Hello mercenaries!
Over the past few months you've been fighting hard over the scraps of "Argo" space station. Meanwhile, we've been working hard on expanding and improving the game. And now we're finally able to announce the official release date: June 22nd is the day when Argo will be released as a free game on Steam!
As some of you might have already noticed, we'll be updating the game's name from "Project Argo" to simply "Argo". This also means that Argo is no longer a Bohemia Incubator game. Speaking of Bohemia Incubator, even though we didn't know exactly where we'd end up when we went down this new road, it's mostly certainly been worth it. If you remember the Bohemia Incubator video and the very first Argo devblog, we pursued a variety of goals with this project:
- Learn and practice multiplayer design
- Collect player feedback
- Support the Arma 3 platform
- Introduce a 'metagame'
- Release a product in 2016
Looking back over what have been busy months, I can proudly say that we've accomplished each of our goals. We now know much more about what it takes to develop a competitive game, thanks in no small part due to the amazing feedback of our players. Additionally, we've introduced a metagame where players can unlock new weapons and gear. This has helped us both in terms of design as well as by taking some first steps towards developing the online systems that can facilitate such a metagame. Meanwhile, the Arma 3 platform will be receiving Argo's Malden terrain for free in the form of the Arma 3 Malden DLC (also releasing on June 22nd). Last but not least, our team has successfully released the Open Prototype in 2016, and with that experience under our belt, we look forward to Argo's official launch in three weeks.
But perhaps more of interest to you, the player, is how the game has changed since the Open Prototype release. On a higher level, we always intended Argo to be more fast-paced and competitive in nature than Arma 3. However, over the course of the development, we've slightly adjusted the game's pacing in various ways to emphasize teamplay and communication more. Aside from that, here's a list some of the other highlight changes and additions:
- We reduced the number of in-game UI elements to immerse players more into the game
- We introduced leaderboards
- We implemented a metagame where you can earn points and experience to unlock new weapons and attachments
- We did several iterations on the terrain
- We re-designed the Link game mode (read the blog for more info!)
- We will add the Combat Patrol coop mode, which lets you go on a mission with your friends and you can replay this mode on almost any part of Malden
Furthermore, as a special bonus, Argo will also include a trimmed down version of the well-known 3D Scenario Editor from Arma 3. Although we still see Arma 3 as the primary modding platform, and therefore the available content in Argo's editor will remain somewhat limited, we still wanted our players to be able to create their own versions of Argo game modes or even completely new ones. Creativity stands at the core of all Bohemia games, and Argo is no different.
Everything in Argo will be available completely for free to everyone. There are no hidden micro-transactions, and there isn't any type of payment required to be able to play the game. Just claim Argo on Steam or the Bohemia Store, and you'll be able to enjoy everything it has to offer, for FREE! At the same time, we know that some of you are eager to support our development, and for those we'll be offering the completely optional Argo Supporter's Pack in the form of a DLC on Steam, which you can pick up at €10/$10. To express our gratitude, the Supporter's Pack will come with a few cool in-game rewards:
- Set of 13 exclusive animations for the MVP screen
- Bundle of 23 unique apparel items, including facewear and headwear, and backpacks (these items are purely cosmetic and do not offer any gameplay benefits)
- Highlighted name in the leaderboards
- Access to premium servers that will be exclusively available for Argo Supporters
- Access to vehicles in Argo's Scenario Editor
Finally, on top of the official launch of Argo, and in celebration of the Arma series’ 16th anniversary on June 22, Bohemia Interactive will be releasing Argo’s re-imagined Malden terrain for Arma 3 in the form of the free Arma 3 Malden DLC. This free package will include the 62 km² terrain of Malden, plus Arma 3’s variant of the aforementioned cooperative Combat Patrol multiplayer mode. The exact details of the Arma 3 Malden DLC will be announced later.
Whether you'll be purchasing the Argo Supporter's Pack or not, we want to thank everyone who has been playing our game, shared their feedback, and reported issues. We hope to see all of you on the Malden battlefield for many gaming sessions to come.
That's a wrap for now. Be sure to mark June 22 in your calendars, and most important of all, enjoy the game!
Lukáš Haládik
Project Lead
P.S. Did you know that June 22 is a special date for our company? Sixteen years ago, on June 22nd 2001, Bohemia Interactive released its first major game Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis. With Argo's in-game terrain Malden being a re-imagination of the classic OFP terrain, we felt this would be a fitting way to celebrate the anniversary!