built from that. In other words quite many different possible start conditions. The combat map are central and gives info about stuff that can be used creatively during game play. Continuous live intel-messages on the screen creates situation awareness on what is going on in the landscape and are necessary to be focused on so the planing are updated to actual conditions.

# The commander have quite many resources (different kind of units) but note; no vehicles (manned/unmanned) will respawn so combat ‘resource planning’ is central! For example: It may be a bad idea to waste all air units immediately by sending them into a heavily AA-area.

# In most missions the commander are bossing over it’s own infantry group and sometimes another one. Above that attack chopper units, fighter jet units, tank units and you could - by using the options in the support menu also use support functions as artillery (real and movable groups, not virtual = have to be protected from air attacks), call for supply drop and call for helicopter transport.

# An important factor for the ‘Strategy’-aspect is that great concern are also given to save civilian lives. If a certain amount of civilians die the missions will be classified as failure meaning the round will aborted.

# The words ‘Strategy Playground’ are referring to that the mission concept encourage to have fun with testing different strategies each round: How will the game play feeling be and the outcome number of respawns, civilians casualties, downed Opfor units change with other strategies on how to use all resources/units and mission start locations, weather and time of day? The concept is about ‘play-evaluate-experiment’!

# The word ‘Playground’ also refers to that hard core realism isn’t the main aim; instead the feeling of unpredictable ‘adventure’ is using a ‘sandbox’-thinking! For example resources of different kind can be found in the landscape (often marked on map) to prevent things are running meaninglessly hard; It’s not fun if nearest ammo depot or vehicle is 3 hours walk from your current location... Of the same reason, after you eventually are being killed, you don’t respawn at base; instead you respawn at random location not far from the point of being killed. With this respawn concept the death ‘costs’ waiting-for-respawn-time and interrupts what you are doing but not totally disturbs the game flow which respawning at base tends to do.

LIST OF FEATURES

> High Command role (army commander). One player MUST play and know how to use that role.This is the core in these the FCSP-mission and has to be played; single player as well as multiplayer. Demands strategic decisions how to use the army and gives a feeling of overview.

> Group leader role. The Commander combines the High Command role with the Group Commander role. Here you got a band of brothers feeling. Work active with orders what they should do and how they should behave (for example strategic/tactical movements, behaviors as stealth mood)

> Civilians that have to be protected. A certain amount of dead civilians and the mission abort. Many of the civilians are used as human shields near primary targets but will escape when the Opfor guards are ‘distracted’.

> At game start; semi-random insertion of both own troops and Opfor targets and troops. A factor that force to active strategic thinking and the demand for recon.

> Semi-random respawn concept. The player don't respawn at base; instead you respawn at random location not far from the point of being killed. With this respawn concept the death ‘costs’ waiting-for-respawn-time and interrupts what you are doing but not totally destroyes the game flow.which respawning at base tends to do.

> Clear goals for the each mission; a handful of tasks, that should be completed. The list is always the same but locations of the task objects can shifting which gives variation and challenge.

> Continuous intel reports what happens in on the battlefield that gives a feeling of situation awareness.

> The huge transport chopper CH-49 Mohawk can be used to lift tanks to strategic locations.

> Some possibilities to influence weather.

> Some possibilities to influence time of day.

> Virtual Ammo Box-system; used in ammo boxes but also in many vehicles.

> Artillery (not virtual; real units that have to be protected).

> Possibility to call for supply drop and call for helicopter transport using radio the button menu (both virtual spawned functions).

REQUIREMENTS

> Knowledge how to use High Command role and group command role

> No mods är needed.

CREATOR/CREDITS

As said above I got coding got help the Bohemia Community in general and in particular SaOk. Epic thanks to SaOk!

THE MISSIONS

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FCSP COUNTRYSIDE WAR (HOSTAGE RESCUE) [COOP 1-9]

Data Type: Scenario

Addon Type: Mechanics

Scenario Gameplay: Coop (work as Single Player as well but I recommend to use the Arma3-MULTIPLAYER-browser to launch the mission)

Scenario Type: Air, Infantry, Vehicles, Water

Scenario Map: Altis

Images: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.816055701748708.1073741828.799472013407077&type=1

Video: FCSP concept demo on mission 'COUNTRYSIDE WAR [hostage rescue]'

Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=320244589

MakeArmaNotWar-vote link: http://makearmanotwar.com/entry/qBwZavTG1U#.VD1yxxZklUU

### BRIEFING: Intel says that Opfor has captured the area from the village Abdera to the the coast line about 3 kilometers from there. Intel also indicates 2 ‘Secret Weapon Devices’ in the area which Opfor ‘equipped’ with civilian human shield hostages. Those devices must be destroyed but great concern are also given to save civilian lives. If a certain amount of civilians dies the mission will be classified as failure meaning the round will aborted. Intel also says the area contains artillery and tanks which also will be found on the target list.

### STRATEGY HINT: This mission can provide many combat experiences. Sneaky infiltration style with sniping and tactical laser guided artillery, close-quarter-combat, infantry-fight in forests, air-to-ground-combat, ground-to-air-combat, air-to-air-combat, tank-to-tank-combat, AT-infantry-to-tank and so on. Strategic variations are many. Explore that!

### MISSION DURATION: About 1 to 2,5 hours.

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FCSP URBAN WAR (HOSTAGE RESCUE) [COOP 1-6]

Data Type: Scenario

Addon Type: Mechanics

Scenario Gameplay: Coop (work as Single Player as well but I recommend to use the Arma3-MULTIPLAYER-browser to launch the mission)

Scenario Type: Air, Infantry, Vehicles, Water

Scenario Map: Altis

Images: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.816492758371669.1073741830.799472013407077&type=3&uploaded=39

Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=320593757

MakeArmaNotWar-vote link: http://makearmanotwar.com/entry/e27wUbrSHR#.VD1yVhZklUU

### BRIEFING: Intel says that Opfor has captured the biggest town on the island; Kavala. Intel indicates a ’Secret Weapon Devices’ in the centre of the town which Opfor ’equipped’ with civilian human shield hostages. That devices must be destroyed but great concern are also given to save civilian lives. If a certain amount of civilians dies the mission will be classified as failure meaning the round will aborted.

### STRATEGY HINT: This mission have a most of all a urban warfare theme but many strategies is possible; from sneaky infiltration style with sniping and tactical laser guided artillery to for example start the mission with an air-phase but note - the town is quite good defended against against air attacks with fortified roof tops. Tanks and AA-vehicles driving around on the streets that have to be dealt with. Approaching the town in vehicle are almost impossible from the open areas west of town (AT and mortars). Explore the possibilities!

### MISSION DURATION: About 1 to 2 hours.

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FCSP TANK WAR (HOSTAGE RESCUE) [COOP 1-6]

Data Type: Scenario

Addon Type: Mechanics

Scenario Gameplay: Coop (work as Single Player as well but I recommend to use the Arma3-MULTIPLAYER-browser to launch the mission)

Scenario Type: Air, Infantry, Vehicles, Water

Scenario Map: Altis

Images: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.816490798371865.1073741829.799472013407077&type=3

Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=320576659

MakeArmaNotWar-vote link: http://makearmanotwar.com/entry/Y1knceLoFV#.VD1yphZklUU

### BREFING: This mission starts with an emergency alarm! Intel says a chopper, containing VIP civilians after managing to perform an escape from a hostage situation, has crashed about 2 kilometers from our main base. The passengers has survived but huge armed Opfor forces are racing against the crash site and the lives of the VIP’s are in great danger! The first task is to stop those armed forces before it’s too late! After that the task is to free another group of VIP’s that Opfor hold as hostages in a heavily tank guarded town 6 kilometers away. <br/>Note: Great concern are given to save civilian lives. If a certain amount of civilians dies the mission will be classified as failure meaning the round will aborted.

### STRATEGY HINT: This mission have a anti tank theme but use combined armes to deal with it. Main choice is if you as player will have a tank-to-tank-battle experience or a air-to-tank experience. Mission also include hostile jets and choppers so air-to-air combat will also be on the menu.

### MISSION DURATION: About 1 to 1,5 hours.

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FCSP AERIAL RECON (INVASION STRIKEBACK) [COOP 1-6]

Data Type: Scenario

Addon Type: Mechanics

Scenario Gameplay: Coop (work as Single Player as well but I recommend to use the Arma3-MULTIPLAYER-browser to launch the mission)

Scenario Type: Air, Infantry, Vehicles

Scenario Map: Altis

Images: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.824583007562644.1073741832.799472013407077&type=3

Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=326677489

MakeArmaNotWar-vote link: http://makearmanotwar.com/entry/Lxe7NwCrIP#.VD6PuhZklUU

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### BRIEFING: This mission starts with an emergency alarm and intel says there are indications that Opfor has started an invasion campaign of Altis: The information is indefinite but hints that one ore more huge tank clusters probably has being landed somewhere on the island and steaming fast against the airport meaning recon from air is central. Protect the airport and the civilians there. Find and stop those Opfor units! NOTE: There is a risk Opfor has forced civilian cars to follow their tanks as human shield: If that's the case - AVOID HITING THOSE CIVILIANS!

Note: Great concern are given to save civilian lives. If a certain amount of civilians dies the mission will be classified as failure meaning the round will aborted.

### STRATEGY HINT: This mission is based on aerial recon since the Opfor units can be anywhere on the island. After founding the targets experiment with various methods of stopping the attack. Air-to-ground may be the basic strategy but there are many combined armes possibilities at the same time things can be complicated since Opfor will get air-force support.

MISSION DURATION: About 0,5 to 1,5 hours

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I hope people will have fun playing this!

Please comment here and comment and rate at Steam.

Edited October 23, 2014 by MajorExperiMental
Update with new mission: FCSP AERIAL RECON (INVASION STRIKEBACK) [COOP 1-6

[SavageCDN 231]

Looks great thanks for releasing these to the masses!!

[Variable 322]

Thanks for realesing! Have you tested it on a dedicated server?

[majorexperimental 3]

Thanks!

To "Variable": No, haven't had opportunity to test them on dedicated server. It would be great if someone could; please send me a message if that happens.

[Arti 10]

It would be great if someone could; please send me a message if that happens.

Looks like great missions! I would be glad to try this on our clan dedicated server. And, BTW, it would be such a great help to have a direct download link to your mission files. When they're only on Steam, that means I need to subscribe, start to play on local, find out where the files have been saved on my PC, then transfer it on my dedicated server ;)

I guess that Armaholic could provides you with a small hosting place where you can upload your files, no?

once again, I can't wait to try out your missions on our dedicated !

[majorexperimental 3]

Thanks!

I will deal with downloadable files as soon as I'm finished with the tweaking phase. I still update the mission daily but I hope this phase is over soon.

[majorexperimental 3]

A question to the community...

BACKGROUND: These missions are made to work as Single Player using the multiplayer browser since I think the respawn system fits the FCSP-concept. If playing these missions in single player mode the AI-team tends to die away rather quick but still, with some concerns, it's possible to play the mission trough anyway using the method of placing the commander in a safe spot so he doesn't die and then use the other soldiers to do the "dirty work".

QUESTION: Now I wonder what you think; with the above in mind - any thoughts about if I should release the missions as Single Player as well?

Edited October 12, 2014 by MajorExperiMental

[majorexperimental 3]

I updated the original post above with a another brand new mission!

FCSP AERIAL RECON (INVASION STRIKEBACK) [COOP 1-6]

Read about it above and have fun playing it!

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ABOUT THE "MAKE ARMA NOT WAR"-CONTEST

I have contributed the FCSP-missions to the makearmanotwar.com-contest so it would be great if you could give a the missions there a vote! Direct links below.

Vote link for: FCSP TANK WAR (HOSTAGE RESCUE) [COOP 1-9]

Vote link for: FCSP URBAN WAR (HOSTAGE RESCUE) [COOP 1-6]

Vote link for: FCSP COUNTRYSIDE WAR (HOSTAGE RESCUE) [COOP 1-9]

Vote link for: FCSP AERIAL RECON (INVASION STRIKEBACK) COOP 1-6 <--NEW

Edited October 16, 2014 by MajorExperiMental

[majorexperimental 3]

For those who ask for serverside pbo's

I now have pbo-files for downloading at http://www.moonbus.se/fcsp-for-arma/

All the FCSP-missions are collected in 1 archive.

If you put up a dedicated server it would be fun to receive an invitation to play among you. ;-)

Edited October 16, 2014 by MajorExperiMental

[majorexperimental 3]

Now I release a newly produced in-game real time game-play video from newest mission FCSP AERIAL RECON (INVASION STRIKEBACK)

[Arti 10]

For those who ask for serverside pbo's

I now have pbo-files for downloading at http://www.moonbus.se/fcsp-for-arma/

All the FCSP-missions are collected in 1 archive.

If you put up a dedicated server it would be fun to receive an invitation to play among you. ;-)

Thanks Dude! I will upload this, test and send you a warm invitation soon!

EDIT 19nov.: We tried to launch all of them, but I got a Core dump error a few seconds after the launching. I think I need to drastically upgrade the amount of RAM on the server :x

Did you hit the 144 groups limit with the editor?

Edited November 19, 2014 by Arti

[majorexperimental 3]

Here comes an update note!

All my earlier FCSP missions are now updated and can be found in the Steam Workshop and on my new website at http://moonbus.se/fcsp-for-arma
Both on my new site and in a dedicated thread here you can also read about the release of a new mission; FCSP CIV’S IN PYRGOS PROTECT [sP/COOP 1-6]

Both the new mission and the old missions modifications are much about to make the the missions more interesting and challenging; for example how the AI on the enemies behaves and restrict certain resources. An example; your artillery or fighter jet groups, now only can be used after certain events to avoid tasks to be too easy (to smash all the enemies air power still standing on the ground on it’s bases in the beginning of the round is an example of such thing!). Another new thing that add both to the challenging factor and the feeling is a own design mechanism for randomizing whether and time in the beginning a the rounds.

http://moonbus.se/fcsp-for-arma

 

[Flying-Coyotus 12]

Hello,

 

thanks for this missions I discovered few days ago ! 

 

I just have a question, I edited the mission.sqm to replace VAS by Virtual arsenal

 

[""<t color=#ff1111'>Virtual Ammobox</t>"", ""VAS\open.sqf"]

 

replace by:

 

[""Open Virtual Arsenal"",{ [""Open"",true] call BIS_fnc_arsenal; }]

 

I exported it to MP, when I run it on DS and joined to test, it said that the max player has been reached (???), i tried to set min and max player in the 3d editor, but still the same problem, 

 

do you have an idea what can be the problem ?

 

Thanks :)