Arma II Manual ?

[Alpha-Kilo 36]

I have the German version (with a manual) and I guess some of you may be disappointed with the manual when you eventually get it.

For those who have never played OFP or ArmA1 the manual may serve as a quick introduction, but if you already know the basics you probably won't it too helpful.

Do you think the new modules should be explained in the manual? The manual has several pages for Team Razor and the background info on Chernarus and the campaign (which is available on the internet, anyway), but the "chapter" on modules is only three -no, not pages - three LINES long.

This manual is an example for Murphy's Law: The more desperately you need a piece of information the less likely you are to find it.

Edited June 22, 2009 by Alpha-Kilo

[Wifout Teef 10]

Good to know, alpha.

I'll just get it on steam then.

[hoak 0]

btw how is the manual?. How many pages?.

I am a bit sad seeing how the industry in the last decade has been dumping down the manuals, no quality, no real content, shorts..

I remenber manuals like those:

http://img.inkfrog.com/pix/magisterrex/TheirFinestHourFull.jpg

http://198.65.10.229/DID/EF2000_NS.JPG

katuna, remember them and love them! And there's no game that deserves a Reference like this more then ArmA II! Well maybe VBS2... ;)

While Dslyecxi's Guide goes a ways in that direction, both it, its predecessor, and my ArmA I manual (by way of examples) leave a considerable gap in what could be offered for this game, from detailed game metrics, documenation of all its features, and illustrations how they can be used.

There was enormous amount of information, design concepts, features and details in ArmA that were completely missed and misunderstood by Fans that were never covered in the ArmA Manual, or Dslyecxi's Guide (which I purchased both in Color and B&W editions). There are also several mod project manuals content that could be rolled into such a project or as a companion Guide.

IMHO, BI would be wise to make an arrangement with Dslyecxi to make a overlapping product that is specifically about vanilla ArmA II and illustrates every feature of the game, in comprehensive detail, so that Fans can understand the design intentions and capabilities. Such a product could be sold via LuLu, and part of the proceeds go to each contributor as well as BI.

What I'd propose is something of an ArmA II Bible, ArmA II Reference, and Soldier's Field Manual for ArmA II -- that's a integrates something like Jane's, a Technical Reference Manual, and Soldier's Field Manuals. Such a project is probably beyond the time resources of BI and Dslyecxi alone, but if they were interested I'd be glad to contribute my time as a Technical Writer and Researcher as well -- as I'm sure many others that would like to see a 'Single Qualified Source Reference' for ArmA II...

:b:

Edited June 22, 2009 by Hoak

[Alpha-Kilo 36]

Hoak,

I support your idea of a 'Single Qualified Source Reference', but in my opinion such an ArmA II compendium should also be available online.

[hoak 0]

There's no way something as ambitious as what I'm proposing could be given away for free, in fact it would probably cost as much as you've paid for the game, and it would be so large it would not lend itself well to a web presentation.

:butbut:

[Killerwatt 0]

katuna, remember them and love them! And there's no game that deserves a Reference like this more then ArmA II! Well maybe VBS2... ;)

While Dslyecxi's Guide goes a ways in that direction, both it, its predecessor, and my ArmA I manual (by way of examples) leave a considerable gap in what could be offered for this game, from detailed game metrics, documenation of all its features, and illustrations how they can be used.

There was enormous amount of information, design concepts, features and details in ArmA that were completely missed and misunderstood by Fans that were never covered in the ArmA Manual, or Dslyecxi's Guide (which I purchased both in Color and B&W editions). There are also several mod project manuals content that could be rolled into such a project or as a companion Guide.

IMHO, BI would be wise to make an arrangement with Dslyecxi to make a overlapping product that is specifically about vanilla ArmA II and illustrates every feature of the game, in comprehensive detail, so that Fans can understand the design intentions and capabilities. Such a product could be sold via LuLu, and part of the proceeds go to each contributor as well as BI.

What I'd propose is something of an ArmA II Bible, ArmA II Reference, and Soldier's Field Manual for ArmA II -- that's a integrates something like Jane's, a Technical Reference Manual, and Soldier's Field Manuals. Such a project is probably beyond the time resources of BI and Dslyecxi alone, but if they were interested I'd be glad to contribute my time as a Technical Writer and Researcher as well -- as I'm sure many others that would like to see a 'Single Qualified Source Reference' for ArmA II...

:b:

That's a great Idea Hoak and I hope that it becomes a reality. Its basicaly what I had advocated here http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=74270 But you have put it much better than I did.

[Placebo 29]

505 have been contacted and asked to resolve the missing manual issue, if you don't hear back from Nexway I'd suggest you contact 505 as they are Nexway.

[Alpha-Kilo 36]

Hoak,

You seem to have considered pricing at a very early stage of your project. But if the quality of the product justifies it I promise to pay you the same price I paid for the game. I just hope you won't be too disappointed.

I must confess that I seem to have underestimated the sheer size of your project. Too large to be presented on the internet? Wow, this sounds even more than ambitious.

"Online" does not equal "free". I prefer online references because they can be updated easily and instantly. The customer does not have to wait a long time for the next edition to get the latest content. Of course, if the product is perfect and does not have to be updated, this idea doesn't make sense. Then, a CD, sorry, a crate of DVDs, should be fine.

[datter 0]

505 is Nexway?

[Placebo 29]

Nexway is 505's digital distribution portal.

[hoak 0]

Hoak,

You seem to have considered pricing at a very early stage of your project. But if the quality of the product justifies it I promise to pay you the same price I paid for the game. I just hope you won't be too disappointed.

I must confess that I seem to have underestimated the sheer size of your project. Too large to be presented on the internet? Wow, this sounds even more than ambitious.

"Online" does not equal "free". I prefer online references because they can be updated easily and instantly. The customer does not have to wait a long time for the next edition to get the latest content. Of course, if the product is perfect and does not have to be updated, this idea doesn't make sense. Then, a CD, sorry, a crate of DVDs, should be fine.

Heeeey, it's not 'my project' -- I am giving it some thought, but to undertake something this ambitious, to give ArmA II and BI their due, get all the permissions, support, and to do it right is not a trivial undertaking -- and I don't know if I can commit the time to do it justice.

As for scale, if you're new to BI games you may not realize the depth of features, scale design, and capability they offer. ArmA II like VBS2 has all the depth and complexity of an Operating System, more in fact, just documenting weapon metrics and virtual marksmanship could fill a good size book. Offering useful reference presentations, documentation, and illustrations of all ArmA II's features, technology, and metrics could fill something the size of a Sams, O'Reilly, or Microsoft Press Reference -- which are pretty awkward and unpleasant to read or refer to in any digital format.

If others Writers were interested in collaboration it could even be broken up into a multi-volume set Jane's style that focused on individual aspects of the game: Firearms, Infantry Tactics, Ground Vehicles, Aircraft, Combined Arms, Interface & The Virtual Soldier, Virtual Combat Skills, The Real Virtuality Engine & Technology, The BI Team etc....

Perhaps this sounds a bit grandiose, but even most hard-core ArmA Fans find a niche, mastering those aspects of the game and features they like, and are typically only vaguely familiar or even completely unaware of the depth the game offers from other approaches. In its full context ArmA II is truly 'ginormous'...

:)

Edited June 23, 2009 by Hoak

[winterz 10]

Purchased from nexway alst night and no link to manual.

Trying to remain calm without having to jump through hoops to get my manual.

Has this issue been resolved? Placebo if i provide you with my key, or key portions of it and or forward the original email can you help me/us users whom are without a manual out please?

[Placebo 29]

Only what was mentioned: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?p=1326261#post1326261

[hoak 0]

505 have been contacted and asked to resolve the missing manual issue, if you don't hear back from Nexway I'd suggest you contact 505 as they are Nexway.

The man with the lock and key has spoken...

:)

[kabong 1]

Taken from the official Steam FAQ:

Q: Is there complete ArmA 2 manual included with STEAM release?

A: Yes, it will be available as PDF download from STEAM.

Presumably the same PDF that those %$*@#$&* at 505/Nexway forgot to include in their release.

At least we know an english PDF of the manual exists. Now how hard would it be for Nexway to post it in the same place the game download files are?

I haven't even received the courtesy of a reply to me emails requesting the manual. :P

Edited June 25, 2009 by KaBoNG

[Gambler 10]

I went back and checked the download links sent in the email I received from Nexway. The Guide link at the top of the page contains the manual. It must have been added recently, because it definitely wasn't there when I originally D/L the game last Friday.

[kabong 1]

Great news! Thanks.

It definitely wasn't there when I downloaded last Thursday night, either (I went back and checked after I installed the game and couldn't find the maunal).

[Demiun 10]

Yepee ! The Manual has indeed been added to nexway's download page. And duly translated in French.

[Placebo 29]

Glad that you guys can get the manual again, apologies for the delay, and sorry if you thought that "we didn't care" it wasn't true :)

[kabong 1]

I have taken a cursory look through the manual and, for me, there is definitely some worthwhile information in it, so I am glad we "clamoured". I am happy now. ;)

One small beef - the cover graphics were not included. I presume this was done to minimize the size of the download. The odd thing is that the German version reportedly includes the cover graphics. I presume therefore that removal of the cover was done on Nexway's end.

Edited June 25, 2009 by KaBoNG

[Gambler 10]

I noticed the cover was missing also. This is unacceptable, I mean how can I be expected to understand the game without the cover art? Placebo can you ask 505/Nexway to provide the cover for the manual too?:D

[Placebo 29]

I'll get right on that.

[WDA_KooK 10]

Hey Placebo, thanks for help and thanks for having a great game!!

[thegunnysgt 1]

Before anyone says anything, I'm going to say this first. What I am about to tell you is clearly available on Steams website for anyone to download, so there should be no problems, because they are the ones providing it right out in the open.

If anyone wants a copy of the manual of the full retail release and even the manual of the demo in English, you can get them from Steam. I was looking on Steam today, and browsing the ArmA 2 Full Release and ArmA 2 Demo pages and noticed that they both have links for their respective manuals on their pages.

[toby23 10]

I hope someone can help me....

Every time I try to download the english ArmA2 manual from Steam, all I can see are empty pages... The file is 11mb but the pages are empty...

Can someone please send me a link to where I can download a working copy of the English Manual from?

Thanks for your help,

Toby