Journeyman

I think it is necessary to look at the situation from all sides. Just like you I was (still am) pissed off with the way they released ArmA it stayed on my PC for no more than a month! OFP I played endlessly for over two years! ArmA was a massive disappointment to many people when it came out and has probably done BIS a bad service like you say. I like many paid for probably nothing more than an ongoing test bed for 'game 2'! However, I am also in business and know that when things get tough and the future of all new products is on the line loosing a few customers today is better that going under and trashing all your investments. I understand that BIS is a small company and what they have achieved so far is nothing short of a miracle. I don't want them to fail to deliver their future projects; I want to see what they are capable of achieving further so I can enjoy again a game that revolutionised (indeed introduced) the genre. I myself have had to loose a few friends in order to gain popularity elseware! It can be an annoying fact of life. That is why I said in my previous post that I am not 'judging' yet. I understand that BIS has continued to patch ArmA in the same way they supported OFP. Many developers only bring out a new 'payware' version of an ‘unfinished’ title! Those who persevered with ArmA are probably now enjoying the game, as it should have been. I'm not a BIS 'fan boy' but I do appreciate what they have achieved and their perseverance with it, and understand the difficulties they face especially with regard to finances. I will buy ArmA2 if only to show my appreciation of their work, but no doubt I will get my moneys worth at the same time, and also knowing full well that any problems there are with the boxed version will get fixed in due course!

The whole thread is a bit premature is it not? I didn't vote because I nor anyone else here has a clue how ArmA 2 will play! Admittedly it is looking good and much more promising that I originally thought. I just hope I wont be disappointed a second time around! BTW ArmA was definitely a 'cash cow' nothing wrong in that. If BIS makes amends with 'game 2' I'll be happy! :p

Zipper5 that's cool! If you could do a high res version it would be even better?

One possible problem with missing content such as civilians and wildlife is the modding community, assuming it will have one! Whereas the current setting of Skira Island and the consequent conflict might be considered as not needing them, what about future community made islands and missions? There goes a big chunk of the games potential longevity. What was really great about OFP was its usefulness as a sandbox for just about every conceivable scenario! On the other hand of course without such content the game would be much more ‘focused’ in military only scenarios, so maybe it will have its own niche of the market especially if other things such as CQB are made that much more enjoyable! It’s all still a little bit premature, we will just have to wait and see!

I see from this pic.. http://www.arma2.com/images/stories/chernarus/inhabited/Arma2_chernarus_inhabited_01.jpg that there is a railway station. Which brings me to an obvious question .... are we having working trains? Or will there be a continuous track that will enable this to be modable?

Well I've seen some nice things from both games now, but the proof of the pudding will be in the eating as they say! I've been fooled before by shiny videos and developer sweet talk and I never believe anything good or bad from 'gossip junkies' either! Next stage I think is demos. Who will be first? :)

Is there a video out showing any of the wildlife as mentioned yet? The latest one I have is from PC Zone mag. and they did not show any 'modular' building destruction or indeed any wildlife.

So now just as they have finished fixing up ArmA they bring out ArnA2! Very reassuring! Forgive me for asking; but apart from the setting and story what exactly will be new? Is it the same engine again? What happened to the 'dynamic destruction' they were demonstrating a few years back, will that be included? Why can we still not have shooting from vehicles? What new wildlife are we supposed to be seeing? Everything I’ve seen in the preview videos so far is just like in ArmA1, nothing to really catch my attention. I’m not saying it will be a bad game, just that I can’t really see what will be new about it! I’ve been off these boards for a while so maybe I’m missing something!

Absolutely spot on! ... Well said! ;)

Well if you like washed out pencil drawings, rigid expressions and twitchy animations then stick with ArmA2! Like you say it's all down to preferences! I loved OFP and no doubt I will try ArmA2. But I know how it will look and play and quite frankly I want to move on to something with a different feel to it. If it turns out to be shit then so be it, but don’t jump to conclusions on account of your love for everything BIS!

Picking on an old video is like picking on a little child! The EGO tech video shows a bit more of what DR will be like... As far as graphics go CM has it over BIS for sure. It may also do CQB much better than BIS' games but this we will have to wait and see. Both games will have their niche no doubt, and each game will outdo the other on something different. If you are just a big BIS fan boy though I doubt that these things will matter!

No I tried ArmA first! Here's the jet flying vid...

According to the CM forums there is a demo coming soon. I've recently just seen the jets being flown in ArmA2 I don't think I will miss them! … The same crappy flight model as in OFP1. I've also just seen some civilians/zombies wondering around aimlessly and bumping into each other on the same video! I don't think I will miss them! Don't know the deal with the missing factions. Never saw much wildlife in ArmA1 apart from a few birds, are BIS doing more interesting creatures for ArmA2? Missing release dates? Well that can swing both ways; I seem to remember following the missing release dates of ArmA1 just a few years back! In short it's far too early to make any judgements on either game, and taking sides will get you nowhere fast!

Is there a First Person view yet, or is this still a Third Person only game?

I have to agree with maxqubit this is a very cool game indeed, and all the better for the fact that there is no virus, no monsters or any of the other silliness from the original game! I also take most enemies out with a single shot to the head with either the dart rifle or the sniper, but most weapons will do this if you put them to single shot. I agree the story isn't as linear as the original game, but then again it's not as ridiculous either, and I have to say this is a far superior game in the sheer fun element that it has and a totally addictive and fun gameplay element. PS. Has anyone found the characters time piece yet? In the PC Zone preview there is a screen of the character holding a watch up to check the time, but alas I have not configured how to get this to show yet. It may have been taken out for the release I don't know?? It would save always having to go to the safe houses just to check the time at the bed!!

I doubt he would like it either if it’s anything like the last two! I felt that the other two titles were just two structured and repetitive, everything done by the book not enough wartime chaos like in other war games. Flank this, flank that oh, and those stupid suppress/awareness decals over the enemies heads! ... What was all that about? There went realism out of the window for me straight away! And then commanding a group of morons unable to think for themselves how more anti realism is that! It was supposed to be a fecking war not a chess game!! Â

It is indeed! It's a bit like a graphically stunning First Person GTA in Africa … and I'm finding it very addictive! The main problem I find with the AI is that they are just too quick to recognize you as foe, in fact it is as soon as they see you! Never mind : … "I'm not quite sure who that is ... wait I think it might be that assassin! Not sure ... get a bit closer ... OH F**k it is ... shoot the b**tard!!" OH no it's just as if you've got a big red flag over your head attracting the attention of even the fastest car driver on the bumpiest of African roads to the fact that you are their no.1 enemy from 200+ meters! But then again this is the same in just about any other shooter including ArmA etc. Absolutely great game  … and all the better for the fact that this time around there are no fecking mutants with wacky weapons!! Â

Indeed every time I visit here all I see is bashing and counter bashing! I haven't heard anything new in many weeks, is there any more progress news of this game yet?

 I think Crysis was just another missed opportunity for a realism or at least semi realism FPS, spoiled so blatantly by yet another instalment of totally over the top alien creatures with outrageous abilities and ridiculous weapons. I enjoyed it immensely right up to the cave missions where it just disintegrated into 'Maximum Crap'!! Â

This is very true! Unfortunately morons are where the money is, and money is what these companies need to survive in an ever-competitive marketplace. Consequently 'niche' games will always be struggling low budget titles. Then again some of the best movies I have ever watched have been 'low budget' movies. Whereas some of the shittiest bullshit has come from Hollywood!

Thanks! I want to be able to teach my wife to drive a 'non automatic'. If I bought the G25 wheel which driving game would be a candidate for a good tutorial? Criteria would be for a proper working clutch (one which allowed stalling! ) Â .. and a H shifter! Â

If I was Baff1 I think I would refrain from replying to such a belittling and shit-stirring comment! When Baff1 makes a post it might not appeal to everyone’s ideologies, but at least he gives his reasoning’s. You on the other hand are just an annoying little flame baiter! Â

Perfectly put! I've not watched this video and don't intend to either. It sounds to me like opinionated gabble! Not that there is anything wrong with that, but someone’s opinion on social ethics is but an opinion in the same way as someone’s opinion in the flawless capitalist society that we are all now about to get seriously screwed up in! The answer probably lies somewhere in-between and I doubt that will ever happen!

Thanks for that list sparks50. Do you know if Euro Truck Simulator would fit in here also? I'm guessing there could be a problem with the 6 speed shifter here though as most trucks have at least 9 speeds!  Also how many of these games will allow you to actually stall the engine if the clutch was lifted to quickly? ... Now that would make me want to buy a game! (I need to get my wife out of the automatic! )  I´m using pedals on a carpet and I had the same problems. The pedals just kept moving away. I found a rather cheap solution though. Don´t know the english name for it though. I put it on the base plate of the pedals and the grip on carpet floor is 100 percent. If you have a floor that is blank simply use this in combination with a stripe on the carpet to fix it. Looks like stick on Velcro! Thanks for the tip!

My 64-bit Business runs it without a problem... Well few crashes there was, dunno know why. Being that I actually do the tech support for the game hah yeah its Vista compatible but if your running duel core or above you have to apply a fix, if you want to know it. Lemme know, OK thanks, I just sent you a PM for it! Better get back on topic I guess! Â