https://youtu.be/fwZs-BovHnc Time flies when you're having fun! It's been an amazing ride, and it's still far from over, with plenty of new experiences on the way. Thanks to you!
https://youtu.be/fwZs-BovHnc Time flies when you're having fun! It's been an amazing ride, and it's still far from over, with plenty of new experiences on the way. Thanks to you!
Come one, come all, but not all at once or you’ll break our caching, and see the Steam Charts in all their glory! Which game will have reached the coveted #2 position this week?! (more…)
Arma 3 - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Samuel Horti)
Arma 3‘s [official site] Laws of War DLC, which puts you in the role of a humanitarian aid worker, is out now. At the heart of the package is a mini-campaign that fills the boots of explosive specialist Nathan MacDade, who has to identify and deactivate mines following the war in the Republic of Altis & Stratis.
The new humanitarian faction, called International Development & Aid Project (IDAP), bring with them new gear, including a van, a drone that can transport supply or deal with mine disposal and a mine dispenser, an “effective but controversial” weapon that does damage over a defined area. There’s also various branded vests, bags, headgear and facewear, and a time trial challenge for the new drone and van.
Since launch, Arma 3 has grown its military simulation sandbox with a string of DLC expansions. While previous expansions focused on jets, helicopters, or long-range infantry mechanics, its newest focuses on a more sobering part of modern conflict: civilian casualties.
The Laws of War DLC, available now, adds a new campaign featuring workers attached to the International Development and Aid Project, or IDAP, a fictional non-governmental organization based on the International Committee of the Red Cross. The update also brings a lot of new vehicles and tools that will help players bring a more realistic, civilian-focused dimension to their Arma missions.
The humanitarian faction is important because it unlocks a different kind of perspective on the battlefield.
Jay Crowe
“The humanitarian faction is important because it unlocks a different kind of perspective on the battlefield,” said Jay Crowe, creative director for Arma 3. “It's a viewpoint that has a specific role and mission, but one that's non-military. Four years on from Arma 3's original release, it challenges us as designers to create new kinds of gameplay, and enables us to present players with a new experience.”
In the crosshairs
Unarmed civilians and vehicles have always been a part of the Arma universe, but they've usually been little more than decoration or as an added challenge for players: Go here, kill the bad guys, but remember to watch your fire. In Laws of War, players can step into the civilian role in a new way, with briefings and missions that don't involve direct combat.
By doing this, Bohemia brings the specific challenges of International Humanitarian Law directly into focus. For the first time, players can drop cluster-bombs on an area, knowing that these messy weapons (which are banned by international treaty) usually leave behind unexploded pieces that can kill civilians months or years after the war has ended. “All three of the new faction cluster bombs also leave behind unique [unexploded ordinance], so you can identify the faction behind a strike—unless it was a deliberate ruse,” said Joris-Jan Van ‘t Land, the project lead for this DLC. Leftover pieces of cluster bombs might go off when someone steps on or near them, while other pieces might detonate randomly minutes or hours after the bomb was dropped.
We encourage players to explore the idea that actions have consequences.
Jay Crowe
Players on the edge of losing a battle might be tempted to deploy these powerful weapons, but the DLC is also focused on what happens next. “We look more broadly at the convergence of International Humanitarian Law and the tactical decisions military and paramilitary forces make on the battlefield,” Crowe said. “Through that, we encourage players to explore the idea that actions have consequences.”
Clearing away old mines that threaten civilians long after the war has ended is also a big focus for the DLC. Detecting and disarming mines is a more involved process, and a chunk of the DLC’s singleplayer mini-campaign is played from the perspective of an explosives disposal technician.
Another part of International Humanitarian Law involves warning civilians about upcoming battles and major military movements, and the IDAP faction includes a leaflet-dropping drone for players to use. “[The leaflet-dropping drone] works together with other systems so, for example, a community creator could define their own leaflets, drop them in a custom scenario, and other players could pick them up and read them,” said Crowe. “Even if that does imply 'dick pic confetti', it—in an odd way—fits with our approach to the topic and our platform in general: players can engage with the basic ideas … and then use the feature however they like.”
Laws of War still follows what has become Bohemia’s standard practice for DLC. The update adds tweaks, fixes, and new content for all Arma 3 players to use, but you have to buy the DLC to play the mini-campaign or to design custom missions using the new cluster-bombs or IDAP units.
The problems involving refugees, civilian casualties, and unexploded ordinance are still very real today, and that’s why Bohemia will be donating half of the revenue from Laws of War to the ICRC. “The ICRC have always stressed they do not want to limit player freedom or add artificial restrictions,” said Crowe. “We've really appreciated this pragmatic approach, and it clicks with the tone of voice we've tried to strike with this DLC.”
Story-driven campaign, humanitarian faction, van, drone, and more
Following its reveal a few weeks ago, we today finally released the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC!
The Arma 3 Laws of War DLC lets you explore a different perspective on the battlefield in a story-driven singleplayer mini-campaign, and enriches the Arma 3 sandbox via the addition of a humanitarian faction, van, drone, clothing and gear, and more. To further introduce the DLC, we’ve also deployed a developer diary video, in which Arma 3’s Creative Director Jay Crowe and Project Lead Joris-Jan van ‘t Land examine the new content, discuss the origin of the project and its development process, and talk about the our collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
https://youtu.be/oTFwIzCKfxM Instead of imposing any gameplay limitations, the Laws of War DLC aims to help players develop their understanding of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by placing a stronger emphasis on the consequences of their actions. This is also one of the central themes in the “Remnants of War” mini-campaign. Here you take on the role of EOD specialist Nathan MacDade, who is tasked with deactivating mines after the war on the Republic of Altis & Stratis has ended. While being interviewed by an investigative journalist, you uncover what happened in the town of Oreokastro via memory fragments that let you experience the perspective of various sides, ranging from a NATO soldier, to a CSAT special operative, FIA guerrilla fighter, and local car mechanic.
On top of the mini-campaign, the DLC package adds a variety of new premium character outfits, vehicles, and weaponry to Arma 3’s sandbox. This includes the IDAP humanitarian faction (multiple character outfits), a van (multiple variants with over 20 liveries), utility drone (different variants used either for cargo transport or demining operations), the controversial APERS Mine Dispenser weapon system, new vests, bags, head gear and face wear, a paramedic outfit, time trial challenges, and more. The DLC is supported by a major free platform update, which delivers free new content and gameplay feature extensions to everyone who owns Arma 3. Its highlights include refined cluster strikes, the simulation of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), improvements to the identification and deactivation of mines, the ability to drop custom informational leaflets from the sky using the new drone, a wide variety of emergency and medical supplies, faction-specific cluster bombs and bomblets, and many new decorative objects such as shelter tents and new furniture. In line with Bohemia Interactive’s existing DLC strategy for Arma 3, players who do not own the DLC will still be able to join multiplayer servers that make use of its premium content. However, some restrictions to the usage of the premium content will apply.
Last but not least, as part of the free platform update, there are also two free new Showcases available for all Arma 3 players. These individual scenarios serve as an introduction to the DLC’s theme and the new IDAP faction. In Showcase IDAP, you are a reporter visiting one of organization’s open days on Altis. Here you can learn more about IDAP’s history and activities. In Showcase Laws of War, you are a soldier attending one of IDAP’s instructional courses, in which you can run through three virtual training simulations that explain some of the basic principles of International Humanitarian Law.
The Arma 3 Laws of War DLC is now available for purchase on Steam. Half of Bohemia Interactive's net revenue from direct sales (not as part of bundles) of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC in 2017 will be donated to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The total amount raised will be announced on www.bistudio.com in 2018.
For a complete overview of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC, please visit the official website at https://arma3.com/dlc/lawsofwar. If you wish to learn more about the project and its development, we also recommend you to read the OPREP: Laws of War devblog.
Story-driven campaign, humanitarian faction, van, drone, and more
Following its reveal a few weeks ago, we today finally released the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC!
The Arma 3 Laws of War DLC lets you explore a different perspective on the battlefield in a story-driven singleplayer mini-campaign, and enriches the Arma 3 sandbox via the addition of a humanitarian faction, van, drone, clothing and gear, and more. To further introduce the DLC, we’ve also deployed a developer diary video, in which Arma 3’s Creative Director Jay Crowe and Project Lead Joris-Jan van ‘t Land examine the new content, discuss the origin of the project and its development process, and talk about the our collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
https://youtu.be/oTFwIzCKfxM Instead of imposing any gameplay limitations, the Laws of War DLC aims to help players develop their understanding of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by placing a stronger emphasis on the consequences of their actions. This is also one of the central themes in the “Remnants of War” mini-campaign. Here you take on the role of EOD specialist Nathan MacDade, who is tasked with deactivating mines after the war on the Republic of Altis & Stratis has ended. While being interviewed by an investigative journalist, you uncover what happened in the town of Oreokastro via memory fragments that let you experience the perspective of various sides, ranging from a NATO soldier, to a CSAT special operative, FIA guerrilla fighter, and local car mechanic.
On top of the mini-campaign, the DLC package adds a variety of new premium character outfits, vehicles, and weaponry to Arma 3’s sandbox. This includes the IDAP humanitarian faction (multiple character outfits), a van (multiple variants with over 20 liveries), utility drone (different variants used either for cargo transport or demining operations), the controversial APERS Mine Dispenser weapon system, new vests, bags, head gear and face wear, a paramedic outfit, time trial challenges, and more. The DLC is supported by a major free platform update, which delivers free new content and gameplay feature extensions to everyone who owns Arma 3. Its highlights include refined cluster strikes, the simulation of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), improvements to the identification and deactivation of mines, the ability to drop custom informational leaflets from the sky using the new drone, a wide variety of emergency and medical supplies, faction-specific cluster bombs and bomblets, and many new decorative objects such as shelter tents and new furniture. In line with Bohemia Interactive’s existing DLC strategy for Arma 3, players who do not own the DLC will still be able to join multiplayer servers that make use of its premium content. However, some restrictions to the usage of the premium content will apply.
Last but not least, as part of the free platform update, there are also two free new Showcases available for all Arma 3 players. These individual scenarios serve as an introduction to the DLC’s theme and the new IDAP faction. In Showcase IDAP, you are a reporter visiting one of organization’s open days on Altis. Here you can learn more about IDAP’s history and activities. In Showcase Laws of War, you are a soldier attending one of IDAP’s instructional courses, in which you can run through three virtual training simulations that explain some of the basic principles of International Humanitarian Law.
The Arma 3 Laws of War DLC is now available for purchase on Steam. Half of Bohemia Interactive's net revenue from direct sales (not as part of bundles) of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC in 2017 will be donated to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The total amount raised will be announced on www.bistudio.com in 2018.
For a complete overview of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC, please visit the official website at https://arma3.com/dlc/lawsofwar. If you wish to learn more about the project and its development, we also recommend you to read the OPREP: Laws of War devblog.
FROM: High Command TO: Arma 3 Users UNIT: Main Branch (Windows) ACTIVITY: Game Update 1.76 (Laws of War DLC, Mine Detector Enhancements) SIZE: ~9.0 GB / ~1.4 GB (depends on Apex ownership)
FROM: High Command TO: Arma 3 Users UNIT: Main Branch (Windows) ACTIVITY: Game Update 1.76 (Laws of War DLC, Mine Detector Enhancements) SIZE: ~9.0 GB / ~1.4 GB (depends on Apex ownership)
FROM: High Command TO: Arma 3 Users INFO: Laws of War Release Date, Gamescom Recap PRECEDENCE: Flash
SITUATION The development team is now applying the finishing touches to what is soon to become Update 1.76. With that in mind, we'll take a closer look at its release, and discuss some of the cool additions that were not yet introduced in previous reports. We also talk about some of our great experiences with fans at gamescom this year!
