ARMA 3 vs. Steel Beasts Pro 3

Started by Toonces, February 28, 2015, 06:34:10 PM

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Toonces

Hello all.

I've actually been Googling this but I'm not finding a really good discussion regarding the merits of these two sims contrasted with one another.

For the record, I own ARMA 3 (and 2, and 1) as well as Steel Beast Pro v. 2.  I'm pretty certain I'm going to pay the $40 for the 3.x upgrade soon either way. 

My question is more with respect to what each sim does better than the other, or worse than the other.  Basically I only have so many hours in the day and I would like to figure out which of these two sims is the one that I should start investing the time to get proficient in.

From what I have been able to see so far, ARMA 3 is more infantry focused than SB.  But A3 does contain plenty of armor, as well as helos and fixed wing.  With the RHS mod it is possible to get 80's era vehicles and weapons. 

SB, on the other hand, models armor with better fidelity.  It is the more accurate of the two simulations.  It lacks the first person ability to get out and crawl around, and you can't fly helos in it.  But the scale of the game seems bigger.  What I mean is that the maps are larger and the scale is maybe one (or even a half) level above that of the individual soldier.

A3 has better graphics.  It is maybe a more visceral experience.

SB has maps based on real-world locations.

I'm sort of torn.  Perhaps I should just get good at both sims.  Anyway, for those with an interest I'd like to get your compare/contrast views of how these two sims stack up against each other.
"If you had a chance, right now, to go back in time and stop Hitler, wouldn't you do it?  I mean, I personally wouldn't stop him because I think he's awesome." - Eric Cartman

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jomni

#1
If you like modern tanks.  SB Pro is really the way to go.
Tanking in ARMA plays pretty much like Battelfield.
For example: Lasing.  In ARMA, the tank auto-lases and finds the range where ever you point your cross-hair.  But it is your job to adjust the ranging of the gun or compensate by elevating the cross-hair through gut feel just like in WW2.  There is no lead calculation, and gun stabilization.  You can press T on a target and it auto tracks (sort of simulates lasing and lead calculation because elevation becomes AUTO).

Of course there are mods that increase the realism.  Edit: I watched it and it's not actually realistic after all.  All it does is model the M1 with a sort of real world interior.  In ARMA2, the ACE mod had more accurate Fire Control Systems.  Haven't seen in the A3 so far.


That said, I play more ARMA than SB because it's just more diverse and lots of sandbox stuff.

Toonces

Well I went ahead and upgraded to 3.011 tonight from 2.6 something so I guess I'll spend some time exploring the differences myself.

I wish I could articulate exactly what it is I'm looking for in this type of game.  I really enjoy ARMA although I'm not very good at it, but it only hits some of my sweet spots.  The same goes for Steel Beasts, though. 

I have some more thoughts on this but I want to spend some time with SB 3 before I comment further.
"If you had a chance, right now, to go back in time and stop Hitler, wouldn't you do it?  I mean, I personally wouldn't stop him because I think he's awesome." - Eric Cartman

"Does a watch list mean you are being watched or is it a come on to Toonces?" - Biggs

undercovergeek

I own arma 3 but not sb.... As an outsider I've always seen arma as a thinking mans call of duty, very sim like but not taking its self too seriously whereas I've always looked at sb as a hardcore tank/ifv sim.... Very much the combat mission of tankery for those that want the genuine experience

Yskonyn

It's pretty simple;

ARMA is the infantry simulator.


SB is the Armor sim.

If only they would be combined!
"Pilots do not get paid for what they do daily, but they get paid for what they are capable of doing.
However, if pilots would need to do daily what they are capable of doing, nobody would dare to fly anymore."

endfire79

Stop you guys, i've used too much gaming money already, this is torture :). SB Pro has been tempting me for months
"I will return before you can say 'antidisestablishmentarianism'."

"A man may fight for many things. His country, his principles, his friends. The glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child. But personally, I'd mud-wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock and a sack of French porn."

Asid

Hi Toonces

I have SB pro as well as ARMA3. I have not had much time with ARMA3 but I have with its predecessors. I have had a year with SB PRO. They are 2 different beasts...One is Steel while the other is flesh... (Sorry I couldn't resist)

SB Pro
SB Pro is ground armour centric. Anything else is secondary. This includes aircraft and infantry. There are helicopters in SB Pro but their control can be described as "primitive" compared to other Sims. The planes are abstracted and there payload just "arrives". The infantry while capable can be difficult and frustrating to control at times. This is due to the current limitations of the engine as well as eSims military customers' requirements. It is not all doom and gloom for infantry in SB Pro however as an "experienced" player can be quite successful employing/deploying the infantry. You can enter buildings as well as embark and disembark vehicles. You do get a basic first person view. However it is NOT an F.P.S. So yes the infantry is limited to a degree in SB pro compared to other Sims. Development is always ongoing for SB Pro and small but welcome advances are being made in the area of infantry.

Armour. This is where SB Pro shines. You have many of the systems available in real life. The ballistics and armour are modelled as accurately as possible by eSim. You have 3 crewed positions in many vehicles. Driver, Gunner and T.C. With the T.C and gunners positions being modelled to quite a high degree. One can easily control a company or a single tank. You could even be part of a crew. A gunner for example with a human T.C. and driver. This works extremely well and is very immersive. The fire control systems are done very well in SB Pro. You have Lase and Lead for example which work as they should.

You cannot MOD SB Pro to the degree you can ARMA3. In fact all you can do is create skins, sounds and missions. You can however easily create missions within minutes. SB Pro can be a "study" Sim if you want it to be.

Map
SB Pro PE is limited to approximately 20x20kmĀ² real world maps. Many maps are readily available. However it can take some time if you want a map which does not exist. The reason is you have to request the map be created. Placing objects on existing maps is also "clunky".

SB Pro is regarded as expensive at $115 for a lifetime (Dongle) license. I have had it for a year and got more than my money's worth out of it. The service from eSim games has until now been excellent.

ARMA3
ARMA3 I have only used a limited number of times. It is excellent for infantry. That is what I use it for. The aircraft are also modelled to a decent degree. The armoured vehicles are very basic. Yes there are mods but they are not anywhere near the fidelity of SB PRO.

To Sum up
I use SB Pro mostly but when I have an infantry itch, usually as part of a squad in multiplayer, I use ARMA3. I own both and would recommend both to anybody. SB Pro can be complex but immensely rewarding. They complement each other. A marriage of the two would be great but highly unlikely. So SB Pro for armour and ARMA3 for infantry.

We have a VU of mostly mature members which includes GH members also: www.DogsofWarVu.com . We play nearly every day. We have our official meetings every Saturday and Sunday @ 21:00GMT and all are invited

Here is a post on GH about SB: http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=10673.0

I hope this helped a little.

regards
War in Pieces

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Asid

Quote from: Toonces on March 01, 2015, 12:50:58 AM
Well I went ahead and upgraded to 3.011 tonight from 2.6 something so I guess I'll spend some time exploring the differences myself.


The current version is V3.025 which is free if you have any V3.xx. You have already purchased the upgrade from 2.xx to 3.xx which you needed. So download V3.025 .

V3.011 does not include many bug fixes. 64bit code or the newer network code.

V3.025 here:
Release date: 1/26/2015
Size: 2400 MB
V3.025 Release note: http://www.esimgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/SBProPE-3.025-Release-Notes.pdf
Complete install: Yes

Let me know if i can help in any way

Regards
War in Pieces

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Asid

Quote from: endfire79 on March 01, 2015, 09:07:37 AM
Stop you guys, i've used too much gaming money already, this is torture :). SB Pro has been tempting me for months

pm sent :)
War in Pieces

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Toonces

Asid-

Great post and I knew I could count on you to articulate what I've been thinking.

I installed the 3.025 version this morning.  After crashing my computer hard last night trying to install it I finally RTFM this morning and it went smooth as butter.

I need to accept that these two games are just different, with ARMA being infantry focused and SB being armor focused.  I keep looking for a single solution to modeling combined arms warfare and maybe it's just not there.

But I agree that they are both excellent programs.  I own both and maybe I need to just enjoy each for what it is.
"If you had a chance, right now, to go back in time and stop Hitler, wouldn't you do it?  I mean, I personally wouldn't stop him because I think he's awesome." - Eric Cartman

"Does a watch list mean you are being watched or is it a come on to Toonces?" - Biggs

Asid

Quote from: Toonces on March 01, 2015, 02:00:56 PM

I need to accept that these two games are just different, with ARMA being infantry focused and SB being armor focused.  I keep looking for a single solution to modeling combined arms warfare and maybe it's just not there.

But I agree that they are both excellent programs.  I own both and maybe I need to just enjoy each for what it is.

Hi Toonces

When we play on line we try to simulate a combined arms approach. Though the infantry are not as controllable (smoothly) in real time as other Sims/strat games. I think SB may suprise you.

Why not try an on line session with us or just myself if you wish?  :)

Regards

"versatile"
War in Pieces

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Emir Agic

Fast forward 5 years and there is SB Pro 4.1. Is it still true that Arma 3 is better for infantry and SB Pro 4.1 for armored combat? If you would like to play SB Pro 4.1 as tactic wargame (for example, like Armored Brigade but with 3D terrain) is it any good?

Skoop

The commander / map view could be played like an RTS in Steel Beasts, but Gunner in an MBT is the most fun part of the sim.  I've seen mods for Arma that turn it into an RTS game too, maybe start there and see if that scratches the itch.  If not, you can get a 1 month license for Steel Beasts to try it out.

Apocalypse 31

Quote from: Emir Agic on January 19, 2020, 05:33:16 PM
Is it still true that Arma 3 is better for infantry and SB Pro 4.1 for armored combat?

This is accurate. I would say that ArmA does a better job integrated combined arms; air, artillery, armor, infantry, even unmanned vehicles can be brought to bear against your pixel enemies. Steel Beasts still very much a turret-simulator. Does a great job, just very limited.


Quote from: Emir Agic on January 19, 2020, 05:33:16 PM
If you would like to play SB Pro 4.1 as tactic wargame (for example, like Armored Brigade but with 3D terrain) is it any good?

Yes, you absolutely can. However, it's just a map - unlike Armored Brigade where you can see the entire battlefield. SB implemented an "Overhead View" in 4.0 but it misses the sweet spot and is really unusable.

jomni

Arma Tanks DLC and base feature upgrades for armoured warfare has come a long way too.
https://arma3.com/dlc/tanks