UNIT: Nelson Duarte (@Nelson_G_Duarte), Designer, Playable Content Design Dept.
TO: Arma 3 Dev-Branch Users
OPSUM: Introducing Marksmen DLC's new MP mode
EVALUATION
With Marksmen DLC, we want to introduce a new multiplayer mode that offers something a bit different to our previous work. Although not completely tied to the new content, our focus was to offer players a simple but hopefully interesting concept that encourages and rewards cooperation, which would also enable us to test out a few new teamwork-oriented MP systems.
The mode is called End Game, and its basic premise is to provide 'hybrid' gameplay or, simply put, a mix of multiplayer game types: Co-op, PvE and PvP. We'd like to give you a brief introduction to this upcoming multiplayer mode, it's related systems, and the type of gameplay you can expect from all these things when put together!
END GAME
Two sides fight against a common enemy to secure enough Intel - gathered by completing a number of small objectives - to identify a final 'End Game' objective. The game mode is comprised of 3 distinct phases: establishing an FOB, downloading intelligence and, finally, securing valuable schematics.
- Each side's first objective is to establish a base of operations
- This base can then be used to select a different loadouts, using the in-game Virtual Arsenal, or mount any vehicle to use throughout the scenario
- Throughout the game, this location is also used as a respawn point
- In phase 2, a number of objectives appear in parallel; each side must move through the AO and gather intel from various enemy positions
- Each side is free to pick which to tackle first, bearing in mind that their enemy will be doing the same
- The team that gathers a certain amount of Intel, unlocks the location of an experimental device
- In the 'End Game' phase, the leading side must move to the designated area and secure the schematics
- Once attained, this side must protect the schematics as they transport them to an upload location
- Meanwhile, the opposing force is tasked with preventing the upload, and has the opportunity to turn the situation on its head by seizing the schematics for themselves.
TEAM PLAY
Alongside the new game mode, we'd like to introduce a series of experimental gameplay systems to the community; namely: 'Dynamic Groups', 'Revive' and 'Shared Objectives'. With these scripted systems, we've tried to find ways to encourage and reward cooperation among players.
- This new interface allows players to create or join a group on-the-fly
- Creators can invite their friends, customise the name, and even promote other members to be the leader
- It will help commanders to react more effectively, plan more intelligently, and, based on the situation at hand, form teams dynamically
- This improved task management system visualises which objectives are currently assigned to other players
- This new information helps players to cooperate more effectively, dividing and balancing forces across multiple, parallel objectives
- Generally, the improved look and feel means that the is system faster and more intuitive to use - particularly helpful when under fire!
- This mechanic visualises the position of incapacitated friendlies, and enables players to revive their fallen team mates
- The system is designed to facilitate teamplay by keeping groups closer together and avoiding the need to respawn
- It uses a new approach to interactions, which, we hope, will make the act of reviving an incapacitated unit more fluid
PUBLIC ALPHA
One of the first things we realised was that giving the community a way to play, test and validate End Game's gameplay and it's related systems was essential. Not only would allow us to gather early feedback but, more importantly, give us the room to offer modifications or small tweaks throughout the development and ensure that feedback is heard and put into action.
The feedback as been quite helpful so far; issues reported on our Feedback Tracker and Official Forums have allowed us to focus on what's important for the player. An example of that would be the respawn improvements (some of which have already have been made, other being worked on), which allows for a more fair and balanced gameplay overall, so a big thanks for those contributors!
POST-GAME
Looking ahead, post-Marksmen DLC release, we plan to invest further in this mode and, particularly, it's associated MP systems. We'll work to move 'scripted prototypes' into genuine engine features, and create robust modules and functions that our community can use in their own missions and modes.
Although we consider it to be a fairly small-scale game mode, players can expect heated firefights with both AI and human players, and a new set of systems that support cooperation and teamplay. We really hope you have fun with End Game and don't forget to provide feedback on our public channels!