..ARMA III..

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Nobody knows exactly when the newest game in the Arma series will be released, though everything seemed to be pointing at summer of 2012; however, we may have to wait until 2013, as it turns out. An official date has actually not been set for the open world tactical shooter. The game is to combine what worked previously in the series with the new gaming engine. Due to this, Arma III should give players great sandbox-oriented combat in a very detailed environment: the best in the series, in fact.

Set in the near future of the 2030s, China has risen in influence and control over the East, Russia lures countries away from Europe with oil money, and Iran now controls certain territories along the Mediterranean. This includes Turkey, and with that downfall, Iran has their eye on Greece. All in all, Europe and its allies are in trouble.

Arma III will begin with the player at a failed NATO withdrawal from the Iranian-occupied Limnos, a Greek Island. Captain Miller, the main character, is trapped behind enemy lines with a small local resistance group. Players will be on the island of Limnos and a NATO-controlled island, Stratis; 925 square kilometers total. Both locations will include missions on land, at sea, and in the air, so there will be lots to do. Miller will be able to rise in rank and command a squadron or play alone. Since Arma III is a sandbox style, players will have a choice of how Miller confronts each situation. Does he use stealth, diplomacy, bravado, or leadership? Only the player can decide. The option of killing civilians is possible, but highly frowned upon.

Since Arma III is a war game, fighting will have to occur at some point. With that thought, gamers will be happy to know that there are lots of weapons to find, and many can be modified. For those who like realism in their warfare games, air missions will give them a view of the islands, which were recreated exactly from photographs of the area and geographic data. How's that for attention to detail? Tanks are also realistic in their behavior as well as design, including rearview mirrors which can be adjusted. There are even underwater missions where players will need to use scuba gear, promising to be very life-like as well. Purists, looks like this will be a game for you!

Arma III will use developer's Bohemia Interactive's newest version of the Real Virtuality game engine. How will this make the game better? Well, for starters, we have the realism and the attention to detail, but other improved aspects include: 20 km view distance, volumetric clouds, properly animated hands, uniform customization, and other elements which may not seem obvious to the player.

The question, however, is: can Arma III overcome the hype and popularity which Battlefield 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 have already achieved and get the attention from that segment of gamers? With its utter realism, I think it will stand a chance, especially with a later release date, but until Arma III is in gamers' hands, we won't know for sure.

Diane Brunner   Followdianebrunner I have been gaming since I was in high school, before it was acceptable for a girl to do it. I have been a writer for even longer. It's only natural the two would combine. I prefer RPGs, action/adventure, and strategy games, but I also play dancing, sports titles, and shooters.

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