ArmA 3 Details Four New DLCs and Several More Major Free Updates

Last October, Bohemia Interactive shared their ArmA 3 roadmap for 2016 through 2017, giving the community their first taste of what was to come now that the game’s first large expansion, Apex, had settled into the mix. Their vision boiled down to expanding the non-infantry aspects of what has traditionally been an infantry-focused series, with Creative Director Jay Crowe saying the following in the original post:

“Infantry gameplay has long been at the heart of our development. Although it remains the backbone of our sandbox, we also recognise that there are several other avenues to explore. By expanding upon combined-arms content and features, we aim to create fascinating new opportunities for our community, and attract new players looking for a gateway to a massive military experience.”

In a new video post, “Scanning the Horizon,” Crowe and Bohemia offered up a more comprehensive look at their DLC plans for 2017 and 2018.

The video focuses especially on the Jets DLC which, like all other major content updates to the game, comprise a free “platform update” for everyone that introduces new features and systems for every player, and a paid, premium content pack that adds new weapons or, in this case, aircraft. The focus here is on air superiority jets, with NATO receiving an F/A-18 and F-22 hybrid, the Black Wasp, and the Sentinel UCAV, CSAT acquiring the Sukhoi-inspired Shikra, and the AAF procuring the Gryphon, which is stated to be “slightly less advanced but highly nimble” and takes on the appearance of a modified Mirage 2000.

In addition to the new premium aircraft, the platform update includes a loadout system, allowing for dynamic weapon configurations for all of the planes in the game, and an updated damage model that allows for more individual parts of the jets to become damaged and affect performance more realistically. Also included will be an enhanced radar and detection system, allowing one to go “active” and have better detection range at the cost of making oneself an easier target for enemy passive detection, or maintaining a low profile and possibly staying undetected at the cost of less advanced sensors.

Aside from the Jets DLC, the video also makes mention of the upcoming free Malden DLC, retooling the map from the original Operation Flashpoint with current assets and the latest version of the engine, and Combat Patrol, a randomized cooperative game mode.

The video remains cryptic about the mysterious “Orange DLC,” only reminding us that it is being developed at Bohemia’s new studio in Amsterdam and that it will “explore a unique aspect of today’s battlefield not often covered by other games,” and will feature some new clothing, gear and a mini-campaign. Given that the logo for the DLC is a handshake that also seems to form an eagle, my money is on something involving diplomacy, alliances and/or civilian/refugee relief, an aspect I would love to see get some official support.

Tac Ops is given a brief overview, said to be in pre-production and shaping up to offer replayable, challenging sandbox missions that offer a blend of fun gameplay and the authenticity the ArmA is known for.

Finally, the video gives a brief look at the Tanks DLC, with the stated goal of offering more meaningful choices and deeper systems when it comes to armored warfare, focusing on enhancing the advantages and disadvantages of different vehicles to create a more compelling combined arms experience. The video then closes with a heartfelt thanks to the community for their support and involvement in the first four years of ArmA 3’s life.

Between the latest 1.68 update, which introduced the 64-bit executable that has greatly improved performance for everyone in my unit, myself included, and the dedication to improving the combined arms aspect of the platform, the next year of ArmA is looking to be an exciting one.

The DLC bundle is available for preorder on Steam right now for $24.99, with Jets slated to release first by the end of May.