ArmA: Armed Assault: Startup Parameters

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

Example

"C:\...\some path\ArmedAssault.exe" -nosplash -mod=@winter

Available parameters

Display Options

-x=            Numeric, used to set resolution width
-y=            Numeric, used to set resolution height
-window        Displays ArmA windowed instead of full screen
               (can be used in conjunction with -x/-y: -window -x=800 -y=600)
-nosplash      Disables intro and splash screens
-benchmark     Intended for automated benchmarking, but was never
               finished and is not working.

Misc.

-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.

Modifications

-mod=      Allows you to subdivide your addons into different folders,
           folder names separated by semi-colons.
           See modfolders for more information.
-cfg=      Selects a config file like your arma.cfg. Prcessed at startup.
-config=   Selects a config file like your arma.cfg. Processed after startup.

Network Options

-port=         Port to host dedicated server on.
-password=     Password to join dedicated server.
-ranking=      Used to generate a ranking file. -ranking=<filename>
-config=       Config file for server specific stuff like admin password
               and mission selection.
-host          Start a non-dedicated host.
-server        Start a dedicated server (not needed for a special dedicated server exe).
-connect=      Client-side, server to connect to.
-name=         Client-side, User name.
-profiles=     Alternative placement for per-user content.
-netlog        Enables ArmA multiplayer network traffic logging

Closer Description

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 missions and .cfg files.

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

An example might be like this:

"C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA\ArmA.exe" -profiles=C:\ArmA\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:

"C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA\ArmA.exe" -ranking=C:\ArmA\ranking.log

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.