Arma III to release with no campaign

Upcoming military shooter Arma III will release later this year without its campaign mode. Developer Bohemia Interactive announced today that instead, three batches of single-player content will be delivered as free downloadable expansions after release.

The first episode, Survive, will be made available about a month after Arma III launches. The following expansions, Adapt and Win, will release "in the months thereafter."

Just because Arma III won't have a campaign option at launch does not mean the game will be hurting for content. At launch, players will have access to the island terrains of Altis (270 km²) and Stratis (20 km²), 12 single-player missions, three faction showcases, nine multiplayer scenarios, 10 firing drill challenges, over 20 vehicles and 30 weapons, and modding support.

"This was not a decision we made lightly," Arma III project lead Joris-Jan van 't Land said in a statement. "As game creators, we love developing and playing through campaigns so, to those awaiting ours, we say: sorry for the delay. After talking a lot about a focus on quality over the last year, it simply did not feel right to compromise now. Rather than pushing back the entire game, we launch this year with an awesome package--a splendid kick off for the Arma 3 experience."

More information about Bohemia Interactive's decision to release Arma III without its campaign is available in a new developer blog post on the company's website.

Arma III is scheduled to launch in the third quarter of 2013. A specific date is expected to be announced soon, Bohemia Interactive said. Gamers can participate in the game's beta today by purchasing the game from Steam and the Bohemia Interactive store for $44.99.