Combat Arms Europe Differences

The grass is always greener on the other side, as they say. I play Combat Arms North America as most people call it, so information in this article may be inaccurate. I've seen posts on both forums and once in a while both whine that their version is so horrible and whatever.

On the August 8, 2008, Nexon announced that a Combat Arms service would be started by Nexon Europe for European and Middle-Eastern players only. On September 25 2008, the Combat Arms Europe Teaser website was activated by Nexon Europe. On October 28 2008, Nexon Europe started the Combat Arms Europe Closed Beta testing. Closed Beta testing finished on November 11 2008, and the open beta testing began on December 16 2008 and lasted until January 15 2009.

Like the American version that launched with a map exclusive, Waverider, CAEU launched with Death Room as an exclusive.

The beta site launched with forums similar to CAKorea's, with only one section to post in. The forums went down for maintenance for about a day to launch the forums they currently have.

Updates to the European version usually come out a week after the US release, with a few exceptions such as Showdown which stayed as an EU exclusive for about a week.

CAEU does not employ paid GMs, instead relying on community volunteers to maintain the forums and game. These volunteers are paid with NX. Note that GM = game master, not Nexon Europe employees.

Both versions think the other's version has better events.

Combat Arms Europe gives out 'chat bans' for spamming in the lobby, instead of suspensions.

They employ an anti-hacking mechanism that can detect the time any hack has been started and what hack was started. They claim it is 100% accurate. Status of this mechanism in the US version is unclear as it is still undergoing testing at the time of writing.

Their website is lacking in features compared to the .net side of town, with no achievements, spy hunt stats, CTF stats and map & mode percentages missing. Their Black Market website still feature separate weapon class (old style) supply cases, as well as the "Weapons Free Passes" for each class showing the lack of updating the website receives. It is never updated, only added to. However, news articles automatically have an unmoderated comments facility.

The specialist weapon "Satellite Scanner" has never been available for direct purchase due to community outrage. Likewise, the Nutshot was also temporarily removed.

Vivox Voice Chat has only just been released, while the US version has had the feature since November 2009.

Beside everyone's IGN is a national flag representing their location. This can be changed via an NX item named "Country Code Change".

"LE" weapons are for 90 days, instead of permanent as defined in CANA.

Super Soldiers and the accompanying Papa server is not available in the European version despite options and player stats showing the feature.

If you know of any more differences, feel free to comment!

Blast from the Past 

-- Live grenades will now drop if the player is killed after pulling the pin (left mouse-click held down). Hello, suicide bombers…

-- GP/EXP match rewards for different game mode have been balanced (reduction for One Man Army game mode, slight increase for Elimination, S&D and CTF).

 ------------Additional Updates, Patch Notes, October 1st 2008