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====== ArmA 1 Startup Parameters ======

[[https://www.pmctactical.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=42|ArmA 1 Forum]], [[:arma|ArmA 1 Home]], [[arma:config|ArmA 1 Config]], [[arma:tools|ArmA 1 Tools]], [[arma:file_formats|ArmA 1 File Formats]], [[arma:missions|ArmA 1 Missions]], [[arma:modeling|ArmA 1 3D Modeling]], [[arma:terrain|ArmA 1 Terrain]], [[arma:texturing|ArmA 1 Texturing]], [[arma:scripting|ArmA 1 Scripting]]

**ArmA 1** aka Armed Assault (ArmA)

These parameters can be configured by creating a new shortcut on your desktop or creating a startup batch file and then adding the appropriate option. 

Example:

"C:\...\some_path\ArmedAssault.exe" -nosplash -mod=vietnam


====== Display Options ======

^ Parameter ^ Function ^
| -x= | Numeric, used to set resolution width |
| -y= | Numeric, used to set resolution height |
| -window | Displays ArmA windowed instead of full screen |
| -nosplash | Disables intro and splash screens |
| -benchmark | Intended for automated benchmarking, but was never finished and is not working. |
| /secuexp | Starts Securom Support (for Troubleshooting) |


====== Misc ======

^ Parameter ^ Function ^
| -maxmem= | Limit memory allocation (in MB) |
| -init= | Run scripting command once in the main menu (useful to start a certain (test) mission of choice automatically. Add to command line: -init=playMission["","M04Saboteur.Sara"] (see also playMission) |
| -world= | Select a world loaded by default, e.g. -world=Sara. -world=empty (for faster game loading.. no island and no menu animation loaded (1.05)) |
| -noland | Starts ArmA with no world. (Used for Bulldozer) |
| -buldozer | Start ArmA in Buldozer mode. |
| -generateshaders | Use unknown. (Possibly for use with Buldozer) |
| -download | Use unknown. (Possibly set auto download of missing Mod pbo's from server) |
| -disableProgramDrawing | Use unknown. (Possibly for use with Buldozer) |
| -useProgramDrawing | Use unknown. (Possibly for use with Buldozer) |
| -gamertag= | Use unknown. |
| -dsound | Use DirectX sound. |
| -openal | Use OpenAl sound. |
| -nosound | No sound output. |
| -vm108 | Mimic the 1.08 version virtual address space handling (Uses more virtual space, but can be handy if you know 1.08 was stable for you, and 1.09 for some reason is not) |
| -noPause | Allow the game running even when its window does not have a focus. |


====== Modifications ======

^ Parameter ^ Function ^
| -mod= | Allows you to subdivide your addons into different folders, folder names separated by semi-colons. See [[arma:moddirs|moddirs]] for more information. Under Linux you need to separate multiple folders like this: -mod=mod1\;mod2\;mod3 |
| -cfg= | Selects a config file like your Server Basic Config file. Processed at startup. |
| -config= | Selects a config file like your Server Config File. Processed after startup. Config file for server specific stuff like admin password and mission selection. |
| -profiles= | Alternative placement for per-user content. User/ dir! |
| -BEpath= | Set [[http://www.battleye.com/support.html|Battleeye]] path Default is C:\Documents and Settings\[User Name]\Local Settings\Application Data\ArmA\BattlEye |


One of the most powerful feature is the -mod= parameter, where you place all your addon directories. Another very important feature for us old schoolers is to setup where ArmA places the user made content directory, ie User/ dir. Use -profiles= parameter to set this dir up, for example:
<code>
-profiles=d:\arma
</code>
Would create the user dir into ArmA root, which would be D:\arma\Users\ directory. Now all your config files and missions are placed under this dir.

====== Network Options ======

^ Parameter ^ Function ^
| -port= | Port to host dedicated server on. |
| -password= | Password to join dedicated server. |
| -ranking= | Used to generate a ranking file. -ranking=<filename> |
| -host | Start a non-dedicated host. |
| -server | Start a dedicated server (not needed for a special dedicated server exe). |
| -pid= | File to write the server's PID (process ID) to. The file is removed automatically when the exe is stopped. Only works when started as a dedicated server. |
| -connect= | Client-side, server to connect to. |
| -name= | Client-side, User name. |
| -netlog | Enables ArmA multiplayer network traffic logging. |

====== Closer Descriptions ======

**config**

The option -config allows you to specify a specific server.cfg file.

**profiles**

-profiles is a startup option allowing you to choose an alternate location for the user profile files, such as downloaded missions and .cfg files.

The windows user account would need permissions to write to the folder of choice.

An example might be like this:
<code>
"C:\ArmA\ArmA.exe" -profiles=C:\ArmA
</code>
Or
<code>
"C:\ArmA\ArmA.exe" -profiles=profiles
</code>
Would store all your profiles into your ROOT ArmA folder under the folder name "Profiles"

**ranking**

-ranking is a startup option allowing you to output ranking info or othewise know as player stats.

The windows user account would need permissions to write to the folder of choice.

An example might be like this:
<code>
"C:\ArmA\ArmA.exe" -ranking=C:\ArmA\ranking.log
</code>

**nosplash**

-nosplash is a startup option that allows you to bypass the splash screens on startup of Operation Flashpoint and Armed Assault.

Note: Real speed-up gained with this is likely to be negligible with Armed Assault, as the loading screens are handled in parallel with the game data being loaded, and the loading itself takes quite long thanks to the amount of data needed.


====== ArmA 2 Startup Parameters Config File ======

These settings only apply for ArmA 2 (does not work in Armed Assault).

The config file can be used to put startup parameters in, instead of specifying them at a shortcut / command line.

NOTE: low level parameters are NOT supported. .par file does not (and will not) support some low level parameters, like: -cpuCount, -malloc, -exthreads and -maxMem. The reason is those need to be initialized before any file operations are done.

Pre ArmA 2 build v1.59.**86060**

Location: Inside game directory.

Naming depending on game: ArmA2.par or ArmA2OA.par.

Format:
<code cpp>
class Arg
{
        startupParameter="-startupParameter"
        startupParameter2="-startupParameter2=value1;value2"
};
</code>

Example:
<code cpp>
class Arg
{
        nosplash="-nosplash";
        skipIntro="-skipIntro";
        world="-world=none";
        mod="-mod=Expansion;Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;x\vte";
};
</code>

Post ArmA 2 build v1.59.**86060**

Location can be defined with -par=parameterFileName startup parameter. If file extension is .par the formatting described previously is required. With any other extension (like .txt) a plain text is assumed, with one command line option per line. In both cases the file is preprocessed before parsing, allowing C++ style comments and #define-s to be used.

Format:
<code>
-startupParameter
-startupParameter2=value1;value2
MissionFileToOpenInTheEditor
</code>

Example:
<code>
-nosplash
-skipIntro
-world=none
-mod=Expansion;Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;x\vte
"c:\arma2\Users\USERNAME\missions\MissionName.Desert_E\mission.sqm"
</code>