Alien Invasion Series?

[infiltrator_2k 29]

No doubt BIS have something already in the pipe line for the next series.  Admittedly many hated the futuristic theme and the infamous bug headed enemy.  It seemed to neither here or there. But would a series involving an alien invasion be totally off the table? Could it work? Why should we rule it out?  Are there aliens out there right now watching us? Doubt it. But you cannot not totally dismiss it as a possibility. If H.G. Wells can write an epic novel based on the idea of an alien invasion here on earth, what's to stop BIS creating a series based on it? 

Thoughts for and against?   

[lexx 1387]

Unless BLUFOR and Aliens are sharing 50% of their equipment, that certainly won't happen. :>

[Grumpy Old Man 3546]

If we assume that they're capable of traveling such vast distances in space,

they're probably technologically advanced enough to make short work of anything we could throw at them.

 

From a gameplay point of view I'd rather see BI take a step back and make some vietnam/korea scenery, or even WWII No more near future stuff. No more cold war crisis stuff.

 

Cheers

[haleks 8212]

I think it could be awesome to face a totally new enemy; but for this to work it all depends on the design of the aliens...

I can't say I ever fell in love with any video game/shooters featuring aliens - except Alien Isolation but that's another kind of game. In most titles, aliens are merely exotic-looking humans : they use guns, vehicles, armors, and usually have similar motivations to ours.

 

The real difficulty is to come up with a truly new concept, while keeping it appealing from a gameplay perspective. And Arma being a (light) sim doesn't make that easier - probably one of the many reasons BIS gave up on this while working on Arma3.

[haleks 8212]

If we assume that they're capable of traveling such vast distances in space, they're probably technologically advanced enough to make short work of anything we could throw at them.

 

Not necessarily, think about hibernation, or even better, organic life reconstitution upon arrival (you should read "Rama" by Arthur Clark ;) ).

[AveryTheKitty 2626]

Arma, XCOM edition.

I'd rather see either a sci-fi 2142-esque game, or a prequel/sequel to Arma 3. No cold war, WW2, etc please.

[haleks 8212]

or a prequel/sequel to Arma 3.

 

Oh no no no, please.

 

It's nice that BIS went for a near future, but they also failed to go through with it : Arma3 doesn't offer any new technology and plays exactly like Arma2 (we just have more thermal imaging stuff), except for drones, wich aren't exactly futuristic.

They should either come back to modern stuff, or go much further in the future with actually futuristic techs; as much as I love Arma3, I also think it is the less credible title in the series in that regard. BIS sure took a risk with this new instalment, and I respect that, but their move in that direction was way too shy IMO (granted, the development of Arma3 was rather stressfull in its early stages...).

[lexx 1387]

They should either come back to modern stuff,

But it basically is modern stuff by now. Partly probably already kinda outdated. :>

[drebin052 324]

But it basically is modern stuff by now. Partly probably already kinda outdated. :>

 

40 years outdated in fact for most of the hardware. And for some almost 73 years.

 

As for OP, it could go either way. If Futura (A3's original name before the swap in 2011) was any indication, they just might do an alien invasion of some sort in a future title.  :P

[infiltrator_2k 29]

I think aspersions can be taken from movies such as the Edge of Tomorrow, Oblivion and The War of the Worlds. An alien such as the 'Alpha' featured in EoT would work. The series could begin in like 2050, ten years after the arrival perhaps? Set in an apocalyptic landscape where humans have retreated to fortified bases; their mission to cleanse and take back territory from the invading alien species.

If it were ever possible, underground fortresses would be a welcomed addition, as it would provide an immersive experience of leaving the relative safety of a underground bastion to liberate the periless lands above that's been colonised by the new arrivals.

Weapons could incorporate alien technology, as it's a tactic that's currently used around the world where countries spy on each other and steal each other's military technical advances.

I think BIS could potentially create something fresh and exciting with such a new series, as they'll be free to create new content that's currently not possible/believable due to this world's physical and technological constraints.

An example would be to have an enemy that's able to climb a structure's vertical walls and ceilings. Cloaking technology perhaps that occasionally require players to use specialised optics. And what if our new visitors had the ability to control the minds of players if they come into direct contact with the alien species? Can you imagine your team mate screaming down the coms at you that it's them but not them coming towards you whilst pleading to shoot them, but not with bullets but with a tranquilliser gun that you must carry in order to free the minds of players.

Such ideas would create an incredible tension and a dynamically changing situation where there was the fog of war throughout battles. Access to EPM and gravitational weaponry naturally :)

[Macser 776]

If they thought it was something that would cover a large user base, then I'm sure BI would go with it. They are after all trying to make some cash. I imagine it's harder to gauge than we think though.

 

If you take this forum for example, I'd bet the amount of people posting is fairly low in relation to the overall number of members. Without people making it known what they actually want BI would have to go with what they know. Which to date has been light military simulation. Despite the near future setting, that's what A3 is, with some variation on the theme.

 

Personally I don't think it would matter too much if they went with the tried and tested or something relatively new. If the tools and engine weren't as limiting in certain areas that would open up modding for a wide range of subjects. Science fiction/fantasy/historical. Things like mass being global rather than class based. Improved particle systems. Basic melee. That wouldn't require sinking the flagship genre they've been using all these years. But would still offer people who want it, a chance to explore other themes via modding. Modding has always been a big factor, directly or indirectly. Directly for people who actively do it and indirectly for those who don't have the time or interest, but can still avail of what comes out of the scene. 

 

Right now the only thing blocking people from making what you're suggesting, and doing it justice, is the inability of the engine to accommodate it. I know people have tried and done a decent job to date. But it usually ends up being about hacks, scripting and work-arounds. Even for more traditional subjects. I don't think a company could ever provide a "game" that satisfies everyone's tastes anyway.

[Valken 622]

Arma, XCOM edition.

 

 +1 here

[ProfTournesol 956]

Well, you can have the best of both world. A main game based on a military simulation (i would love to see an historical settings this time, like the Korean war) + a DLC/game expansion adding an alien faction and a invasion campaign.

[KeyCat 131]

No aliens more Vietnam now when have the awesome jungle.

 

/KC

[bad benson 1733]

i'd love vietnam since the jungle map turned out so great i believe in them pulling it off really well. but i find ww2 also very intriguing just in terms of "low-tech" equipment and sheet style.

 

on a more exotic side i'd prefer machines/AI vs humans over aliens. like the skynet kind of thing. dark future vision of technology taking over and stuff. also, arma is such a great engine for mechs in terms of terrain. if it would be done well i could see that being totally awesome. also jetpacks.

[GBee2 68]

No doubt BIS have something already in the pipe line for the next series.  Admittedly many hated the futuristic theme and the infamous bug headed enemy.  It seemed to neither here or there. But would a series involving an alien invasion be totally off the table? Could it work? Why should we rule it out?  Are there aliens out there right now watching us? Doubt it. But you cannot not totally dismiss it as a possibility. If H.G. Wells can write an epic novel based on the idea of an alien invasion here on earth, what's to stop BIS creating a series based on it? 

Thoughts for and against?   

 

Well the point made by others over the one-sidedness of such a conflict would be particularly relevant in a realism series. Humanity lost the war in War of the Worlds, they were powerless to stop the invasion because of the technical superiority of the invaders ...

[infiltrator_2k 29]

Well the point made by others over the one-sidedness of such a conflict would be particularly relevant in a realism series. Humanity lost the war in War of the Worlds, they were powerless to stop the invasion because of the technical superiority of the invaders ...

I think you'll find humanity actually won the war because the aliens fell ill and died due to having no immunity to the germs and other harmful microorganisms that inhabit this planet.   

[djotacon 190]

I think the "Aliens" aren`t very interest to travel in the time/space continuum to steal our "lentejas".

[BadHabitz 235]

Add melee combat. Create a game in a medieval time.  :wub:

[pooroldspike 129]

 

..From a gameplay point of view I'd rather see BI take a step back and make some vietnam/korea scenery..

 

Meanwhile Tanoa's thick jungles and 'purple heart trails' simulate Nam pretty good, how about it Uncle Ho?-

 

 

[infiltrator_2k 29]

I think the "Aliens" aren`t very interest to travel in the time/space continuum to steal our "lentejas".

I'm not going to agree or disagree with you on that one. All I will say is if it wasnt feasible and believable sci-fi movies based on alien invasions wouldn't exist. An alien species may want our resources or the planet as a whole to live on themselves.

Because the prospect of other intelligent extraterrestrial being out there cannot be ruled out, I'd say if done correctly, an Arma 3 Alien Invasion series could potentially work and breath new life into the series, simply because it would be believable and it wouldn't be anything far-fetched or outlandish.

[GBee2 68]

I think you'll find humanity actually won the war because the aliens fell ill and died due to having no immunity to the germs and other harmful microorganisms that inhabit this planet.   

 

No, humanity lost the war, the armies were defeated. The fact that the aliens died _after_ the war was long lost, doesn't change that material fact.

[GBee2 68]

Because the prospect of other intelligent extraterrestrial being out there cannot be ruled out, I'd say if done correctly, an Arma 3 Alien Invasion series could potentially work and breath new life into the series, simply because it would be believable and it wouldn't be anything far-fetched or outlandish.

 

Given how much the community complained that the real world technology seen in Arma 3 was "far-fetched and outlandish" ... I'm not sure you'll win them over with Arma 4 involving alien weapons which are complete fiction.

 

I'm in no way opposed to seeing a mod explore the idea, I think it could be great if done well, but if BI did it, I reckon it would be entirely rejected by the existing loyal community and would kill the franchise dead ... 

[infiltrator_2k 29]

Given how much the community complained that the real world technology seen in Arma 3 was "far-fetched and outlandish" ... I'm not sure you'll win them over with Arma 4 involving alien weapons which are complete fiction.

I'm in no way opposed to seeing a mod explore the idea, I think it could be great if done well, but if BI did it, I reckon it would be entirely rejected by the existing loyal community and would kill the franchise dead ...

It obviously wouldn't appeal to everyone. Some people hate the sci-fi genre. But, if a sci-fi movie can succeed then so could a computer game. I think it really is about creating something that's believable to the biggest of sceptics that's the key here. I think the biggest challenge would be the appearance and capabilities of the aliens themselves. If the community can get upset about the bug helmets you can imagine the scrutiny an alien would attract.

I think BIS would need to consult the community and have them put forward ideas and artwork. Maybe a competition? The vast ocean the maps feature could even play a prominent part. I mean, who's to say an alien species didn't also inhabit the ocean?

But using the Arma engine we could have both an alien and WWII series for example. I certainly pay for both.

[pooroldspike 129]

I think it could be awesome to face a totally new enemy..

 

Right, it could be fun..:)