Arma 3 - Zeus DLC - Dslyecxi's Arma 3 Guides

This is a contracted video I created for BIS, talking about the Zeus DLC. If you like this stuff, as always, show the love through comments, likes, favorites, subscriptions, etc. Feed the machine. Use AdBlock? Take a look at this: blog.chkilroy.c...
Q: What server am I playing Arma games on, who are these people, and can you join?
A: It's the private server for my community, Shack Tactical. As of 2014 we've been around for eight years, and I wouldn't trade it for anything - we have a fantastic memberbase and it makes for amazing gameplay in Arma and elsewhere. You can read more about us here: www.shacktac.com
Q: What mods does ShackTac use in Arma?
A: I keep a list of them here: dslyecxi.com/sh...
Q: Does ShackTac play mostly coop or mostly PvP/adversarial in Arma?
A: We do a mix of about 70% adversarial and 30% coop - both offer unique experiences and are a blast to play.
Q: How long have you been playing the Arma series?
A: I've been here from the start, with my Operation Flashpoint experience beginning with the demo's release in 2001. I went into the US Marine Corps shortly after (no relation!) and in 2004 I started playing OFP in multiplayer. 2006 saw me found ShackTac, which started in OFP and then transitioned through Arma 1, Arma 2, and finally, Arma 3. I hope to continue this for a long time into the future, as well as share the ride with viewers like you, as corny as that sounds!
Q: What system am I filming all of my Arma and VBS footage on?
A: dslyecxi.com/ab...
If you want to know more about who I am:
dslyecxi.com/ab...
Check me out on Twitter, where I post video announcements and make the occasional smalltalk:
/ dslyecxi
Make sure to read my channel FAQ, it answers various questions and sets some expectations of behavior:
dslyecxi.com/ab...
Q: I have a question about your channel or content that I haven't seen answered elsewhere - what's the best way to ask it?
A: I maintain a blog where I've answered hundreds of different questions relating to ShackTac, Arma, etc - you can find that here:
blog.dslyecxi.com
I also answer questions in my comments routinely, as I enjoy that aspect of things. If I don't answer, please don't take it personally - there's a lot going on and I can't always get to everything. My channel followers do a good job of answering the more common questions, too, and I thank them for that!
I've authored the definitive guide on Arma 3 tactics, techniques, and procedures - check it out! Hard copies are also available.
Online: ttp3.dslyecxi.com/
Hard copies: dslyecxi.com/tt...
I also create, co-author, and distribute Arma 2 and Arma 3 mods for my community, you can find a complete release history of them here:
dslyecxi.com/ca...
Bohemia Interactive, the creators of the Arma series from Operation Flashpoint to Arma 3, can be found here:
www.bistudio.com

[@Chedring]

My use: make the Ai fight each other ARMA just became a cool RTS

[@Drenosa]

I now want to see Dslyecxi show us a round where he plays as Zeus.

[@Soccerrockker6]

I have to hand it to you, Bohemia. This is impressive. Your company is known for it's constant releasing of games with little content, but this is well done and has just everything one needs to make a COOP vs AI scenario more than just setting up a game and letting it go as you seem fit.

[@Westonsammy]

Little content? I think they are known for the opposite...

[@Soccerrockker6]

Westonsammy Their games have always had little base content, but a lot of content from DLCs and mods.

[@Irondrone4]

I've always wanted something like this in the Halo games. Ever since Halo 3, the main Halo games have had the Forge mode; a similar (but much smaller-scale and less in-depth) real-time level editor. However, Forge mode has never been implemented in public, competitive multiplayer, only private matches where keeping players out of the editor mode relies entirely on the honor system. If something like this was put into matchmaking, it could revolutionize Halo's stagnant multiplayer. While it would certainly be smaller-scale and lack AI control due to the limitations of a console, it would make for extremely hectic skirmishes if each team had an editor that could shift the balance of a match at the drop of a hat.

[@buk1237]

Aside from playing the actual game, this would be pretty useful for anyone who wants to make a machinima

[@SnazBrigade]

I laughed when I found out you could directly control units. "ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL."

[@dudejo]

Then you get players whining because they don't even exercise basic situational awareness

[@Akhi11eus]

Dang, looks like Shacktac is about to get a whole lot more interesting (not that it wasn't already amazing).

[@dslyecxi]

+Ross Thomas It's the Arma 3 soundtrack, or parts of it.

[@Logifanogi]

This was a brilliant idea for a DLC, it looks awesome!

[@pickandpicks]

i can see this beign a basis for mods... for example a complete change of game genre from tactical FPS, to pure RTS...

[@_Pestarzt_]

Yesterday, I participated in a Zeus game for the first time. We were about 40 people and it worked REALLY well. Zeus was an awesome idea! We used several Zeuses, it was really helpful ;-)

[@headrockbeats]

*****, do you plan to make any ShackTac mission videos made from the Zeus perspective? Or, for that matter, does ZX or any of the other ShackTac members plan to do so, to you knowledge? I think it would be exceptionally interesting, at least once in a while.

[@cn.st.182]

this is literally genius. the implications are endless - and awesome.

[@Deadly021]

i have played only a small amount of ARMA 2 but i now want ARMA 3 because this looks so fun

[@ElectrifiedBat]

it would be cool if someone made a D&D type minigame with this feature.....I am a nerd, I know :(

[@TheSergeantWaffle]

And noone blames you for being a nerd! :]

[@TimChuma]

Looking forward to seeing some Shacktac videos using this. Especially the ability to take control of AI at key points.

[@PureProProduction]

Some of the best videos I've watched in a while, thanks Dslyecxi ! :)

[@nascar241993]

Thanks to this video, the Zeus function definitely looks and sounds interesting. Being able to add, remove, and/or manipulate objects in real-time has a very interesting effect on the gameplay. Think I might give it a try sometime soon.

[@MyNameIsBucket]

Well, now what am I supposed to do with this erection??

[@TheHunter993]

Shack it off

[@jaydencluff6362]

shouldn't it be called ARES? because.. you know...

[@harixxt]

+Johnny “Johnnynoscope” Noscope lol

[@harixxt]

@@roytheduck926 Sorry what?

[@CorDra2011]

Man I can't wait to see what ShackTac does with Zeus.

[@tyker77]

Awesome video! Can't wait to see what can be done with this!

[@CaptainPecato]

Dslyecxi, great intro to Zeus. The capabilities of this new DLC are great and its potential is astounding. Bohemia... rename it Ares. I think that's more appropriate. :)

[@bigmassivehug7778]

love the way you play mate, its about playing the game. would love to be apart of the shacktac experience one day.

[@KenLee318]

At first I thought I was looking at World in Conflict

[@Fiddlestiiicks]

"I sure hope BLUFOR doesn't discover our secret base in Athira!" Hahahahaha

[@mannofdober873]

"Benevolent God" Here's my epic "survival" mission where you literally have to scavenge everything and you could be teamkilled by a teammate for unintentionally stealing "their" stuff, before being left behind because no respawns at the action because MUH REALISM. And no I'm not spawning you an ATV so you can catch up because MUH IMERSHUN. Also it literally never ends. Oh and I'm also the admin. Have fun! *That's an order*

[@xGoodOldSmurfehx]

i bet Dsly loves the Zeus module hmmm? good times i made a Last Stand type scenario, it was awesome, basically i gave the player team 2 heavy tanks, 1 IFV, 1 AA, 1 littlebird, 2 MG hunters, 1 artillery barrage and tons of ammoboxes scattered around a small fortified base, they had to attempt to survive 11 heavy tanks, 4 attack heli, over 150 EI, 2 speedboats and 16 IFV separated on 3 waves, the final wave (4th) had unlimited amounts of enemies that attempted to kill them before they could get an evac by a friendly boat on the nearby beach :) the player team was only made up of 8 players (real-life friends) :D greatest time i ever had as Zeus, amazingly 5 of them survived too!!

[@callumgoss2268]

Would definitely love to see a Zeus perspective.

[@humblehobbit]

Your videos are informative and articulate! Thanks!

[@namekuji9014]

I think Zeus is fantastic. So fantastic that as soon as I realized I couldn't save my work it hit me just how frustrating the 2d editor is. I was so pissed I quit playing. The ability to see objects as you place them makes all the difference. I'm totally with the DM experience, but they have to extend this to general mission making.

[@MelordJenkins]

That is just amazing I wish I could play with you guys on Arma 2 oa or regular Arma 2.

[@LadieFromHell]

OUT STANDING Video .... Thanks

[@ICBPenguin]

Wow, I'm dying to see what you guys make with this

[@oldyeller1111]

OH MY GOD WHY DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS?!?!?!?!?!?

[@LargeOwngasm]

Will we see any "Zeus" gameplay from your perspective in the future? This looks really entertaining for both someone using it and watching it happen. I hope you will make videos and include this in the future.

[@BF3MASTER321]

This is how (in my opinion) battlefield 4 commander's mode should have been! :-) Just because of zeus i bought arma 3 after enjoying arma 2/OA for over 500 hours! :)

[@shaolindreams]

Potential to be amazing if the Zeus and scenario are top notch :) Going to give it a bash!

[@MrAudacia]

absolutely awesome. now we need someone to mod this for a dayZ. BUT... zombies die from head shots only...

[@TheDanikit]

I would love! to see a video from you when you using zeus and making a misson for your team.

[@vbywrde]

Hi - I've been a Gamesmaster since 1978 and always thought that something like this would come along one day... I'd love to try it out if that's possible. Is there any way I can get hands on and start working with it? If so, where do I start? Thanks!!

[@dslyecxi]

It's just part of Arma 3 now, you can load up preexisting A3 MP scenarios with it, or do the SP tutorial, or implement it in the mission editor if you search their wiki/forums for info about it.

[@vbywrde]

ok thanks, ***** ... it looks fabulous. I'm really curious about how to set myself up as a GM on the system. I'll poke around through the links you posted. Thanks.

[@margigeary416]

+Dslyecxi Which type of server runs these missions

[@RIK3RYT]

I'm late, but official servers are places to experience it as a unit, while an offline session hosted through LAN might be better for learning how to be a game master.

[@Casualgamer105]

yay a zeus video

[@apachegamer280]

hope to see lots of Zeus vids soon :)

[@loosekarrott]

that is so revolutionary.

[@imchris5000]

this could be used to make a really kick ass rts with a little modding

[@EpicMRPancake]

2:27 ASSUMING CONTROL!

[@AbsurdJosh]

amazing commentary man

[@Bubblyhiccups]

now they just need to optimize the engine so im not stuck at 10 frames all the time.

[@seanylewl]

My worry about Zeus is that it might kill one of the best things about Arma - the emergent gameplay aspect. If you have a game master controlling the spawning of mission elements, it might turn everything into a call of duty esque world in which amazing stuff has to be happening every second, with explosions and ambushes everywhere. I guess it will all depend on the game master, but it seems like it would be hard to stop yourself removing all the 'boring' parts of a mission.

[@vegatry9890]

Probably not a big deal...since the majorities of public server is playing 'wasteland', 'altis life', and 'KOH' (aka: "sooooo fun mission"), which public zeus server is pretty damn rare.

[@acceptablecasualty5319]

Is there a way to use ZEUS mode in the Editor? I find placing smaller objects in the Enviroment Extremely difficult, since the Editor uses a map instead of actual 3D Graphics.

[@samuelbullard8978]

The 3D Editor will be released soon

[@Nightcall015]

Cool. Does this mean that we will see some Shack Tactical operations from the Zeus perspective with you in control?

[@gthreesix]

This is awesome!!

[@coldblowcode]

This might have just convinced me to buy Arma 3 :P

[@cjswagger9532]

So, did you get it?

[@DallaAndy18]

Dslyecxi, does Zeus allow you to hear "in-game" voice comms? If so it'd be really cool to see you do a video of you playing as Zeus for a shacktac mission. The thought of you zooming in on a squad and they're losing their shit over a single squad because you placed it behind them.

[@SeseelLybon]

I've noticed that the ArmA 2 and 3 mod "MCC" and Zeus look a lot alike in the idea of a Game Master and players playing his dynamic missions. Is there any chance that this is also true and that MCC was integrated into ArmA 3?

[@dirt0bike00]

sounds cool

[@oxis77gas]

I hope they will add editor tutorial...

[@markoliver8914]

***** I have been watching these ARMA videos for quite some time, and I've finally gotten out of some financial problems and have some spare cash to get ARMA. The only problem is, I don't have a good enough computer to run Arma 3. Are there still enough people playing Arma 2 to make it worth buying, or should I wait and get a better computer first to get Arma 3? Also, I'd really like to do some stuff with you ShackTac guys, because out of all the videos I've seen, you guys seem to be the most cooperative and into it, so are there any more ShackTac operations in Arma 2?

[@originalcanadian5282]

I feel like if I get this, ima be like "capture and hold that base" and once the players do "Enemies are sending reinforcements" x100

[@dustingreene6006]

Nice, Thanks

[@elliotjames12]

Dslyecxi do you ever serve as game master in shacktac sessions? if so would it be worth making a video on? thanks for the upload

[@Pushinkanzu]

Will ShackTac be using Zeus for some of their Arma 3 Campaigns? and if so will it be used for just Co-Op or will there it see some use in adversarial too?

[@fpstina]

awesome!

[@RadeUeMasq]

Hey Dyslexi, does this mean someone can control the AI of the enemy side while your in mission or is it always preprogrammed? Think that could be interesting & challenging?

[@Sin4Profit]

Wonder if they'll do a Zeus Vs Zeus PvP mode.

[@AHSValor]

ohhh Zeus Vs. Zeus AI battles!!

[@PsychoDaD__]

I would like to see one mission made by you using ZEUS - for once this is learining experience from viewers, second might be good guide on how to not abuse this. Just show us HOW :D

[@MistycznyPL]

Dslyecxi give in this game new map ,new guns ,vehicles.Because this gun what we have is small edition.Arma 2 is better right now

[@anthonywilson735]

Can you take an already-made mission scenario and use that with Zeus? So you take the time well before the game to set up all of the bases, camps, a lot of enemy positions, starting assets, etc. and so that it's all there and ready to go for the game, but still have Zeus there to make changes depending on how the session goes?

[@klobbson]

I believe so, yes.

[@Royced5]

Couldn't watch this on Arma 3's youtube page, thanks.

[@TheHumanTarget6]

I had quite good fun with making some missions with AI vs AI simply to see how it'll turn out. I ended up making a D-Day-ish beach assault - Opfor vs Blufor - but I had the problem of the boats with HMGs on weren't available for Blufor and so I had to spend ages micromanaging people in and out of the boat on land. Then I had to move the vehicle onto water and when I copied and pasted it almost all the units on the boat disappeared apart from the driver, gunner and commander.. Then there was the problem of when they got close to the shore they completely forgot about their waypoints and just sat there on the sea whilst they got mowed down... The other problem I found was when I was playing with Zeus with a friend I would click on a mood, position or formation and then click 'Ok' it'd mess up and stick them to something completely random that I didn't want them to be. Does anybody else get that problem or was it simply lag that caused it to mess up...

[@ALegitimateYoutuber]

why is it they can build a 3d editor made to be used well the game is playing in multiplayer. But can't add a normal 3d mode for the editor.

[@therxshow]

Has Shacktac ever played with a mission with a Zeus overlord?

[@Bimon1234567]

Are there any Shack Tactical mission videos where Zeus is used?

[@leonreinhart5176]

When do we see a shacktec training camp run on Zeus?

[@patricioochoa7142]

I love the DLC and the game my only problem is that the game is not available on the mac.

[@harixxt]

+Patricio Ochoa it is now

[@tymonkey12]

what are KZbin videos called where the person plays as the gamemaster? I saw a really cool one where the gamemaster messed with the other players by switching to AI and shooting near them. I don't remember what those types of videos are called

[@salokin2410]

+tymonkey12 check out a youtuber called luetin he does this

[@trevorjacksonhall]

Dslyecxi will you be doing a video where you are zues?

[@davevti9]

i like the idea of mastering/designing the game at the start of an op, but knowing that there is someone in constant control of how the play is unfolding is a little bit of an immersion breaker for me.

[@Bunkerknacker_Retro-Nostalgie]

OneGenericName An another says: No plan survives the first contact intact. :P @davevti9: Consider Zeus the GM (gamemaster) in a p&p that controls the AI, sets the scenario and faces the players with challenges. What seperates good from bad GMs, however, is the way they do it and with what intention. Bad GMs will most likely giggle presenting the group with insurmountable obstacles, while a good one will probably spice it up and make the satisfaction just a tad sweeter through the additional challenge. It is basically a blessing and a curse and therefore demands a thoughtful and mature operator behind ZEUS in order to unfold the proper potential behind it. In my humble opinion, this here truely is one of those "innovations" everyone always cried for; direct interaction between players and environment with events happening as you go through a mission, not a prepared set of triggers made by the mapmaker days or months ago.

[@mcsqueeb187]

You could think of Zeus as being both a friendly and/or enemy general, providing reinforcements to the enemy once they're engaged or additional resources to your team if you come up against an insurmountable force. After all, if you watch Shacktac videos they often change objectives based on how the game is progressing, I think it's interesting to have a higher command aspect to a mission, rather than just being a squad cut off from the world.

[@davevti9]

Peter Lustig i see your point, i guess having an AI GM that is as innovative as a human GM is long way away, its probably the next best thing until such a thing is possible in games...

[@Darman0430]

Too bad nobody plays Zeus anymore. RIP.

[@rockpilez]

leutin09 has a great Zeus community going on Ahoy servers UK. great channel

[@SGTcz90cz]

So. I got to Zeus one of our sessions... And now everyone's hating on me, because they didn't kick ass and take names as on a target range. How is it my fault that they failed to dive away from detection by a boat? Of course they got detected while on the surface! How is it my fault that a semi-stealth mission takes place in very low (more towards zero on the scale) visibility? (Ok, that one MIGHT be my fault) How is it that I "played AIs to kill them", if remote-controlled AIs kept missing entire magazines on point blank range? I felt embarrassed after one of them failed to return fire in this manner... more than 40 rounds later. Of course I killed the guy. Why are they pissed the enemy sent in divers to dig them out of the water ten minutes after detection? What is the real problem here? Am I a crap Zeus, or do they just cry too much?

[@holycrapthisisawsome]

they cry to much, we did a sea insertion mission with me as zeus and in pea soup fog at night and they were crying cause they were getting engaged from the shore... no one is happy with zeus

[@colin8696908]

isn't the zeus system amazing.

[@badcrack3]

hey dslyexci is there by any chance once i get a good computer to run arma 3 that someone in shacktac could run me through the basic controls and teach me cuz id love to be a part of the shacktac group

[@Strike86]

ZX64's new toy.

[@KalebKeough]

Can more than one player play as Zeus (game master)? If so how many, and do they all have the same power?

[@anter176]

Yes, the numbers of zeus you can have is only limited by the engine which in turn is limited by the server.

[@kionarktos26]

Now I must have an ai battle... starcraft style

[@pulver117]

Didn't I see this video a week or two ago?

[@_Sev_]

So they made Dslyecxi mode?

[@thejgamer0855]

Everyone in Arma Zeus now: *Kill the guy lol*

[@tjbarke6086]

Like a dungeon master...

[@Shieldsz]

How and where can i participate as a player into these Zeus missions?

[@Rocknoob49]

just filter for mission: ZGM or zeus in the server browser

[@theelement9767]

is this mean Zeus vs Zeus , players control ???

[@leverloos]

I swear I saw this video about a week ago. How come it says it was uploaded 23 hours ago?

[@AZWZOfficial]

You most likely saw the video on Bohemia's KZbin channel.They posted the video first, last week. :)

[@leverloos]

ImAlwayz Wrightz Thanks. that must be what it was.

[@TheBambiBeats]

Can you save scenarios?

[@jospie1]

In which difficulty level are thoose ai please ?

[@Rebumai]

You can set what difficulty the AI are before you start the game up

[@TheBambiBeats]

how do you switch to left hand?

[@dslyecxi]

Stance adjust and hit the move left key.

[@TheBambiBeats]

My god....thx, you answered O:

[@oxis77gas]

So Zeus is 3D Editor or RTS mode?

[@Gunfinz]

Both

[@anter176]

More like the GM in DnD

[@Spencc1996]

We're is that building at 00:52 located?

[@HawksHail]

It's the ghost hotel* in the top right of Altis on the northern side of the peninsula.

[@polikerski]

HawksHail ghost hotel, not casino

[@eXplain69]

what I need to do to play Zeus?

[@dslyecxi]

Join an MP server running it, host an MP server and pick the Zeus scenarios, try the SP Zeus tutorial, or set it up in an editor scenario yourself. Those are the basic options.

[@menacetosociety00]

+Dslyecxi and when u run it in the editor do u have to download it or u got to editor and find zeus

[@Diavidi]

"Suus" xD

[@ownageplz]

I do admit I am really really disappointed with the bare-bones content of ARMA3. Waste of money compared to even the vanilla content of ARMA2:OA :(