ARMA 2 (OA) : DLC discussion thread

[Lethaface 10]

Paid DLC is more then welcome in my eyes, we live in 2010 gents!

Obviously it should be of the same high quality as ARMA2 & OA but since it comes from same developers, I'm not worried at all!

And it is perhaps a bit sad for modders who modded in the Brits already, but still you can use those for free if one likes it better!

So, bring that DLC on! :)

Personally hoping for a Dutch version. Perhaps they can join it together with Canadians and some extra German content since those armies share a lot of hardware.

GL!

[Luomu 10]

Personally hoping for a Dutch version. Perhaps they can join it together with Canadians and some extra German content since those armies share a lot of hardware.

Too bad the antiquated BLUFOR/OPFOR split does not allow us to easily pit any faction against others :)

[Tonmeister 14]

Paid DLC is more then welcome in my eyes, we live in 2010 gents!

well stated, I wasn't really sure year it was. So I imagine its simply "put up or shut up" is it? The last thing I'd hate to see is DLC which replicates efforts of the community, which is outstanding. I wish developers do what they do best, develop a game full of discontinuities, bugs and glitches but work on realizing high level conceptual implementations such as we've seen with the development of the modules released with AA2 and OA.

Paid DLC doesn't get a look in from my perspective.

[mrcash2009 0]

I wish developers do what they do best, develop a game full of discontinuities, bugs and glitches but work on realizing high level conceptual implementations such as we've seen with the development of the modules released with AA2 and OA.

You can easily argue that with DLC and sales combined it adds BIS income to keep going in order TO do the things you ask.

Plus no one is suggesting that BIS will just make these DLC's and ignore patching the core game/engine and continue with that.

As far as Im concerned, if DLC has enough it in and for what price they ask, I'm all for it. As regards MP issues you have, and always have had servers with all sorts of different mods and combination of which you set yourself up to log into, or you simply dont and ignore, nothing has really changed from what I can see, its just another mod in the mod list to either exclude on server entry, or include.

[Tonmeister 14]

You can easily argue that with DLC and sales combined it adds BIS income to keep going in order TO do the things you ask.

well please state the obvious here shall we? If your basing your statement purely on income, then sure, go for it. Money buys time as well... didn't you know?

Plus no one is suggesting that BIS will just make these DLC's and ignore patching the core game/engine and continue with that.

yeah..... neither was I.

As far as Im concerned, if DLC has enough it in and for what price they ask, I'm all for it.

So lets not stuck talking about the aesthetics of "getting your money's worth" here... but enlighten me, just what is "enough"? Cause you certainly wouldn't want to feel like your being ripped off as you push that "add to cart" button... right?

[Daniel 0]

So I imagine its simply "put up or shut up" is it?

Now who's stating the obvious? I know I sure as hell don't go to work for free.

BIS are putting a product out there that people can choose to buy in the hope of making more profit. Big deal. They're still keeping the engine updates across the board. They're still working on core game patches.

I honestly see this as more of a Single Player enthusiast download. MP squads tend to find it difficult to persuade their roster to pay for things like this. Plus it can have a negative impact on recruiting if their playerbase knows they'll technically have to pay extra to join.

Unless of course it turns out to be very high quality. Which remains to be seen, personally think it's too early to judge from screenshots.

Edited July 23, 2010 by Daniel

[kylania 568]

So lets not stuck talking about the aesthetics of "getting your money's worth" here... but enlighten me, just what is "enough"? Cause you certainly wouldn't want to feel like your being ripped off as you push that "add to cart" button... right?

What's not "enough" is things like a single mount for $20 (WoW). Or 5 MP maps, three of which you've already played, for $15 (MW2, repeatedly). Or 20 minutes of gameplay and a single feature for $7 (Dragon Age).

2 new vehicles, 2 new helicopters, new troops in three different camos, multiple camo styles for vehicles, reskinned existing vehicles, a bunch of new weapons and scopes, a new campaign, new MP missions, expanded ability engineering, a new method of arty and mortar control and the introduction of a long awaited faction for $10 sure seems like "enough" to me.

[kohlenhydrat 10]

my personal view is, DLC is absolutly ok, as long as the price - content is in a good relation.

EA DLC's is a very terrible example, because they offer low content for high prices.

for me i will buy the BAF DLC and test the content, if it's good i will perhapes buy the next too, if not i don't gonna buy it.

Bohemia have now different option for releasing new DLC content:

a) monthly abo (get monthly your new free DLC extionsion (missions,weapons,units) for a small monthly fee)

b) normal DLC - Modules (pay per Modules)

c) DLC collections (pay for a collection of Modules)

d) community free content (nice global engine stuff, editor upgrades, new maps)

atm moment i'am at work so i cant go in the detail of each of this DLC's i will do it when i come home :>

[Fred DM 0]

my personal view is, DLC is absolutly ok, as long as the price - content is in a good relation.

EA DLC's is a very terrible example, because they offer low content for high prices.

quality of content, next to pricing, is an important factor, but not the only one. there's also the issue of DRM introduced through DLC.

again, EA/Bioware serve as a negative example: in order to use your newly bought official Dragon Age/Mass Effect DLC, it has to be tied to your Bioware-account, which in turn requires you to maintain an online connection.

in effect, this is the same kind of DRM that UbiSoft's GameLauncher practices. a constant internet connection is required to play. the only difference between EAs version of this DRM and UbiSoft's is the fact that the EA games work without this DRM so long as no official DLC is involved.

as for BIS DLC, it remains to be seen what kind of DRM will be employed. Maruk hinted at very mild DRM if any at all, but particulars have not been disclosed yet.

[NutzMcKracken 18]

As I said before, I have absolutely no problem with paying for quality DLC. :)

I too will be willing to pay for some quality content.

I also believe from BIS's stand point that if we want to see the company grow and be able to "float" new projects for us they need to have a financial incentive that they can justify as a company to keep the ArmA world alive.

We all need to understand that BIS is a company, its not a charity or non-profit. They do this for the passion but also so they can make a decent amount of money and keep some talented people employed.

I pay for games that I believe are worth it, and even bought ArmA 1, 2 & OA a couple friends!

As long as ArmA and the DLC stay at the price point currently, you have an advantage over the "bloated" game companies out there (Coughs EA out of his throat). Besides you guys actually give alot of support to your mod community, much more then other companies have in the past. I take it as a benefit that came with paying for the game. And in that realm I don't mind paying for extra content as well.

Thanks for making the addiction last.

Edited July 23, 2010 by NutzMcKracken

[gunterlund21 10]

I dont mind the idea of DLC. I think its nice to have addons "professionally" done. Not putting down the community and the great work the it does, but I would think material from BIS would have an advantage because they are closer to the intricacies of the core engine and can more readily take advantage of it.

I do however have a problem with them creating faction addons ie Brits. I would rather see them produce more engine related packages, for instance artillery system that can be applied across many factions equally like the R3F arty addon. Or enhance aircraft avionics suites, or flight model package. Some of that nature. Or even do a bmd suite or stryker suite (filling in all the strykers that we dont currently have and make them very high quality ie complete interiors, Mortars that actually work etc.) or tank suite with many different tanks. I know people have a love hate relationship with Ace but their concept is valid by building a system that can be applied widely.

[Tonmeister 14]

Now who's stating the obvious? I know I sure as hell don't go to work for free.

well I'm not sure now since you've taken the quote out of context. you tell me after you've re-read the original reply. And anyway, what the hell is wrong volunteering your free time to do something you love?? for nothing???

You've touched on some elements which I have considered, and I agree in part with your points regarding MP integration.

Unless of course it turns out to be very high quality. Which remains to be seen...

For me its not about the quality objects generated, its the realising of many high level conceptual implementations, such as the town generator, maybe Linda at some point... hopefully. That alone I find more engaging than yet another faction.

So as I said, DLC for me does not get a look in.

[ffur2007slx2_5 11]

Waitting for the free version.

[wipman 1]

Hi, the suggested price looks reasonable to me, but i've some things againist the DLC. If you don't have the DLC, you can't join a server that haves it installed, beeing official DLC and knowing the theme of the DLC (UKF) it'll be bought by most if not all the MP servers which means that if you want to play online... you've to pay. For something that you may not need or want; i like the UKF stuff and i find it interesting, but i don't need it... unless that i want to play in MP and then, find out that i need it by force to join a server or to play some MP coop that uses some of the units or stuff from that DLC.

That's why i don't like the DLC... also i've some concerns about the way of get it, it'll be downloadable from the ArmA2 official page? it gonna be downloadable from Steam..? if it's only downloadable from steam, then i wont ever buy it; i hate Steam, is a mess, consumes resources, mess up the games files and configurations... well, it sucks. So i gonna have to wait and see, i have doubts about the DLC even if it looks as good as the promo screenshots show. Let's C ya

[kylania 568]

If you don't have the DLC, you can't join a server that haves it installed, beeing official DLC and knowing the theme of the DLC (UKF) it'll be bought by most if not all the MP servers which means that if you want to play online... you've to pay.

The CEO of BIS has already stated that engine improvements from the DLC will be available via a free patch. You WILL NOT have to pay to join a server running DLC anymore than you'd have to pay to join a server running community made UK addons. You'll be limited by mission of course, just like you are now - if you don't have the units used in a mission you can't connect. Please don't spread incorrect information about DLC being required to connect to any server since that's simply not the case.

[mrcash2009 0]

You WILL NOT have to pay to join a server running DLC anymore than you'd have to pay to join a server running community made UK addons. You'll be limited by mission of course, just like you are now - if you don't have the units used in a mission you can't connect.

So ... "in order" to play on the server (a server that is using the DLC) you would have to purchase the DLC to join in, thus having to ultimately "pay to connect" is what hes referring too ref the missing content being this DLC's, its just a play on approach and wording other than that.

BTW I can see the points here, but I would say that people would get it for the price, in order to connect to a server they are home too and enjoy (not just any old server you browse and enter). A one payment to use forever like any other mod/addon is different than obviously suggesting your paying to play it online each time, it would be misleading to suggest that.

Then again the same argument can be said for A2 users who have not payed out for OA yet when wanting to play MP, or even OA standalone who dont have A2 .. really its pretty much all the same conclusions ... want to play, then get the tools :)

Edited July 23, 2010 by mrcash2009

[jblackrupert 14]

Worst case scenario

ALL servers switch to DLC. everyone who just bought the game, don't know about the DLC, aren't interested in British forces.....etc...etc are faced with nothing but "You don't have the required content. Click here to purchase" when

they attempt to join servers.

* Ignoring the other free addons and mods that may be required to play

on a particular server.

How does Bohemia and the community deal with a situation like that?

There has to be some kind of backup plan to deal with that possiblity

and having a ton of pissed off people wanting to play the game they paid for.

"Run your own server the way to you like" answer doesn't count.

Arma 2/OA servers aren't cheap, what FREE backup plans can you think of?

[Guest]

Some guy buys a Ferrari.

One day whilst driving down the street in your Renault, you see the guy drive past you in his Ferrari.

Despite the fact he owns the Ferrari and you don't, it doesn't change the fact you can still drive on the same road as him.

I imagine BIS will do a similar thing with DLC. As long as the mission maker allows other playable units, you will still be able to see the DLC without owning it.

That's just wild speculation, but I can't imagine BIS doing something retarded that will cause issues, so it may well happen.

[HOPEnSPIRIT 10]

Had a quick flick through but I am not going through 65 pages, so here is my thought whether someones posted something similar or not...

MP servers - are controlled by Users not BIS, so it is up to the community itself to run A2 Standalone, A2OA Standalone, A2OA BAF, etc.

DLC - as BIS said we will still get free DLCs, reguarding paid DLCs; we already know the quality BIS can give us, this will allow longer term support for fixes and new content. In turn helping BIS grow, to enable them to develop even better Arma's in the future.

[Rolexman 10]

Had a quick flick through but I am not going through 65 pages, so here is my thought whether someones posted something similar or not...

MP servers - are controlled by Users not BIS, so it is up to the community itself to run A2 Standalone, A2OA Standalone, A2OA BAF, etc.

DLC - as BIS said we will still get free DLCs, reguarding paid DLCs; we already know the quality BIS can give us, this will allow longer term support for fixes and new content. In turn helping BIS grow, to enable them to develop even better Arma's in the future.

But I JUST paid for the EXPANSION PACK. I DID support them. WTH??? So what if the only server I can join with a respectable Ping has the BAF requirement??? $40 down the drain for the EXPANSION I just paid for + the $50 I spent for Arma 2.

Edited July 24, 2010 by Rolexman

[TechnoTerrorist303 10]

HOPEnSPIRIT, you said it. It's up to the community to decide whether to run DLC servers or not. I really don't see what people are complaining about.

[jblackrupert 14]

What if.... all servers switch....

What then. some ideas Bohemia could use to avoid a lot of pissed of non DLC players.

[Guest]

The Expansion pack was primarily a Stand Alone game. I don't think the amount of content it added qualifies it as an expansion pack.

And again, you chose to buy it, why can't they release dome DLC too? Is $10 really that much? Or are you broke?

I just don't understand your logic, or anyone else against the DLC. This is probably the most pointless argument on the BI forums for a long, long time.

Again, again, again, I will say it:

Since operation flashpoint, BIS has released expansion/"DLC" content. But because that was *THEN* (aka the past), "DLC" didn't generally exist, mainly due to the fact not many people had super fast speed broadband like they do now.

Instead you bought you expansions/"DLC" on DISC.

Other than the *DISC* it is EXACTLY THE SAME!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT THE FOOKYBERRY IS THE PROBLEM THEN??? NO ONE COMPLAINED BACK THEN, LOL!

What if.... all servers switch....

What then. some ideas Bohemia could use to avoid a lot of pissed of non DLC players.

Lol ffs, stop being a conspiracy theorist, BIS are not retarded! ;)

[Rolexman 10]

What if.... all servers switch....

What then. some ideas Bohemia could use to avoid a lot of pissed of non DLC players.

They should come out with a new "expansion" with more stuff before releasing. It's going to confuse people and piss people off.

[kylania 568]

So ... "in order" to play on the server (a server that is using the DLC) you would have to purchase the DLC to join in, thus having to ultimately "pay to connect" is what hes referring too ref the missing content being this DLC's, its just a play on approach and wording other than that.

Nope. The only situation where you would have to pay to play on a server is if that server either A) running with DLC and had this set:

// If set to 1 players must use exactly the same -mod= startup parameter as the server.
equalModRequired=0;

or B) if the mission on the server is using DLC units.

It's just the same as ACE. I can connect to an ACE server without using ACE mod, I can play non ACE missions on that server, but to play ACE (think DLC) missions on the ACE (again, DLC) server then yes I'd have to have ACE loaded (have paid for DLC).

So the only case where you have to pay to play is if you're actively using the DLC.