Arma 3 renames main island following jailings

Arma 3 was chiefly set on the real-world Greek Island of Lemnos, but developer Bohemia Interactive was somewhat soured on the place after two members were jailed on espionage charges whilst holidaying there. Bohemia has now renamed the island Altis in-game, partially to reflect that they have fiddled with the location a bit but also because, well, you wouldn't want to revisit it after that unpleasantness, would you?

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Arma 3 was chiefly set on the real-world Greek Island of Lemnos, but developer Bohemia Interactive was somewhat soured on the place after two members were jailed on suspected espionage charges whilst holidaying there. Bohemia has now renamed the island Altis in-game, partially to reflect that they have fiddled with the location a bit but also because, well, you wouldn't want to revisit it after that unpleasantness, would you?

"In view of recent events, the team no longer feels passionate about using the previous name, 'Limnos', and hopes that the new identity, 'Altis', will help emphasize the fictional nature of the game," Bohemia said in the announcement. The nearby island of Stratis, where nobody was arrested on curious charges, will still keep its real-world name.

The jailed Bohemians were released on bail in January after 129 days of imprisonment.

"As part of the creative process, our virtual environments are often rooted in real-life locations and, during development, they evolve and grow along with our design," project lead Joris-Jan van 't Land added. "The resulting fictional environment is often close to its inspiration, but it's never exactly the same - nor would we want it to be. For us, 'Altis' echoes the Mediterranean heart of our island, but differentiates it from any undesired real-life connotations."

Bohemia promises more details on Arma 3's delayed release "later this month." Bohemia is also working on Arma Tactics, a mobile game which may come to PC later.

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  • reply
    February 4, 2013 2:46 AM

    Alice O'Connor posted a new article, Arma 3 renames main island following jailing.

    Arma 3 was chiefly set on the real-world Greek Island of Lemnos, but developer Bohemia Interactive was somewhat soured on the place after two members were jailed on espionage charges whilst holidaying there. Bohemia has now renamed the island Altis in-game, partially to reflect that they have fiddled with the location a bit but also because, well, you wouldn't want to revisit it after that unpleasantness, would you?

    • reply
      February 4, 2013 5:21 PM

      I don't see why they would do this, what is the point? You can't be jailed for using a Territories real world name in a game, so what is the big deal? Politically correct horse shit. Why don't they grow some balls. It's the name of an Island FFS, no need to be "delicate" about it.

    • reply
      February 4, 2013 5:40 PM

      Doesn't matter, most of us Americans probably think it's a made up place anyway to begin with.

    • reply
      February 4, 2013 5:41 PM

      The game is no longer a military simulation, but rather a satirical social commentary about a neo-fascist government that arrests tourists according to pointlessly draconian laws. During the course of the game, the players experience a "justice system" that is crippled by labor unrest, and witness an entire civilization of over-entitled bankrupt socialists as they slide into conditions resembling pre-WW2 Germany.

    • reply
      February 4, 2013 5:52 PM

      I can just imagine the countless SAVE ARMA DEV's FROM JAIL MISSION'S we will have.

    • reply
      February 4, 2013 6:17 PM

      Makes sense really, there was a release a while back quoting some guy from the Greek tourism board all proud and happy about it spreading publicity. Course they never should of taken pictures, everyone knows every nation wants info on Greek military, that's the prize of the intelligence community, so much they sent a team of game devs in to collect it.

      • reply
        February 5, 2013 12:06 AM

        They've had to add prison rape as a feature I hear.

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      February 5, 2013 5:25 AM

      Well, it's only fair that they do that. They shouldn't have gotten pictures of military installations in the first place. Especially since the country forbids it. They should feel lucky they didn't stay more time in jail if you ask me....

    • reply
      February 5, 2013 4:33 PM

      Come to Ft. Benning GA and snoop around the base taking pictures. Dare ya.

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