FROM: High Command
TO: Arma 3 Users
UNIT: Main Branch
ACTIVITY: Game Update 2.20 (Performance Optimizations, Steam Game Recording, UH-80 / AH-99 Stub Wings, Illumination Flares)
SIZE: ~127 MB / ~57 MB (depends on Contact ownership)

NOTES

For more information about the performance optimizations, please read our technical deep dive blog (which also mentions updates to the game's system requirements).
Contact consists of 2 data packs / folders:
- Contact (via PLAY CONTACT or -mod=Contact): for the singleplayer "First Contact" campaign experience (accessible only to owners - optionally loaded)
- Contact (Platform): for most other use cases, including sandbox multiplayer (loaded by default for all players)
Consider using the Steam client option to verify the integrity of the local game cache to avoid corrupted data after downloading this update.
Consider defragmenting your HDD after downloading large updates.
Updating a deeply moddable game and its platform is not without risks. We use various methods to communicate upcoming changes to our awesome modding community, such as via the Dev Hub. We also co-operate directly on troubleshooting, and we offer an opportunity to test updates via our Release Candidate tests. Modders, server administrators, and other members of the community do their best to prepare for updates and to address issues post-release as quickly as possible. Please be mindful of some interruptions (especially in the first hours / days after a release) while we all work to improve the game together.
A Legacy Build Steam branch is available for advanced users. It contains the previous significant main branch version (2.18). It can be used to compare specific changes between major releases. The access code for this branch is: Arma3Legacy218
This update does not yet apply to the experimental Mac client ports.
You can find the servers in the Steam library (switch the filter to "Tools") - "Arma 3 Server" (based on your OS, it will download the Windows or Linux version).
- Administrators can also use the command-line SteamCMD utility. The app ID is to be 233780.
- NVIDIA GameWorks™ Technology provided under license from NVIDIA Corporation. Copyright © 2002-2018 NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved. NVIDIA® and PhysX® are trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation and are used under license.
In case of problems, please check the Bohemia Interactive support F.A.Q., Arma 3 F.A.Q., BattlEye F.A.Q., or Launcher troubleshooting guide.
You can help us to further improve the game by posting your feedback on the Feedback Tracker.

CHANGELOG

DATA

Added: Stub wing variants with pylon configurations for AH-99 and UH-80 helicopters
Added: Illumination flares (in addition to the existing signal flares)
Added: Steam Game Recording integration for Time Trials
Added: Steam Game Recording integration for Firing Drills
Added: Steam Game Recording integration for Arma Invaders
Added: More specific Steam branch info to the main menu, pause menu and loading screens
Added: Missing DLC requirement in "Showcase Sling Loading"
Tweaked: BIS_fnc_setUnitInsignia/BIS_fnc_getUnitInsignia updated to work with the new uniform texture mechanic - FT-T161323
Tweaked: Eye position when aiming down the sights on M320 and GM6, so the camera is no longer clipping with the rifle's mesh when recoil kicks in
Fixed: format argument error in AAN function - FT-T182822
Fixed: utils format argument error - FT-T182822
Fixed: Error in BIS_fnc_kbTellLocal function - FT-T186857
Fixed: Undefined error in BIS_fnc_liveFeedTerminate function - FT-T186558
Fixed: Importing exported Arsenal loadout was not importing insignia - FT-T186642
Fixed: A Logic was created on the wrong side in a scripted function - FT-T177680
Fixed: SAAMI weapon referencing incorrect sounds - FT-T185821
Fixed: Script format error in Field Manual - FT-T182822
Fixed: Launchers were not always selected properly in Arsenal
Fixed: AI jet pilots will now properly eject from their plane when it is damaged more then its ejectDamageLimit
Fixed: One pop-up target in "CoF: Red 2" was behaving incorrectly
Fixed: Missing windows fire geometry on armed variants of Ifrit - FT-T190093
Fixed: Tail wheel missing from "Camo2" hidden selection on UH-80 in its first LOD
Fixed: format related error in the "Remnants of War" campaign

ENGINE

Deprecated: 32-Bit support (not yet removed, but a future update may do so)
Deprecated: Windows 7 and 8 support (not yet removed, but a future update may do so)
Added: Integration of Steam Game Recording with custom game events (documentation forthcoming)
Added: Replaced Real Virtuality multithreading job system with Enfusion's version
Added: Asynchronous JIP queue processing
Added: Multithreaded JIP queue processing
Added: Multithreaded lights collection
Added: More multithreading into rendering
Added: Asynchronous AI and sound simulation
Added: Partially multithreaded AI simulation
Added: Multithreaded AI visibility calculations
Added: Multithreaded PhysX simulation
Added: Script commands allMissionObjects, nearestObjects, nearObjects, nearSupplies, nearRoads are now internally multithreaded
Added: Scanning for objects in trigger areas is now multithreaded
Added: AI sensor updating is now multithreaded
Added: AI target list updating/scanning is now multithreaded
Added: PhysX Vehicle suspension update is now multithreaded
Added: PhysX Simulation is now multithreaded
Added: Mission file downloading over HTTP - BI Forums
Added: CT_WEBBROWSER UI Control
Added: CT_EXTENSION UI Control
Added: Alternative syntax for getObjectTextures script command
Added: Option to getObjectTextures to return default textures - FT-T171318
Added: Option to setObjectTexture and setObjectMaterial commands to reset to default texture/material - FT-T171318
Added: Ability to set a marker color directly with setMarkerColor - FT-T185042
Added: Slightly improved efficiency of inAreaArray for Arrays
Added: Alternative syntax for inPolygon check to inAreaArray
Added: Optional parameter to inArea/Array/Indexes to force all positions to be treated as PositionWorld (default was PositionAGL)
Added: New marker shapes: "TRIANGLE", "PENTAGON", "HEXAGON", "HEPTAGON", "OCTAGON", "NONAGON", "DECAGON"
Added: drawXPolygon script command
Added: exportJIPQueue now includes the number of messages per object (to see how many would be removed if said object was deleted)
Added: isSwitchingWeapon script command
Added: Alternative syntax for lineIntersects command to run multiple intersects in parallel using multithreading
Added: FPS limit in main menu with -world=empty and when windowed mode is unfocused
Added: Option to log remains collector entities into a file
Added: Servers with no players now limit their FPS to 30 (regardless of -limitFPS parameter)
Added: -limitFPS command-line parameter now also works on clients
Added: Ability to configure remains collector force remove times in the server config
Added: Uniforms textured by setObjectTexture/Global will now show custom textures in weapon holders
Added: uiTime script command
Added: Alternative syntax to the landAt command - FT-T187838
Added: Confirmation prompt for serverCommand when not using a password
Added: RscDisplayPassword now stores the server address in the "guid" variable on the display
Added: Base64 conversion and compression in script via ctrlWebBrowserAction
Added: getServerInfo script command - FT-T187807
Added: sourceModulo for MFD sources
Added: MFD sources ClockSecondSmooth and SidePanelRadarRange
Added: mfdMaxUserValues vehicle config entry and raised the maximum MFD user value limit to 256
Added: productVersion now also lists the Steam Beta branch name
Added: "MaxResolution" to setTIParameter
Added: "useRealViewport" config property for map controls - FT-T189016
Added: ctrlRelToScreen and ctrlScreenToRel script commands - FT-T189016
Added: isNil with namespace argument now also supports control/display
Added: Animal config property canFitUnderADoor (when true will stop given animal from opening a door when entering into a house)
Added: Option to removeWeapon/removeWeaponGlobal to abort a new weapon autoselect after primary weapon removal
Added: Option to addWeapon/addWeaponGlobal to abort a new weapon autoselect if no weapon was selected
Added: AIThinkOnlyLocal option to setMissionOptions
Added: CfgAmmo explodeParentWhenTriggered to complement deleteParentWhenTriggered - FT-T190390
Added: Mission "MarkerDeleted" Event Handler now returns deleter person - FT-T178348
Added: removeAllMagazines and removeAllMagazinesTurret script commands - FT-T177284
Added: MFD Sources WPDir/WPDirRel
Added: addMagazinesTurret script command - FT-T174007
Added: Some of basic.cfg network parameters can now be provided as strings
Added: MFD Source WPTime
Added: connectToServer command and Server Browser Direct-Connect now supports resolving SRV records - FT-T127943
Added: getAllPylonsInfo now also returns the position of each pylon - FT-T190789
Added: Listbox sorting is now multithreaded - FT-T184005
Added: "PylonChanged" entity Event Handler - FT-T190875
Added: Post-processing effects Sharpness, DepthOfField, Fisheye - FT-T163827
Added: Option to the disableChannels mission and server parameter to disable map drawing and map marker placement from the UI per chat channel
Tweaked: Improved PhysX simulation performance, if many PhysX objects are in close proximity
Tweaked: Buildings with lights no longer get faster simulation if they are not animated and static
Tweaked: Visibility checks when applying explosion damage are now multithreaded
Tweaked: Improved server performance when sending a large JIP queue
Tweaked: inAreaArray efficiency for markers has been slightly improved
Tweaked: setUnitLoadout will now abort if a unit is in the process of switching weapons - FT-T167015
Tweaked: Uniform textures are now stored on uniform entities
Tweaked: Uniform textures now persist in multiplayer
Tweaked: Added ability to force remove remains after an additional fixed time
Tweaked: Slightly improved efficiency of remains disposal checks
Tweaked: Added option to diag_remainsCollector to return override times
Tweaked: setSimulWeatherLayers -1 will now reset SimulWeather
Tweaked: Scripted helicopter functionality is extended with more options for handling landing - landAt
Tweaked: Added alternative syntax to getObjectMaterials script command
Tweaked: UGV follow range is now in increments of 10s instead of 100s
Tweaked: Follow Unit menu now has a Cancel option to unfollow
Tweaked: Optimized the game's memory usage (~400 MB, ~1GB on 32-bit)
Tweaked: Several memory allocation optimizations
Tweaked: Updated Steamworks SDK (libraries) to 1.61
Tweaked: drop script command now returns the particle object - FT-T182084
Tweaked: inAreaArray/inAreaArrayIndexes array of positions has been unified and can accept positions in format array, object, group, location, marker (while ignoring nils)
Tweaked: Improved performance of AI pathfinding (sea wave positions are no longer calculated when they would be below terrain)
Tweaked: AI no longer calculates light influence on targets during daytime
Tweaked: Handling of Eden Editor mouse cursor placement (it is now possible to place objects on top of all objects and upside down and on the sides of objects)
Tweaked: AI computation is now done in parallel to d3dPresent
Tweaked: Improved efficiency of listbox sorting - FT-T184005
Fixed: Snakes opened doors when entering houses - FT-T59444, FT-T66646, FT-T80719, FT-T86273, FT-T66959, FT-T66520, FT-T64512, FT-T63866, FT-T60776, FT-T60326, FT-T67930
Fixed: Game could freeze when tabbing out while rendering - FT-T183720
Fixed: supportInfo command did not list all commands on "u:*" and "b:*"
Fixed: Sometimes velocity for EPE objects would return 0 - FT-T185618
Fixed: UAV would stop following waypoints after a Land waypoint
Fixed: getObjectTextures/getObjectMaterials would not work with Simple Objects - FT-T185884
Fixed: Inconsistency between inAreaArray and inAreaArrayIndexes for Array when matching in 3D
Fixed: enableReload would not work with static weapons
Fixed: Removing a magazine from a static weapon would trigger a reload when enableReload was false
Fixed: removeMagazine was removing the current magazine from static weapons first
Fixed: Game would try to re-download Steam Workshop Compositions repeatedly - FT-T171116
Fixed: RPT file header would not print all arguments if arguments were too long
Fixed: inArea/Array/Indexes did not support legacy hexagon - BI Forums
Fixed: JIP players seeing different uniform on a player for up to a minute
Fixed: Unit insignia were sometimes being applied to the whole body - FT-T155459
Fixed: Keybinding F16-F23 keys were displaying "UNEXPECTED_KEY_ID" instead of the key name - FT-T125049
Fixed: Headless Client would not report if connection failed due to allowedFilePatching or equalModRequired restrictions
Fixed: snow parameter in RainParticles config did not work - FT-T185117
Fixed: Sections of objects would stop rendering at specific camera angles
Fixed: setObjectTexture stopped working with VR entities - FT-T155459
Fixed: ignoreNoDamage mission option was preventing healing using a Medikit - FT-T186874
Fixed: Crash in legacy non-PhysX car collision simulation (thanks to Moerderhoschi for the reproduction steps)
Fixed: When taking off a uniform, modded content would apply its uniform texture to underwear - FT-T155459
Fixed: Network spam when deleting units
Fixed: uiSleep did not serialize properly
Fixed: Helicopters would not respond to a change of helipad during landing
Fixed: Some of the player-emitted sounds were not audible in multiplayer - FT-T178500
Fixed: SimulWeather would not reset on mission change
Fixed: setSimulWeatherLayers stopped working after layers were set to 0
Fixed: Countermeasure impact sounds were multiplied in multiplayer - FT-T186402
Fixed: UGVs would not follow players from the UAV terminal - FT-T126283
Fixed: Switching between UGV and UAV would break the UAV gunner view
Fixed: Sometimes the unit follow arrow was not drawn correctly
Fixed: Selected follow unit range was not highlighted in the menu
Fixed: connectToServer did not support using domain names - FT-T159809
Fixed: UGV would continue following dead units
Fixed: Steam Rich Presence would display "__cur_sp" for single player missions if they were only setting the mission name in the editor attributes
Fixed: Crash when "MagazineUnloaded" Event Handler is set and magazine is unloaded in Arsenal
Fixed: -init= command line parameter did not work
Fixed: Crash when using a SoundSet with delay inside a vehicle - FT-T188707
Fixed: Map controls now correctly handle positioning inside control groups, if "ctrlMapSetPosition []" is executed once - FT-T189016
Fixed: setPiPEffect - Chromatic Aberration and Film Grain did not work
Fixed: Weapon muzzle attachments recoilCoef was not applied to player-used weapons - FT-T167366
Fixed: thermalResolution config parameter did not work when setting a single resolution instead of a zoom range
Fixed: UI On Texture textures would sometimes think they are not visible on screen and never update their image (thanks Lambda.Tiger)
Fixed: skipLobby parameter could not assign players into Virtual Spectator or Zeus slots and could get stuck if no other slots are free (thanks Dimon UA)
Fixed: Helicopter adjusting direction after turning the engine off after landing
Fixed: Functions Viewer did not populate list of functions when opening
Fixed: Incorrect laser marker positioning on and around water - FT-T188547
Fixed: Laser target marker would get stuck on objects - FT-T71322
Fixed: currentZeroing did not respect laser range zeroing - FT-T189309
Fixed: Missiles did not consider their fuseDistance setting - FT-T189277
Fixed: Crash when using loadConfig with binarized configs - FT-T188760
Fixed: Crash if OGG sound file is played more than 255 times at once
Fixed: "Fired" Event Handler in multiplayer could receive wrong projectile for global projectiles - FT-T190141
Fixed: Forced game crash when addon requires addon that was skipped due to skipWhenMissingDependencies - FT-T172179
Fixed: getShotInfo did not return timeToExplosion for mines - FT-T190684
Fixed: Zeus did not store allowed addons in savegame (resulting in loss of access to modded units after loading a savegame) - FT-T190333
Fixed: Flares did not apply the Attenuation config to their light emitter
Removed: Log "context" is no longer available on 32-bit

SERVER

Updated: Stand-alone Windows Dedicated Server (2.20)
Updated: Stand-alone Linux Dedicated Server (2.20)
- The data in -mod=contact is not fully multiplayer compatible (it is meant for the singleplayer campaign experience); we recommend only hosting servers with it for special use cases
  - This data is signed by a new A3C key whose presence can be used to control what client data is allowed on the server
- Known issue: Steam client modifies the steam_appid.txt file incorrectly. In case of issues, verify its content is: 107410
- Known issue: Sometimes the add-ons are loaded from the wrong installation (e.g. main game)
  - Try adding -mod=curator;kart;heli;mark;expansion;jets;argo;orange;tacops;tank;enoch;aow to your arma3server.exe shortcut