Arma 2 free multiplayer standalone incoming

A free version of Bohemia's battlefield sim is launching this month. Arma 2: Free will offer the full multiplayer experience minus the regular campaign and mod support, and with lower-quality graphics.

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If you've yet to experience the horrors of simulated war, Arma 2 developer Bohemia Interactive is lowering the bar to entry. Today at E3 it announced Arma 2: Free, a free version of the battlefield simulator which doesn't have its every feature but certainly has enough for a jolly good time.

Arma 2: Free gives you Arma 2's full multiplayer side, complete with the mission editor, and dedicated server support. There are, of course, a few drawbacks. Arma 2: Free has lower-quality graphics, as you can judge see in the screenshots, no support for user mods which add new external content, and lacks the regular campaign. However, you'll still get to play user-made single-player content and it is, after all, free.

You might also be pleased to hear that there are no microtransactions propping it up, so you won't find yourself being killed by some pest who can afford a better arsenal than you.

Arma 2: Free will launch for PC some time this month. As well as being a very kind gesture, it'll help build hype for Arma 3, which is due in summer 2012.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    June 9, 2011 8:50 AM

    Alice O'Connor posted a new article, Arma 2 free multiplayer standalone incoming.

    A free version of Bohemia's battlefield sim is launching this month. Arma 2: Free will offer the full multiplayer experience but no campaign or mod support, and has lower-quality graphics.

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      June 9, 2011 8:52 AM

      [deleted]

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      June 9, 2011 8:52 AM

      That's pretty cool. Does this mean everyone can play in the ArmA shackbattles now?

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        June 9, 2011 8:53 AM

        [deleted]

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          June 9, 2011 9:02 AM

          Ah darn. It's still worth checking out even without that stuff, right?

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            June 9, 2011 9:13 AM

            Yes, and I'm sure if enough people get it we'd do a Vanilla Shackbattle.

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        June 9, 2011 8:55 AM

        Vanilla ARMA2 is not what is played in the Shackbattles, unfortunately. There are mods and also 'Combined Ops' which uses the OA engine with Arma2 assets.

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      June 9, 2011 8:53 AM

      ...What's the catch? Draconian DRM? Must give away your first born e-mail address?

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      June 9, 2011 9:22 AM

      Finally! I'm d/ling to try out.

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      June 9, 2011 9:24 AM

      It's not only multiplayer, you can play single player stuff done in the editor, or in the armory.

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        June 9, 2011 9:33 AM

        you can spend weeks creating shit in the editor - I played OFP for years just tweaking/playing missions I made in the editor.

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        June 9, 2011 9:58 AM

        Ah, thanks.

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      June 9, 2011 9:25 AM

      hmmm I guess I can test the lag on this game now I never did check out the demo

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      June 9, 2011 9:46 AM

      This is a cool move by BIS which I fully support but in order to play with us you need mods! If you're at all interested, just buy the game the next time Combined Ops is on sale somewhere. I think it cost me $10 last year!

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      June 9, 2011 3:57 PM

      Shame about the lowered graphics.

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