After seven years, Arma 3 hits v2.0

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Bohemia Interactive is still working on it.

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Bohemia Interactive's military FPS Arma 3 launched on Steam in 2013 and has continued to evolve since then, through multiple updates, expansions, and even an alien invasion. (Sort of.) Those seven years of ongoing development have culminated in today's release of Arma 3 2.0, an update that includes a new firing drill, improved Steam Workshop integration, new equipment variants, and more achievements, if you're into that sort of thing.

The firing drill, called Course of Fire: Gray, is a challenging run that offers a gold medal to players who can complete it in under two minutes. Experienced Arma players may also recognize a few surprises from previous versions of the game, Bohemia teased, "if they know where to look and what to do."

Players will also be able to share custom compositions from Arma 3 directly to the Steam Workshop following the 2.0 update. A detailed breakdown of the process is available through the Community Wiki, but the quick-and-dirty version is that you'll select and arrange assets through the editor, save them as a custom composition, and select the icon to publish it to the Steam Workshop. Handy.

"Compositions can include anything from full-blown military camps to specific roadblocks or checkpoints, a Halloween pumpkin festival, a simple table and chairs, or anything in between," Bohemia Interactive said. "By sharing their unique compositions via the Steam Workshop, Arma 3 content creators can help each other build expansive, detailed, and atmospheric scenarios quickly and easily."

The update also adds a new and variant model of CTRG special forces gear, a black variant of the P07 pistol, and a lifetime supply of Arma Eau de Combat, an April Fool's joke from a few years back that's now actually in the game as a prop.

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To mark the big 2.0 update, Arma 3 is currently on sale on Steam for $7.50/£6/€7, with additional bundle discounts on the Ultimate Edition, Apex Edition, Contact Edition, or DLC Essentials. The full, very long changelog is below.

Notes

  • Contact consists of 2 data packs / folders:
  • Contact (via PLAY CONTACT or -mod=Contact): for the singleplayer "First Contact" campaign experience (accessible only to owners - optionally loaded)
  • Contact (Platform): for most other use cases, including sandbox multiplayer (loaded by default for all players)
  • Consider using the Steam client option to verify the integrity of the local game cache to avoid corrupted data after downloading this update.
  • Consider defragmenting your HDD after downloading large updates.
  • Updating a deeply moddable game and its platform is not without risks. We use various methods to communicate upcoming changes to our awesome modding community, such as via the Dev Hub. We also co-operate directly on troubleshooting, and we offer an opportunity to test updates via our Release Candidate tests. Modders, server administrators and other members of the community do their best to prepare for updates and to address issues post-release as quickly as possible. Please be mindful of some interruptions (especially in the first hours / days after a release) while we all work to improve the game together.
  • A Legacy Build Steam branch is available for advanced users. It contains the previous significant main branch version (1.98). It can be used to compare specific changes between major releases. The access code for this branch is: Arma3Legacy198
  • This update does not apply to the experimental Linux and Mac port betas.
  • You can find the servers in the Steam library (switch the filter to "Tools") - "Arma 3 Server" (based on your OS, it will download the Windows or Linux version).
  • Administrators can also use the command-line SteamCMD utility. The app ID is to be 233780.
  • NVIDIA GameWorks™ Technology provided under license from NVIDIA Corporation. Copyright © 2002-2018 NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved. NVIDIA® and PhysX® are trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation and are used under license.
  • In case of problems, please check the Bohemia Interactive support F.A.Q., Arma 3 F.A.Q., BattlEye F.A.Q., or Launcher troubleshooting guide.
  • You can help us to further improve the game by posting your feedback on the Feedback Tracker.

Changelog

Data:

  • Added: "CoF: Gray" Firing Drill
  • Added: Black P07
  • Added: Arid CTRG Stealth Uniforms*
  • Added: Arid CTRG Stealth Combat Helmet*
  • Added: CTRG-13 insignia
  • Added: Various (pop-up) target pictures
  • Added: "Eau de Combat" Aftershave (bottle / boxed)
  • Added: Old Man main menu tile hover video
  • Added: Base CfgDustEffects classes to config (CfgDustEffectsAir, CfgDustEffectsMan, CfgDustEffectsCar, CfgDustEffectsTank, CfgDustEffectsTankSmall) and implemented them on vanilla vehicles - FT-T131130
  • Added: "Vehicles only" difficulty setting to the 3rd person view option
  • Added: Support for the Dueling Target in Firing Drills (optional hit conditions for targets)
  • Added: Firing Drill ability to disable automatic recoloring of optional targets (per target type and per target instance)
  • Added: Nicer pling hit SFX for metal plate, rule, restart, and quit targets in Firing Drills
  • Added: Simple spam filter for bonus target VO feedback in Firing Drills
  • Added: Firing Drill event scripts per target instance (next to per target type)
  • Added: Firing Drill support for 3D helper objects as moving target waypoint and random position references (as alternative to markers, when designing in Eden Editor)
  • Added: Firing Drills bonus target support for: Orange / Pumpkin / Aftershave / Dueling Target
  • Added: Option for Firing Drill CP targets to get re-randomized on reset
  • Added: Gray color support for Firing Drills and target VFX
  • Added: SFX feedback for Firing Drill missed targets and no-shoot hits
  • Added: Ability to disable radio feedback per CP in Firing Drills
  • Added: Firing Drill CP onDeactivate and onClear script hooks
  • Added: Gray color support for Firing Drills and target VFX
  • Added: "OnGameOptionsExited" scripted Event Handler
  • * Restrictions apply for those who don't own Arma 3 Apex expansion.
  • Tweaked: Improved detection of compatible accessories in Virtual Arsenal when an alternative syntax is used
  • Tweaked: BIS_fnc_findSafePos in-game function description corrected - FT-T149812
  • Tweaked: Kipchak vest was made more compatible with full ghillie suits
  • Tweaked: View Geometries of various Livonia and Tanoa buildings - FT-T146447
  • Tweaked: Collision shapes of the Livonia Small Church - FT-T149484
  • Tweaked: Fire Geometry on the Garage Office structure - FT-T149647
  • Tweaked: SPAR rifle series iron sights - FT-T149711
  • Tweaked: Position of optics on SPAR-16 and SPAR-16S
  • Tweaked: The size of the Eden Editor module description box was tweaked to prevent potentially cut off words
  • Tweaked: HMG M2 gunner resistance against grenades - FT-T150710
  • Tweaked: HMG M2 land contact snap points
  • Tweaked: Appearance of wheels in the last resolution LOD of AMV-7 to make it more in line with the rest of the vehicles
  • Tweaked: Display names of guided bombs in planes' HUDs - FT-T131756
  • Tweaked: Frangible target destruction FX now consistently use ASL, so they work better above other surfaces than the terrain
  • Tweaked: Applied better scripted loading screen method to Firing Drills
  • Tweaked: Improved Training Mine behaviour in the multiplayer environment (and less visible glitching on triggering)
  • Tweaked: Special times now always count as better than the gold medal in Firing Drills and Time Trials (i.e. unlocking Achievements and marking the challenge as done)
  • Tweaked: Firing Drill radio feedback spam filter for missed targets
  • Tweaked: VLS launch sound range
  • Changed: Virtual Garage mod icons are no longer tied to CfgMods and the mod folder name - instead they are using the same methods as Virtual Arsenal
  • Fixed: Inverted faces on a ZSU-39 hatch handle
  • Fixed: Camo selections were missing for hatches on ZSU-39 and BTR-K Kamysh - FT-T139602
  • Fixed: Slat and camo net Virtual Garage hidden selections for MSE-3 Marid
  • Fixed: Gorgon driver animation so their legs are no longer sticking out from the hull
  • Fixed: Missing Virtual Garage vehicle statistics
  • Fixed: Virtual Garage dummy characters now respect locked turrets
  • Fixed: Various script errors - FT-T149790
  • Fixed: Freeze when function BIS_fnc_findOverwatch is called with incorrect parameters - FT-T149845 
  • Fixed: Script error in the patrol module - FT-T117706,
  • Fixed: Script error in Zeus when a vehicle is locked with LOCKEDPLAYER - FT-T151000
  • Fixed: Unlocalized hint in Eden Editor
  • Fixed: Commander turret indicator direction in interior views - FT-T151429
  • Fixed: Zeroed ironsights on MX, Katiba, TRG, Mk20, Zafir, M320, GM6, Mk18, Rahim, Protector, Sting, Vermin, Zafir and Mk200
  • Fixed: Virtual Arsenal / Garage would incorrectly show the previous DLC icon in the right tab
  • Fixed: If the Destroyer boat rack moved or turned, the 'recover' action could disappear - FT-T151178
  • Fixed: The (grenade) throwing sound while holding a pistol, launcher or no weapon at all, was not correctly triggered - FT-T151956
  • Fixed: Smoke not being visible while looking through Kiosk glass - FT-T151139
  • Fixed: Missing displayName for NoPop variants of Orange / Pumpkin
  • Fixed: Virtual Arsenal now properly removes magazines belonging to the previously selected weapon
  • Fixed: Firing Drill FF systems were also active on actual enemies
  • Fixed: Only updating the Firing Drill CP HUD box when a cleared CP is the active one
  • Fixed: Removed duplicate AT mines from Virtual Arsenal - FT-T152995
  • Fixed: Potential script error in the animal behavior FSM
  • Fixed: Adjusted stance while being armed animations had broken interpolations - FT-T152304
  • Fixed: Increased lifetime of GPR-T 40mm rounds so they can reach targets beyond 2.5 km - FT-T127965
  • Fixed: Missing editor preview for NATO post-EMP Ammo Bearer

Warlords:

  • Added: Periodic removal of assets spawned or moved below terrain
  • Fixed: Enemies should no longer be spawned inside rocks
  • Fixed: Players should no longer be able to get APERS Mine Dispensers or vehicle armaments from pre-saved loadouts
  • Fixed: It is no longer possible to deploy static defenses through walls, rocks, etc.

Potential spoilers (Old Man):

  • Fixed: After a first interaction with a market in "Old Man", the marker was not shown on the map
  • Fixed: Impossibility to download the Geolocator app from Keystone's laptop after finishing the quest to find CSAT evidence in "Old Man"
  • Fixed: Arthur in a certain "Old Man" hideout (and also few more civilians there) would talk to the player over the radio instead directly
  • Fixed: The Syndikat boss reply call for the delivered wallet could be missing in "Old Man"
  • Fixed: A discussion with Keystone at St. Maria island was interrupted by an incorrect line
  • Fixed: An explosive charge placed by Syndikat would not detonate every time
  • Fixed: Possible script error when the player gets into Koumac and the task received there was not created
  • Fixed: Some markers in "Old Man" would be created in the left bottom corner, instead of their intended location

Engine:

Server:

  • Updated: Stand-alone Windows Dedicated Server (2.00)
  • Updated: Stand-alone Linux Dedicated Server (2.00)
  • The data in -mod=contact is not fully multiplayer compatible (it is meant for the singleplayer campaign experience); we recommend only hosting servers with it for special use cases
  • This data is signed by a new A3C key whose presence can be used to control what client data is allowed on the server
  • Known issue: Steam client modifies the steam_appid.txt file incorrectly. In case of issues, verify its content is: 107410
  • Known issue: Sometimes the add-ons are loaded from the wrong installation (e.g. main game)
  • Try adding -mod=curator;kart;heli;mark;expansion;jets;argo;orange;tacops;tank;enoch to your arma3server.exe shortcut
Andy Chalk
Andy Chalk

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.

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