FROM: Project Lead
TO: Arma 3 Users
INFO: Incoming update
PRECEDENCE: Flash
SITUATION
The next main branch update is being prepared (1.18). This is mainly a maintenance update, with a focus on multiplayer server stability and performance. Some recently introduced optimizations will be enabled, while work on others continues. The plan is to generate the internal snapshot at the end of this week, and to stage it on the semi-public Release Candidate branch. That branch is not very useful for the majority of players, but it can help server admins and even large mod / mode teams to prepare for the update. The actual release should then take place next week, depending on testing.
INTELLIGENCE
The Make Arma Not War contest will finally accept submissions starting April 29th. This applies to all categories except for single add-ons. For those we are preparing the game and tools for Workshop support. That work has been going on behind the scenes for a while now, and we hope to release the first version of the publish / subscribe cycle in May.
OPERATIONS
Based on popular demand, we decided to adjust the randomization scripts for changing colors of our vehicles. Scenario creators are now able to set the init of the vehicle to 'this setVariable ["color",X];' where X is a number ranging from 0 to the number of color variants minus one. This sets the color of the vehicle directly. There are some additional safety checks causing numbers out of range to make the color randomized again. A safe way to disable randomization is to add 'this setVariable ["color",0];' to the init of each vehicle. We may yet possibly improve this system based on further community feedback.
LOGISTICS
The Zeus interface now shows player squad insignia instead of their normal player icon (if defined). This should make it easier to keep squads apart and to generally promote your squad's presence. Another useful Zeus feature is a wider range of waypoint types, including LAND and FIRE MISSION. Zeus improvements keep coming while its small team trawls through the feedback.