dogfight [SP/MP][COOP] LMS 1-8/2 CAAS

[Lou Montana 101]

[SP/MP][COOP] LMS 1-8/2 CAAS

CAAS is a Singleplayer or Coop mission for 1 to 8 players now (was 4 before) and 2 optional enemy pilots, featuring pilots on the Altis main airport.

 

Mission file:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2206040060

 

Mission setting:

Island: Altis

Daytime: 2020-08-17, 05:00 - time multiplier ×30 by day, ×60 by night - can be changed

Weather: cloudy - can be changed

 

Mission goal:

Wander in Altis skies waiting for the new task to pop. This mission has no ending.

Tasks: Destroy convoys, tank battalions, helicopters, jets… and AA!

 

Gear:

A-164, Black Wasp, helicopters (AH-9, AH-99, UH-80)

 

Functionalities:

- camera intro
- briefing & tasks
- fully voiced (using Fixed Wings BI showcase)
- translated (EN/FR)
- randomised: random tasks happen on a random spot on the island
- vehicle respawn
- loadout selector
- HUD colour changer

- NO MODS REQUIRED at all - Jets DLC required to pilot the Black Wasp.

 

Feedback:

You can contact me on ARMA Discord, or Steam or BI forums for praises, improvement ideas or threats on my (virtual) life.
No Paypal here, just tell me if you enjoyed it and I will be more than happy 😉

 

LAST UPDATE: 2020-11-10 19:33 - bug reports and suggestions are always welcome, otherwise this mission might be in its final state 🙂

 

Changelog:

Spoiler

 

2020-11-10 19:33

Add two opfor slots - random airplanes only
Add opfor respawn freeze time
Add opfor loadout selector
Add laptop option to turn ambient music on/off
Add enable/disable random AA laptop option
Add MP overview text
Add vehicle skin randomisation and selection option
Add vehicle action restrictions, limited to driver only
Add "truck" icon to convoys
Add 25/50/75 marks for task chance sliders
Update IFF script to only show same-side airplanes
Set IFF icons as non-scaling
Fix actions (but loadout) to be available away from the airport
Fix performance slightly
Fix mortars and AA to the ground
Fix general and MP issues
Fix target/destroy task icon randomisation
Fix dynamic view distance script issue with fast vertical speeds

 

2020-11-01 21:20

Add Russian translation (thanks to Trager)

Add more decorations/sandbags to AA site
Add inventory pistol and more Arsenal options, move Arsenal crate
Fix self-completing boats task
Fix disappearing task marker in a specific case

 

2020-10-23 16:17

Add framework safety about number of markers
Add take off task and fix MP officer line
Fix .paa encoding (DXT5 → DXT1, reducing file size)
Add razed buildings sentence and fix convoy sentence in MP
Fix sentences frequency
Fix radio chatter random delay

 

2020-10-17 17:21

Add mouse centering on aircraft actions (loadout, HUD) menu
Add black screen when killed in MP
Fix real time not showing when pressing "watch" key in MP
Add spawned assets to GC

 

2020-10-16 18:58

Add Chinese (Simplified) translation, thanks to strayer49
Add task chances presets
Add IFF proximity danger colours and remove viewDistance restriction
Add invincible buildings (prevents floating humans)
Add artillery and ordnance decoration and description
Add "playerName used laptop: action" hint's local translation
Add laptop screen translations and fix some translations/keys
Add airport voices, used ordnance voices, ejection voices
Add long distance visibility to boats and fix setFeatureType in MP
Add sound barrier's vapor cone
Add Exit mission laptop SP option
Add 0.1× time multiplier value
Add mouse centering on laptop opening
Fix AA pods direction
Fix many small performance things (simple objects, GC thresholds, etc)
Fix officer sometimes turning around
Fix airport 3D marker not appearing when away in a ground vehicle
Fix spawned cars not being spawned/deleted as expected
Fix some performance and code things
Fix task destination when only one target remains
Fix IFF action when engine off, allow HUD colour to be changed on the fly
Fix CAS radio messages triggering and spacing
Fix task completion condition
Fix infinite stamina issue if killed on the airport
Fix small action priority conflict
Fix IFF icon position and same-vehicle activation
Fix time multiplier issue
Fix a scripting locality issue
Fix stringtable: use more Arma translations
Fix "Unsupported language English in stringtable" log line

 

2020-10-01 23:12

Fix intro

 

2020-10-01 23:01

Remove respawn timer
Fix SP intro and increase on-foot NATO 3D marker disappear radius
Fix very minor performance things
Fix IFF with multiple players in the same vehicle or player in destroyed vehicle
Add infinite stamina in the airbase
Add pilot loadout
Add (limited) Arsenal
Add ambient birds
Add real mission time display on Watch key press
Add (invincible) empty AA and mortars to airport
Replace Sentinel UAV with Stealth Black Wasp

 

2020-09-29 21:07

Fix IFF action to hide airport in SP and fix convoy voice

 

2020-09-29 20:16

Add Radio Chatter on/off action (not immediate, played sound will end first)
Fix "forever incomplete task" in singleplayer
Fix potential action issue - a plane can be disabled then repaired
Add convoy and building kill voice
Fix SP dynamicViewDistance bug
Fix base bug and setting translation
Add featureType (visibility) option for task objects
Add all SP laptop options to MP (+ hint mentioning who used the laptop)
Fix ambient anims locality - work in MP now
Add IFF
Add noise cancellation option
Fix officer's desk and add healing location close to respawn

 

2020-09-06 19:15

Add new Task System

Add new task types

Move and resize respawn area

 

2020-09-05 00:07

Fix missing function file error
Add 4 more pilot slots (simultaneous tasks limited to 6)

 

2020-09-02 02:11

Add laptop Diary entry for MP and add link to its location (marker)
Fix ambient anims, add some more
Fix AA disabling for the AA pod
Add task type happening chance option (SP/MP)
Fix ambient animation
Improve loadout/HUD action conditions

 

2020-08-31 22:23

Add MP laptop to spawn wanted assets

Remove MP setting to spawn all air assets
Add HUD check to see if HUD is customisable
Fix planes task being completed immediately
Fix respawned SP player being invincible
Add game time to task headers
Add SP laptop option to disable AA

 

2020-08-31 00:10

Fix enemy air unit spawn (allow above water)

Fix enemy spawning radii and locations to prevent them being stuck
Add 1 foot AA possible location
Change blue HUD option to AAF HUD colour
Add laptop option to spawn a vehicle
Update selection interface to use combobox over 20 items
Fix SP respawn where sometimes no player would be selected
Fix ambient anims and add some more
Add AA Pods MP option to replace armored AA
Fix AA sensitivity (3km radius)
Fix support refill locality issues
Replace USA → NATO

2020-08-30 04:01

Add fog removal option to laptop's weather options
Add ambient life to airbase
Add laptop screen image
Add title to selection interface
Fix (quickfix) disabled plane being deleted when player was flying
Add 100% health FAK
Set getin task to be effective immediately

 

2020-08-29 20:35

Add vehicle crew in singleplayer
Add lights & props to the support area
Add getin task, add some props + officer wishing good luck
Add singleplayer settings to laptop and related diary record
Move task meta information to the top
Add selection interface clearer background for dark moments

 

2020-08-29 02:25

Add HUD Color/Pylon Loadout interface
Fix radio chatter's previous fix
Add task details (date, time, distance and direction from airport)
Fix translation

 

2020-08-28 15:48

Fix missing actions for respawned SP player
Add flyInHeight to enemy air units
Add more adapted respawn system
Add vehicle respawn duration mission parameter
Fix radioChatter file paths and parachute occurence

 

2020-08-27 23:52

Add base markers
Add Support diary record with marker links
Add diary records to SP respawned unit

 

2020-08-26 22:23

Add objectives to respawned SP player
Add loadout/HUD setup to every air vehicle,
Fix "UNNAMED MISSION" issue

 

2020-08-26 01:30

Add Singleplayer respawn

Add optional "spawn all air assets" option

 

2020-08-23 22:27

Fix respawn
Add MP mission settings (DayTime, Weather, ViewDistance, TimeAcceleration)

 

 

[R3vo 2654]

Looking forward to play it. 😃

[strayer49 6]

I like it, but forgive me for making some changes.  I added some planes from other factions，due to my friends like 201 and 199 better  : )

[Lou Montana 101]

9 minutes ago, strayer49 said:

I like it, but forgive me for making some changes.  I added some planes from other factions，due to my friends like 201 and 199 better  : )

oh how I cannot blame them…! I may add an option to spawn one of each available planes (mods included) in the future 🙂

[Lou Montana 101]

On 8/24/2020 at 4:25 PM, strayer49 said:

I like it, but forgive me for making some changes.  I added some planes from other factions，due to my friends like 201 and 199 better  : )

Added an MP option to spawn all air assets on the airport!
Also added Singleplayer respawn.

[strayer49 6]

14 hours ago, Lou Montana said:

添加了MP选项，可以在机场生成所有空中资产！
还添加了单人重生。

good job

[strayer49 6]

On 8/26/2020 at 7:31 AM, Lou Montana said: 2020年8月26日上午7:31，卢 · 蒙塔纳说:

Added an MP option to spawn all air assets on the airport!
Also added Singleplayer respawn.

增加了一个 MP 选项，使机场上的所有航空资产大量增加。

Tip: You can mark the supply area on a map，I think this will allow the player to land and know where to resupply

[Janez 530]

Hah, I was just looking for an aircraft oriented mission last month or so, when I got stuck in Old Man due to a bug. So thanks for this, will try it out soon.

[Lou Montana 101]

11 hours ago, strayer49 said:

Tip: You can mark the supply area on a map，I think this will allow the player to land and know where to resupply

I wanted but forgot!

Updated:
Add base markers
Add Support diary record with marker links
Add diary records to SP respawned unit

Thanks for the messages and suggestions 😉

[vengeance1 50]

Very nice, curious why did you not add the USS Freedom?

 

Well Done!

[Lou Montana 101]

9 hours ago, vengeance1 said:

Very nice, curious why did you not add the USS Freedom?

 

Well Done!

Thanks! Well, regarding the USS Freedom I hesitated (and still do) because it would enhance the already restricted friendly AA area covering (artificially restricted to 2 km radius).
I didn't add it at first because it was an A164-based mission in the beginning; if I add it now (as a prop) it would sure look nice, but it would be a bit "ghostly" due to its AA not reacting towards enemy - also, players could land on it… for no reason. I have to think it well 🙂

[Janez 530]

Hi,

 

just gave it a try in SP and have couple of requests/suggestions:

- Ability to recruit one AI or to spawn in a heli with an AI gunner would be nice.

- While loadout presets are OK, something like GOM - Aircraft Loadout would be great.

- Convoy vehicles tend to get stuck in towns, though not sure if you can do anything about that.

- Perhaps some weather settings for sake of replayability?

 

Thanks!

[Lou Montana 101]

Thanks for the feedback!
- Funnily enough, Sabre One commented the AI crew suggestion only a couple of hours before you! And the good thing is, it works as we speak and just has to be released now 😉
- For the loadout thing, I guess it would be great, but it would also lose some "simplicity" and also allow for some "flying tank", so I have to see what I can and want to do on this.
- Regarding convoys, I will see if I can get better spawn locations for them.
- As for the weather, it is an option in multiplayer but I can make it an SP option too (which you could select whenever you want) at e.g a computer in the base.

Alright, back to it!

[Janez 530]

Well, that just shows how like minded this community is! 🙂

So, I get you regarding loadouts and this is not meant to be pestering, even though it kinda is... Among other things, it comes down to how switching weapons work in Arma. While its A LOT better then ever before, its still clunky when there is at least 3 different missiles for the class, etc. For me its more about interface convenience, to get rid of weapons I don't need, rather then ability to exploit.

I think GOMs script has some black/white listing options to limit flying tanks scenarios, however, would that be so bad? I mean its SP/Coop after all.

But, I understand the desire for simplicity, absolutely and I wish you reconsider while also completely understand if not. In later case perhaps there is an addon version of GOM like script that I can use with your scenario.

Maybe I would just like to add that, Arma 3's flying and air combat is actually pretty good. Few months ago I 100% turned single player portion of Ace Combat 7 on PC and while it was a blast, its flying model and weapon systems are far simpler then Arma 3. My point being, that Arma 3 is in a serious need of high quality aircraft combat missions and I think this one has huge potential. Sound foundations are already there with dynamic mission spawning and you could build some long(er) term fun on top of it.

Perhaps some sort of scoring progression system, with vehicle and weapon system unlocks behind it, i.e. DAR >> DAGR.

Or even some form of CTI, like neutralizing strategic sectors across the map, thinning out enemy defenses and progress towards some sort of end goal.

Anyway, enough with my rambling, this is just some food for thought to possibly inspire an alternate scenario one day.

 

Thanks and take care!

[Jnr4817 215]

Very nice LM. This is a great mission.

 

I changed and added a few things my guys like to use:

 

I added GOM Loadout Editor, VVS vehicle spawner, Arsenal, CUP vehicles, and a few scripts.

 

I love how your task are made and spawned. I'd love to see this in a stand alone script or package to move from map to map.

 

Excellent work.

 

Reed

[Godis_1 63]

Nice work! Very fun to play.

(IF this now had an option to select any loaded airplane from mods (like Fir Aviation pack or USAF Jets)... :-P )

[Lou Montana 101]

Updated with a bit of stuff - see the changelog in the first post 😉

[kremator 1065]

@Lou Montana this mission looks great, however, Steam is always a bugger when it comes to my Arma3 !!  Could we perhaps get a GoogleDrive link as well ?

[Lou Montana 101]

@kremator I cannot really provide a link as I update this mission quite frequently these days; but went ahead and found this link that solves all your Steam issues! https://steamworkshopdownloader.io/, and paste in there my mission's URL - works like a charm!

[kremator 1065]

^^ you Sir, are a scholar and a gentleman !  This has sorted all my Steam issues from now on!  Bookmarked for ever !!

 

have run into a crash though when running in MPmissions ... CTD with the following error...  ErrorMessage: Include file a3\functions_f\Params\paramDaytimeHour.hpp not found.

 

 

[Lou Montana 101]

Ouch… it might be an issue with it being loaded as an MPmissions\ directory file and not a Steam Workshop item (support differences have been reported)

I am afraid this one is out of my hands, as a last resort you could edit the pbo and remove these lines from description.ext:

#define DAYTIMEHOUR_DEFAULT 5
#include "\a3\functions_f\Params\paramDaytimeHour.hpp"

#define WEATHER_DEFAULT	50
#include "\a3\functions_f\Params\paramWeather.hpp"

This should get rid of the issue, but also of the daytime/weather settings.

 

PS: flattery will get you nowhere! But please carry on, just to be sure about it :^) thanks!

[Jnr4817 215]

I'd love the addition of earplugs.

 

We played the mission for 3 hours last night, no issues.

 

The missions seemed random and all over the map.

 

Thanks,

Reed

[Lou Montana 101]

I wondered, and maybe players could help me thinking about it, but would it be interesting if I raised the amount of slots (from 4 to e.g 6 pilots)?

[strayer49 6]

5 hours ago, Lou Montana said: 5小时前，卢•蒙塔纳(Lou Montana)表示:

I wondered, and maybe players could help me thinking about it, but would it be interesting if I raised the amount of slots (from 4 to e.g 6 pilots)?

我想知道，也许玩家可以帮助我思考这个问题，但是如果我提高名额(从4个到6个飞行员)会有趣吗？

Perhaps this increases the number of simultaneous tasks, or the difficulty of the task.

[Jnr4817 215]

I'd say 8. Give each slot a co-pilot slot or at least 2. 

 

We used the CUP DAP with pilot and co-pilot and it was so much fun.

 

Thanks,

Reed