Startup Parameters Config File

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"

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

• Feature is discussed here by Suma _(archive)