23 April, 2008

For lack of a better word, I've been a lazy son of a bitch...

In my eyes, the flow of news worthy of posting has been nil in the past month and a half, I've seen a share of things posted, beta's for ACE, weapons, mods, and sound packs, although, a majority of it has not been worth posting since the flow of some of these mods are somewhat constant. A compiling of them, to say the least, is redundant. So as of now, I'd like to post some new's, and some insight on what is to come from my crummy blog!

==
News:

Taken from BIS FORUMS (HERE)


"Well the long awaited CH-46 is coming very soon. There are still a few bugs with it but remember thats why is it is a WIP." - Tack-Up

From the looks of it, this mod is going to be promising, I am a huge fan of the CH-46, so to see a WIP from such an awesome modder, doing something that I LIKE, is something to mention! I really hope the accuracy (in all ways) of this machine will prevail!


=
A.C.E Mod has an update! (Series) (Taken from ArmaHolic & ACE Website)
Quote Q :
The A.C.E Mod team is proud to present A.C.E CWC Island Pack.
Features:
    - OFP:CWC and OFP:Resistance islands in ArmA:
      * Everon
      * Malden
      * Kolgujev
      * Nogova
      * OFP World
    - No dependencies. You can load them with any other addon or MOD.
    - Tested in MP / dedicated server.
    - VerifySignatures key and bisign files.
    - Replaced most objects/buildings with an ArmA counterpart.
    - Single ground texture technology - several to choose from via client side config. You can assign each island a texture individually now.
    - Replaced the vegetation with OFP:Resistance vegetation.
    - No SAT texture technology.
    - No ArmA clutters (eg. grass) (a few exceptions).
New changed in the Beta 2 version:
    - Changed: Textures can now be set individually for each island.
    - Added: OFP World - all four OFP islands on one large island.
    Texture settings are different for each island based on the texture setting for each island.
    - Assigned better default texture for each island.
    - Fixed: Airports now have visible airfield.
    - Fixed: Most config class missing ArmA.rpt Warning.
    - Fixed: Buggy textures for town sign
    - Fixed: Crossroad textures buggy.
    - Fixed: Object height sometimes wrong
    - Fixed: Ladders and doors working for a OFP objects
    Download HERE

    I've been following A.C.E for some time now, and have had the liberty to speak, work with them in some ways, I must say, this is probably the best (and only) conversion for ArmA worth waiting for, no other Conversion has yet to accomplish what ACE has in so little time. '

    So stay tuned for news with them, and interviews!

    =

    That is about it for now, there are some older posts about weapons mods, skins, and the what not...Some good one's to check out would be in the BIS forum, look around, and give me a heads up...

    Hope everyone is enjoying the ArmA patch, and looking forward to what is to come.

    /A blogging idiot,
    Enven

    01 February, 2008

    Interview with Jerry Hopper from Sahrani Radio!

    I am pleased to announce that after a week of busting ass in the office, cracking whips over the heads of staff, and trying to get things migrated on my new servers, I finally finished arranging the interview I had with the infamous Jerry Hopper.

    If you're unaware of this figurehead in the ArmA community, get your head out of your asses and read some websites. There is no excuse that you do not know who he is!!! And if you do know who Jerry Hopper is, then I'll make this introduction as painless as possible.


    Jerry Hopper:
    Nationality : Dutch
    D.o.b. :15-02-1973
    Occupation : Developer for a dutch content filter for kids : www.surfwijzer.nl

    Hobbies : Coding, playing ArmedAssault, running Sahrani Radio and
    www.armedassault.eu

    From my own experiences, my time with ArmA and the communities in general, I noticed the EU always had somewhat of an upper-hand, it seemed that the majority of their community had somewhat of a static hub, a group closer to the developers, and seemed to have had a jump on things before us US fellas. Due to their upper-hand in this, I always looked to Armed Assault (dot) eu for news, and information on the future of armed assault. They were definitely one of my favorites on my book-mark list for quite some time now, and will continue throughout their existence.

    One of the top seated folks to present the news, Jerry, had kept me informed from radio interviews, and his website. We all owe a great deal to him, (and others like him) to present the news in a lighter fashion. So now I present to you the interview that you have all been waiting for...
    (Blogger: Enven)

    22-01-2008

    Jerry Hopper: Yep Relax...(In regard to my panic stricken yelp after Jerry tried touching me)

    Enven: Ok, so let’s begin: First off I'd like to say hello and thank you for your time.

    Jerry Hopper: Any time it’s a honor!

    Enven: Well thank you, I'd like you to state your name, affiliation, and the country you hail from.

    Jerry Hopper: Okay, the name is Hopper, Jerry Hopper. I am affiliated with ArmedAssault.eu and Sahrani Radio. Oh yeah, the country - well, I am originally from the Netherlands, but currently living on Sahrani.

    Enven: Awesome, where is your current residence on this lovely Island?

    Jerry Hopper: I have a small room above the studios in Paraiso.

    Enven: Awesome, being that the north and the south are going at it just a stones throw away, do you feel secure in lovely Paraiso? I mean my god; we can sometimes feeling the shelling impact (concussion) in Corazol whenever we patrol the area, and its coming from arc-lights 12 miles out.

    Jerry Hopper: Well, I am not leaving the studios that much, after the last months, as you knows i have been away for a while. it had something to do with a damn close impact of artillery while i was at a friends house near Corasol. Nothing serious, but the sound of the impact made me deaf for weeks.

    Enven: I hear that... So anyway...Lets get to some insightful commentary regarding the EU occupants of the island of Sahrani: Tell me about the current state of the EU scene and what sort of dealings the gaming communities/mods/sites, (from your perspective) have been sprouting, any good rumors in the rumor mill?

    Jerry Hopper: Rumors, there are always rumors. I don’t know much of the EU scene, but that's something I definitely go dig into by listening to my radio show… Furthermore, I have heard things like that there is a new CWR lead. And I have heard some sounds about that community awards thing. Some good, some bad…

    Enven: Do tell, do tell! Comon, give us a little dirt, scratch the surface! You know a little foreplay won't kill the crowd, at least they'll be buttered up a tad, eh eh, let’s hear it mate.

    Jerry Hopper: Foreplay is essential…As far as I know, the old leader is just too busy to run things for CWR. Nothing serious…

    Enven: I see… So how about that Community Awards thing… Care to give a run-down on that then?

    Jerry Hopper: Well, when you are in a competition, like an Awards thing, there are winners and losers. This might hurt the feelings of some people, and might loose interest in doing what they do. But then again, I’d say - there is always next year.

    Enven: Well, you're keeping a tight lip on this one also! What’s going on with it, care to give the public a little rousting on categories selected for the award ceremony? If possible, could you explain the process of voting/elimination…?

    Jerry Hopper: Well, the community awards is essentially the 'community's vote and BIS wouldn’t be BIS if OFP wasn’t involved. in short it comes all down to this :

    Operation Flashpoint Add-on/Mod of 2007

    Operation Flashpoint Mission/Campaign 0f 2007

    ArmA Add-on/Mod of 2007

    ArmA Mission/Campaign 0f 2007

    Community Member of 2007

    Community Website of 2007

    …If you vote for me, i tell you more… Deal?

    Enven: Deal…haha

    Jerry Hopper: Well, the whole thing will be in two stages: First are nominations, this is where people send off their nominations for the various categories. The second stage is of course, the voting for the finalists that come from stage one… I’m not sure, but each category has 5 finalists.

    Enven: Interesting, so the phases are a process of elimination, that’s great to hear, that means it will be fair and balanced *as balanced as it could be via internet. I cannot wait to see the final product of these awards, and I am pretty excited to see what’s going to be listed.

    Jerry Hopper: Fair? I don’t know, but I would like the people to know that they can buy my vote. ..hahaha … I’m kidding you....

    Enven: Shit, I hope you're not kidding…You earned it!

    Jerry Hopper: Seriously, I am very interested in the nominees too.

    im actually happy that BIS does this community binding.

    Enven: Agreed, BIS is a very positive group, they've given a lot to the community for such a tiny group, with a time-table, let it be known, that isn't always the best way to do things, but they did it, and did it well. Onto another topic, since our last hearing from you before the whole artillery strike almost ending your ass, (I think it was a conspiracy, they're gunning for you...Stop gambling so much with those Northerners.) Your recent return to the air-waves is somewhat similar to the second coming of the prodigal son.

    Care to give the readers a heads up on what is to come, or are you going to keep this under wraps until the right moment?

    Jerry Hopper: Well, people probably know what's coming. Radio interviews just like the old ones. Some people know I announced a interview with the great Suma, and I hate to break my word. I’ll bugger the average community member with rumors, music, and a few new cool tools on our website.

    With all those news-websites about ArmA, I am trying to deliver other fun news - kind of like you do!

    Enven: Well, thank you very much. We're both two of a kind, you know that right... /me grabs pipe and smokes it.

    Jerry Hopper: Hey, I like your style of writing. And face it, what good is another mod-news website? There are many good ones that cover all mod-releases etc. and its hard to compete against those.

    Enven: Totally agree, and to say the least, news is news, but if you can't deliver it with some sort of zest and reflection, impersonal information is just as good as forum lurking. Now comes the fun part: Its time to give a bit of personal insight, about you, Jerry Hopper to the public...Stuff that most don't know about you.

    Jerry Hopper: Well, I am a bald and goofy looking person, you didn’t know that huh? I don’t know much about me, hell I am a persistent lil’ bugger that I do know!

    Enven: hah, well at least you're up front about it. Ever thought about hair plugs?

    Jerry Hopper: I tried a wig, but they get sweaty, never tried plugs though…

    Enven: Plugs are good, check them out, if you start doing web-casts it might be a bit more pleasing, although, I prefer the natural looks; I myself resemble a bear… So you're in good company.

    How about a few plugging questions: Answer fast ok!?

    Jerry Hopper: Ok!

    Enven: Top Favorites List:

    1. Favorite song of the week - In your honor - Foo Fighters

    2. Favorite Food - Meat! Red're the better

    3. Favorite group to play ArmA with: My old clan guys - dffclan.com

    4. Favorite Weapon: My radio shows, in game: The SAW.

    5. Top 3 movies:

    1. Black Hawk Down

    2. Hackers

    3. That movie about Microsoft’s start (don’t know the title)

    Yea, I am a nerd…

    Enven: (Pirates of Silicon Valley)

    JH: Yeah!

    6. Linux or Win? - Well, Servers: Linux – centos, Clients: windows

    7. Favorite season: Don’t have one; the whole year is 1 big party for me…

    8. Favorite vehicle: The bicycle! (*go figure)

    9. Best interview you have done: Poah, that a hard one. Can I pass? I guess the Dslyexci was one of the better ones.

    10. Favorite place in Sahrani?: Chantico – Of course!

    Enven: Ok, I've questioned you enough! Would you like to give any shout-outs, insights or anything before we wrap this up?

    Jerry Hopper: Yep. First I want to say that you cant buy my vote!

    Secondly, listen to Sahrani Radio! Its a good timewaster for when at work.

    And shout outs, well - greets to all the guys i interviewed, and everybody who's playing ArmA actually.

    Finally, I would call on all people to try helping each other out - we're in this for fun, not for bitching, that’s about it I guess…

    Enven: Thank you very much for your time, information regarding your show, the awards and community. I hope that we could further this sometime over your radio waves, and I would be more than happy to have you back to ask you more about the state of Armed Assault, the communities from your point of view and your close calls in the lovely town of Paraiso. *This isn't over Jerry! It is an honor to have you here, and I hope to have you again for another interview!

    Jerry Hopper: It was a pleasure, and something different when on the other side of an interview! (As interviewee - don’t know how to formulate this sentence)


    ==

    I'd like to thank Jerry for his time, and hopefully we can continue with another interview, possibly an update on his whereabouts, the community, and gaming news. If you'd like to learn more about arma, and listen in on Jerry's interviews check it out HERE.

    Please tune in sometime this weekend, or next week for more interviews, articles, and displays of videos/mods/rants!

    A blogging idiot,
    Enven

    31 January, 2008

    Holy Shit, its been a while.

    It's been a pretty hectic two weeks for good ol' Enven, I haven't slept in my own bed for some time now, roaming Terra with a skateboard under my feet and a camera at my back monitoring my every move. Sadly, the goddamn island of Sahrani has skateboarding banned in the south-land. Rat-Bastards I tell ya....

    Enough about me, and lets get to the good stuff!! I have recently finished the rough cut of my interview with Jerry Hopper from ArmedAssault.eu and Sahrani Radio who I was more than happy to speak with, the oddly shape of his head was quite the centerpiece of our conversation. Great guy, and great things coming from his radio show, recent interviews have really kept me informed with what is to come, and what is going on with the ArmA community, so try to visit his page, and stay tuned in!

    Rh0dite from GotF (lashpoint) has recently requested my assistance in writing short news pieces for his website, I have yet to write anything, and I should get something up there asap before he kicks me square in the pants.

    ==

    CWM - Chechen(Chechnya) war Mod

    Hi all !

    Welcome to the CWMod forum.
    Here you'll find some infos about the mod and ask the questions you want.
    The project is ambitious: recreate the units and ambiance of the second chechnya war.
    For this, we'll need to create:
    _Both sides units, winter and summer
    _New vehicles and aircrafts
    _Some reskins of all kinds
    _A sound mod
    _Some new maps, winter and summer
    _Some new functions
    As the work will be long and hard, we decided to release the units as soon as they are ready, then a pack when necessary.
    If you want to help us in any way (camo pattern pictures, 3D models, textures, etc......) you can leave a message here.
    Feel free to say hi also, and give us your impressions, report a bug or anything you want. This forum is yours since you like this project.

    The CWM team



    ==

    IWM: Iraqi War Mod - Weekly Report #3

    *I am super-stoked for this mod, it seems to be one of the few full-conversions out there worth mentioning, there are some others that are sleeping giants, and others that are obviously going to touch base soon. But for now, check our IWM, look at those screens!!!

    Here it is! Our third weekly report. Before I start off, Please register on the website and give us some feedback or suggestions.


    On to the report.
    We have been working very very hard on this mod, especially Opteryx, who is working on Sakakah v1.2. Here are some screenshots









    ==

    Satellite View:
    Fun little thing I stumbled upon on the Armaholic Forums:
    Chicago: Hi all, I want you tell about my first addon: Satellite view (SATCOM). It is a attempt to satellite communication (SATCOM) for Arma. My addon should include: Satellite view dialog, artillery support, rocket system and notebook addon.



    ==

    Escapist Magazine "The Virtua Corps" (link) has recently released an article giving insight to the writers point of view in the game Armed Assault.

    Quote: One of the finer pleasures of being a journalist who spends too much time in the depths of PC gaming is the number of encounters you have with the platform's various subcultures. Over the past five years, one in particular has fixed me with a mixture of dread and amazement: It's the community that surrounds the hardcore soldier sim."

    This concludes my weekly wrap up, nothing too special, but tune in tonight, or tomorrow morning for the release of Jerry Hoppers interview!

    Until next write up...Later!
    A blogging idiot,
    -Enven

    21 January, 2008

    Random News Hits:

    This is my life, sitting in my office, doing my programming/computer stuff, and waiting for the clock to ring...During this time I am lucky enough to have a break, so during this time I managed to lurk a few of my favorite ArmA resources, good news around the board, speculations, and forward observations of the near future!

    Taken from Armedassault (dot) eu:

    As of monday 21 january, Sahrani Radio is back on air! It has been a while since our last broadcast, but we're back on air 24 hours a day.

    Not only with music, but also new interviews are being planned, as well as other field-reports in and around armedassault.

    To give the radiostation some variaty, we're looking for people from the community who have a good taste for music and humor.

    Are you that guy with a different taste of music? and are you not afraid to let your voice be heard on the radio or podcasts / interviews?

    This, in combination with a healthy dose of humor, makes you a perfect candidate for this position.

    As an Sahrani Radio 'deejay' you spend about 3-6 hours per week on unique audible content within the armedassault community.

    If you are interested in being part of Sahrani Radio, send an email to hopper.jerry@gmail.com
    Here

    =
    ArmA Effects v0.6 by Maddmatt released:

    Maddmatt has released an updated 0.6 version of his ArmA Effects addon on the BI Forums.
    This addon improves ArmA's particle effects, such as explosions and fires.

    It contains many new effects, including
    * New effects for weapons and explosions.
    * Various weapon firing effects.
    * More smoke when buildings are destroyed.
    * New burning and smoke effects.
    * AT backblast effects.
    * Aircraft destroyed in the air now leave a flame/smoke trail (doesn't seem to work properly in MP).
    * Various other tweaks.

    Important: Read the readme please or you might not install it properly.
    You must delete the old version before installing this, it has a different file name and may conflict with the new version if it's not removed
    Get it from:
    ArmAInfo
    ArmAholic

    =
    Some interesting articles as of late, nothing to spectacular. Although, I managed to read Week #2 progress report from the ArmAholic website; it seems that they're keeping a filed documentation of mods to be released, or worked on, nothing to awing, but the effort is there.

    I'll be interviewing a special someone tomorrow as well, so tune in and give it a look-see.

    Other news I'd like to mention quickly:
    • Keep tuned into the Community Awards 2007. It will most likely be listed sometime around Here
    • 6thSense Update HERE
    • RKSL Has a laser designation system HERE
    Thats it for now, tune in next time!

    A blogging idiot,
    Enven

    20 January, 2008

    Community abroad.

    Not like I am trying hard or anything on the lines of attempting to 'give you, what you need,'
    but for the life of me, I want to present to you the ArmA video's I have reveled over, and keeled over in the past days/weeks/months.
    There are quite a few videos out there that have caught my attention, and most likely the attention of others, this may be redundant, but I am bored, and feel like writing. *Enough! I will not explain my posting to any of you!

    Recent Vid's I have watched *and like*.
    Iraq Modern Warfare Mod! Look out for this Mofo! *Hopefully I can interview these cats' soon.*


    Razorback made this video of choppers going in on an assault, great work man.*


    The "BF2 Sucks" explosion. *This is a great reminder of why BF2 sucks so much cock. Yeah, if you're opposed to this statement, feel free to contact me...I'd love to smash your face in with my fist.


    VBS 2 *Basically ArmA...Meh, people actually blew over a grand for that...gg to you. How about modding ArmA, I bet modders could make a better version. Really cool vid of real-world areas.



    *We've all seen this one, no need to really give an introduction.


    *Compilation of crazy footage: Dslyecxi.

    *Milkman made this assault video of his support group reinforcing a surrounded group.*

    ==
    Ok, so now you're going to feel a tad sick, unfortunately, I have quite a number of videos listed on my shit-list, primarily anything involved with Hans Zimmer, at this point in my life, if I hear Hans Zimmer, I want to take a hot iron rod and shove it into my own eye, then after have Hans Zimmer himself stick his love club in it and proceed to fuck my mind until I become a Hans Zimmer -Zombie (Fan). Don't get me wrong, Hans made some decent soundtrack music, but he is not special. If anyone is worthy of mentioning it's Ennio Morricone, and Peter Thomas, those two had innovative sounds, a huge catalog, and quite the array of different types of tracks. (Wiki if you like.)

    So now lets go to the shit-list:

    This is a waste of space.


    This is by far the gayest thing I have seen since George Michaels in my bathroom. "Contact Right.." /Whisper...Enough said..This thing is made for oodles of laughs, and tbh, I could give a rats ass if anyone thinks I am too harsh...

    Do me a favor and just watch and listen.
    Ok, ok...I'll save all of you the mental torture, there are quite a few more, but I'll save those for conversation pieces when I don't have anything to write..


    ==


    It's a 1000hrs on a Sunday and Sahrani is just waking up; out here you can't do much but wait for a fight, or the local whore-house to re-open. (*When is someone going to make a whore-house mission/mod where we can get raided and make a Benny Hill-esque escape? Maybe I should put that onto my 'to-do' list.*) Fortunately, there has been other activities in the big city of Corazol, recently the movie house in the south end of town has Charles bronson Tuesdays'. Pretty excited if we get leave, I haven't watched the entire Death Wish series in ages...

    I had a few thoughts in mind for the blog: currently I am using a basic template, I may overhaul this thing into a functional page, we'll see what goes about in the coming week or so.

    ==

    Recent news/Mods/etcetera, in the world of

    CWC was released *old news.:
    Bohemia Interactive and the Cold War Rearmed team are delighted to announce the first release of the Cold War Rearmed Modification for Armed Assault. This release tries to bring the OFP Demo State to Armed Assault.



    Features

    * Malden island
    * The OFP User Interface
    * Completely new US and Russian soldiers from the 1985 era
    * A new BMP-1 model
    * New and converted buildings and plants
    * Music files from Operation Flashpoint
    * Jeep from OFPE
    * AT-4 Fagot, AT-4 Carl Gustav and M-72 LAW Launchers from OFP
    * M60 MG from OFPE
    * Two SP demo missions and four MP bonus missions

    Download Here

    ==
    SPG 9 Recoiless Rifle
    73mm Smoothbore rifle made primarily for destroying medium/heavy vehicles, or to just plain rip a man/woman to shreds. Hell, you can even blow a hole out in a wall with one of these bad-boys.

    ACE: Advanced Combat Environment is still alive and kicking, check for updates via forum and the BIS Forum HERE.

    ArmA's BHD mod is progressing

    La Samula & Syr Darain
    "A small preview of what is coming.
    The railway is currently only decoration. I think I can fix it later.
    The Addons:
    Thanks to all addon programmer. Thanks for buying your models available. Thanks especially to "kavoven". Before I could ask him, he gave me the note is already at the AEF Mod to operate.
    The addons of AGS fall within his rights. (EULA)
    What you do with my addons does not matter. The add-ons are free.
    The addons are still not 100% ready.
    It will therefore updates.
    The MP missions coming days. Throw it is no longer cope. Do on Friday for professional reasons to England. Consequently, these first 14 days."



    Project UKF has updated their page with new WIP's (somewhat new). Worth Mentioning!

    Today is SIMHQ's Serious Sunday, come one, come all and check out the gaming we/they have in-store! HERE


    [Another thing to mention is Jerry Hopper, and the EU crew of ArmA: Thanks for your interest, I am a long time reader of your stuff, and am flattered that you've taken attention to this, unfortunately time-zones screw our gaming time, but maybe someday we can arrange somewhere and we can kill everything at once together.]


    So as of now, you've probably knew about half this stuff, I am somewhat indecisive as to what else to list, or what is worthy of listing at this time, so tune in next time when I get another interview, or find some interesting topics to list on the page.

    Its time for me to watch Dirty Hairy now, Punk.

    A blogging idiot,
    Enven