Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead
Standalone expansion pack for Arma 2, set in Takistan.
Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead is a standalone expansion pack to Bohemia Interactive's tactical shooter Arma 2. Released as a separate title, it includes new multiplayer maps, vehicles, equipment, factions, and a campaign set in the fictional country of Takistan. The game sold 3.5 million copies as of February 2015.
- Developer
- Bohemia Interactive
- Release type
- Standalone expansion pack
- Sales
- 3.5 million copies as of February 2015
- Engine
- Real Virtuality 3 (customized)
- Setting
- Fictional country of Takistan, summer 2012
- Notable mod
- DayZ
Lore & Background
Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead is set in the fictional country of Takistan in the then-future of summer 2012, nearly three years after the Chernarus conflict depicted in Arma 2. The single-player campaign follows U.S. and NATO forces sent to prevent the Takistani government, led by Colonel Muhammad Aziz, from using SCUD missiles against neighboring Karzeghistan. Players can perform optional tasks, allowing for multiple endings. The game features United States Army equipment, including the SCAR-L and SCAR-H rifles, Stryker ICV, and Bradley IFV, and replaces the U.S. Marine Corps with U.S. Army soldiers. New factions include NATO, United Nations peacekeeping forces from Chernarus, and the Takistani Army. NATO forces comprise the United States Army, the Army of the Czech Republic, and the German Kommando Spezialkräfte. FLIR thermal imaging technology is included on vehicles like the AH-64D Apache Longbow and as rifle optics.
Reader's Guide
Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead is significant as a standalone expansion that refined the Arma 2 experience, addressing many bugs of the original while retaining its realistic tactical gameplay. Its warm critical reception highlighted its beauty, realism, and action, though reviewers noted a steep learning curve and AI glitches. The game's engine, a customized Real Virtuality 3, allowed integration with original Arma 2 content and was AMD Eyefinity validated. The most notable legacy of Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead is its role in the success of the DayZ mod, released in early 2012, which centered on zombies and a medical system. DayZ boosted Arma 2's sales drastically, reaching 1,600,000 unique players by February 2013, and later became a standalone game. The expansion also received three downloadable content packs: British Armed Forces, Private Military Company, and Army of the Czech Republic, which were bundled as Arma 2: Reinforcements. Its impact on the tactical shooter genre and modding community remains substantial.
Did You Know?
- Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead sold 3.5 million copies as of February 2015.
- The game features FLIR thermal imaging on vehicles and rifle optics, where running vehicles and live humans glow.
- The DayZ mod for Arma 2 and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead reached 1,600,000 unique players by February 2013.
- Three downloadable content packs were released: British Armed Forces, Private Military Company, and Army of the Czech Republic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead?
It is a standalone expansion pack developed by Bohemia Interactive that builds on the Arma 2 tactical shooter. The campaign takes place in the fictional country of Takistan during the summer of 2012, introducing new factions, vehicles, and equipment.
Can I play Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead without owning the base game?
Yes. Unlike a traditional DLC add-on, Operation Arrowhead was released as its own separate title, so the original Arma 2 is not required to purchase or play it.
What is the DayZ connection to Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead?
DayZ began as a community-made modification for Operation Arrowhead that reimagined the military combat gameplay as a zombie-survival experience. Its massive popularity eventually led to it being developed into a fully standalone game.
What engine does Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead run on?
The game uses Bohemia Interactive's proprietary Real Virtuality 3 engine, which has been customized for the title. This engine supports large-scale open-world maps and realistic ballistics.
How commercially successful was Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead?
As of February 2015, the title had sold approximately 3.5 million copies. Its long tail of popularity was significantly boosted by the DayZ mod community keeping players engaged years after launch.
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