[GameOn] Operation Flashpoint & Armed Assault: Now w/ More Gametap!

Harakhti

This thread is dedicated to the discussion of Bohemia Interactive Studios Real Virtuality series of games.

Wikipedia wrote:

Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis, sometimes shortened to Operation Flashpoint, and abbreviated OFP, is a tactical shooter and battlefield simulator video game developed by Bohemia Interactive Studio and published by Codemasters. It was released on June 22, 2001 in Europe and August 30, 2001 in North America. Set on a group of fictitious islands in 1985, Operation Flashpoint puts the player on one of three sides in a hypothetical conflict between NATO and Soviet forces. The Resistance is the third playable faction. Two expansion packs were released; Gold Upgrade, which included Red Hammer, a campaign from the Soviet perspective, and Resistance, which introduced various new features and improved graphics and sound effects. Operation Flashpoint was praised for its attention to realistic combat.

Instead of sullying the Tactical Shooter thread further, I decided to create a dedicated [GameOn] thread for Operation Flashpoint.

I propose that we start with vanilla Flashpoint+Resistance v1.96 final.
It'll help reduce compatibility issues while we can discuss to adopt various mods and game types to play in this thread.

In the meantime we should shoot for a game this weekend comprised of official missions that shipped with the game.
It will also give us time to discuss and sort out any issues we may have.

I'll attempt to get a dedicated server hosted for this weekend.
If that fails then we will have to select one of us to host. I can host if it comes down to it.

I'll update the OP when I have time with more info, links, images etc.
Added Armed Assault to the list. ArmA players should decide which version they'll be playing. (1.08, 1.09b etc.)

Whoever wishes to join should post a request to have their name added to the roster.


Operation Flashpoint + Red Hammer + Resistance v1.96 final
Multiplayer Roster

Axen
Duddits
Harakhti GMT-7
PolishElvis
PolloDiablo
Waka Laka GMT+8


Armed Assault +/- Queens Gambit1.08
Multiplayer Roster

Axen
Huchel
Limitbreakerx
PolloDiablo
Raslin
Sir Carcass
The Rocking M GMT+10
Waka Laka GMT+8




Links
Official
Bohemia Interactive Studios Homepage
BIS Community Wiki
BIS Forums
Operation Flashpoint
Armed Assault

Info
Avon Lady Ofp FAQ Mirror

Harakhti

Information

Real Virtuality Versions - [From Wiki]
* OFP: Cold Was Crisis: 1.00 - 1.46
* OFP: Resistance: 1.75-1.96
* VBS1 : 1.75-1.99
* OFP: Elite: 2.85
* ArmA: Armed Assault: 5089 - 5151 - 5163
* VBS2: undetermined


GAMETAP and OFP - The Gametap version of Ofp includes the expansions Red Hammer and Resistance running the final version, 1.96.
Due to the nature of Gametap, the version of Ofp available there is not mod compatible. MP temp transfer of missions should however still be viable.

Waka Laka

Awesome, lets mod the shit out of these babies.

I recall using a pixel shader mod on Op Flash that would add Bloom and pixel shaded water, but it would often crash.

Also if you find a good server post it.

Harakhti

Do you have both Ofp and ArmA?

Raslin

Shit, I forgot I even had arma

I'll update that shit to 1.08

Waka Laka

Harakhti wrote: »

Do you have both Ofp and ArmA?

Yup.

Op Flash
Op Flash Red Hammer
Arma
Arma Queens Gambit.

Trying really hard to find Resistance, but fucked if I know where to find it.

Raslin

Alright, seven hour patch download

...god, I have to move back to the wired connection.

TheLawinator

I had Opf a long time ago, now it is nowhere to be found. If I find it I'm in.

Raslin

Ohh, I forgot...

If you get ofp on gametap, can you still use mods?

Axen

I don't think you can use mods with Gametap. We can play multiplayer games though. So at least we got that.

Sign me up for Ofp and ArmA.

I only have the Gametap version of Ofp, so I have all the expansions and its fully updated. Just no mods. (I think anyway)

For ArmA I have version 1.08. It seems like most of the servers use 1.08 so I just stuck with that one.

Also I suck at both ArmA and Ofp, but I'll be damned if I don't think its some of the most fun I have had in a long time.

Raslin

Argh

Not only is arma giving me problems, but the download got stopped at 87%. So I get to restart it.

ARGH

Waka Laka

Elheven o clawk man at 300
Seven... Injaaaahd!
2 oclock... soldier ...at... 100
I Got ehm!
Oh... No... Seven... is dooown.
12 o clawk.... BMP 500.
Oh No 9 is down
Eight Injured
Oh... No... eight ... is down.
Oh... No... 1 ... is down.
This is 3... taking command.
Group move... to.... tree... at 5... oclock
Oh no 3 is down!

God... the radio commands make me LOL.

Kazhiim

I loved the bug where, if someone died, the "oh no! Five.... is down!" audio would loop like 30 times in multiplayer

five....is down!

five....is down!

etc.

Raslin

Wow...

Got it pretty much working now. Don't understand how the hell I ended up with the International version of the game though. Well, now I get to try to download an even bigger file

Harakhti

Someone with Ofp on Gametap should really check to see if mods are possible. I imagine as long as you have the directory structure it would work. If its not possible to add missions, addons or mods then that will be a very serious blow.

I always liked the bug that prevented a unit from entering a vehicle. Friend and I were gettin' the hell out of dodge due to a large enemy attack inbound. I ordered everyone on to the truck so we could leave, players and ai.

"All board truck"
"2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 ready"
"5... negative"
"5 board truck"
"5... negative"
"5 board truck"
"5... negative"
"Ok! Fine! To hell wit ya"

So we all packed in and left 5 all by his lonesome to face the oncoming hoard. So what do we hear minutes later? 5: "Enemy... machine gunner... 1 o'clock.. enemy officer.. 1 o'clock". Friend and I comment how we'll miss 5, how screwed he is, etc etc.

5:"I got one!"
5:"Enemy Officer.. is history"
5:"Enemy Soldier.. is history"

On and on he went. He took out about 16 infantry and a BMP before falling.

Waka Laka

Sweet Fuck now that is a soldier! He wasn't going down without a fight. Lets salute to Johhny Five, the fucker who couldn't board a truck, but faught to stay alive.

Harakhti

Think if you wanted Resistance bad enough you're reduced to checking resellers and similiar places. Like Amazon.com's marketplace, ebay, etc. Maybe try some bargin bins. I bet more then likely however that you could just get the goty edition for cheap that has everything in it.

AlejandroDaJ

I love this game so effing much. As far as I'm concerned, I have yet to play a game that has the same level of immersive coop as OFP. We spent endless hours on custom missions, BAS addon missions, and even old favorites like Desert Ambush and Lost Squad. I think we beat Desert Ambush twice, and never beat Lost Squad desite its optional bug-out objective (withstanding the Saving Private Ryan-like onslaught is just too much fun).

Also, those zombie missions on Nogova. /huggles self

I gotta see if I have GOTY 1.96 lying around somewhere.

Waka Laka

Yeah, I was thinking of trying to find a full bundle, but even they are hard to come by in Aus. May have to get a CC and order it from Codemasters directly.

Harakhti

I'm currently researching Addons, Mods for Ofp and ArmA. Once I get a definitive list of the greats I'll start posting them. I'm going to try to add changelogs and screens etc as well so comparisons can be made.

Anyone know of a great addon, mod or mission feel free to post it and ill add it to the op.

Axen

Hahaha! This mod looks hilarious, but maybe not for our purposes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyGH8h-m-6o

PolishElvis

This sounds awesome. I only have the gametap version so no mods for me (as far as I know) , but I'd love to play some vanillia co-op.

Axen

Maybe the thread title should have "Gametap people welcomed" or some such. I know there are a fair number of people in G&T who have Gametap.

Also I looked into mods for the Gametap version and it does not seem possible.

Harakhti

No, I checked. No mods for Gametap. if anyones up for a game we can cobble together a group within the next 15 mins or so. I'm think we can hamachi it to avoid any connection issues. If not we can fuddle with direct connect.

Dartboy

I've long since lost the disc, but back when I had OFP I didn't have too good of a PC, and as a result I could never fly the aircraft worth crap. And landing was even worse. The only thing i could do once I was done flying was to bail out. This made the final mission, where all of the characters met up at the bar especially entertaining. So when the mission starts and you're flying the plane, I pointed at the building I needed to head to, jammed down the throttle, and leaped out. Landing on the ground not 100 yards from the bar as my plane explodes in the distance sort of made the other guys' entrances kinda lame in comparison.

Speaking of these games though, how is ArmA now? I never picked it up when it came out due to hearing about tons of bugs and whatnot, but how is it now with patches and mods, and how does it compare to OFP?

Harakhti

I went ahead and created a Hamachi network under PA-OFP/AA with the usual password.

PolishElvis

I'vejust downloaded hamachi, but I can use direct connect as well.

Axen

Alright, I am in Hamachi. Not sure if Gametap will work with it. I don't really see why not I guess.

Axen

We have a game up for Ofp. Its awesome fun! More should come. All are welcome, all are welcome.

PolishElvis

That was full of epicness, but we need more people, and less sucicidal AI.

Axen

Hell yeah. Taking out that helicopter with an AK was the coolest moment to me. Oh and stealing a helicopter and raining death from above was pretty cool too.

PolloDiablo

Could you add me to the player list? I've got OFP and all its expansions, and I'm patched up to 1.96.

I've also got ArmA up to 1.08, but I don't have the expansion. I'll have to rectify that.

I can usually play either before noon EST or after 8-ish. I'd love to play either, but it might be a day or two before I can find my Flashpoint discs.

EDIT: Anytime Friday or weekends is fine, too.

reach42

I may be able to find my copy of OpFp and it's expansion. I don't have ArmA however.

Raslin

We should just play vanilla arma

(I dont have the exp either)

Sir Carcass

If I get my computer running again, I may be up for some multiplayer this weekend.

Harakhti

Awesome games guys. We'll have to try 'Desert Ambush' again. If the Hinds at the airport are out of fuel then maybe we can capture the convoy, instead of destroying it. Take out the BMP, any of the convoys escorts then nab the trucks, capture the airfield and the Hinds.

I still think we should try 'Shadow Killer' again too. If just because it presents an interesting challenge to figure out. That last time we played 4 compromised everything when he started attacking.

Some notes:

BIS removed disc check from Ofp+Res in the 1.96 patch. So if you have it installed and dont have the discs, you can still play.

Axen, PolishElvis and I played a bit of Ofp last night. We received a few FADE messages during play. Could be due to Gametap, could be from the connection disruptions we were having at the beginng *shrug*. So keep your peepers peeled.

Since I don't have Armed Assault, the ArmA players will need to decide which versions to play and the sordid details of how when etc. Again though, I have the Hamachi network setup under PA-OFP/AA that everyone is free to use.

I also have the mp converted missions of the Resistance campaign for Ofp. I'm going to see if theres mp conversions for Cold War Crisis as well.
Also, I am going to attempt to find ,despite the high possibility of failure, a vanilla Conquer the Island mission. Most CtI's have specific mods required but theres a small chance that there's a vanilla one out there.

Harakhti

Dartboy wrote: »

Speaking of these games though, how is ArmA now? I never picked it up when it came out due to hearing about tons of bugs and whatnot, but how is it now with patches and mods, and how does it compare to OFP?

ArmA is very similiar to Ofp. All of BIS' games run on the Real Virtuality engine so they all behave the same. ArmA has had several tweaks though. Of course graphics, textures etc have all been updated. I think the biggest changes though is join-in progress and the maps.

Also, the player cap in mp has been removed. In Ofp there was a player cap of about 64 I believe. In ArmA it is solely dependent hardware, bandwidth specs.

ArmA streams the map now which allows them to make it even bigger. Ofp's maps were around 100km while the ArmA map(s) are around 400-500km.

You'll have to get someone who has Ofp and ArmA to give you a run down though.

In ArmA2 I know there'll be some differences. Again though, same engine, similar behavior. They've mentioned dynamic building destruction and more rpg like elements. I saw a image of the building destruction and it reminded me of Silent Storm's destruction. There was a house with a big hole blasted out of the side of it .

Also, ArmA2 is due out THIS year for PC, 360 and PS3.

Axen

I've been playing Ofp and ArmA back and forth now for the past couple of days. I am by no stretch an expert at both.

What I have noticed so far is that ArmA is basically a prettier version of Ofp with modern weapons and vehicles. Well the bad guys still use old Soviet stuff like the T-72, but that makes sense.

I would say both of the games play pretty much the same. Very little difference.

I would also say that ArmA's singleplayer missions don't have the charm of Ofp. I'm not sure what it is exactly.

Well in Ofp you had your squad, your squad members had names and personalities and would chit-chat with each other. Plus your character was more defined. Sure the dialog is, "ech" at best, but it helped make everything feel more alive.

In ArmA you are a nameless soldier, in a nameless platoon, with nameless squad members.

I have not played enough multiplayer to give a good rundown of the differences yet. I haven't notice any yet.

edit- also I have yet to run into any bugs in ArmA and I have it patched to v1.08 and there are a ton of mods for it. In fact one of the mods in the works is converting everything in Ofp to be played in ArmA.

Harakhti

Yep! The mod is called Cold War Rearmed and is fully supported by BIS. The CWR team plans on converting everything over from Ofp to ArmA. I know they have a a portion of it available for download now but it's still not complete yet.

My biggest wish for the Real Virtuality games is a multiplayer save feature. That would open up a whole new world. I know there was a Ofp modder named Crashdome(?) who figured out certain behaviors of Ofp and made a mod that allowed for limited mp save functionality. Far as I know the mod is not compatible with ArmA due to the slight differences from Ofp and ArmA.

PolishElvis

I"m free to play tonight around 8 est. , if any one wants to.

EDIT
I forgot to mention this guy's site and the huuuge guide he made. It may be kinda out of our scope, but it still has some really helpful tips, so check it out. He also has several neat writeups of mods and such on the site, if you're looking for ideas.

Harakhti

I should be around then. I downloaded the mp converted Res campaign so we can give that a shot. (and pray the transfer works)