Still no full game manual (NOT editing manual)?

[ladlon]

Hello again.

Hrmm.... Well, in regards to some of the guides pointed out, they all seem to stop at the same point. All of them go to a certain point (covering how to select guys, order them to move, etc)... but all stop short there.

Definitely have to set up some stuff in the editor and try it... although some of the things I'm confused about are things that happen in the heat of the battle (various medical attention things, etc). But, I'll see what I can do.

One thing that really frustrates me with guides in general, though, is when the 'explanation' is simply a repeat of the label that it is explaining!

Hypothetical example... You have a slider called 'Modulation bias' and the guide points at it and says 'Controls the bias of the modulation'. Grrrrrr......

I don't know... I'm feeling like I'm being a real prick here. Hopefully that's not what's coming across. There's just so much that's not covered by any of the manuals or tutorials. I'm pretty familiar with weapons, vehicles and stuff... but the context menu system is confusing me at times. Battling with the controls very often, not sure why things aren't happening (or ARE happening)... why squadmates are doing (or not doing) what they are doing... what some of the icons mean (on the map, in the 3D interface)...

[HotShot]

Have you tried Dslyecxi's Tactics manual? It doesn't tell you which keys to use for each thing, and it seems to be orientated towards multiplayer squads, but it does show how to use certain things and such. I think the Basic Rifleman and Vehicle Usage sections will help alot in particular.

[ladlon]

Yep, everyone is pointing to that for anyone who asks about manuals. It's great, as I said, for 'tactics' and such... but does not address the SIM itself (menu commands, etc). Once you DO know all the menu commands (what they mean, how they work, etc), then that guide is a great addition...

[stun]

try these. they are for ARMA and Operation Flashpoint, but the command parts of the engine haven't changed much: http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/O...ommander_Guide and http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA:_Manual

[ladlon]

Man, it took me a long time to figure out how to throw a grenade! I'm still not too clear on the grenade launcher... how to specify what 'grenade' for it to fire (red, green, regular grenade, etc).

I've never understood the scale/target display on a grenade launcher... as no game I've had ever explained it.

Also, I don't get the crosshair display when you manually throw a grenade... You have a dot in the center, but also a circle above. Does the circle represent the landing spot, or the apex of the throw?.... or what?

[SiC-Disaster]

I suppose BIS just assumed most of us would be experienced Operation Flashpoint players (which did get a good manual, at least it taught me everything i needed to know).
I have had absolutely 0 trouble getting into ArmA 2 because of that.
Still, some documentation is ofcourse very necessary for this type of game, and would even be useful for the veterans if some basics of the new gamemodes were explained (high-command feature, stuff like that).

[cm.]

Honestly, probably the easiest way of learning everything is playing on a server and just asking people (preferably over mic) if you get stuck. The problem is that some servers are more "noob friendly" than others. If you head over the the tactical gamer servers, most people there are happy to help, plus they play serious missions (not 24/7 domi) and use tactics.

edit: one other thing, don't practice flying in MP. Fire up the editor and drop a plan/helo whatever and practice in there. There is nothing more frustrating/rage inducing than a new player crashing a helo full of players because he doesn't know how to fly.

[ladlon]

Ya, I don't really do the multiplayer thing... yet at least. Never really did multiplayer for any games. Most often, because you get destroyed by the hardcore guys (in any mp game).

Granted, co-op looks really great!

I suppose what I'll do is just keep a list of things I'm not sure of as I tinker around, and then post them. I'll try and try things out before doing quick posts, so you guys are not completely flooded by my stuff!

[cm.]

Well the fact that your trying the game and not giving up within 2 seconds is a good start .

[ladlon]

Hehehe... Right on!

Ya, I'm sort of an in between status... I'm not a Halo playing, 'Fast Travel is essential' type of guy, who thinks anything that is actually realistic or in-depth sucks.... but at the same time, I'm not a 'whip your ass with both hands tied behind my back', 'I can disassemble and reassemble every piece of hardware in the current army' kind of guy either.

I love simulation and immersion. I'm late to the Arma world (just stared a week ago, as this is my first Arma purchase). Closest I've been up to then is the old Rainbow Six series and (dare I say) Battlefield (....ya, I know, but it IS a fun 'Hollywood' type of warfare experience.... and that's partially because I always played offline against bots, and not online with Jedi-powered, bunny hopping, pimple-faced nemisis guy).

But, ya, I LOVE the fact that it's very real... and I actually LOVE the 'discipline' and 'order' (as opposed to the Rambo, do anything kinda scenario). The teamwork, the coordination, the scoping around and slow approach... Love it!

Definitely not giving up on this one. Ya, there's quite a few bugs (even with my very superficial exploration of it so far), but it's also doing SO much. Looks great, too. Same thing with STALKER... Sure, a bit rough in spots, but it's great to freely wander through a live, atmospheric world. It's hard to contain things that are dynamic and complex, compared to the usual scripted crap (where they can not only control what is happening, but practically where you are looking!).

I tend to be an offline player... Usually content with 'wandering around' or setting up some random stuff in the editor, as opposed to playing online, or even doing the campaign.

So far, the editor is quite intuitive, though I could certainly use a guide for some of the elements (....like a description of each of the modules. Some are self-explanatory, but others aren't). You'll be seeing a lot of posts by me, asking about stuff like that... but it's only because I really WANT to experience this sim. Definitely a gem!