Understanding Bohemia Interactive's Clusterf***

[Hellrabbit 0]

I want to understand Bohemia Interactive's naming convention, how all their distributions relate to each other, and ultimately, how it all works with Dayz.

I'll start with Arma (1), to get it out of the way.

Arma: Combat Operations is the first iteration in the ARMA series. Has nothing to do with Dayz. (Arma: Combat Operations, not to be mistaken with "Combined Operations".)

Arma 2: Ultimate Military Simulator, I think the "Ultimate Military Simulator" is NOT it's official name, but it's on some retail boxes and helps differentiate. With that said, Arma 2 by itself is just called that, Arma 2.

I am not entirely sure if Arma 2 is required or benefits your Dayz experience, due to Arma 2: Free?

Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead, Is a stand-alone expansion of Arma 2. The single player campaign takes place a few years after Arma 2's single player campaign.

My understanding is that Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead by itself, does NOT meet all the requirements to play Dayz? It is one of three prerequisites required to play Dayz? (The prerequisites are Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead, Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead BETA, and the Dayz mod itself. See Arma 2: Combined Operations)

Arma 2: Combined Operations, is the combination of Arma 2 and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead.

This is where things get real confusing for me, as I understand it, Arma 2 and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead installed on your machine, can be launched independently OR launched as Arma 2: Combined Operations.

As I mentioned before, Arma 2 Beta is required to play Dayz. I think you could get away with just having Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead and Arma 2 Beta installed along with the Dayz mod? (That means Arma 2 is not installed. See Arma 2: Free)

Arma 2: Free, As if things weren't f***ed up enough, Bohemia Interactive has this free version of Arma 2. It contains some of the content of Arma 2.

My understanding is that if you just recently discovered Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead or more likely the Dayz mod, Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead, Arma 2: Free, Arma 2 Beta and the Dayz mod are required to play Dayz?

I am not an expert on the Arma Series nor am I in Dayz. I've looked online for a post similar to this and have not found it. I would appreciate any corrections or input.

CLUSTERF***, I SAY! CLUSTERF***!

[Dingus (DayZ) 429]

Yeah it can be a little confusing. I agree. The problem really is that they have been releasing these games for years now, and the rapid success and popularity of Day Z has thrust many new buyers into an assortment of products that, had they been around from the start, they'd find more readily navigable.

You seem to have it down though. Day Z requires Arma 2 (arma free is ok from what I understand), arma 2 OA (not free), and the arma 2 beta patches (free). There are other DLC and add-ons that may improve your experience in Day Z by adding textures and the like, but are not necessary.

Arma 2: Combined Operations includes the original Arma 2 and Arma 2: OA in one package.

Edited July 15, 2012 by Dingus

[Fraggle (DayZ) 15720]

Your making it sound more complicated than it is.

To play Day Z you need : Arma II and Arma II Operation Arrowhead. See, easy.

You can use the free version of Arma II with OA. The difference is that the textures are lower quality.

If you want it to be even simpler you can just buy Arma Combined operations. Thats all you need. It's not really a clusterfuck now is it?

[Hellrabbit 0]

Your making it sound more complicated than it is.

To play Day Z you need : Arma II and Arma II Operation Arrowhead. See, easy.

You can use the free version of Arma II with OA. The difference is that the textures are lower quality.

If you want it to be even simpler you can just buy Arma Combined operations. Thats all you need. It's not really a clusterfuck now is it?

That is simpler, but isn't "Arma Combined operations" just, Arma 2 and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead launched / merged in a way that both games content are available in one instance? Perhaps it was boxed together on the store shelves as Arma 2: Combined Operations, but if you purchase Arma 2: Combined Operations via steam doesn't it just add Arma 2 and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead to your library?

Not trying to split hairs, just trying to point out that Arma 2: Combined Operations might not be considered a separate product, but just the merging of two. Which can be confusing and thus a clusterf***.

Also, how does Arma 2 Beta tie into all this? Can it be seen as an update for just Arma 2: Combined Operation (meaning Arma 2 and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead or Arma 2 Free and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead), or for those that just have Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead (without Arma 2 or Arma 2 Free installed)?

[Hellrabbit 0]

Thank you, Dingus and Fraggle.