Are characters "persistant"?

[itsabughunt 0]

So I have played a few FPS games before (mostly Tom Clancy type) but I have never played one in a multiplayer mode before. In fact the only game of any kind that I've ever tried multiplayer is on a Neverwinter Nights. I play on a NWN persistant world called Avlis. With that game there are servers running basically all the time so players can talk to each other, buy or sell things with AI merchants, fight monsters or whatever. I very much enjoy that my character can evolve over time and acumulate equipment and wealth. But I've always lamented at how I dont know of a similar concept but with modern combat instead of fantasy.

So now I've stumbled onto this new Armed Assault game and I'm really impressed with what I've seen so far. OFP sounds cool too but AA is really the one that has my jaw dropping. Yet it leaves me wondering how it works. I'm still trying to wrap my head around what this game is going to be like. Do characters just run through "modules" along with the other players or is it like a world that is always running? What I mean is it like you start with the same gear every single time and your character is exactly as skilled as he was last month? Or do you have characters who can collect weapons, clothes, money, vehicles or even homes and does he become more "skilled" at tasks like firing weapons or driving vehicles? I understand that "clans" exist so you can play with (and against?) teams of other players but other than that I don't know anything in particualr about how that works.

OK, I hope all of this makes sense. Like I said I'm pretty new to the world of multiplayer games. Maybe some of you can suggest a different modern combat game that does what I'm looking for in regards to "persistance". I am sure I would like to learn how AA works and play this anyway someday even if it is more like modules and everyone has the same choices of equipment.

PS: I hope I posted this in the correct forum, please move it if I screwed up. Thanks

[sirex 0]

if you mean "is this a guild type RPG where you slog for hours in real life to build up virtual points to enhance your e-penis", then no.

however, i have heard that the idea is for capture the island games to take days, so in effect the battlefield would be persistent, it wouldnt just reset every 5 minutes after a "round".

p.s: take a joke, rpg fans.

[Stendac 0]

I'm afraid ArmA isn't going to be quite like that.  ArmA features a huge island, but it's not like people constantly roam around it like in an MMORPG.  In online multiplayer, people play missions like capture the flag, co-ops, or even capture the island.  It's not like everybody runs around the island looking for battles to gain experience.  I'm not sure how people got this impression.

I don't know, maybe someone can make some sort of persistent world with an ArmA mod.

On the bright side, Bohemia Interactive's employees are fans of MMORPGs and Game2 (coming after ArmA) will probably feature more of the things you're looking for (like a persistent world), so be sure to stay tuned.  OK?

[Second 0]

ArmA is basicaly like all other FPSs, but ArmA bases on empty pre-made island(s) with forests, towns etc... So there is no life (well somesort of wildlife maybe). Life is created by editing missions (soldiers, civilians, vehicles etc...). So there isn't life on regular basis, every "living"-thing is added by missiondesigner. How large is one mission... it is up tp mission designer (who can do miracles with OFP/ArmA) 15 minutes or 15 hours or days in realtime. In OFP there are few very long missions which could be classified as RPG.

Quote[/b] ]It's not like everybody runs around the island looking for battles to gain experience. I'm not sure how people got this impression.

I had that same impression from OFP too... Until i opened missioneditor first time. I played whole campaign thinking that there is jack-the-civilian driving his tractor on the fields all the time. Or civilian in that green car drives to his work at 8.00 and then back to his home at 16.00 every day

[Espectro (DayZ) 0]

So I have played a few FPS games before (mostly Tom Clancy type) but I have never played one in a multiplayer mode before. In fact the only game of any kind that I've ever tried multiplayer is on a Neverwinter Nights. I play on a NWN persistant world called Avlis. With that game there are servers running basically all the time so players can talk to each other, buy or sell things with AI merchants, fight monsters or whatever. I very much enjoy that my character can evolve over time and acumulate equipment and wealth. But I've always lamented at how I dont know of a similar concept but with modern combat instead of fantasy.

So now I've stumbled onto this new Armed Assault game and I'm really impressed with what I've seen so far. OFP sounds cool too but AA is really the one that has my jaw dropping. Yet it leaves me wondering how it works. I'm still trying to wrap my head around what this game is going to be like. Do characters just run through "modules" along with the other players or is it like a world that is always running? What I mean is it like you start with the same gear every single time and your character is exactly as skilled as he was last month? Or do you have characters who can collect weapons, clothes, money, vehicles or even homes and does he become more "skilled" at tasks like firing weapons or driving vehicles? I understand that "clans" exist so you can play with (and against?) teams of other players but other than that I don't know anything in particualr about how that works.

OK, I hope all of this makes sense. Like I said I'm pretty new to the world of multiplayer games. Maybe some of you can suggest a different modern combat game that does what I'm looking for in regards to "persistance". I am sure I would like to learn how AA works and play this anyway someday even if it is more like modules and everyone has the same choices of equipment.

PS: I hope I posted this in the correct forum, please move it if I screwed up. Thanks

What you are looking for is already being modded. Check out this thread for more info:

http://www.armedassault.eu/forum....=#post_

[PitViper 0]

Isn't "Game 2" supposed to be more along these lines? Dynamic campaign and soldiers which build up traits through experience and training? I am not sure if it's really supposed to be a true MMORPG though.

[sirex 0]

i'd heard that roumer too.

[itsabughunt 0]

Thanks for the information everyone. Persistant or not, ArmA looks really great. I hope there will be some sort of "starter clan" or something because I have literally no experience playing any FPS as multiplayer. I'm comfortable with the usual key controls and the flow of the game as it pertains to single player but I'll have a lot to learn about multiplayer jargon and etiquette.

[sirex 0]

I hope there will be some sort of "starter clan" or something

yup. its called your team :-) -- tis a friendly bunch of people, dont worry.

...just dont shoot any of them in the butt and youll do fine.

[CouchMonkey 0]

At Armed Assault Interactive, it is our mission to create such an atmosphere. We are going to offer environments that persist from week to week. You can check out the activity at Armed Assault Interactive.

In terms of a "starter clan", we will facilitate user ran training and qualification classes. Thus, the best and brightest in ArmA can teach those new to the game.

[Daniel 0]

Most good OFP and soon-to-be ArmA realism squads have training systems set up to help newbies and filter out problems with others. Everyone is always happy to help and encourage budding team members, at least in my experience.

[grayace 2]

Hello stranger,

Dont mind what others say, they're pretty much busy with tactical planning what you really need to know is, OFP was a OPEN WORLD, and ARMA will be a PERSISTNENT OPEN WORLD... so you can build any game you would like to...

if you wonder who says this, this is a former NWN player and looking forward to get NWN2 and ArmA this year...

[frederf 0]

ArmA is mission-based. There is no time limit for how long a mission goes. Your ArmA character persists as long as the current mission persists.

It may be possible with some scripting/file-writing to have characters' attributes span multiple missions.

[granQ 293]

Thanks for the information everyone.  Persistant or not, ArmA looks really great.  I hope there will be some sort of "starter clan" or something because I have literally no experience playing any FPS as multiplayer.  I'm comfortable with the usual key controls and the flow of the game as it pertains to single player but I'll have a lot to learn about multiplayer jargon and etiquette.

I can tell you already now, you will be liked in the OFP/ArmA multiplayer community, why.. because you are humble.

And I think this isnt at all something you expect but you would probaly love this.

Welcome man.