Voidworm

Apparently ArmA 2 is going to be released on the PS3. Have Bohemia actually confirmed this as a fact? Bohemia did a great job of transfering a lot of the technicalities of Flashpoint over to a console with Operation Flashpoint: Elite. I think with the PS3 version of ArmA 2 Bohemia could get away with doing an almost perfect port of the PC version due to the fact that the PS3 is based on an open network, it accepts multiple file types, and Sony is very lenient on user created mods. I believe at the very least Bohemia could cram the full mission editor into the PS3 version, but what would really set ArmA 2 off on PS3 would be making it so it can accept PC-created mods. Unreal Tournament 3 is a great example of how PC-created mods work on PS3, and I think that ArmA 2 could take console mods and mission creation to the next level. It would also be interesting if Bohemia would enable cross-platform play between the PC and PS3. I assume both versions will be powered by GameSpy so platform compatibility probably isn't a huge issue. I think the main argument there would be either PC purists not wanting console newbs infecting their servers, or the whole keyboard & mouse vs. controller thing - which is actually something else that Bohemia should consider. Indeed, the PS3 version could have keyboard & mouse support as well as full key customization, because again, Unreal Tournament 3 has proven that this works on PS3. I want to be clear that these are not features that I'm begging for, I just wish to discuss possibilities for the PS3 version of ArmA 2, so let me know what you think.

I wouldn't mind picking up both versions of ArmA 2 as well. If Bohemia could manage to get addon importing to work in the PlayStation 3 version, then I'd like to get the PC version to make addons and import them on the PS3.

In Operation Flashpoint: Elite the controls are handled well. Bohemia implemented a very limited amount of auto-aim when you are firing from the hip and no auto-aim at all when you are using scopes or iron sights. The stick calibration was fairly nice as well, and actually made flying and driving vehicles very fun and immersive. One really cool thing about Elite's control setup was that Bohemia kept full squad control in the game. You could use the D-Pad on the controller to bring up the command menu and assign units to specific tasks, set up color coded squads, and even use the map to pinpoint specific objectives. Elite's squad command is still by far the best squad command system in a console game. As for the PlayStation 3, I think Bohemia might actually be able to utilize some SixAxis motion controls for obvious things like flying and driving, but also for things like quick squad commands and/or hand signals.

to justify calling it a crappy game is going to need some arguments. That topic will not be needing an argument in this thread as it has absolutely nothing to do with this thread's topic. Heatseerker, if you feel the need to continue this argument with Pulverizer please take it up with him in private or in another thread.

Could you please elaborate on what you mean by "more forgiving and action based"? What features could be implemented or taken out of the of ArmA 2 to make it fit into a more forgiving and action based category of game on the PlayStation 3?

Let's say that Bohemia were to make some drastic changes to ArmA 2 in order to make the game a suitable PlayStation 3 title. What specific elements do you think Bohemia would have to change in order to make ArmA 2 appealing to PlayStation 3 users?

Bohemia Interactive allegedly thinks that ArmA 2 is a "console type of game". That being the case, what do you think Bohemia could do to make a successful version of ArmA 2 for the PlayStation 3?

Marek seems to think it's the other way around. (go to 4:16) Operation Flashpoint: Elite showed two important things: 1. Bohemia knows how to make a great console game and they obviously feel that console development is necessary. 2. The console community for Bohemia's games is very loyal, with many users actually owning both the PC and console versions of the game. Â The bulk of PlayStation 3 users tend to gravitate towards massive war games that utilize the many technical features of their system. If ArmA 2 were developed for the PS3 it would fit into that category flawlessly, and would therefore create yet another loyal community for ArmA. The time and effort required to make that happen would not be wasted.

The console war and trolling ends now. This thread is strictly for discussing ArmA 2 on the PlayStation 3. This thread is not about arguing over other platforms, other games, which is better, or who would win. Leave those arguments in the schoolyard. From here on out all discussion in this thread is back on topic and will be focused solely on discussing the possibilities of ArmA 2 on the PlayStation 3. If you feel that you cannot discuss ArmA 2 on the PlayStation 3 constructively then do not participate in this discussion.

If Bohemia were to actually develop ArmA 2 for the PlayStation 3 it would be unnecessary and unfair for them to charge extra for the PS3 version just because they had to do some porting and additional coding. They also wouldn't have much luck charging for user created mods or patches due to the legal issues and negative backlash that would create. Bohemia would make their money on the PS3 if they would release a version of ArmA 2 that took advantage of the PS3's capabilities. Things like PC mod compatibility, keyboard & mouse support, and PSN server support for large numbers of players are all huge selling points for any PS3 game. If Bohemia could take all of those features and employ them in ArmA 2 for the PS3, they would effectively be creating the world's first perfect port from PC to console. That's a premise that a lot of PS3 users and the gaming public in general would be very interested in.

As far as consoles go I would prefer to have ArmA 2 on the PlayStation 3 for several reasons, most of which can be found in this thread I made that covers the subject: ArmA 2 on PlayStation 3 The main reason I want to see ArmA 2 on the PS3 is because the PS3 could deliver an experience that's very close to the PC version. For instance, the PS3 can use mods created by PC users. In the case of Unreal Tournament 3 this has proven to be a positive situation for the mod creators because it broadens the entire modding community and gives them more recognition. There are plenty of other reasons that ArmA 2 would be great on the PS3 but one that is more subjective is that I prefer PlayStation Network for my online console gaming simply because it's free, and with proper server support, it can run amazingly well. In fact, the standard player limits for PS3 action games run anywhere from 20, 40, to even 60 players with no lag. I'd just like to play ArmA 2 on a console that can do it justice and I think the PS3 is such a console.

Indeed, the player base and the PlayStation 3 itself make for a very simulation-friendly venue. The PlayStation player base has always been very big on deep technical games with robust features, and the PlayStation 3 is a very open ended system both in terms of hardware and software. ArmA 2 would almost certainly develop a hardcore following on PS3 due to this situation. Aye, I fear the same, and it's quite an unfortunate situation not just for PS3 gamers but for Bohemia as well. The 360 already has a vast surplus of military games which would simply steal ArmA 2's thunder and lower it's acceptance rate. On the other hand, the only non-ported military games that the PS3 has are basically Call of Duty and Socom. Oh yeah, and Operation Flashpoint 2 is guaranteed to come out on PS3. Personally, I'm a little more excited for ArmA 2 but if I can't play it on PS3 I guess my only option is to go with Operation Flashpoint 2 instead. You hear that, Bohemia?

I don't really blame staunch PC gamers for not knowing any better about the current generation of consoles, or for not knowing how great Operation Flashpoint: Elite is (for a console game). Afterall, most PC gamers don't really have first hand experience with either of those topics. Â Â It's just unfortunate that in dismissing the console versions of ArmA PC gamers are inadvertently (and sometimes advertently) dismissing Bohemia's developmental prowess. Operation Flashpoint: Elite is the obvious example of what Bohemia can do with consoles, and it's a damn fine example at that. I have no doubts that Bohemia will do a great console version of ArmA 2. The only thing I am worried about is that they won't support the PS3 and in doing so they will be dropping a block on a large market. A market which, like their PC market, thrives on games with technical features like modding, open network, keyboard and mouse support, and large immersive combat experiences.

It's good to see that the new ArmA 2 website is up (http://www.arma2.com/). One thing I've noticed is that at the bottom of the main menu on the right hand side of the screen there is text that says: Platform: PC and Next Gen Console (TBD) Expected release date: Q1 2009 I would like to know if the singular use of the word "Console" is just a typo or if Bohemia actually intend to produce ArmA 2 for only one console. Also, since a release date is stated at the bottom of the text, does the "(TBD)" mean that Bohemia is currently trying to decide which console they will choose to develop ArmA 2 for? I hope for the sake of a better gaming world that the text in question is just a typo. Otherwise, it seems to be a fairly obvious shade job being done on the PS3 version that Bohemia had said they would produce (in a roundabout sort of way) when they intially announced ArmA 2, back when release dates for the game read; "for PC and next gen consoles". Bohemia, if you actually are in a "TBD" stage for the console version of ArmA 2 please consider the technical points I, and other PS3 users, have made in this thread. We only want to support your company by buying and playing your game, is that too much to ask for?

In my opinion ArmA is basically the pinnacle of military games in terms of tactics, scope, and amount of content. However, there is one major feature that I think Bohemia should address in ArmA 2; guns. I'd like to see ArmA 2 do for guns what Operation Flashpoint did for large scale military tactics/gameplay. Of course I'd like to see aesthetic improvements in gunplay but what I'm really talking about is ArmA 2 having the most in-depth gun customization/creation ever seen in a videogame. I know it's a lofty and mostly unrealistic demand, but I'd like to see a huge list of gun parts and accessories from which a player could create and modify a gun to fit their personal taste and playstyle.

Man, people think that XBL and PSN can be bad in their own rights, but can you even imagine the s***storm that would be created on a unified online service for the two consoles? Although, Xbox vs. PlayStation battles in ArmA would be kind of awesome.

You can forget about considering that to be a problem because Operation Flashpoint: Elite actually has very comprehensive and well tuned controls, and since ArmA uses a similar control scheme I can see the translation working perfectly on this generation of consoles.

Translated something like: "The second Part to "Armed Assault" is already in development. This time it shall not only come on the market for the PC, but also for Xbox 360 as well as for the Playstation3." Just wanted to share this info with you guys. Best Regards, Christian Thanks for that information, mr.g-c. Do you have any idea if Bohemia Interactive gave that information to Gamezone directly, or does it seem as if Gamezone is just speculating?

That's a good point, optional motion controls for vehicles could be really fun. If they implemented motion controls for vehicles in the PS3 version of ArmA 2 that would free up the sticks, which would make the sticks available for other things like freelooking, switching positions, and/or selecting and firing weapons. Motion controls could also be used to issue orders. For instance, holding the "orders" button and flicking the controller down would make your character yell "Everybody go prone!". I think motion controls definitely have some potential in ArmA 2.

I understand that you basically mean "consoles in general" with that statement but since you pointed out the PS3's online community semi-specifically I'm going to elaborate a bit there. Basically how it works is; around 90% of the PS3's online community doesn't use voice chat. The other 10% that does chat is mostly mature people in their late teens to thirties. That being the case, you should not have any worries about population pollution in the PS3 version of ArmA 2.

How about they put "100% effort" into all versions? With the small developer team its rather diffucult to do many things once. What ever in console markets this game will not have much space on tought competition. The size of the development team and the marketplace competition are irrelevant as long as Bohemia gives each version their best effort (which I think they will).

How about they put "100% effort" into all versions?

Bohemia haven't been very clear on whether or not they are actually going to develop a PS3 version. I obviously hope they do for the reasons I've detailed in this thread. The PS3 has some great features that Bohemia could utilize to make ArmA 2 an exceptional PS3 game.

It would be great if Placebo could answer that question (it would be even better if he could confirm a PlayStation 3 version of ArmA 2). I obviously agree with that idea. I'm not demanding that Bohemia do addons for the PS3 version of ArmA 2, but I'd like them to at least research the idea and, if possible, let us know what they think about it.

Right on, that would be great, and nothing against the 360 (it's a good console, I like it) but this thread is about the PS3 version of ArmA 2. So now that we've had a nice off-topic about the 360 and everyone's busted their 360 nut, we can return to discussing the PS3 version of ArmA 2.