Arma 2: Startup Parameters

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

Example:

"C:\arma2\arma2.exe" -nosplash -mod=test;x\test;c:\arma2\test2

Available parameters

Display Options

-x=<number>	Used to set resolution width.
-y=<number>	Used to set resolution height.
-nosplash	Disables intro and splash screens.
-window	Displays Arma windowed instead of full screen. It can be used in conjunction with -x/-y:

 -window -x=800 -y=600.

Performance

-maxMem=<number>	Defines memory allocation limit to number (in MB).256 is hard-coded minimum (anything lower falls backs to 256). 2047 is hard-coded maximum (anything higher falls back to 2047). Engine uses automatic values w/o maxMem paramater.
-winxp	Forces the game to use Direct3D version 9 only, not the extended Vista / Win7 Direct3D 9Ex - the most visible feature the Ex version offers is a lot faster alt-tabing. May help with problems using older drivers on multi-GPU systems.
-noCB	Turns off multicore use. It slows down rendering but may resolve visual glitches.
-cpuCount=<number>	Change to a number less or equal than numbers of available cores. This will override auto detection. Details below.

Misc.

-name=<string>	Profile name.
-profiles=<path>	Location of user-profile folder. Details: -profiles.
-world=<string>	Select a world loaded by default. Example: -world=Utes. For faster game loading, no island and no menu animation loaded: -world=empty.
-noPause	Allow the game running even when its window does not have focus.
-buldozer	Starts Buldozer mode.
-noLand	Starts with no world loaded. (Used for Bulldozer)
-noSound	Disables sound output.
/secuexp	Starts securom support for troubleshooting.
-showScriptErrors	Introduced to show errors in scripts on-screen.
-noFilePatching	Ensures that only PBOs are loaded and NO unpacked data. For more info see CMA:DevelopmentSetup.
-init=<command>	Run scripting command once in the main menu. For example to start a certain SP mission of choice automatically. Example: -init=playMission["","M04Saboteur.Sara"]. See also playMission). The Mission has to reside in the "arma2\Missions" folder, NOT the user directory.
"<path>\mission.sqm"	Load a mission directly in the editor. Example: "c:\arma2\users\myUser\missions\myMission.intro\mission.sqm"
"<path>\mission.biedi"	Load a mission directly in the 3D editor. Example: "c:\arma2\users\myUser\missions\nextMission.intro\mission.biedi"

Modifications

-mod=<string>

Loads the specified sub-folders for different mods. Separated by semi-colons. Absolute path and multiple stacked folders are possible . In Linux multiple folders arguments need the following separation syntax:

-mod=mod1\;mod2\;mod3

Client Network Options

-connect=<ip>	Server IP to connect to.
-port=<number>	Server port to connect to.
-password=<string>	Server password to connect to.
-host	Start a non-dedicated multiplayer host.

Server Options

-server	Start a dedicated server. Not needed for the dedicated server exe.
-port=<number>	Port to have dedicated server listen on.
-pid=<filename>	File to write the server's PID (process ID) to. The file is removed automatically when the exe is stopped. Only works for dedicated servers.
-ranking=<filename>	Generates a ranking file.
-netlog	Enables multiplayer network traffic logging.
-cfg=<filename>	Selects the Server Basic Config file. Config file for server specific settings like network performance tuning.
-config=<filename>	Selects the Server Config File. Config file for server specific settings like admin password and mission selection.

Use unknown

-download	Use unknown. (Possibly set auto download of missing Mod pbo's from server.)
-generateShaders	Use unknown. (Possibly for use with Buldozer)
-disableProgramDrawing	Use unknown. (Possibly for use with Buldozer)
-useProgramDrawing	Use unknown. (Possibly for use with Buldozer)
-gamerTag=	Use unknown.
-benchmark	Intended for automated benchmarking, but was never finished and is not working.

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 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:

"C:\arma2\Arma2.exe" -profiles=C:\arma2\Profiles

or

"C:\arma2\Arma2.exe" -profiles=Profiles

would store all your profiles/configs/downloaded content 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:

"C:\arma2\Arma2.exe" -ranking=C:\arma2\ranking.log

nosplash

-nosplash is a startup option that allows you to bypass the splash screens on startup of Arma2.

Note: Real speed-up gained with this is likely to be negligible with Arma2, 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.

cpuCount

-cpuCount= is the way to limit number of CPUs/cores available. The best way to simulate dual core on quad core is to use -cpuCount=2 when you run the game and then change the affinity to 2 cores to make sure additional cores can never be used when some over-scheduling happens. It might be also possible to set the affinity in the OS before you launch the process, that would work as well.