Startup Parameters Config File

From Bohemia Interactive Community
Revision as of 19:30, 31 July 2022 by 7erra (talk | contribs) (Added example for host and client setup)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

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

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)
  • -debug
The reason is those need to be initialized before any file operations are done.


Usage

-par startup parameter allows to specify the file. Whether using Plain Text Format or .par Format, the file is preprocessed before parsing, allowing C++ style comments and #defines to be used.

Before Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead v1.60.86060, only the .par format was supported.

Windows

-par won't work being passed by cmd as variable to quotes; a specific format must be applied:

setlocal enableDelayedExpansion enableExtensions

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

start "" "D:\arma3\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;


Plain Text Format

  • The file extension must be anything but .par, otherwise the .par Format syntax will be assumed.
  • The file can be located either inside or outside of the game folder for organizational purposes.
  • The file must have one command line option per line.

Location

Location can be defined with -par=parameterFileName startup parameter.

Format

Whitespace is ignored.

-startupParameter
-startupParameter2=value1;value2
MissionFileToOpenInTheEditor

Examples

Simple Example

-nosplash
-skipIntro
-world=none
-mod=Expansion;Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion;@cwr2
"C:\arma2\Users\USERNAME\missions\MissionName.Desert_E\mission.sqm"
(not sure that this quoted line will work (most won't), but patches with spaces without the quotes, and quoted -mod's patches will)

Host and Client

The following example allows you to launch two instances of the game with common startup parameters. One for hosting from Eden and another one as a client to test for locality issues.

base.txt

-mod="!Workshop\@Mod1;!Workshop\@Mod2"
-skipIntro
-noSplash
-filePatching
-noSound
-noLand

host.txt

#include "base.txt"
"C:\Users\USERNAME\Documents\Arma 3\missions\BIKI.VR"

client.txt

#include "base.txt"
-name=ClientTest

.par Format

The .PAR file extension is apparently no longer read correctly on a dedicated server.

Location

At game directory's root.

Naming

Arma 2 Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead Take On Helicopters
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";
};


External links