ArmA II: Operation Arrowhead discussion thread

[Maio 293]

I saw that the arm patch on one of the soldiers read: "TF Knight."

Anyone else notice this?

Yup . On the left arm

[cannonouscrash 12]

I'm not 100% on this but they have said this (in the press release):

• Ultimate War Simulation Experience: Fully integrates with the original ARMA 2 for unmatched warfare simulation.

So I'd assume you can use everything in ArmA 2 in Arrowhead (including maps I guess?) so it's a non-issue. If I'm right you can use everything from ArmA 2 with Arrowhead's features (though they might not be fully working, like FLIR).

If you just want the stuff ported back without having to buy Arrowhead then frankly get real ;)

in the town generator preview video, When the guy goes through his editor, there is no mention of chernarus or Utes in the island select screen.

It can only make me think that Arrowhead isnt an expansion at all, but like they've said that its completely standalone.

In the gamestar video, As the super egg flies over the airfield you can clearly see the apache/hercules/a-10, and a few different blackhawks.

IF we presume that all the preview videos are recorded in vanila OA, then it would also safe to presume that everything in arma2 has been copied over to OA and just changed the colour of the units IE the desert skins.

IF this is the case i would say that the flir would work on everything.

I was under the assumption that arma is an expansion pack for arrowhead (due to being standalone).

I probably wouldnt be wrong in saying that OA is the next in the line.. OFP, ArmA1, ArmA 2 and now Operation Arrowhead. The only reason i see it having the name arma on it is because it is mainly arma with a load of new features. And as you look at the artwork and see the word arma2, (the game which we all love, bugs n all) its an attack of the subconciousness making us think that its an expansion, but its really a marketing ploy to make us all move over.

I cant see ArmA2 lasting very long after the release of OA.

The only thing i hope is that BIS have made OA so that most add-ons can be ported over easily and without to much grief, Because that might kill the community in which BIS thrives on so much.

[Alex72 1]

Ofcoruse its a "complete" standalone. That was never a secret. But if you install it on the same computer as ARMA2 you will be able to use all gear and islands. These previews might be installed OA only.

EDIT:

I cant see ArmA2 lasting very long after the release of OA.

I agree to this though. With all new tech in OA its hard to go back. But with OA units and gear retextured into woodland we can go back to cherna and utes. And if the ARMA2 assets gets the FLIR treatment and adjustable scopes treatment and... All that new stuff. Then everything can be used. But OA will be the main game im pretty sure due to all its improvements - wich are said to come to ARMA2 as well - but not all of them. Think i read that. Some changes cant get into ARMA2 (drawn from my rather crappy memory).

Edited April 24, 2010 by Alex72

[Delta One Zero 10]

One thing I wonder about is whether with using ArmA 2 content in OA, if the USMC troops in particular will still be wearing Woodland MARPAT versus Desert MARPAT.

Probably isn't too likely that BIS will include a file to switch the camo's over. But who knows.

[Whoatherefatty 10]

One thing I wonder about is whether with using ArmA 2 content in OA, if the USMC troops in particular will still be wearing Woodland MARPAT versus Desert MARPAT.

Probably isn't too likely that BIS will include a file to switch the camo's over. But who knows.

I would assume its just like any addon. A unit is what it is no matter the enviornment. It would be all aces if BIS made them automatically change to the right camo though.

[katipo66 94]

Would be cool if BIS gave the opposition some love, playing USMC and co with all its kick ass assets feels predictable, boring and too easy maybe? i like to run with the underdogs :D

Be awesome too have a campaign where you can choose your side!

TBH Im only interested in the editor really

[SASrecon 0]

maybe they'll port(with some modifications) over the marines in a later patch like they introduced them in ARMA1

[Black0ps 0]

I'm not 100% on this but they have said this (in the press release):

• Ultimate War Simulation Experience: Fully integrates with the original ARMA 2 for unmatched warfare simulation.

So I'd assume you can use everything in ArmA 2 in Arrowhead (including maps I guess?) so it's a non-issue. If I'm right you can use everything from ArmA 2 with Arrowhead's features (though they might not be fully working, like FLIR).

If you just want the stuff ported back without having to buy Arrowhead then frankly get real ;)

nah just some of the little stuff like that one town creation module and I really want working FLIR. I dont buy anything online and I dont know when I might be able to get my hands on a copy where I am.

[Steakslim 1]

in the town generator preview video, When the guy goes through his editor, there is no mention of chernarus or Utes in the island select screen.

It can only make me think that Arrowhead isnt an expansion at all, but like they've said that its completely standalone.

Protip, It was announced as a stand alone expansion to which vanilla ArmA2 units (and maybe addons) can be ported into. Previews are only showing the expansion, hense why you are seeing only the expansion islands (maps). I don't know what made you think you should of seen Utes or Chernarus in the map list. I don't know what you've been reading since October but BIS have been showing us exactly what they've been telling us (other than the THIRD map "Desert" which has recently been seen despite only 2 maps being announced, but this isn't a bad thing) plus revealing more.

In the gamestar video, As the super egg flies over the airfield you can clearly see the apache/hercules/a-10, and a few different blackhawks.

IF we presume that all the preview videos are recorded in vanila OA, then it would also safe to presume that everything in arma2 has been copied over to OA and just changed the colour of the units IE the desert skins.

IF this is the case i would say that the flir would work on everything.

It was no secret that OA was going to have Apache's and Blackhawks. In fact the Apache being introduced into ArmA2 via patch 1.05 was just a surprise bonus. Originally we were not to have it in game "officially" until Arrowhead since it isn't really a Marine vehicle, then again so are a few of the other things in ArmA2 but BIS have to give us something to work with against what I think is a rather overpowered Russian faction in comparison. ArmA2 doesn't have blackhawks technically, they are Knighthawks, or Seahawks (depends who you talk to, long story). I'm not surprised the A-10 returns as well as half of the vehicles, since the Army does use a large number of them as well, but they've been all updated, remember this, to support some of the newer features like the FLIR, something as of yet we do not know will even function properly when viewing vanilla ArmA2 vehicles (there was talk of a software work-around that won't have all the dynamic heat effects but will still allow thermal imaging to view vehicles and units, but nothing more has really been said about that). You need to remember things like the Cobra, Venom, and LAV as well as possibly the AAV will not be in Arrowhead. Even things like the humvees have been updated as well as newer variants like the up armored humvees and the variants featuring the CROWS system, as well as Strykers ( variants with SLAT), Bradlys, and Linebackers, oh my! (Yes I know we have most these in ACE, but correct me if i'm wrong but those are all ArmA1 ports, plus to have newly updated models outside of the modding community simplifies things for multiplayer matches, PS I love you modders so don't attack :( )

While ArmA2 itself yes will be pushed aside in favor of OA short of some catastrophic fuck up by BIS, this I agree will happen. Like one poster mentioned, it'll still be used due to it being directly portable into OA so it won't die out. A lot of people like Chernarus, and it's size still triumphs over any individual map in OA which lends to it's charm. It's just a bit of a resource hog.

[ziiip 1]

I would assume its just like any addon. A unit is what it is no matter the enviornment. It would be all aces if BIS made them automatically change to the right camo though.

If I understand what you say, then the propable answer is that woodland usmc will be in the BLUFOR/USMC category and woodland units will have WDL after their name.

[cobra5000 0]

If i will have Arma2:OA and Arma2, Can i make mission with CDF and Napa and battle with CDF and Napa against Takistani Army (if it will be OPFOR)?

[Laqueesha 474]

If i will have Arma2:OA and Arma2, Can i make mission with CDF and Napa and battle with CDF and Napa against Takistani Army (if it will be OPFOR)?

In all likelihood, yes you will be able to use units from the vanilla ArmA 2 in Operation Arrowhead if both are installed. Recent previews of the game and released information states that the regular Takistani Army will be listed under OPFOR.

[DaSquade 0]

Is it me, but still no footage of the working lasers/flashlights on personal weapons? Although some pictures clearly show the an-peq16a unit i find it strange (->worrying) the testers didn't used it yet. Lets hope the testers didn't know that option yet (normally i assume the light/laser keys should be defined or they should of noticed the line in the key setup screen.

Was really interested in the laser feature. I was wondering how far the laser is visible (afaik it involves limites like it did in VBS2).

Lets hope the testers aren't aware...

[Alex72 1]

Is it me, but still no footage of the working lasers/flashlights on personal weapons? Although some pictures clearly show the an-peq16a unit i find it strange (->worrying) the testers didn't used it yet. Lets hope the testers didn't know that option yet (normally i assume the light/laser keys should be defined or they should of noticed the line in the key setup screen.

Was really interested in the laser feature. I was wondering how far the laser is visible (afaik it involves limites like it did in VBS2).

Lets hope the testers aren't aware...

Yeah i was wondering too. We saw laser ranger on the tank but never saw if you can zero the gun with it. At least i dont think you see that in the video. Still some questionmarks. Hopefully well see it soon.

[Lhowon 10]

Is it me, but still no footage of the working lasers/flashlights on personal weapons? Although some pictures clearly show the an-peq16a unit i find it strange (->worrying) the testers didn't used it yet. Lets hope the testers didn't know that option yet (normally i assume the light/laser keys should be defined or they should of noticed the line in the key setup screen.

Was really interested in the laser feature. I was wondering how far the laser is visible (afaik it involves limites like it did in VBS2).

Lets hope the testers aren't aware...

Seconded, though it's hardly a critical thing it would be very nice. I was also looking forward to that as I feel it's another level of epic immersion in what's proving to be the mother of all immersions (er, sorry, the latest screenshots have me all hyped :D). I do think it very possible they simply haven't been mentioned, most of the previews haven't been all that detailed really - I can't recall hearing much about the backpacks for one.

I reckon the lasers would be epic for night PVP, US Army vs. Takistan Army (who I'm assuming won't get NVGs).

[unknow_mario 10]

for some said that factions were not balanced

http://arma2.pl/img/article/201004/arma2.pl_033.jpg

is not enough?

[Lhowon 10]

for some said that factions were not balanced

http://arma2.pl/img/article/201004/arma2.pl_033.jpg

is not enough?

Lol.

I actually really, really like how they aren't "balanced", asymmetrical warfare is where it's at. Missions just have to be designed to give the Takistani's an advantage whether in numbers, objectives, or strategic position. And frankly I think those make for a more interesting mission anyway! I don't like joining OPFOR and using exactly the same tactics.

[walker 0]

Hi Lhowon

I agree with you balance does not exist in war and should not in ArmA.

As you point out balance is down to the mission maker.

Kind Regards walker

[Laqueesha 474]

I agree with you balance does not exist in war and should not in ArmA.

Truer words have never been spoken. ;)

[Alex72 1]

^^ Agreed with all 3 posts above. Balance is for suckers. :) Mission design is where its at!

Love the SCUD. Can imagine some nice mission where you have to get to it in time or it will nuke your hometown/base. And if you fail you see a nice ending outro when its launched...

Its gonna be great lads.

[Laqueesha 474]

^^ Agreed with all 3 posts above. Balance is for suckers. :) Mission design is where its at!

Love the SCUD. Can imagine some nice mission where you have to get to it in time or it will nuke your hometown/base. And if you fail you see a nice ending outro when its launched.

That is, if nuclear warheads are going to be on those aforementioned SCUD missiles... :rolleyes:

One can always dream. :D

[nomdeplume 0]

I don't think "war isn't balanced" is a good reason to exclude content from the game though... if a mission maker wants to make an asymmetric mission or campaign, then they can just choose appropriate units. The more units that are available, the more flexibility you have in designing scenarios. If OPFOR only has weak units then the ONLY kind of scenario you can have is asymmetrical.

[Alex72 1]

I don't think "war isn't balanced" is a good reason to exclude content from the game though... if a mission maker wants to make an asymmetric mission or campaign, then they can just choose appropriate units. The more units that are available, the more flexibility you have in designing scenarios. If OPFOR only has weak units then the ONLY kind of scenario you can have is asymmetrical.

Ofcourse. I didnt mean gear. I was refering to balanced weapons etc. That they all do same damage etc.

And about nuclear warhead - doesnt matter to me. That thing should do enough damage to wipe a smaller village or base as is. :)

[Laqueesha 474]

I don't think "war isn't balanced" is a good reason to exclude content from the game though... if a mission maker wants to make an asymmetric mission or campaign, then they can just choose appropriate units. The more units that are available, the more flexibility you have in designing scenarios. If OPFOR only has weak units then the ONLY kind of scenario you can have is asymmetrical.

Agreed, but there has to be a limit. Rag-tag village militias flying Hind helicopters is a tad bit too much, mate. :D

[r3volution 0]

Rag-tag village militias flying Hind helicopters is a tad bit too much

I'll pay that. IMHO even NAPA having helicopters in Arma2 was stretching the imagination a bit. Damn, even a lot of countries barely have helicopters or an air force of any description let alone every ak toting rebel group.

The nature of the kind of war that Arrowhead seems to be going for is far from balanced. Arrowhead is obviously shooting for a far more asymetric warfare style than Arma2 and thus will probably in the default units be less 'balanced' but don't despair because I'm sure within 2 months of Arrowhead being out the vast majority of the awesome unit mods available for Arma2 will probably be ported to Arrowhead.

Fingers crossed on all the new engine changes being easy to implement on existing Arma2 addons.