[Official] ArmA 2 : Operation Arrowhead (PC), 2010

[Dwarden]

Game name : ArmA 2 : Operation Arrowhead ®

Official website : click here to visit ...

Release date: 29th June 2010

Pre-Order : http://www.arma2.com/crossroad-sprocketbanner.html

Developer : Bohemia Interactive

Official Trailer(s):

Full press release about trailer with additional details : click here to read...

Full press release about trailer with additional details : click here to read...

in-game demonstration : click here to read...

NA publisher announcement: http://www.meridian4.com/press/20100426/index.html

NA publisher title site: http://www.meridian4.com/games/arma2/index.html

Previews:

http://www.arma2.com/links/arma-2-operation-arrowhead-previews_en.html

Vegetation development screens (click on it to see full size):

Note :

I started new thread related to ARMA 2 expansion, as original long ARMA 2 thread become 'messed' due to Neowin forum update(s) ...

old thread is here : https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/746808-official-arma-2-pc-q2-2009/

[gasdfdasfa31231as]

Can't wait for this. Hopefully, this is to ArmA 2, what Resistance was to OFP: CWC.

Beautiful vegetation screens, as well.

[darkz]

nice, i hope it wont be buggy

[Dwarden]

ARMA 2 : Operation Arrowhead previews

english

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=243251&site=pcg

czech

http://www.eurogamer.cz/articles/arma-2-operace-arrowhead-dojmy?page=2

http://pc.hrej.cz/preview/arma-2-operation-arrowhead-3078/

slovak

http://www.hrajmobil.sk/sk/preview-prve-dojmy/arma-ii-operation-arrowhead-prve-dojmy-z-hrania

screens

http://www.hookedgamers.com/pc/arma_ii_operation_arrowhead/screenshots.html

FLIR demonstration (english narration)

http://arma2.pl/news/71/operation-arrowhead-demostracja-flir.html

[Dwarden]

This massive standalone expansion pack will be available to buy across the globe from June 29th 2010.

http://www.idea-games.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=145&Itemid=2

German previews

http://www.gamestar.de/preview/action/taktik-shooter/2314394/arma_2_operation_arrowhead.html

Czech

http://www.vokr.com/dojmy/arma2-oa/

http://bonusweb.idnes.cz/pc/preview/pokracovani-ceskeho-valecneho-simulatoru-pripomina-film-cerny-jestrab-sestrelen-gib-/clanek.A100419_091257_bw-pc-preview_mik.idn

Town Generation demonstration, video

http://arma2.pl/news/73/tylko-na-arma2-pl-generator-miasteczek.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gyVO7BZIss

[Dwarden]

NA publisher announcement: http://www.meridian4.com/press/20100426/index.html

NA publisher title site: http://www.meridian4.com/games/arma2/index.html

English preview:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/arma-ii-operation-arrowhead-hands-on

[Dwarden]

Launched today is a Community FAQ over on the Community Wiki, it's a chance for anyone to ask us any questions they like about the company and our projects.

Initially there's an Operation Arrowhead FAQ which we'd already prepared, just like on Blue Peter!

Please feel free to leave all questions you have in the Discussion Page we will then lock down the wiki entry on May 15th to prepare the answers which all being well will be posted May 30th.

It goes without saying we cannot promise to answer all questions posted as it depends on how many are asked and on what topics, etc.

Should be obvious, but I'll say it anyway, just because there's a pre-prepared OA FAQ it doesn't mean you can't ask further questions about OA...

[Dwarden]

training camp video (preview Work in Progress version)

[Dwarden]

if you like to preorder ARMA 2:Operation Arrowhead in retail

then You may go here:

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=77891

or if You want complete package of OA+ARMA 2

then get ARMA 2: Combined Operations

http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=77893

for more shops You need wait and visit from time to time our forum thread : http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=98152

[Dwarden]

not only ARMA 2 : Operation Arrowhead is gold ! http://www.idea-games.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=148&Itemid=1

but there is nice new ler to watch asd in first post

[carmatic]

but there is nice new ler to watch asd in first post

what?

[Dwarden]

what?

lol it was 'trailer' ... but somehow ...

[c3ntury]

Didn't like the first one or Arma 2, doubt my mind will be changed with this.

[Sethos]

Despite the lack of interest in this game, I'm going to give this a one-time pity bump :laugh:

I just bought the game off their own service, Sprocketidea as most Danish shops seem to think July 2nd is the official release, instead of tomorrow. As for the game, ages since I've been this excited - They added a very current

scenario which is always great and polished up the game with improved graphics and optimization - Not that optimization matters too much to myself, as the game has been running smooth for the past 6 months.

Can't wait to fire up multiplayer and have some huge Co-op scenarios in a middle-eastern inspired scenario (Y)

[trag3dy]

I've been thinking about giving this game a try, but I'm not sure if it will be for me or not. Luckily there is a demo on Steam for Arma 2.

[Sethos]

I've been thinking about giving this game a try, but I'm not sure if it will be for me or not. Luckily there is a demo on Steam for Arma 2.

Unfortunately the ArmA II demo is poor presentation of the game, especially in its current state - It's a really outdated demo, lacks a lot of the optimization added in the new patches.

And unless you enjoy realism, you enjoy games that takes the pace down a bit and rewards patience, you won't like it.

[trag3dy]

Well I'll try the demo and check out some game play videos too. I don't mind that it's a slower paced game at all.

[Sethos]

Well I'll try the demo and check out some game play videos too. I don't mind that it's a slower paced game at all.

Alright, people also tend to be surprised by the very dry approach to everything, for lack of better word.

The engine was built for Armies to train troops and tactics, then it was basically refitted as a game - While it provides the very best experience for milsim nuts like me, especially with modding ( Huge active modding scene ),

'ordinary' gamers are scared off instantly by the controls, the scope of the game and the lack of instant gratification. So when you get past that first hill, you have a massive game that can provide every combat scenario you ever dreamt of,

MASSIVE online battles ( I believe it goes to 100 on some servers ) and even smaller tactical matches if you like, easy to make your own missions, so much free content you will never get bored of the game because of the active modding scene.

This is LittleBigPlanet for adults basically :laugh:

[Sethos]

A few screenshots I've taken,

The new IR Laser; ( Had to brighten up a bit, hence the overexposed backdrop )

Thermal sight;

Thermal pointed at M1A2; ( It gets progressively hotter as the tank moves, wheels light up, engine gets warmer etc. it's awesome )

Some random terrain;

The town of Zargabad at dawn;

Inside the town of Zargabad outside the mosque;

[quigley0]

I just picked up the game on Steam - looking forward to playing it over the 4th of July weekend. Does anyone have the TrackIR system?

[Kerm]

How does this game run? I'm only on a lappy and would be interested in buying it if it can run smooth(ish) on low - medium systems.

[quigley0]

not sure how it will play on low-medium systems. The area is quite large to render. I have a fairly beefy system, and if i max everything out, the frame rate drops quite a bit. i have an amd phenom-II x6, 8GBRAM, ATI 5870 and intel x25 SSD. So, on all max settings, the game will bring that system to it's knees.

[InterceptorX]

The demo is very outdated and runs like crap.

[trag3dy]

I think I'll take the plunge and get the Combined Operations. Are there any mods that you recommend Sethos? Or anyone else that plays for that matter?

If I buy it on Steam I get this with it:

New attack helicopter AH-64 Apache, created with stunning detail, and an exclusive mini-campaign expanding on one of the seven unique endings of the original ARMA 2.

So I'm not sure if I'll get it through a different place or Steam.

Amazon has it for cheaper, too:

http://www.amazon.com/Arma-2-Combined-Operations-Pc/dp/B003JZNDN4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1277888671&sr=8-2

[Sethos]

The mini-campaign and the AH-64 are included in the 1.05 Patch, for free - It's not a steam exclusive :)

The stuff I'm listing is currently only for ArmA II, as Operation Arrowhead was just released and nothing is converted to it yet.

There's the 1.05 Patch: http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=8820

EW ( Eagle Wing ) campagin hotfix: ( that's the so-called "exclusive" campaign ): http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=8853

The 1.07 Patch ( 1.05 > 1.07 ): http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=10875 ( Latest patch, need 1.05 installed )

Updating out of the way.

Then there's the de facto standard addon which pretty much every serious ArmA II player uses, that's ACE2. A massive undertaking of making the game even

more realistic and most people use it. Also features a ton of new content and has some serious quality developers behind it;

There's two ways going about it, going for a stable release which is updated once every month or so; http://ace.dev-heaven.net/wagn/ACE_1_2

You could also get their updater suite, a tiny light-weight application that ALWAYS keeps ACE2 up-2-date, the developers basically release new updates every other day

which includes fixes, content and features. So you fire it up, click "Execute" and then your game is updated. Preferred method. Might seem a bit complicated but it's REALLY easy

when you know how, requires NO setup whatsoever, they just made the explanation seem over-complicated - They even posted videos showing how easy it is;

http://dev-heaven.net/news/show/237

There's also some quality islands to download;

Celle: http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=9448

FDF Podagorsk: http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=8791

Japahto: http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=7838

Quesh-kibrul: http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=8698

Thirsk: http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=9861

Brik: http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=10754 ( Based off Danish training grounds :) )

Isla Duala: http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=9150

As for units etc. I mainly stick to ACE2, their team also works together with the top addon makers in the community and include it in their releases, the ArmA II community really works closely together.

So can't give you many suggestions but studios like RedHammer ( RH ) makes quality units and weapons, their weapon packs are top-notch!

Also, standard sounds are a bit so-so, so there's plenty of sound-packs, none of them are "better than others" in my opinion, depends what you like;

Recommendations are;

VopSound 2.1 http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=5884&highlight=VOPSOUND

Sound of War: http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=6901

HiFi, the pack I'm using is a bit in a limbo, the developer is now on a different ArmA II mod project and has discontinued the pack although It's still the very best Sound mod pack out there in my opinion,

it's hard to find the updated version. Look through here, download all the packages and see what's what http://www.kellys-heroes.eu/forum/viewforum.php?f=50&sid=729a26e4ba19c61680eedbccc9c71080

Probably need to find some on your own, all the packages include;

HiFi_ACE

HiFi_African_Enviro ( For Isla Duala )

Hifi_Air

HiFi_artillery

HiFi_SFX

HiFi_Vehicle_Weapons

HiFi_weapons_long

So, happy hunting - It's well worth it.

Also, here's a NoBlur mod http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=10222 Helps improve performance and remove radial blur which some people dislike

*phew*

And to top it off, to keep track of all these addons you can download this awesome launcher, http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=6649&highlight=ALPINE Helps you enable / disable addons pack, add parameters to the .exe etc.

Any questions regarding mod installation etc. feel free to ask.

Site for all the latest releases, addons, etc: http://www.armaholic.com/index.php - Look through their Download section, it's stuffed with free content for the game.

The ArmA II forums; http://forums.bistudio.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9 That's where everything is released and discussed, check through the "ADDONS & MODS: COMPLETE" for all the mod releases

throughout the community, that's where they are first released.

And remember, ArmA II is a bit like Lego - You can built what's on the box or do whatever you like. The game is meant to be modded and customized to your hearts desire (Y)

So get searching, there's everything in the addon community, almost every faction, time-period and weapon of choice.