<b>FROM</b>: Project Lead
<b>TO</b>: Alpha Users
<b>INFO</b>: Beta preparations, combat radio protocol, respawn system
<b>PRECEDENCE</b>: Flash

<h2>SITUATION</h2>
This week our grand Beta mobilization has begun in earnest. As such, this SITREP will be quite light on Intel - too busy rallying the troops. We are putting a lot of effort into getting the selected content working well. Understandably you would like to know already what this content will be, but we'll not specify for a few more weeks. This is not (entirely) to torment you, but we want to make sure we can deliver. Be patient a little longer and you'll be rewarded with a cool upgrade to the Arma 3 sandbox with more variety and firepower. Hints of specifics may start dropping in the coming weeks, but look towards a certain large annual game expo for all the details!

More in the <a href="http://alpha.arma3.com/sitrep-00011">full SITREP</a>

FROM: Project Lead
TO: Alpha Users
INFO: Beta preparations, combat radio protocol, respawn system
PRECEDENCE: Flash

This week our grand Beta mobilization has begun in earnest. As such, this SITREP will be quite light on Intel - too busy rallying the troops. We are putting a lot of effort into getting the selected content working well. Understandably you would like to know already what this content will be, but we'll not specify for a few more weeks. This is not (entirely) to torment you, but we want to make sure we can deliver. Be patient a little longer and you'll be rewarded with a cool upgrade to the Arma 3 sandbox with more variety and firepower. Hints of specifics may start dropping in the coming weeks, but look towards a certain large annual game expo for all the details!

More in the full SITREP

<b>FROM</b>: Project Lead
<b>TO</b>: Alpha Users
<b>INFO</b>: Hotfix release, audio changes, community
<b>PRECEDENCE</b>: Flash

<h3>SITUATION</h3>
Late last week we published an unscheduled hotfix (<a href="http://alpha.arma3.com/spotrep-00003">SPOTREP #00003</a>) to default branch of both Alpha and Alpha Lite. Although the changes did not affect Lite, we want to keep them the same on the data-side. In no way do we feel this fully 'solved' the multiplayer security issues. The efforts described <a href="http://alpha.arma3.com/sitrep-00009">last week</a> will surely continue.

The second big thing which dominated past week was the audio overhaul. Our audio team and audio programmer František Novák in support, made large changes to the sounds of most assets (and the tweaking will be in progress for the coming weeks). Ondřej Matějka took some time to <a href="http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?154605-Audio-tweaking">explain the changes</a> related to volume, sample normalization, distance versus loudness and the WSS file format. The current state on <a href="http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?149636-Alpha-Development-branch-changelog&p=2389967&viewfull=1#post2389967">Development branch</a> is known to have a number of errors, missing sounds and unfinished volume settings. In the end this will benefit the way the game sounds, which is of similar importance as how it looks.

More in the <a href="http://alpha.arma3.com/sitrep-00010">full SITREP</a>

FROM: Project Lead
TO: Alpha Users
INFO: Hotfix release, audio changes, community
PRECEDENCE: Flash

Late last week we published an unscheduled hotfix (SPOTREP #00003) to default branch of both Alpha and Alpha Lite. Although the changes did not affect Lite, we want to keep them the same on the data-side. In no way do we feel this fully 'solved' the multiplayer security issues. The efforts described last week will surely continue.

The second big thing which dominated past week was the audio overhaul. Our audio team and audio programmer František Novák in support, made large changes to the sounds of most assets (and the tweaking will be in progress for the coming weeks). Ondřej Matějka took some time to explain the changes related to volume, sample normalization, distance versus loudness and the WSS file format. The current state on Development branch is known to have a number of errors, missing sounds and unfinished volume settings. In the end this will benefit the way the game sounds, which is of similar importance as how it looks.

More in the full SITREP

<b>FROM</b>: Project Lead
<b>TO</b>: Alpha Users
<b>UNIT</b>: Arma 3 Alpha, Arma 3 Alpha Lite
<b>ACTIVITY</b>: Game Update: 0.56 (multiplayer security)
<b>SIZE</b>: ~38 MB

More in the <a href="http://alpha.arma3.com/spotrep-00003">full changelog and SPOTREP</a>

FROM: Project Lead
TO: Alpha Users
UNIT: Arma 3 Alpha, Arma 3 Alpha Lite
ACTIVITY: Game Update: 0.56 (multiplayer security)
SIZE: ~38 MB

More in the full changelog and SPOTREP

<b>FROM</b>: Project Lead
<b>TO</b>: Alpha Users
<b>INFO</b>: MP security, Dedicated Server files, audio and lighting tweaks
<b>PRECEDENCE</b>: Flash

<h2>SITUATION</h2>
For most of our Alpha testers, last week has mostly been about the multiplayer service being interrupted by servers manipulated with <a href="http://steamcommunity.com/games/arma3/announcements/detail/1587793954705442324">scripting exploits</a>. The situation was worse than single servers being hacked, since it easily spread to clients, who would then also bring it to the next server they connected to. In the Operations section I've detailed some of the steps we've taken so far, and those we'll take from now on to improve the situation. A lot can be said about the root of the problem we're facing here - perhaps a good topic for a blog at some point. It boils down to the concepts of freedom and security and how badly they often mix.

More in the <a href="http://alpha.arma3.com/sitrep-00009">full SITREP</a>

FROM: Project Lead
TO: Alpha Users
INFO: MP security, Dedicated Server files, audio and lighting tweaks
PRECEDENCE: Flash

For most of our Alpha testers, last week has mostly been about the multiplayer service being interrupted by servers manipulated with scripting exploits. The situation was worse than single servers being hacked, since it easily spread to clients, who would then also bring it to the next server they connected to. In the Operations section I've detailed some of the steps we've taken so far, and those we'll take from now on to improve the situation. A lot can be said about the root of the problem we're facing here - perhaps a good topic for a blog at some point. It boils down to the concepts of freedom and security and how badly they often mix.

More in the full SITREP

Most of those testing the Arma 3 Alpha multiplayer will have noticed a widespread abuse of its script functionality over the past few days. This particular type of exploit has been made harder in today’s <a href="http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?149636-Development-branch-changelog&p=2382499#post2382499">Development branch version</a> (<a href="http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?153686-Hacked-by-a-player-with-no-ID&p=2382507&posted=1#post2382507">more info</a> - certainly not the end of improvements in this area). We are considering deploying to default branch next week, pending test results. Persistent server admins are urged to restart Development servers.

The general topic of cheating will be addressed in a little more detail in the <b>next SITREP</b>. It is important to say already that we have reasons for not yet applying the global anti-cheat measures. We intend to do it as soon as we are able to.

Note: <i>installscript.vdf</i> in the Steam game installation is not malicious, but part of the Steam installation process. On first-time setup it installs DirectX runtimes and sets up the registry. We do not currently have indications this file was compromised by this abuse. If you have other specific information, please contact us directly at support@bistudio.com.

Thank you for your enduring patience and support, and for remembering this still is a development Alpha product. Together we can make the main game a more secure experience.