Part 2: Philosophy of Realism - UNITAF Force Manual (FM)

FM/G168 - Part 2: Philosophy of Realism

Policy

FM/BP-847 - Principle 4: Realism Where it Matters

Policy

FM/G168 - Part 2: Philosophy of Realism and FM/BP-847 - Principle 4: Realism Where it Matters fundamentally mean that we prioritise adaptation and inspiration, crafting our own effective and enjoyable methods within our adopted platforms, currently Arma 3 and Arma Reforger and soon to be Arma 4, informed by, but not dictated by, real-world examples.

Purpose: This philosophy and the core principles which follow below clarifies UNITAF's approach to realism, emphasising that we selectively adopt and adapt real-world military principles for gameplay enhancement, rather than blindly imitating real-world procedures for the sake of imitation alone. It establishes that "just because" it's real doesn't automatically make it right for UNITAF.

Realism Where It Matters (RWIM) is therefore a mindset of informed adaptation and inspiration, never blind imitation. We draw upon real-world military knowledge as a valuable resource, but we are ultimately guided by the principles of gameplay enhancement, community enjoyment, and practical effectiveness within our operations.

Policy

FM/BP-848 - Principle 5: Inspiration not imitation

Policy

Real-world military doctrine, tactics, and procedures serve as a valuable source of inspiration for UNITAF. We study real-world examples to understand effective military principles and identify concepts that can enhance our gameplay. However, we explicitly reject the notion of simply imitating real-world practices without critical evaluation or adaptation. We never adopt a procedure or doctrine "just because" that's how it's done in real life. This is not sufficient justification for UNITAF.

Policy

FM/BP-849 - Principle 6: Adaptation for gaming

Policy

UNITAF recognises that our chosen games have unique limitations and possibilities. We actively adapt real-world principles to fit the game engine, our player base, and the specific context of virtual operations. This adaptation is crucial. What works in a real military context may not translate directly or effectively to enjoyable gameplay. Our focus is always on what works best for UNITAF within our virtual world.

Policy

FM/BP-850 - Principle 7: Gameplay is the primary metric

Policy

The ultimate metric for adopting or adapting any element of realism is its positive impact on gameplay. Does it make operations more immersive? More effective? More team-oriented? More enjoyable? If realism does not demonstrably improve one or more of these core aspects of the UNITAF experience, then it is not aligned with FM/G168 - Part 2: Philosophy of Realism and should be reconsidered or rejected, regardless of its real-world counterpart.

Policy

FM/BP-851 - Principle 8: The UNITAF Way

Policy

UNITAF is not and never has been afraid to forge its own path. While inspired by the real-world, we are not bound by it. We will develop our own unique doctrines, procedures, and methods that best serve our community and gameplay goals. This means sometimes deviating from real-world practices entirely, or creating hybrid approaches that blend real-world inspiration with our own solutions. We are not trying to be the military; we are building something unique for UNITAF.

Policy

FM/BP-852 - Principle 9: Critical evaluation not automatic adoption

Policy

Any suggestion to incorporate a "realistic" element into UNITAF is subject to critical evaluation. We must ask why we are adopting it, what benefits it brings to our gameplay, and how it will be adapted to our virtual environment. Automatic adoption based solely on real-world precedent is actively discouraged. Every procedure must justify its place within UNITAF on its own merits.