Once we have a good list, I can post it in the BIS forums somewhere (maybe here, for example: ArmA 3: Community wishes & ideas|NO DISCUSSION).
I'll attempt to justify the things I've requested, so that it's more marketable to BIS. As such, the criteria I'm trying to fulfill is:
1) Will those changes make for an expanded community?
2) Will those changes improve immersion?
3) Will those changes improve gameplay?
4) Will those changes improve the quality and variety of missions?
5) Will those changes fit in the Arma 3 theme?
If you do provide suggestions for more features, try and include a short write up that would persuade BIS
And yes, this will have to be presented to BIS as a personal and not as an official list from FA. So I'm assuming by participating and adding to the list, I can reuse some of these ideas there and probably without attribution (because then I'll have to link back here and it'll look like an official thing). Read fer's post below for more. That said, the point of doing this is to bring to their attention stuff that we as a community benefit from, so I'm going to try and keep stuff that's most relevant to our sessions.
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Intro:
So, here we go, in no particular order:These things would really improve the unmodded experience of the game or expand communities that don't use mods for various reasons:
1) Better Direct VON
Low-friction gaming communities or pub servers depend on good direct VON for immersive game play. Most importantly, it keeps comms clear and allows people to relax a bit between pew pew. It's also important for medics to heal people without clogging up comms, and enables fire teams to bound/peel more effectively.
What's the problem?
Direct VON is tied to the effects volume slider, which most people turn down quite low to hear in-game VON or TeamSpeak over the gunfire and engine sounds. This makes it unreliable
Suggested solutions:
Make it a part of the VON volume slider, or introduce independent volume control for direct VON.
2) Playable female characters
This is something that 67% of the Arma community that voted on the feedback tracker was in favour of, and with good reason. Arma remains possibly the only game with no playable female characters, and this limits the participation in community sessions. It would be hard to believe that BIS has not had financial success with Arma, or that female models are really that hard to make.
We've seen female characters in Call of Duty, XCOM, Assassin's Creed, Dishonored, Mass Effect, Battlefield among other games. Mods exist for Arma, and plenty of female armour mods have arrived on the XCOM 2 scene over the last few months. It can't be that hard - no harder than making a male character. I believe Arma 2 already had female civies, so it would be great to see them in Arma 3.
From a "realism" angle, women in modern armed forces isn't a new thing, and have been serving in various roles since at least WWII (female fighter pilots, snipers, etc). Today Israeli Defence Forces are probably most famous, but Russia, India, Norway, Denmark, USA, China, Kurdish fighters, among other countries, have women in the military or paramilitary. In 2035 it's a no brainier that this would be more common.
Finally, we have to remember that Arma is first and foremost a computer video game and a sandbox. The latter especially calls into question the mysterious absence of women from the game. In the world of Arma no house has furniture, helicopters may explode on touching a bush, and tanks randomly flip themselves. It's a game. Let everyone play.
I'm not suggesting that this be included in a campaign (although I suppose it could fit quite easily in the Apex co-op campaign), just available for multiplayer/singleplayer (non-campaign).
Anyway, female characters = good PR = coverage in games media = more sales for Arma = more money for BIS.
What's the problem?
No female characters in the game, limiting community participation and role play.
Suggested Solutions:
It is already possible to select a face and a voice in the profile menu. This can easily be expanded to include female heads and voices, with the engine automatically loading the required torso. This will avoid the issue of having to place "Woman" instead of "Man" in the editor, it'll just replace the default "Man" with the player.
3) "Low tech" HMGs
We need something without all the high-tech camera things. How is it relevant to Arma 3's future war? Well, it still involves unorganised, underfunded factions that really shouldn't be using high tech stuff. Like FIA.
What's the problem?
No low-tech HMGs for use by guerrilla groups like FIA.
Suggested Solutions
Reuse the HMG from the FIA offroad. Make it a static weapon. What do you get? Happy mission makers.
4) "Low tech" AAA
Basically, some form of ZU-23 or similar mounted on a truck or as a stationary thing. Currently we're getting around this problem via script by giving an HMG or GMG Gatling guns with 7.62 or 20mm rounds, and attaching them to trucks, but this is no real solution.
Thematically, it fits with groups like FIA - they need low tech air defence. They also don't have things like Stingers. Dedicated cheap SAM systems would probably be something that a small like the AAF would have, too.
What's the problem?
No low tech AAA like Stingers or ZU-23s. Air defence at the moment is either too OP or missing completely from resistance groups like FIA. Doesn't allow interesting scenarios.
Suggested solutions:
Importing old A2 assets, or addition of (not very fancy) SAM systems (that pose a threat to aircraft but not to infantry).
5) Soviet/Russian weapons
Funny that the most common weapons family on the planet would be excluded. FIA like groups would use them as staple, and they would be common amongst non-NATO factions. Nothing like a good Kalashnikov.
The AK-103 would qualify as a near future weapon - so it fits the time frame and theme of A3.
What's the problem
Comrade I must have Kalashnikov
Suggested Solutions:
Import older content from A2, or introduce a limited number of modern Russian firearms, like the AK-103/104
6) More light APCs
Currently every IFV/APC except the bobcat and panther have autocannons that make them OP against infantry, and makes mission balance very tricky. Need something lighter like the BMP-1 or something with weaker guns (NSVT-only, for example).
Thematically would fit in with a small army like the AAF, Gorgon and Mora would be quite expensive for the AAF to have loads of, same goes for their weapon systems.
What's the problem?
No Panther-like APC for INDFOR, IFVs tend to be too OP, not suitable targets for infantry-centric missions.
Suggested solutions:
None. Need more light APCs! Maybe import from A2/older.
7) More RPGs/AT-4/Unguided rockets
Thematically would be what the AAF and FIA would use.
What's the problem?
Guided PCML and Titans are too OP in the hands of the AI, very little warning. Titans are basically 1-hit KO. AI is quite accurate with RPG-42s as well.
Suggested solution:
Lower accuracy rockets with lower damage, like the RPG-7. Import from A2, maybe?
8) Less camera turrets/remote turrets
Need more "low tech" vics without fancy camera technology. Thematically speaking this will probably be more for FIA/AAF type factions, but it would make game play much more interesting.
What's the problem?
Remote turrets make for uninteresting gameplay, they're too well protected.
Suggested solution:
Something like the HUMVEE that requires the gunner to be exposed.
9) Low tech AT vics, like UAZ with recoil-less rifle
Thematically fits with the likes of FIA. Again, makes for more interesting scenarios and missions. Currently FIA doesn't have much in the way of AT.
What's the problem?
No low tech AT vics
Suggested solution:
UAZ from Arma 2
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Other things (that comrades have suggested, and are invited to expand upon):
- Fully accessible interiors for all buildings
- Bayonets
- Proper helo damage model
- Proper Planes - both flight and damage models