Operation Arrowhead: The questions and answers thread

Alright gents, since the guy in the original thread obviously never made it to BIS I quickly collected the question last morning. Sorted them on the train to cologne and finally talked Jennik into answering them.

You will notice that not all of the questions asked has been answered. This is either because they made no sense anymore (after I quickly grabbed and formatted them on the train) or Jennik wasn't able to answer them yet.

Let's go:

Will this be a completely new game? As in, will it add loads of new features to ArmA II, or will it just be a new campaign with a few weapons, but we still get charged for it?

BIS: It's more than just a new campaign. Arrowhead contains a completely new environment, US army units, weapons and vehicles and a lot more. At least, there will be some very new features introduced in Arrowhead too.

Will Arrowhead include western forces besides the U.S. Army?

BIS: There will be some more than just U.S. Army Units, yes.

Is there going to be a functional FLIR system out of the box (everything has heat based textures)

BIS: Yes, there will be a FLIR system. We have one of the most sophisticated FLIR simulation systems already done for VBS2 and we will bring it in Arrowhead to fans of ArmA II too.

Will the game have functional IR lasers (PEQ units) like in VBS2? Or Flashlights?

BIS: I'm glad to say: Yes, and yes.

Is the terrain based on Afghanistan? Or is it more of a desert?

BIS: Kind of, it will include dense urban areas and the countryside too.

Who (among BIS and other Developers at IDEA games) has been/will be working on it?

BIS: It's fully under the team of ArmA II makers at Bohemia Interactive.

Who is doing the campaign and what experience are they aiming for as opposed to the free flow Harvest Red format?

BIS: Ivan Buchta proved his skills as Lead Designer in the ArmA II Operation Harvest Red campaign already and he's is the Lead Designer again for Arrowhead. The campaign will be a bit different this time, we want the players to enjoy wider experience, so the campaign will contain parts being played for regular US Army units, pilots and tank commander too. A bit like original OFP was, even if I wouldn't compare it.

How large is Takistan? Can we count on arid surroundings to be more system friendly?

BIS: There are two maps of Takistan in Arrowhead, one presenting the countryside and mountains with villages and small urban areas and the second map of large urban area with the city of Zargabad.

Takistan is a 160 square km map of Central Asia modelled with extremely precision using real world data. Zargabad is a 70 square km map of extremely realistic environment including full areas of dense urban CQB conflicts.

When is the release date

BIS: Not before 2010. The exact date is not yet decided.

Will they somehow automate the inclusion of ArmA II content for those that have it to encourage people who own it that Arrowhead will be just a huge expansion pack for them?

BIS: This is difficult to say now, as Arrowhead will feature a newer and enhanced version of ArmA II engine.

How performance will be compared to ArmA II and if the system requirements will stay the same? Also maybe ask if they have plans to further optimize ArmA II?

BIS: Don't worry that we would throw it away because of making the datadisk. Thanks to the Arrowhead making I believe we will have a better chance to keep an eye on ArmA II too. We plan to bring new patches and continue the support of the game as we did to the present day. The requirements should definitely stay the same for Arrowhead.

Will the future patches/expansions include other parts of Chernarus?

BIS: Interesting question, I don't know honestly.

Will Operation Arrowhead include serious engine changes: ex. armour hit system, flares/ECM?

BIS: Yes, some of them will be included in Operation Arrowhead.

If the "west" side will be represented by US Army, what it would be: "Stryker" brigades or some infantry divisions on Bradleys/M113?

BIS: There will be a variety of roles to play for U.S. Army in Operation Arrowhead.

Who is the enemy? typical Taliban look alike or a (fictional) regular Army like SLA in ArmA?

BIS: Operation Arrowhead will rather be unsymmetrical kind of war even if it could happen you can face a very tough and well equipped enemy.

Will there be Russians?

BIS: Who knows?

What will the really new features be in Operation Arrowhead?

BIS: Completely new story line, new factions, units, vehicles and weapons. New and completely different environment, new simulation features like FLIR, mounted flashlights, HUDs for airplanes and helicopter and even more.

Will it have proper physics implementation for units/corpses (ragdoll) and/or vehicles?

Will walking in and shooting from cargo positions be possible?

Will the hit point system for tanks be changed for some real penetration values?

BIS: I wouldn't expect such huge changes in the game engine without making completely new game instead of the datadisk, though so complex and huge.

ArmA II was originally announced to be released for a console, but we've heard little news since then. Have those plans moved to the expansion? Is a console version planned at all?

BIS: Sadly, I can't confirm anything about console version of ArmA II neither can I do for AO.

What are the reasons to release it as a standalone game instead of an ArmA II addon?

BIS: At least two reasons there are, which one of these is our wish to make it easier to get the game for players who didn't buy ArmA II previously and that some of the new features require to change both exe and data in order to work properly (e.g. thermal imaging).

Will there be Co-op in Arrowhead's campaign? If so, will saves in Coop work better and be far more stable by then compared to our experience in Red Harvest's Coop saves?

BIS: Most probably yes, as we considered cooperative MP being one of the very favourite features people enjoy in our games, but I can't confirm this 100% yet.

Will the campaign be free roaming open world like Red Harvest?

BIS: What would you expect? The corridor and level based maps as in other FPS?

How will Arrowhead's open world experience be different than in Red Harvest?

BIS: It will be different experience in the meaning of the environment and the role player will take.

Is Operation Arrowhead more like Resistance for OFP (you buy, or you're "out" of the REAL game) or is more like Queens Gambit?

BIS: Yes, I would rather compare it to Resistance too.

What is the price for the expansion?

BIS: A medium ranged price, not a full price like for a regular new game.

Distribution around the world? Digital only? Full box? Any "Gold" Edition?

BIS: Yes, there will be also a copy on disc. And yes, most probably there will be a "Gold Edition".

Will there be functional tank interiors? Like Optics, windows, doors

BIS: Might be, depends on how much time is left.

Will the 3D Editor be further worked on / finished?

BIS: We have some intentions with 3D editor, can't confirm anything yet.

Can we expect more modules for the editor? If so, what?

BIS: There are already some of new, I would expect more of them, or enhanced versions of those already known from ArmA II

Will any of the multiplayer systems be drastically changed? Like net code? Browser? Mission setup GUI? Admin tools? Anti-cheat?

BIS: Some things may change in this area as well as BIS is currently evaluating some options that may significantly influence parts of the MP system.

To what degree do original ArmA II and Operation Arrowhead interact? For example, can Operation Arrowhead units be used in ArmA II and can Modifications be loaded in Operation Arrowhead with copying them all to a new directory?

BIS: ArmA II content can be used in Operation Arrowhead with problems.

Will the movement system feature "vertical leaning?

BIS: Not decided yet. We are interested in trying things like this but if and when we will achieve it and if it will be in Operation Arrowhead is not yet certain.

Will AI be conscious of their role and act differently depending on it (e.g. machine gunner acts differently than rifleman)?

BIS: The AI already acts differently depending on the weapon they carry in ArmA II.

Will the mission editor get updated to be more user friendly? Like drop down menu for scripts/actions rather than scripting.

BIS: I wouldn't say the mission editor is unfriendly for users, in fact we consider our mission editor being one of the most user friendly and easy to use mission editors you can get across all present games. You don't really need to use a single line of script to design even a very complex scenario...

How can BIS work on two games at the same time?

BIS: There are a lot of people paid every month at BI, and they need to do something.

The FLIR/lasers/flashlights from Operation Arrowhead, will they be included also in ArmA II or are they only available in Operation Arrowhead?

BIS: No, this would be a too serious change in the engine which could also break the content of ArmA II.

Are there rivers in Takistan?

BIS: Many of such features might be or not present. Hard to tell now as we just started the work.

Please take note that this FAQ is subject to change as OA develops further.

I want to thank especially Jennik for his time answering all these questions.

Thanks as well to the two Idea guys for another pleasant exhibition date with some interesting discussions and insight views.

You can find a lot of high resolution pictures here

Thanks to Dslyecxi for hosting these.

And please, NO bashing here because of the answers. If I come back later and see bashing I'm gonna...

:681:

OHH, BI dodges Codemasters punch and sends a right hook!

:D

Awesome, just awesome. I'm looking forward to the expansion now. And thanks for sending the questions Wolle!

Awesome!

Thanks so much! I am Extremely Excited!!!

Awesome, you took all (well I only asked two anyway) of my questions and got them answered! :D I LOVE YOU MAN!

What's to bash? Even those whose questions might actually have begun with "Why didn't ArmA 2 include..." should be well pleased. The expansion, the timing and the head-on response to DR's feature-set (i.e. FLIR, flashlights, vehicle & maybe weapon HUD improvements) is bold & well considered and I wish BIS every success with this endeavour.

Thanks Wolle

Nice and long Q&A! Thanks W0lle.

Sounds great with the new type of terrain, FLIR, Flash lights/ IR illumination Integration with Arma2 or Arma2 integrated with OA would be nice. Like the way Relic does it with the Company Of Heroes games. Anyway, looking forward to this.

I feel like her from When Harry Met Sally...you know the only scene anyone remembers...only a bloke, obviously.

No..that doesn't work. Am ecstatic. Am bosting with anticipation.

Just so you know Micro terrain means a higher terrain resolution and the inclusion of things like small dips and gullies which can be put into the heightmap and do not have to be added as objects.

QUOTE -"Will Arrowhead incude western forces besides the US?

Jennik: There will be some more than just US Army Units, yes."

Hmm, wasnt specific about whether there would be non-American western units. But could this mean we might be seeing a cameo from a certain group of special ops US Marines? ;)

At gamescom did they show u screenshots or.... any kind of gameplay?

Thats some good news there! Glad to hear about the functioning lasers flashlights and FLIR and such. hopefully the flares and chaff make it in as well. However, I would not read too much into that comment about the armor system.

Honesty though I doubt that BIS can overhaul the current hit point based system for vehicles. they would essentially have to completely rework a large portion of the game engine, and have to teach the AI how to deal with said system. Maybe if they had a year or so to tangle with it then it would be possible, but in my uninformed mind its just not viable.

And BIS remains cryptic as ever regarding the presence of other NATO forces in Takistan :D

looking forward to takistan as well as a new campaign and US army units. it its great to have 2 differant (official) theaters for ArmA2, the more the merrier.

will be great to have the US army, USMC CDF, Russia, CHDKZ, NAPA and the Takistanis peoples front, the Peoples front of Takistan, and the Takistani Liberation army all in one game :D

Awesome

Great effort, W0lle. Looking forward to this. :)

Thanks for the info Wolle.

At gamescom did they show u screenshots or.... any kind of gameplay?

If you read Wolle mentioned taking some snaps (depending on image quality) we may see them later.

Thanks for the info Wolle.

If you read Wolle mentioned taking some snaps (depending on image quality) we may see them later.

i did see that but i didn't know if he meant of the game or of the booth

Just so you know Micro terrain means a higher terrain resolution and the inclusion of things like small dips and gullies which can be put into the heightmap and do not have to be added as objects.

as I read it:

it will not be improved and I think other posters are referring to the actual style and virtual location ie desert/mountains.

Jennik: There were instects and mushrooms in A2, so what would you consider to be more "micro"?

What!?! No spores, mold or fungi? Outrageous!

Jk -Sounds a ok to me :p

Looks good, this has allayed most of my concerns. If this pimps the engine to the potential it has (WORKING PEQ UNITS & TORCHES OMG! :D) then I'm going to be actually pretty happy with it, however, reality always tends to crash this particular party, so I'm going to reserve my opinion & drool for once its released...

Thanks for asking our questions, sounds like Arrowhead will be even better than ArmA 2.

http://rp-mods.com/cms/categories/35-arma-2/90-gamescom-2009-arma-2-operation-arrwohead

You fellas might be interested in seeing some of the new vehicles and goodies they have in the game, to complement W0lle's thorough information.

Also, this is probably a dumb question, but does the patching of ArmA 2 with the OA content mean that stuff such as the FLIR will also be introduced into that game? Sorry, I just saw some of the FLIR in DR and am anxiously hoping that the Marines in ArmA II after the new patches will be able to kick ass with that feature and such.

I fucking LOVE IT!

Abs

http://rp-mods.com/cms/uploads/arrowhead/

ZOMG :omg:

i see a SCAR!

i also spy an 82nd Airborne patch. neato

zomg :omg:

I see a scar!

omg!!!!

http://rp-mods.com/cms/uploads/arrowhead/

ISAF, Apaches, ACUs, Arabic signs, IOTVs, Airborne units, Desert M1A2s, SCARs, and Chinooks?

I came. :eek: