Startup Parameters Config File

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

Note

⚠

NOTE: low level parameters are NOT supported.

.par file does not (and will not) support some low level parameters, namely:

• -cpuCount
• -malloc
• -exthreads
• -maxMem=
• -profiles= (confirmed on Arma 3 version 1.66.139586, options does not work from parameter file)

The reason is those need to be initialized before any file operations are done.

Pre build 86060

Location

Inside game folder

Naming

Depending on game:

• ArmA2.par
• ArmA2OA.par
• TakeOnH.par

Format

class Arg
{
    startupParameter="-startupParameter"
    startupParameter2="-startupParameter2=value1;value2"
};

Example

class Arg
{
    nosplash="-nosplash";
    skipIntro="-skipIntro";
    world="-world=none";
    mod="-mod=Expansion;Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;@cwr2";
};

Post build 86060

Location

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.

Windows

-par won't work being passed by cmd as variable to quotes

correct .cmd|.bat

setsetlocal enableDelayedExpansion enableExtensions

set v=!v! "-profiles=!cd!\acc"
set v=!v! "-par=D:\pa\startupParameters.txt"

start "" "D:\pa\arma3.exe" !v!		&rem need "start" for closing cmd window;
timeout /t 1		&rem need for keeping game window (starting from logo) foreground after cmd window close;

Format

The file should be named "something.txt" using the .TXT extension, and not use the ".PAR" file extension. The ".PAR" file extension is apparently no longer read correctly on a dedicated server. The file can be located either inside or outside of the game folder for organizational purposes. Whitespace is ignored.

-startupParameter
-startupParameter2=value1;value2
MissionFileToOpenInTheEditor

Example

-nosplash
-skipIntro
-world=none
-mod=Expansion;Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;@cwr2
"c:\arma2\Users\USERNAME\missions\MissionName.Desert_E\mission.sqm"

note: (not sure that this quoted line will work (most won't), but patches with spaces without the quotes, and quoted -mod's patches will);

External links

Feature is discussed here by Suma