[Communication Idea] Enabling grouping on blufor/opfor

**Halifax** · 06-13-13, 10:47 AM

A few days ago some guy was asking why he couldn't access the group management to join/form a group. I explained that we didn't have that feature for the actual teams, and that it only accessible as independents. He said he had played wasteland before with that feature and it took some time to explain that there were multiple versions of the mission. Life went on until today when I realized that the lack of group function on blufor/opfor teams is a possible an explanation as to why the teams collapse shortly after their ballooning. The communications in game always become a cluster-fuck after the team gets 10+ players and 2-4 different groups at different locations.

You usually have the few self appointed leaders trying to get pertinent information out to the entire team, but they are talked over by the knuckleheads discussing nonsense. More often than not when you yell at them to shut up they become childish and tell you to stop being so serious. It's quite rare when the command BREAK actually works and an important message can be relayed. Then, there are situations were you will have 2 or 3 different groups all talking over each other trying to communicate about activities at their respective locations. In the group situation there is no other way to communicate except to use direct channel which has a limited range. It just causes an enormous amount of problems.

Then you go play on independents where a few people will occasionally chat on side channel. However, for the most part all communications among groups are in the group channel. It's calm, peaceful, serene, and most of all allows for significantly more effective game play. If we could get access to grouping on the main teams it would help out so much.

Additionally, to not flood the forums with more posts. Does anyone here have any experience with the ACRE communication mod?

The thing that drives me utterly insane is that I have to listen to everyone on the team regardless of what channel I am in. The only channels that should be audible across all the channels should be direct (and nearby discussion from enemies), and the command channel. The command channel should only be accessible by group leaders to issue pertinent information to everyone. Every other channel should be inclusive communication only. Group is only accessible by your group members and only audible when they are actually in the group channel. I believe that the ACRE mod offers this.

**Tactical Tortoise** · 06-13-13, 11:57 AM

What we need is a Radio Etiquette training mission...

People need to know when to use side/group and when they should just be using direct, and when they need to just STFU cause what they have to say is not in anyway important.
(bragging or explaining something over that radio isnt outlawed just STOP when something more critical is happening.)

At work I am in an environment with sometimes 150+ officers on a single radio channel. All able to communicated very clearly.
Now.. it is extremely extremely rare that there is ever a "combat situation" . But for only 20 people not to be able to STFU and LISTEN to whats being communicated when someone is taking contact or relaying intell usefull for a teamates survival is what makes me upset.

creating individual groups on blufor/opfor might help with communication some.
however having 3-4 smaller groups on a team... what are the chances those individual groups are going to even bother trying to work together?

I'm not really sure either way.

**Halifax** · 06-13-13, 03:41 PM

The groups already form though. You usually get your base defense crew. Your leechers who sit in base and empty your crates before running off to die to a friendly mine. Then, usually your attackers/objective crew. The only thing I want is the ability to specifically join a group channel in those situations.

But, yes people do have the major problem with just shutting the fuck up. I usually leave a team just because everyone on my team is constantly blabbering. A little peace and serenity while I virtually shoot people in the face is fantastic.

**Ace22** · 06-14-13, 01:08 AM

I like it. Enable Opfor Blufor coms the same way the indie coms are setup.

team chat = entire entire team
group = whoever you've added to your group

Hopefully it would keep the useless side chatter down, and It'd probably encourage more teamwork. I find the best teamwork happens in smaller squads personally.

**Merritt** · 06-15-13, 06:27 PM

People should already be able to join groups in the lobby. I guess they would need to go back to the lobby to change groups. After that they can use the group channel just like indies I believe.

**Ace22** · 06-16-13, 02:03 AM

The problem is that you cannot form a group that's invite only, and not larger than 4? people.

If there's 6 guys they need to split up, and if someone else joins before a team of 4 can all get on the same team you're stuck with randoms.

**Merritt** · 06-16-13, 02:32 AM

I think there is a way to customize the groups. I know you can change the names and you should be able to change the size of the groups.

Sent from out back behind the shed

**SmokenScion** · 06-17-13, 04:27 PM

BMRF.me's Wasteland on Arma2 has this Feature Enabled on Opfor and Bluefor. It helps A ton. Although most groups form through Teamspeak on that server. It helps to Identify who's where during objectives and being able to determine from the Random dots on the horizon when moving in Convoy.

**dRoid** · 06-18-13, 01:55 PM

Personally I like the idea, I alternate between Blufor and Opfor and try to induce some team work, but there are times where its just a flood of useless babble. Me and a few friends have been discussing starting a wasteland team, but I almost feel like we would end up playing independent instead of the main teams just for the group management system.

I've tried using the groups in lobby for Blu and Op, but never seem to get responses from the other squad members, so always end up talking in Side chat. Which isn't really an issue, due to the sole purpose being working as a team, but if base defenders are calling out fire, and the attacking squad is doing the same, there starts to be some confusion on actual direction. Direct chat would work, other then not knowing at times if it is a hostile or friendly chatting.

I also like the idea of using the ACRE mod, though I'm new to ArmA and don't know much about modding it. If someone would be so kind to PM me where to go for such things, or add me on steam that would be fantastic.