ArmA3 "Alpha"

[weemadando]

Thanks to Artemas for throwing me an invite.

First impressions - it looks way better and runs better than ArmA2 does on my system. This is apparently the case across the board. They finally figured out optimisation.

It's not nearly as clunky feeling, while the controls are still not BeeF or CoD level smooth, they are FAR more responsive and you feel like you're fighting them less. There's still a shitload of buttons and stances and movement speeds etc, but the overall feel is just so much better than ArmA2.

If they can keep on improving performance and maintain this polish I'll a) be fucking shocked and b) also be impressed. Maybe BI have actually been learning. Can't wait to see how the AI reacts and acts as allegedly that's been overhauled too.

[CaptHawkeye]

If I had access to a demo, I would try it. However they're only selling the alpha and i'm not putting down a dime on the game until I know i'll be able to run it this time. ArmA 2 is still sitting around gathering dust because not one computer i've ever run it on sustained beyond 20 FPS during action.

[weemadando]

Each person who pre-orders gets an alpha and 4 invites to a "light" version of the Alpha (no MP, can't save missions). I'm only playing with the light version.

Fighting engagements above squad size can start some slowdown, especially if a vehicle get's blown up. The smoke/fire effects murder my system. But I haven't tweaked settings to try and get around that.

[Stark]

Are you fucking SERIOUS?

Are they still using the same engine that's failed for a decade?

[CaptHawkeye]

Remember back in 2001 when that kind of clunky, rough, bugged engine design was totally acceptable because few games offered anywhere near as much as Flashpoint did?

Then ArmA happened and we realized that BI might be self-obsessed.

[Stark]

The true legacy of PC gaming - doing effects and pathing in a super inefficient way, confident that by the time your game comes out, everyone would have upgraded.

[weemadando]

It's apparently an entirely new engine. The way it "feels" for lack of a better term makes me think that's true. But the UI is mostly unchanged. Also, I'm running an older PC, still only a Core 2 Duo processor, so I'm not surprised that it's struggling at times.

[Stark]

Thinks like camera weight and the other tactile elements of an engine are easily changed.

What is worse; using the same engine, or using another one that still sucks shit?