Developer Bohemia Interactive have just rolled out a brand new patch for the Alpha version of Arma 3. In addition to the laundry list of bug and crash fixes, the update incorporates a slew of enhancements and changes. Some of them include improved network performance, improvements to shadows and much more. Check out the full change-log below.
Since this is still the Alpha version, expect bugs and glitches to be prevalent for quite some time. The Alpha build of the game consists of a limited section of the main game on the island of Stratis 20 km², while the full game will cover a massive area of 290 km². The Beta version is only out in Q2 2013, while the full release arrives in the third quarter.
Here’s the scoop:
- Showcase SCUBA:
- More forgiving alarm threshold
- Added more hints
- Improved scenario endings
- More rockets for the launcher added
- Showcase Helicopters:
- Performance optimizations
- Few minor tweaks
- Showcase Vehicles:
- More forgiving alarm threshold
- Few minor tweaks
- MP: Escape from Stratis
- Fixed: Mission success after resuming game
- ‘Combat Get In’ module added
- Respawn time is now 30 seconds (was 120)
- Improved mission endings
- New task appears when both choppers on the airfield are destroyed
- New mission ending “all boats and helicopters destroyed”
- Warning hint pops up when the group leader is AI controlled
- Patrolling Ka-60 Black now unloads troops when under fire
- More enemies at the airfield
- Some new map locations populated
- MP: Headhunters
- “Exfiltrate” task is now set as current after all targets are eliminated
- The mission will now end when either all players are near the exfil marker or in a boat
- ‘Combat Get In’ module added
- Possible respawn desync in multiplayer fixed
- New scenario ending screen added
- Task notification visuals improved
- Seagull in “BIRD”, “GROUP” and “SIDE” respawn replaced by a basic spectator camera
- Scenarios-button now always available, even when there’s no content
- Added more entries into Field Manual
- Compass and watch re-sized
- Ka-60 minigun now rotates
- Ka-60 doors and glass made correctly penetrable
- MH-9 passengers can now see the tail
- Helicopter weapons tweaked
- Class names for Ifrits changed to be the correct ones
- Alamut and MX SW now have correct icons in command menu
- Countermeasures now stored in one magazine per vehicle
- Correct Alpha Lite logo in splash screens added
- Most windows in houses are now destructable
- Static weapons should be more durable, shouldn’t be targetable by guided missiles and shouldn’t be flippable by user action when destroyed
- Added more camoflage selections for vests and helmets
- Red faction uniforms have proper class names
- Changed priorities in action menu
- TRG iron-sights remodeled after feedback
- Collimator sights are now default primary on combined optics (Ctrl + RMB is the default switch)
- Camera shake on 6.5mm ammunition removed
- Server browser UI overlapping fixed in some places
- Squad URL is no longer automatically upper-cased (and thus broken)
- Editor loading took long when using MX rifles – fixed
- Added freelook in vehicles via default option
- Correct tracer colors have been distributed among factions
- Fish should be less inclined to travel on land
Changes to the Engine:
- Shadow improvements implemented
- Improved network performance (vehicles are no longer lagging as much)
- Fixed several game crashes
- Fixed synchronization of cargo poses in MP
- Fixed various inventory-related bugs and crashes
- Improved vehicle collisions
- Grenades can no longer be thrown under water
- Fixed airplane / helicopter camera shaking
- Default and Development versions have different numbering to prevent incompatibilities in multiplayer
The final version of Arma 3 is still a long way from release, but for those of you who can’t hold on to your horses any no longer, then you’re in luck. The Arma 3 Alpha is now available for testing purpose and those who haven’t received an invite can purchase it off Steam via its Early Access program.
