Only 24 hours to go... or 48 hours, depending on whether they are going by AU/US time zones.
Arma III enters alpha next week
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Gamers who prepurchase beginning March 5 granted early access to PC-exclusive military shooter; full game due by September.
Steam-exclusive military shooter Arma III will enter alpha on March 5, developer Bohemia Interactive has announced. Gamers can gain entrance to the prerelease period by prepurchasing a standard copy of the game through Steam at 24.99 EUR/19.99 GBP/32.99 USD or the Digital Deluxe Edition for 9.99 EUR/34.99 GBP/49.99 USD.
The Digital Deluxe version includes the game's soundtrack, extra maps, a tactical guide, and a copy of Arma: Cold War Assault (formerly known as Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis).
Both versions of Arma III include access to the upcoming Arma III beta and a digital copy of the full game at release. Gamers looking for a deal will want to prepurchase, as Bohemia said the price of both editions will jump when the beta and final game become available.
The Arma III alpha showcases four missions (Infantry, Vehicles, SCUBA, and Helicopter), a "limited subset" of weapons and vehicles, two multiplayer scenarios, access to the scenario editor, and modding support. The Arma III alpha will take place on the virtual island of Stratis.
"The Arma III alpha is a big milestone in the project's development. Testing early and often puts us on the right track towards improving performance, stability and delivering on our goal of creating a robust final release," said Arma III co-creative director Jay Crowe in a statement. "It's also a big opportunity to get the game in the hands of our passionate community, which enables them to start work on their own creations, tailored to the fourth generation of the Real Virtuality engine."
Gamers looking to spend even more can purchase the Arma III Supporter Edition (69.99 EUR/59.99 GBP/91.99 USD) through Bohemia's virtual marketplace. This premium version includes all extras from the Digital Deluxe Edition, a Steam Gift of Arma X, all future Arma III downloadable content, a special forums medal, and the opportunity to have their name in the game's credits.
Lastly, Bohemia said it will release a free, limited version of the Arma III alpha, called Arma III Alpha Lite. This will be available one week after the initial alpha release (March 14), but notably does not include multiplayer or modding support.
Access to the Arma III Alpha Lite is on an invite-only basis and can be obtained only from those who have purchased the full Arma III alpha. The Arma III Alpha Lite expires June 15 and does not include access to the Arma III beta or a copy of the final game.
Arma III is due out in full during Q3 2013 (July-September 2013). For more, check out GameSpot's previous coverage of Arma III.
By
Eddie Makuch, News Editor
Eddie Makuch (Mack-ooh) is a News Editor at GameSpot. He works out of the company's Boston office in Somerville, Mass., and loves extra chunky peanut butter.
67 comments
@93ChevyNut That's why I feel confortable playing consoles, I have much trouble by trying to understand all the things I need to install and download to be able to play PC stuff! I have ARMA 2 OA and I love it! I suffered to install Day Z and all its patches lol ! I hope I can manage all that without spending too much money !
@93ChevyNutPerhaps the official site makes it easier to understand for you then : http://www.arma3.com/buy
Summary :
- Alpha Lite Edition : By invite only (from people that bought one of the other versions)
- Alpha Edition : Now 25 EUR, when it hits beta 35 EUR and final 45 EUR
- Digital Deluxe Edition : Now 40 EUR, when it hits beta 50 EUR and final 50 EUR
- Supporter Edition : Now 70 EUR, when it hits beta 70 EUR, not available afterwards
Check the link above for details about what the different editions contain.
Can't wait to play, and can't wait to see what kind of mods end up releasing for this game. Hopefully the anti-cheat is better. I really want to see a better version of the Wasteland mod!
24.99 euros for the alpha then 34.99 for the beta then 44.99 for the game =104.97 (conversion to AU dollars to follow).
I would rather play with myself I know BI are. People keep missinterpreting buying the alpha thinking they won't have to lay down 1 cent more.Check the site.
1 Like @shawnAU "Both versions of Arma III include access to the upcoming Arma III beta and a digital copy of the full game at release."
You've clearly misread and/or misinterpreted. Buying it now at the discounted price gets you access to the Alpha, the Beta, and a digital download copy upon release. The price points you listed are how much it's going to cost even more as each version releases (had you not bought it beforehand). So if you wait for the Beta, it bumps up to the second price you listed. If you wait for the full release, it bumps up in price yet again.
Nice job done on the game! Wish Dean Hall used this engine (graphics ) in day Z ! Still buying it for the Arma missions itself!
Please god may be the single player campaign actually work this time. Flashpoint through to Arma 2 were amazing yet somehow utterly rubbish at the same time. Weirdest games I've ever played.
i need to see the final animation this time around as arma 2 had terrible animation and voice chatter like a Steven Hawkins.
Graphically it was very good but it was also badly optimized so i cant pre-order until i see final results
8 Like Let's summarize :
- Natively on and for PC developed, simulation style game
- Includes map and mission editor and modding tools (and has Steam Workshop integration) for pretty much unlimited possibilities and replayability
- No intrusive or annoying DRM, no additional external account registrations or activation limits, no 3rd party launchers (just Steam)
- Playable offline
- Hosting of private multiplayer servers is possible
- Developed by a company with a very good standing towards the community and open for feedback
I have absolutely no problem with spending money on this product under these conditions, so as soon as this shows up on Steam on March 5th, this will be added to my Library without much hesitation.
@bloody-hell 1+ bravo!!!
Also, $32 for Alpha + Beta + full game = very good deal!
Will be buying this without hesitation.
2 Like My prayers have been answered.. I will be buying this immediately, and playing the sh*$ out of it!
4 Like Yeah. I'm definitely buying. I leave for basic March 24 and I really want to play before I go. Call me crazy for buying solely for an alpha if you wish. lol
4 Like This is the best gaming news this year....ARMA is legendary.......2! target..that...BMP............Oh No!...2 is down....
i respect arma games but i would want a game thats as authentic and realistic but has like a story type thing to it kinda like brothers in arms
@akdiuuuryttt I really enjoy the lack of any set story. It allows for the creation of what I call "army roleplay", which is one of the reasons I fell in love with ARMA. It's really awesome to get such a level of camaraderie and loyalty within such realistic games.
I'm really looking forward to finally being able to disconnect an attachment and put a different one on =) will be GLORIOUS!
1 Like -Intel Core i7-3820 Quad (8 total CPU's) @3.6ghz
-EVGA GTX 670
-16GB DDR3 PC12800 (1600mhz)
-1TB WD SATA 6.0Gb/s Harddrive
-Corsair 850w PSU
-23" Samsung LCD
-Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard
-Logitech G5 Gaming Mouse
-Altenc Lansing 4.1 surround with dual sub
I'm ready.
Lenovo T420 (laptop)
Vidock 4+ Overdrive w/ EVGA GTX660 external video card.
PC only simulation shooter = day 1 purchase.
Cyborg STRIKE 7
Cyborg RAT7
Some random 23" lcd
i7 930 processor
some ram
GTX 680
oreos
I'm still not interested. :)
1 Like @billlabowski @Landsharkk Cores are not the same as CPU's. I have 8 total processors.
Each of the 4 cores can do twice the work via hyperthreading, making it act like 8 total CPU's (or in this case 8 logical processors).
I've been building computers since before PC's existed.
@Landsharkk @billlabowski Yes, the problem is that 8 threads don't equal to 8 cores because HTT doesn't have 100% power boost (if I remain very optimistic, it is 75% boost).
I don't say I disagree and we're just nitpicking here but just don't show off in a stupid way - you have a great rig, just stay here on the ground with the rest of us. :-)
(I have 2 cores/4 threads and I'm not saying I have a "total of 4 CPU's".)
9 Like Can't wait for Arma 3, think I'm one of the few people who actually enjoyed Arma 2/OA/PMC.
I wonder of this one will actually be playable... I'd love a good military sim. But thus far, Dragon Rising was lackluster, and the Arma franchise has been completely unplayable. The devs really need to understand the need for proper controls. It's not neccesary to have the player use 5 different buttons for every action...
@Jawehawk-DK I have no problem with the controls. I appreciate the added control I can have unlike most games that are console ports.
5 Like @Jawehawk-DK Looks like you'll have to stick to Dragon Rising or CoD. ARMA 3 is going to be much more in depth than ARMA 2 and ARMA were. But its going to be badass to the people that enjoy true Mil Sims.
7 Like @Jawehawk-DK The ARMA series is a military simulator, not a typical FPS/action game.
I say bring on the buttons.
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