Arma 2: Startup Parameters

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

Example

"C:\arma2\arma2.exe" -nosplash -mod=test

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

Performance

-maxMem=               Limit memory allocation (in MB). 2047 is hardcoded maximum (anything higher falls back to 2047).
-world=                Select a world loaded by default, e.g. -world=Sara
                       -world=empty (for faster game loading.. no island and no menu animation loaded)
-winxp                 Vista/Win7 to enable multi-GPU support.
-noCB                  Turns off multicore use. It slows down rendering but may resolve visual glitches.
-cpuCount=X            Change X to a number less or equal than numbers of available cores. This will override auto detection.
-noPause               Allow the game running even when its window does not have a focus.

Misc.

-name=         Client-side, User name.
-profiles=   Location of user-profile folder.
-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)
                       (Mission has to reside in the gamedir\Missions folder, NOT the user directory.)
/secuexp               Starts Securom Support (for Troubleshooting)

-world can also be used to load a mission directly in the editor. The following is already using a user defined Userfolder path:
"d:\games\arma 2\users\myUser\missions\myMission.intro\mission.sqm"
-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.
-noLand                Starts Arma2 with no world. (Used for Bulldozer)
-buldozer              Start Arma2 in Buldozer mode.
-noSound               Disables sound output.

Modifications

-mod=        Allows the use of sub-folders for different mods, separated by semi-colons.
             Under Linux multiple folders arguments need the following separation syntax: -mod=mod1\;mod2\;mod3
             Config file for server specific settings like admin password and mission selection.

Client Network Options

-connect=      Server IP to connect to.
-port=         Server port to connect to.
-password=     Server password to connect to.
-host          Start a non-dedicated multiplayer host.

Server Options

-server        Start a dedicated server (not needed for a special dedicated server exe).
-port=         Port to host dedicated server on.
-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.
-ranking=      Used to generate a ranking file. -ranking=<filename>
-netlog        Enables Arma2 multiplayer network traffic logging.
-cfg=        Selects a config file like the Server Basic Config file. Prcessed at startup.
-config=     Selects a config file like the Server Config File. Processed after startup.

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:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\Arma 2\Arma2.exe" -profiles=C:\Arma 2\Profiles

or

"C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\Arma 2\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:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\Arma 2\Arma2.exe" -ranking=C:\Arma 2\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.