• Removes Password from AA3Launch.log
• Fix for MBS not working after server changes to a new map
• Fixes TeamReady in Mission Preplanning
• Updated authentication SDK to improve reliability and performance
• Fix for freezing on training mission load
• Improved performance on loading maps/training missions
• Fixed several small memory leaks
• Fixed performance issue with server that caused it to load UI elements into the server (where they aren’t needed) and thus use up additional CPU and memory.
• Modified training authentication so it is more efficient
• Modified AMD negative delta time exception handling so it no longer stops the server or client, but just logs the event
• Fixed Admin add Player Admin
• Fixed Admin kicking of players. Now works properly with Soldier name and has optional kick by player ID
• Add new AdminListPlayers to get list of players and their player ID’s
• Removes most of the server log spam, especially that tied to missions and mission setup and ROE
• Fixes several issues related to ROE firing off when player is bleeding, asphyxiating, or falling after being wounded by ROE
• You can now strafe on ladders so you don’t get stuck in Pipeline or Obstacle Course. Strafe too far and you fall off, just like AA 2.x
• Modified program startup to clear out any old ATS temporary files
• Improved scoring messaging support for training missions
• Fixes several scoring issues
• Optimizes more of the authentication code and adds better exception handling in it
• Adjusts STS (stats) integration to better detect invalid objects to avoid crashes
• Fixes issues with single player stats not correctly initializing all of the time
• Adds feedback to UI when player purchases training until purchase is complete (says “Purchasing”)
• Modifies MBS to track how many players are playing vs. how many players are on the server (player + Spectators) and now MBS browser only shows the number of players (so the count won’t exceed max players)
• Turns HUD off whenever menu is activated (still an issue with battle planner activation the first time, however)
• Adjusts the close menu logic to always close properly so double menus should no longer happen

Updates to America’s Army 3 have been released. The updates will be applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. The specific changes include:

* Removed apparent lag caused by other players entering or leaving a server
* Improved start of round spawn issues
* Resolved problem with training results not saving
* Improved communication with Authentication server
* Eliminated freezing up when moving from one training mission to another
* Cleared up hesitation during training missions
* Significantly reduce number of authentication transactions between player and Authentication server
* Solved achievements save and display problems
* Improved Login communication with Authentication server
* Improved player statistics tracking for better accuracy
* Improved overall performance

Steam News Link

Click here to view the embedded video.

In America’s Army 3, Every Detail Counts and as a result, the game has more authentic military elements including training, technology, weapons, and audio than any other military game. Built on Unreal Engine 3, AA3 delivers stunningly realistic environments, lighting effects, animations, and team-based experiences so that America’s Army players can experience how Soldiers train, live, and advance in the Army. Players are bound by Rules of Engagement (ROE) and gain experience as they navigate challenges in team-based, multiplayer, force-on-force operations. In the game, a player’s actions and demonstrated Army values are integral to successful mission accomplishment and affect a player’s career progression.

The game is launching with five different environments, each with three different mission scenario options for a total of 15 different map/mission combinations. Initially, the core of the gameplay focuses on an Infantry Soldier (11B). Players first complete Basic Combat Training and then progress to Advanced Individual Training for a variety of specialized roles that the Infantry Soldier performs, such as Advanced Rifleman, Automatic Rifleman, Squad Designated Marksman, and Grenadier. This advanced training allows players to unlock new abilities and gear, customize their gear and equipment loads, increase their in-game skill level, and progress in their Army careers.

Click here for additional details on America’s Army 3.0.

Download America’s Army 3.0 FREE on Steam or get the download via BIG Download.

FORCE CLASS
We have enabled Global Forceclassing (FC) on honor bearing servers. Individual FC can still be used but not on honor servers. Using a Global FC on everyone levels the playing field for all. When using Global FC, honor is accrued at less than normal rates due to the fact that old maps were created with specific weapon loadouts in mind. Forceclassed Servers will show up in MBS with an (FC) preceding their name for easy identification.

USERNAMES
Spaces in user account names are no longer permitted. If you have an old account with a space it has been replaced with an underscore character (_) or in the case of conflicts a number. You should have received an email to your address of record indicating the change. All of your other account information was retained.

BAN SYSTEM
Ban system again supports banning by IP, MAC, or Name/PBGUID (for PB servers banning by NAME will result in a PBGUID ban instead of a name ban). Ban system now supports console commands to list ban lists in sets of 20 (or so) to allow “scrolling” through the list to locate banned players. The Admin Command Post only supports showing the first 100 ban entries but now has a wider list to show all the ban details. The Banning system was rewritten and includes the preliminary ability to download a ban list from a web server on game server startup.

The following INI section can be added to support this:

[Engine.BanManagement]
BanListMasterServer=www.somedomain.com
BanListWebPath=/AA2831BanList

This will cause the game server to try to retrieve the “BanList.status” file from the web server using the URL:
www.somedomain.com/AA2831BanList/BanList.status (using the example above) which will be compared to the local version to see if the ban list file version matches.

The BanList.status file contains the following lines:

AABanListMasterServer
Version=
MD5=

If the version does not match (regardless as to whether it’s newer or older) the remote BanList.txt file is downloaded from the web server. It is not recommended to use this for large ban lists. It is anticipated this ban list management system will be expanded in future versions of America’s Army.

PLAYER ADMINS
Player Admin support has been rewritten to require player administrators to have passwords. The new AASM provides support for creating the appropriate format PlayerAdmin entries. For those wishing to manually edit their INI file the PlayerAdmin setting is now in the format “PlayerAdmin=, ” (e.g. “PlayerAdmin=Bob,mysecretpassword”). Player Admins wanting to join the server must join the server using either the MBS browser and right-clicking on the server name (with it selected) and choosing “Join As Player Admin” or by joining via the console using this format “open ?PAPassword=” (e.g. “open 192.168.0.1?PAPassword=mysecretpassword”). You must have logged into your account in order to use this functionality on any official or authorized server.

Silver Spring, MD (January 17, 2008) – A longtime America’s Army player became a first responder at a tragic car accident last November by employing life saving techniques he learned by playing the America’s Army game. Twenty-eight year old Paxton Galvanek was able to evaluate and treat the victims at the scene. Paxton credited the combat medic training he completed in the popular America’s Army online PC game with teaching him the critical skills he needed to react appropriately in this crisis situation. This is the second time an America’s Army player has reported successfully using medical skills learned through playing the game to respond in a life-threatening situation.

In order to assume the role of combat medic in the America’s Army game, players must go through virtual medical training classes based on the actual training that real Soldiers receive. The creators of America’s Army developed the training scenarios with young adults in mind, recognizing their need to be able to respond in emergency situations. Through the game, players learn to evaluate and prioritize casualties, control bleeding, recognize and treat shock, and administer aid when victims are not breathing.

“Because of the training he received in America’s Army’s virtual classroom, Mr. Galvanek had mastered the basics of first aid and had the confidence to take appropriate action when others might do nothing. He took the initiative to assess the situation, prioritize actions and apply the correct procedures,” said Colonel Casey Wardynski, America’s Army Project Director. “Paxton is a true hero. We are pleased to have played a role in providing the lifesaving training that he employed so successfully at the scene.”

After the incident, Galvanek wrote the America’s Army team to thank them for including the medical training in the game. He said, “I have received no prior medical training and can honestly say that because of the training and presentations within America’s Army, I was able to help and possibly save the injured men. As I look back on the events of that day, the training that I received in the America’s Army video game keeps coming to mind.”

“I remember vividly in section four of the game’s medic training, during the field medic scenarios, I had to evaluate the situation and place priority on the more critically wounded. In the case of this accident, I evaluated the situation and placed priority on the driver of the car who had missing fingers. I then recalled that in section two of the medic training, I learned about controlled bleeding. I noticed that the wounded man had severe bleeding that he could not control. I used a towel as a dressing and asked the man to hold the towel on his wound and to raise his hand above his head to lessen the blood flow which allowed me to evaluate his other injuries which included a cut on his head,” said Galvanek.

Galvanek’s Story:

On November 23, 2007, Galvanek was driving West-bound on I-40 in North Carolina with his family. About 25 miles south of Raleigh he witnessed an SUV on the east-bound lanes lose control of the vehicle and flip about five times. While his wife called 911, he stopped his vehicle and ran across the highway to the scene of the accident.

Assuming the role of first responder, he quickly assessed the situation and found two victims in the smoking vehicle. Needing to extract them quickly, he helped the passenger out of the truck and noticed he had minor cuts and injuries. He told the man to stay clear of the smoking car and quickly went to the driver’s side where he located a wounded man. He pulled the driver to safety on the side of the road.

Galvanek immediately noticed the man had lost two fingers in the accident and was bleeding profusely. The victim had also suffered head trauma. Galvanek located a towel, put pressure on the man’s hand, and instructed him to sit down and elevate his hand above his head while pressing the towel against his lost fingers. Galvanek then attended to his head cut and determined that injury was not as serious as his hand.

Roughly five minutes later, an Army Soldier in plain clothing arrived on the scene of the accident and informed Galvanek that he was medically trained and could take over until the paramedics arrived. He looked over the injured men and told Galvanek that he had done a great job. Once the Soldier assured Galvanek that the two men were in stable condition and there was nothing more he could do to assist until the paramedics arrived, Galvanek left the scene and continued on his journey.

Paxton Galvanek: The game developers really put some time and thought into the medic training portion of the game and for that I only wanted to thank them. It’s funny how we pick up bit of training and education in our lifetime, I am only thankful that I had the opportunity to help the lives of these men. I would hope that someone would do the same for me and my family if I was in the same situation. Thank you all!

America’s Army Forum Thread

Located just outside the Virtual Recruiting Station is the Virtual Army Experience simulator. Walk through the VAE to get a feel for what this attraction is all about and check out the VAE website, (vae.americasarmy.com), for detailed scheduling information so you can visit the VAE when it comes to a town near you!

Others features included in this release:

* Voice Activation Control
* Field Dressings
* Enhanced Scoreboard
* LogiTech G15 Keyboard Support
* TrackIR Support
* And Much More!

Download AA:SF (Overmatch) v2.8.2 Client Patch

Click below to read Release Notes

America’s Army: Special Forces (Overmatch)

Release Notes – Version 2.8.2

What’s New

New Missions

Rummage (Multiplayer)

“Insurgents are returning to a small town which was formerly their base of operations. Intelligence reports indicate that the insurgent force is returning to the area in order to retrieve vital supplies and materials that were left behind when the 10th Mountain Division first engaged the insurgents in this area. Retrieving these vital supplies will enable the insurgent forces to reestablish a base of operations from which to launch future attacks.”

Rummage is a small urban environment that lends itself to fast paced close quarters combat. Your mission is to secure all of the vital supplies and prevent use by insurgent forces.

SF Hospital SE (Multiplayer)

“Following an ambush by enemy forces, a wounded resistance leader escaped to the local city hospital for treatment. The leader is a critical member of the Resistance Government within Unconventional Warfare Area of Operations (UWAO) JAZZ.”

SF Hospital SE is a revised version of the classic SF Hospital map with dynamic new elements, such as modified objectives and civilian AI, which create a more immersive environment. Following an ambush by enemy forces, a wounded resistance leader escaped to the local city hospital for treatment of his wounds. Your mission is to either extract the leader or prevent him from escaping.

Virtual Army Experience

Located just outside the Virtual Recruiting Station is the Virtual Army Experience. Walk through the virtual VAE to get a feel for what this attraction is all about and check out the VAE website for detailed scheduling information so you can visit the VAE when it’s in a town near you!

Voice Activation Control

VAC enables players to use the America’s Army voice recognitions system to issue commands and initiate actions. Now players have the ability to speak the radio command they issue rather than having to cycle through menus. You can also map any key to a voice command to customize your AA experience.

Field Dressing

All medic qualified players will now have the ability to treat themselves when injured in combat. They will be equipped with a single field dressing which they can use to treat their injuries until a medic arrives to render aid.

Scoreboard

We’ve redesigned and improved the in-game scoreboard functionality.

‘Explore Map’ MODE

Users can launch any map easily in offline mode to explore the mission. You no longer have to remember the command line console syntax to launch your favorite missions in single player mode.

HMMWV Improvements

The CROWS and HMMWV have been fine tuned to perform better. The weapons on the HMMWV have been tweaked to be more accurate and fun.

Enhanced Civilian AI

The civilian AI NPCs have been much improved and enemy AI has been enhanced to make them more challenging and “smarter”.

Logitech G15 Keyboard Support

We’ve added native Logitech G15 gaming keyboard support. If you are using a G15, the LCD will load once the game is launched. (Logitech G15 hardware required.)

TrackIR Headset Support

Support for the TrackIR Virtual Reality Headset has been improved. Players with this hardware can now use the system in the HMMWV for enhanced gameplay. (TrackIR hardware required.)

MBS improvements

The in-game Master Browser has been improved and enhanced. One noticeable change is how Maps are filtered. User-created maps from Mission Depot (http://www.aamissiondepot.com/) are now filtered separately making it easier to navigate through available missions.

System Requirements (have not changed)

The current Minimum System Requirements for AA:SF (Overmatch) are as follows:

3-D graphics card with 128 MB memory and support for hardware transformation and lighting

2.4 GHz processor or equivalent

English version of Windows(r) 2000/XP Operating System with latest updates

512 MB RAM

3.5GB of uncompressed hard disk space for game files

4X DVD-ROM (not required for downloaded installations)

Windows 2000/XP compatible system (including compatible 32-bit drivers for CD-ROM drive, video card, sound card, mouse and keyboard)

DirectX(r)9.0

100% Compatible DirectX 9.0 soundcard

56kbps Modem or other network connection

Nvidia® nForce™ or other motherboard/soundcards containing Dolby Digital® Content Encoder required for Dolby Digital® audio.

The current Recommended System Requirements for AA:SF (Overmatch) are as follows:

3-D graphics card with 256 MB memory and support for hardware transformation and lighting

3.0 GHz processor or equivalent

English version of Windows(r) 2000/XP Operating System with all updates

1 GB RAM

3.5GB of uncompressed hard disk space for game files

4X DVD-ROM (not required for downloaded installation)

Windows 2000/XP compatible system (including compatible 32-bit drivers for CD-ROM drive, video card, sound card, mouse and keyboard)

DirectX(r) 9.0

100% Compatible DirectX 9.0 soundcard

Broadband Network Connection

NVIDIA(r) nForce(tm) or other motherboards/soundcards containing the Dolby(r) Digital Interactive Content Encoder required for Dolby Digital audio

Technical Notes

Important Note for Server Hosts/Admins

The cooperative missions will take significantly more CPU resources to run during normal gameplay due to the additional AI processing load (shared between the server & client). Server hosts planning to run Co-Op servers should plan accordingly. In addition, players running a Co-Op server and client on the same machine will experience heavy CPU demand.

It is recommended that server rotations switch only from Co-Op level to Co-Op level, or MP to MP level for best performance.

Game Ports

The internet ports currently required to be open for America’s Army v2.8.2 are listed below:

UDP – 1716, 1717, 1718, 8777, 27900
TCP – 14200, 20025-45, 20046, 20047, 20048, 28910

UDP ports explained:

1716 for the Game,
1717 for the GameQuery,
1718 for the Master Server Query,
8777 for the Standard UT Query, and 27900 for GameSpy.

TCP ports explained:

28910 for GameSpy
20025-45 for MBS Game Server,
20046 for the Auth server,
20047 for MBS, 20048 for DCDS, and 14200 for LAN.

What’s Fixed

NOTE: This list only includes bugs present in v2.8.1 that have been fixed.
Bugs fixed related to new v2.8.2 features and certain security/exploit fixes have been removed from this list.

Map Specific

Border: Player is able to jump on top of a fence that is intended to be inaccessible.

Bridge: Players can shoot through the low wall on top portion of the center arch

Dusk: There is a missing texture on the back of the security signs that are on the fence near the embassy.

FLS: Blocking volumes on southern cross members in Southern Bunker are too low

GH River Village: Map marked as “SF Exclusive” Tour in AA Browser

GH River Village: There is a wall that a player can clip into when walking into it backwards.

GH SF Floodgate: Fences are blocking the effect of grenades

GH SF Floodgate: Players can get stuck behind some crates.

GH SF Floodgate: There is a place in the level that allows the player to walk in midair.

GH SF Floodgate: There is a slope next to a ladder in the level that can cause the player to get stuck.

GH SF Floodgate: There is an invisible Catwalk right above the turbines inside the level.

GH SF Floodgate: A player can access an unintended area which allows the player to leave the playable map area.

GH SF Old Town: A fire emitter in the level does not damage the player.

GH SF Old Town: A small wall lamp is not attached to the wall from which is hangs.

GH SF Old Town — A mysterious volume exists at Middle Hotel North Street that allows players to stand on top of it.

GH SF Refinery: If the player controlling the VIP disconnects from the server and does not move from his spawn before disconnecting the VIP is not properly recognized causing gameplay to continue.

Insurgent Camp: A player can get stuck in 2 different places while lying prone on the top roof of the fort

Interdiction: Players can secure the objective through a wall

Mountain Ambush: A player can get stuck on a hill near one the bridges.

Mountain Pass/Mountain Pass SE : In both missions the mission summary contains a typographical error.

MOUT McKenna: There are various tire stacks throughout the level that can cause a player to get stuck.

MOUT McKenna: The mission summary contains typographical error.

Radio Tower: When entering the level in single player the parachute does not function causing the user to fall to their death.

SF Arctic: The mission summary on the deployment page contains a typographical error.

SF Blizzard: M4 does not have winter camouflage.

SF Blizzard: Player is able to get stuck in office

SF Courtyard: The mission summary contains typographical errors.

SF CSAR: The in game mission screen contains typographical errors.

SF Dockside: There is an area in the level which a player is able to reach which is intended to be inaccessible.

SF Hospital: Player is able to access upper roof level which should be out of bounds

SF Hospital: Player is able to look through the ceiling and view the 2nd floor.

Shoothouse: The warning audio for shooting an invalid target does not play.

Steamroller: Player can get stuck inside a cardboard box

Tunnel: A player can get stuck on a mysterious volume in both the assault and defense hallways.

Urban Assault: Player can get to an area that should be inaccessible

VRS: When approaching the doors to exit the recruiting station they do not open in a synchronized fashion.

Weapons Cache: A player is able to walk on a fence that is intended to be inaccessible.

Misc

HMMWV: The CROWS gunner’s camera view shakes continually when another player is driving the vehicle.

When shooting certain AI enemy characters the red puff of blood that indicates a bullet hit does not appear.

When using the D3D9Renderer textures appear to have a rainbow affect applied to them because CompressedLightMaps are enabled by default in ArmyOps.ini

UI/HUD

UI: There are links in the help section that have become out of date.

UI: On the team selection screen a tooltip appears asking for a password that should only appear when playing in a tournament mode server.

HUD: When dying in the Humvee via a rocket no death message is given to the player and the ability to see the name of person who you are watching after you have been killed is lost.

UI: The “Non-Carryable” objective icon does not appear on the HUD when the defender of said objective looks at it.

Audio

Audio: When using Squad Leader specific radio commands such as “Great Job Team” after a match/round has ended the volume is too low to be heard well enough by your team.

Audio: The reload sound is not is heard when a player reloads the m82 in supported fire mode.

When scoring exactly 10,000 points in Shoothouse SGT Wolford notifies me that I am a “NO-GO” but according to the scoreboard the score is considered a “GO”.

Crash/Exception

Server Browser: A crash will occur if the MBS Browser returns more then 1000 listings.

Feature Request

Release SF Hospital SE as an official map

Block 3rd party Add-ons via unauthorized DLL Loading – Client and Server

Improvement

Scoreboard should distinguish fire teams in a manner similar to AA 2.3.0 and earlier.

Add Recoil to the CROWS weapon system when it is fired.

Add a round counter to the scoreboard on Co-Op Maps so that the user can distinguish what round is it easier.

Add a progress bar to the level loading screen when the user is using the D3D9Renderer.

Turn the Services tab in the UI into an NML page so that it can be updated dynamically.

Add a notification message when the player spawns as a medic to improve role awareness.

All references to 91W need to be updated to 68W for Health Care Specialist

UI: Fire teams are not denoted on the weapon selection screen like they were in AA 2.3.0 and earlier

Game Browser: Separate user created maps from developer created maps.

Allow all players who are medic trained to apply a personal field dressing to reduce the bleeding rate.

Send PBGUID with GameSpy Messages to allow Third-Party Usages

The letter “I” will be the default key to apply a personal field dressing.

Add Support for TrackIR while inside the HMMWV

Include Insurgent Camp, SF Dockside & Steamroller in the release

Increase the Maximum amount of servers that can be listed in the MBS Browser to 3000.

Move the scoreboard player icon information into the help area

Gameplay: Reduce the player action delay to 200ms related to quick swapping to improve a player’s mobility when coming under enemy fire.

New Feature

Add MAJ Jason Amerine’s Real Hero Video.

Add Support to allow the medic to reduce the bleeding rate by allowing the medic to apply a personal field dressing.

Add a HUD icon to display the player’s personal field dressing inventory

Create and Add the “Rummage” Map

Add Support for the Logitech Z-10 Interactive Speaker System

Add Support for the Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard

Add Voice Command support to allow an end-user to control the built in squad communication system

Add the Virtual Army Experience to the Virtual Recruiting Station level.

Add an “Explore Map” button to the deployment section of each mission that will allow an end-user to explore any map in single player.

Known Editor Issues

White/missing Viewports: When the Editor is launched, the viewports will appear to be missing or all white. To resolve this issue simply go to “View > Viewports > Configure …”, select one of the options and click OK.

Brightness/Gamma: When the Editor is launched the brightness/gamma will be increased. Adjustments to the gamma can be made in “View > Gamma Options”.

Unable to select any map objects (static meshes, brushes, etc) using right or left mouse click: This issue is specific to systems with ATI graphics cards and occurs due to Anti-Aliasing and/or Anisotropic Filtering being enabled.
Disabling these settings has been shown to resolve the problem.

Dual Monitor Setup: Unable to move the Editor from one monitor to the other: This issue is specific to systems with ATI graphics cards. To resolve this issue, click the View menu and uncheck the “Automatically reposition windows”.