ARMA 2: British Armed Forces DLC announced

[Tony Grunt]

Steam storepage:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/33960/
Announcement:
http://www.arma2.com/latest-news/british-armed-forces-deployed-in-takistan_en.html
Features:
http://www.arma2.com/game-features/arma-2-operation-arrowhead-british-armed-forces-features_en.html
BIS forum thread:
http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?p=1693121
Arma 2: BAF Launch Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMeGrSBv08Y&feature=player_embedded
BAF DLC - Hands on preview at Armaholic:
http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=11811
More pics from the Armaholic preview at their forums:
http://www.armaholic.com/forums.php?m=posts&q=11605

Jump to the links for more info and screenshots.



Arma 2: British Armed Forces key features:

* New vehicles and weapons
o Modern British troops in multi-terrain, desert and woodland camouflage
o Personal weapons: L85A2 and L86A2 rifles, L110A1 machine gun, LRR and AW50 sniper rifles, N-LAW AT launcher
o New vehicles: Jackal 2 MWMIK all-terrain vehicle, modernized FV510 Warrior
o New helicopters: AH11 Wildcat (multi-role), HC3 Merlin (transport)
o British versions: off-road car, Chinook HC2 transport helicopter, Apache AH1 gunship
o Desert and woodland paint schemes of the ground vehicles
* New single player campaign
o Player will command a mobile observation team of British troops into battle with Takistani insurgents. Short campaign will focus on depicting asymmetrical warfare with a guerilla force and counterinsurgency operations.
* Multiplayer modes
o Cooperative scenarios featuring the British units, vehicles and equipment.
* Engine Improvements
o Extension of the Engineer's role
o Ability for players to effectively operate and command artillery and mortar units

Arma 2: British Armed Forces will be deployed exclusively for PC on 26th August 2010. It will be available for GBP 7.99/EUR 8.99/USD 9.99

[fearlessfrog]

Cool - I'll probably get this.

Dwarden, steam plans for the DLC already?

[Tony Grunt]

Cool - I'll probably get this.

Dwarden, steam plans for the DLC already?
Already on steam
http://store.steampowered.com/app/33960/

[Shai`tan]

Coool! I`m in!

[fearlessfrog]

Already on steam
http://store.steampowered.com/app/33960/

Thanks (whoops, should have read your first link properly - doh)!

[MustangDelta]

Will definitely be adding this to ARMA 2 AO.....even the sp campaign sounds good!

[WaycoolMick]

In too looks really cool.

[Inimical_rize]

Member of the B.A here, nice! looks exactly how it should!

[xX_Renegade_Xx]

Already on my hit list :D

[WolfDK1984]

They should make a "European-Takistan Security Assistance Forces" Version. I.e. Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany(More than the 4 Inf), Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and maybe Turkey. i say Maybe, Because i don't know if they quallify for EU status....

[7th_Serf]

While I like the idea of additional forces to the game, I would rather of had some new maps (or even rehashed old ones from OFP or Arma 1) than a download of only Allied forces. Heck I'd even prefer a download of well executed OPFOR like the North Koreans or Chinese, since they are more likely to be OPFOR in the 'near' future.

In talks with my unit, so far only our British member has shown any interest in the DLC, and the rest of us (myself included) are not likely to spend money on something that we simply won't use. I don't play the campaigns much and prefer multiplayer, so the product is pretty much a dead end for us.

I hope BIS learns from this and works on making new maps or OPFOR and not waste their considerable talents on making more 'friendly' forces in the future.

[lordbelfast]

I'm buying it for sure!

[M270MLRS]

Yep awesome, about time this was added.

[slikbaz]

Agree with Serf.. While I might buy it anyway, I don't see it being if much use.

[fearlessfrog]

3% buyers for the new SP campaign.
8% buyers for collectors/completists/plus it's like $10 bucks
89% buyers are British ARMA players.

:)

I'd like Brit radio chatter, plus it supports BIS. It's not a compulsory purchase...

[FrontlinerDelta]

While I like the idea of additional forces to the game, I would rather of had some new maps (or even rehashed old ones from OFP or Arma 1) than a download of only Allied forces. Heck I'd even prefer a download of well executed OPFOR like the North Koreans or Chinese, since they are more likely to be OPFOR in the 'near' future.

In talks with my unit, so far only our British member has shown any interest in the DLC, and the rest of us (myself included) are not likely to spend money on something that we simply won't use. I don't play the campaigns much and prefer multiplayer, so the product is pretty much a dead end for us.

I hope BIS learns from this and works on making new maps or OPFOR and not waste their considerable talents on making more 'friendly' forces in the future.

I'm going to get it because I loved playing OA campaign coop with a friend and all the scenarios were fun. Plus more unit variety and weapons are great.

But I agree, I would like the next DLC (if there is one) to be an OPFOR expansion, like North Korea.

[JojoTheSlayer]

3% buyers for the new SP campaign.
8% buyers for collectors/completists/plus it's like $10 bucks
89% buyers are British ARMA players.

:)

I'd like Brit radio chatter, plus it supports BIS. It's not a compulsory purchase...

I would say there will probably be a good number of players that will buy the dlc out of support for the devs. A few peeps I know, included myself, who never buy stuff like outfits etc, bought the Killing Floor skin packs because of the continued support and not that the skin packs where so great by themselves.

I do agree though that most buys will probably be UKers.

[WolfDK1984]

Heck I'd even prefer a download of well executed OPFOR like the North Koreans or Chinese, since they are more likely to be OPFOR in the 'near' future.

Well..

First:
China - Not the most likely OPFOR candidate, as its a member of the OEF(Operation Enduring Freedom)..

Second:
North Korea - Not a country you want as an OPFOR.
The Army don't have capability of Attacking(Invading) a country thats not a neighbor, let-alone against an Argumented Division sized force, defending the turf, unless they use nuclear weapons, wich they won't, because who would want a radioactive Parking-lot??

[vohk]

Is anyone else a little disappointed to see DLC out for the expansion so soon?

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to fiddle around with more toys, but there just arn't all that many servers around as it is. If the whole community buys it and switches their servers over, then I'm pretty much forced into it if I want to keep playing multiplayer. If only a few groups do, then the community gets segregated even more.

edit: Whoops. Reading through the BI official release thread, apparently there will be a "MP friendly solution" that will somehow allow non-DLC players to play on DLC enabled servers. Not sure how that's going to work mind you...

[fearlessfrog]

Is anyone else a little disappointed to see DLC out for the expansion so soon?

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to fiddle around with more toys, but there just arn't all that many servers around as it is. If the whole community buys it and switches their servers over, then I'm pretty much forced into it if I want to keep playing multiplayer. If only a few groups do, then the community gets segregated even more.

edit: Whoops. Reading through the BI official release thread, apparently there will be a "MP friendly solution" that will somehow allow non-DLC players to play on DLC enabled servers. Not sure how that's going to work mind you...

Yeah been thinking about that. I guess in MP the models could appear as Brits, but not as playable. Either that or you just appear as US spec - which help reduce the blue on blue kills ;)

[faust_br]

No Challenger 2? Why? :(

I think this was a bright idea. Hope BIS to create more mini-expansions with other armies. Germany, France and - why not? - Brazil! It's about time to make some conflict in South America. Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba... it would be great!

And this time, why not to play as the other side? Not as americans, but as guerrilla member against Colombia or a cuban fighting against an american attack like Playa Girón.

Oh, but keep the Chinese and North Koreans to a big expansion just like Arrowhead. It would be insane!

[the_mitch28]

Yeah I think if they do an entirely new OPFOR super power like Russia in ArmA 2 it will be for a whole new expansion.

I would love to see an ArmA adaptation of the Korean war going hot again. That way you could have China fighting a proxy war in it as well I guess.

[Slowest]

It will depend on the price if I buy this or not...

[WolfDK1984]

Edit:Whoops. Reading through the BI official release thread, apparently there will be a "MP friendly solution" that will somehow allow non-DLC players to play on DLC enabled servers. Not sure how that's going to work mind you..

Well..
My guess is that the Warrior IFV gets replaced by the Bradley IFV

But the hard part is Personal Weapons.
I.e. The Brit Assault Rifle, what are they gonna replace that with???

Edit:
It will depend on the price if I buy this or not..
Well...
The DLC is gonna cost GBP 7.99/EUR 8.99/USD 9.99(Depending were you from)
This is the Official BI price, So that's a Fact..
Source:
Official ArmA 2 Site (http://www.arma2.com/latest-news/british-armed-forces-deployed-in-takistan_en.html)

[Slowest]

Well...
The DLC is gonna cost GBP 7.99/EUR 8.99/USD 9.99(Depending were you from)
This is the Official BI price, So that's a Fact..
Source:
Official ArmA 2 Site (http://www.arma2.com/latest-news/british-armed-forces-deployed-in-takistan_en.html)


Sounds like a good / fair price. ;)

[lespauljames]

really nice to see The Jakal and its variants, its manufactured close to me, and i have been looking at them upclose today, coming from a military modelling communtity aswell some of th eguys on the site will be stoked to see some up to date british hardware in a game.
once again, BIS, + rep from me.

[Mgp]

looks good, will buy. I just hope there are a FEW good infantry missions in the campaign.

[JKflipflop]

A new paid-for expansion pack is coming out in a month. Operation Arrowhead was only released a short time ago and now we have this.

I would have thought BI would be fixing the multitude of bugs, the plethora of performance issues, and the plumb-stupid pathfinding the engine has. But now you're just throwing shovelware at us for a quick buck instead of taking care of the business that your supporters would like you to address. I dont think you'll be getting a cut of my gaming budget anytime in the future, BI.

[FubyDoo]

+1, I would rather see them stick their fingers in the ♥♥♥♥ and fix a few things instead of sticking those fingers back into my pocket so quickly.

Im done for now, what i have in the two will last me for more than a few months, with or without their fixing it up.

[DJ_Professor_K]

Welcome to todays gaming market, where unfinished games every month is what matters.

[slikbaz]

They release BETA patches ALL the time.. They are literally showing the best support for a game that I have ever seen. This is their first DLC and I don't blame them a bit for trying to make some money on the side, considering the market for this type of game is relatively small.

[Mgp]

well said, and I am sure they will(as they always have with other releases) continue to support OA for a while yet. Some patience perhaps.

[thaoval]

on top of that, they have added multiplayer stuff for noobs to have a quick shoot around on:

(Multi-player (modes: Death-match, Team Death-match, Coop, Sector Control, Capture The Flag, Flag Fight, Capture The Island) Note: “Capture The Flag” and “Flag Fight” are available as the user-selectable parameters of DM and TDM scenario wizards.)

some jointops style gameplay in arma 2 cant be bad :)

[DJ_Professor_K]

Hehe, the way i said that it seems like i'm **** talking the game, but i' wasn't, so sorry about that :P


I meant that right now companies are more worried making money (times are tough.. also in some cases it's the publishers who rush the work), so expansions, dlc packs, etc. are being way overused to keep the work going, and while some do continue updating their games, others don't.. but i'm sure we won't have issues with our beloved team, now will we? ;)

[Inimical_rize]

I agreed, thou the DLC looks amazing, I'd rather get free user made mods, to tide me over then fork out, but before I pay out I expect AI to be fixed, animations to be fixed and AI lag/glitching/mini warping.

[b00tsy]

Gotta say that it is pretty quick that they are releasing a new expansion. I am by far not done yet with OA so I have no need for an other expansion (unless it will be really cheap) :)

Eventually I will buy it.

[gossamer]

it's not even a new expansion, it's a $10 DLC pack...

And as somebody else said, BIS is always fixing bugs, check the beta patches out.

[JKflipflop]

Like the bug for x52 flight stick throttles? Or the awesome pathfinding AI that hasnt had an upgrade since Operation Flashpoint?

[Dr.Jones]

Like the bug for x52 flight stick throttles? Or the awesome pathfinding AI that hasnt had an upgrade since Operation Flashpoint?

Sorry to burst your bubble but the problem of path finding on 200 square km is not 100% solvable or bullet proof on our limited PCs. Engine can handle 1000 object at the time, but problem with CPU powers comes when engine has to handle per each object movement prediction x 30 per second and resolving collisions events on path of predicted collision.

br.
Dr.Jones

[Dragunovhun]

Guys BI's support for the game has been outstanding so far, they released many huge patches, give them a break. Maybe they're running low on funds to keep supporting the game. Nobody's going to keep making patches if Bohemia goes out of business...

Also, nobody's forcing you to buy the expansions.

[wengart]

you do realize that BI is a dev studio this means that there are multiple people working there. So 10 guys can make new skins and extend functionality while another 10 work on patches.

The release of new non-patch content does not meant that patches are not being worked on it. It means there are people who don't have jack ♥♥♥♥ to do.

[WV2MJR]

So how is this going to work in regards to multiplayer compatibility? If you get DLC, can you still play on a server with those who do not have the British Armed Forces DLC? If you don’t get the game and join a server that has British Armed Forces DLC enabled, can you not access the vehicles?

I need some clarification on this.

[Dwarden]

by Dwarden:

let's summarize what was revealed just in this thread by us:



i suggest first to read what's already stated on the BAF features page

http://www.arma2.com/game-features/arma-2-operation-arrowhead-british-armed-forces-features_en.html ...



+ there is MP friendly solution

(read: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?p=1693206#post1693206 )



+ engine related updates will be available to everyone

(read: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?p=1693590&highlight=engine#post1693590 )



+ as the storyline is set into 2012, design decisions were made about equipment

+ fully new voice protocol with native speakers and various accents (~2+)

(read: http://forums.bistudio.com/showpost.php?p=1693323&postcount=97 )

(read: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?p=1693227#post1693227



+ BAF content is newly made

(read: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?p=1694308#post1694308 )

* while some models may base off some of our own models the result is new model not just some re-skin



+ the design and create phase for BAF was completely separated from Operation Arrowhead

(read: http://forums.bistudio.com/showpost.php?p=1694020&postcount=353 )

* thus any claims that this content was left out of OA are completely wrong and misleading



+ BAF will be available for purchase from Sprocket, STEAM and some other yet unannounced sources

(read: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?p=1693244&highlight=steam#post1693244 )



+ pricing differences for regions explained:

(read: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?p=1693836&highlight=price#post1693836 )



and now some hint from me :

+ the BAF campaign is longer than EW mini-campaign delivered with 1.05 for free



and of course naive is the one who think that's all ...



part of first post in BAF thread on our forums
http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?t=103706

[mattm16a4]

How come the system reqiurments say minimum 5770 or gtx 260? they coudnt make the graphics that much better......

[Dwarden]

How come the system reqiurments say minimum 5770 or gtx 260? they coudnt make the graphics that much better......

it's missing the min. req
and what you see are the recommended
just look on the A2:OA page

[mattm16a4]

it's missing the min. req
and what you see are the recommended
just look on the A2:OA page

Thank you dwarden!

[Mgp]

yep, thanks for that Mr.Dwarden, everything clarified nicely.

[WV2MJR]

From Bistudio.com Forums: http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?p=1693206#post1693206

Orginally Posted by Maruk

Originally Posted by rexehuk

How will NON-DLC users be handled? Would be a shame if servers became unusable by others due to them running this DLC. Then we will have more divisions between Vanilla / ACE / DLC.

We have a solid plan to address this problem

What's the solid plan? I was unable to find any references in the Bistudio forums regarding this inquiry.

[Dwarden]

that mean there is solution to address this and will be releaved in due time ...

[CPRL. Shepherd]

Hell yah Im going to be using a OFFICIAL l85 now instead of addons HOOORAY

[xX_Renegade_Xx]

Will this be available for pre-load Dwarden or will we have to wait until the release day?

[Sleigher103]

Woot, im happy about the L85
Its my favorite rifle yet many games dont have it

[thaoval]

What, no challenger 2?? :(

[Dwarden]

What, no challenger 2?? :(

it's not whole army :)

[Nalle]

Add 20 different DLCs/20 armies/20 different sentimental campaigns (like OFP's campaigns), and you'll get some big bucks and loads of fans.

[Rawthorm]

it's not whole army :)

I would have settled for just the challenger 2 tbh :p You don't make a DLC for a nation and leave out one of it's most loved pieces of military hardware :p

[gossamer]

I would have settled for just the challenger 2 tbh :p You don't make a DLC for a nation and leave out one of it's most loved pieces of military hardware :p

This DLC is a paratrooper division I believe, they don't roll around with Challenger 2's

[Tony Grunt]

New trailer out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMeGrSBv08Y
BAF DLC - Hands on preview at Armaholic:
http://www.armaholic.com/page.php?id=11811
More pics from the Armaholic preview at their forums:
http://www.armaholic.com/forums.php?m=posts&q=11605

[Kaboom]

The Challanger 2 isn't used in Afghanistan so it's not in the expansion which for me is a good excuse but also a lame one. Their is a challanger 2 at Armaholic where all ARMA II addons get hosted. 400MB of new content is good value I would say the new models will be used as a base for the modding comunity. Their is also no Eurofighter but again thats also avialable already at the addons website.

[xX_Renegade_Xx]

Has this been delayed?

I'm no longer seeing this on the coming soon tab on Steam.

[junkmanuk]

http://store.steampowered.com/app/33960/

According to this there's 8 hours until release. I'm a little concerned that they've listed it as DLC for itself and listing itself as a requirement to play it! I hope they don't mess up the launch as I'm the only steam player in my group and the others are all getting through sprocket at about 3pm this afternoon!

[xX_Renegade_Xx]

So it is still there and on time, hopefully :)

I think this is an error:

Requires the base game ARMA II: British Armed Forces on Steam in order to play

[Postal0311]

Is the DLC campaign COOP?

[xX_Renegade_Xx]

Is the DLC campaign COOP?

Not according to the game modes listed:

Game Modes Supported:

* Single-player Campaign
* Single-player Scenarios
* Multi-player (modes: Death-match, Team Death-match, Coop, Sector Control, Capture The Flag, Flag Fight, Capture The Island) Note: “Capture The Flag” and “Flag Fight” are available as the user-selectable parameters of DM and TDM scenario wizards.
* Boot Camp
* Armory
* Mission Editor

Coop multiplayer but nothing mentioned about coop campaign.

[privateer]

the game is available, but i cant download it,
i dont have the buy button in the store page,
and it doesnt appear in the dlc menu of operation arrowhead
any idea what happen?

[xX_Renegade_Xx]

the game is available, but i cant download it,
i dont have the buy button in the store page,
and it doesnt appear in the dlc menu of operation arrowhead
any idea what happen?

It's probably being priced and prepped for download, I'm also showing no price yet so hopefully it will be soon.

[TJX]

I think the need the come out with the new patch first, otherwise we wont be able to play the new DLC.

[Sm0kinJ0nes]

Wondering where the DLC is also ....
Whent they say Aug 26th ... do they mean at 11:59PM ?!?!?!
It's 5:42 on the east coast and after midnight in Czech ... what gives?

[JRCOBRA]

Armedassault.info has this to say in the announcement

Unfortunately, temporary technical issues prevent the release of Arma 2: British Armed forces through Steam. Currently, this issue is being addressed, and we actively seek to bring BAF to Steam as soon as possible. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

I'm guessing this has to do with the latest patch

[xX_Renegade_Xx]

Armedassault.info has this to say in the announcement

Unfortunately, temporary technical issues prevent the release of Arma 2: British Armed forces through Steam. Currently, this issue is being addressed, and we actively seek to bring BAF to Steam as soon as possible. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

I'm guessing this has to do with the latest patch

Thanks for the info :)

[PanzerBoxb]

Well, the patch is now out so hopefully BAF will be available soon.

[skandalf]

A new paid-for expansion pack is coming out in a month. Operation Arrowhead was only released a short time ago and now we have this.

I would have thought BI would be fixing the multitude of bugs, the plethora of performance issues, and the plumb-stupid pathfinding the engine has. But now you're just throwing shovelware at us for a quick buck instead of taking care of the business that your supporters would like you to address. I dont think you'll be getting a cut of my gaming budget anytime in the future, BI.

it's only 8 quid, shouldnt break the bank.
personally i dont mind paying out for DLC as long as its of a decent quality, and its givng them funds for fututre releases too... rightly or wrongly all companies need money to keep going.

just my opinion so dont flame me for it.

[7th_Serf]

It's a tough call on getting the content, will my group (a US Rangers based group) use the British stuff? Will I as a mission maker use it? On both counts I have to say I'm a bit leery of getting the DLC with my hard earned gaming money. Now if it was a bunch of BIS made 'islands' then I'd be more inclined to cough up the money. Sure there are some really nice maps out there for free but some professionally made ones are more to my liking.

I notice that the 1.54 patch says it includes the content from the DLC, but I don't see maps included. Does the patch include a new map? I thought the British expansion had a new map in it.

[skandalf]

i totally see your point... no point buying it if you arent going to get the use out of it.
not to mention theres lots of UKLF community content out there already for free.

ill buy it to support BIS since im ex uk military myself.

ill wait til i get the DLC installed before i pass judgement on it.

i had a look and never saw a new map in there.

[PanzerBoxb]

I notice that the 1.54 patch says it includes the content from the DLC, but I don't see maps included. Does the patch include a new map? I thought the British expansion had a new map in it.

Serf, it does come with the small Shapur map. It is only 4 square kilometers.

[7th_Serf]

Well that's good news at least. I always enjoy the BIS maps over most home made ones; even though there are some pretty good ones out there. I also think they would have had a better time 'selling' this update if it included more OPFOR units as well as the British military. I know that most of the guys I talk to want more 'badguys' to shoot at, and more variety of targets rather than more friendlies.

Though I suppose given the games popularity in Europe when compared to North America, it makes a lot of sense to include more European military units.

Next though I hope they just come out with some more islands and OPFOR, then I won't have a problem with getting my unit to purchase it.

[WV2MJR]

Any chance we might get an update to the DLC and add in the British Main Battle Tank - Challenger 2? I think it will add a lot of value and enhance the game play and those who held off buying the DLC will get it since it has more content.