/Arma3-SSPSL

Straightforward Arma 3 Dedicated Server startup script that doesn't get in your way as you're trying to host that Escape mission on Sunday evening.

Primary LanguagePowerShell

Arma 3 Server Simple PowerShell Launcher

Arma 3 Server Simple PowerShell Launcher screenshot

This is a no-nonsense script that just starts your Arma 3 Dedicated server and helps to manage its mod presets.

It comes complete with configuration files so running a dedicated server is as simple as downloading the tool, adjusting few values in two files and double-clicking the start.cmd.

Installation

  1. Download this repository as a ZIP archive.
  2. Open the archive and unpack the Arma3SSPSL folder to a location of your choice.
  3. Open PowerShell console and execute Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Scope CurrentUser command to allow script execution.

Сonfiguration

The basic configuration requires updating six values in the two following configuration files:

\parameters.json

  1. Arma3RootPath should point to the directory in which Arma 3 is installed. Backslashes in the path must be doubled (e.g. C:\\Games\\Arma)
  2. ServerExeName should contain the name of the server executable (e.g. arma3server_x64.exe)
  3. Port should contain the port number which will be used by the server (default 2302 value will work most of the time)

🎣 Discord Webhook (optional)

Webhook section contains Discord webhook Id and Token configuration. If Enabled is set to true, the launcher will post server's address, port and list of mods to the Discord channel to which webhook is attached.

\config\server.cfg

  1. hostname - name of the server visible in the game browser
  2. passwordAdmin - password to protect admin access (protip: type #login <passwordAdmin> in game chat to login as admin and then #missions to open the mission selection screen)
  3. password - password required to connect to server

See biki server.cfg article for details.

Mod Presets

Presets are simple text files placed into \presets\ folder. Presets contain names of the mods from Arma 3's !Workshop folder, without the @ sign. Only one mod per line is allowed, empty lines are ignored.

  • Use $ at the beginning of a line to indicate that a mod is server-side.
  • Use * at the beginning of a line to indicate that a mod is optional.
  • Use # for comments or disabling mods.

Creator DLCs

To enable a CDLC simply add its directory name to your preset file, just as you would add a regular mod. The CDLC must be installed for it to be enabled. Following CDLCs are supported:

  1. gm - Global Mobilization
  2. vn - S.O.G. Paire Fire
  3. ws - Western Sahara
  4. cslr - CLSA Iron Curtain

See \presets\CUP.txt for an example of a preset.

Launching the server

Simply run the start.cmd file and follow prompts.

⚠ Note on Windows security

Upon running the start.cmd for the first time, a "Windows protected your PC" dialog may appear. If it does, click More info and then Run anyway button.

You may also get a "Security warning" message in the console output. If you do, close the console window, navigate to \scripts\ folder and open Properties window from the context menu of launch.ps1 and functions.ps1 files. In Properties windows of both files, on the General tab under Security category check the Unblock check box and click "Ok".

Run the start.cmd again.

Alternatively, if you want to make use of -PresetName and -NoKeyCopying parameters, run \scripts\launch.ps1 file manually. Note that -PresetName parameter requires file name with an extension.

Server Difficulty Configuration

Server difficulty settings can be configured by editing the \profiles\Users\serverProfile\serverProfile.Arma3Profile file. See biki server.armaprofile article description for details.

View Distance and Object View Distance parameters are also configured in this file. The default values are viewDistance=1000; and preferredObjectViewDistance=800; respectively.

Note on Signature Verification (Key Checks)

Addon signature verification is enabled by default. This means everyone connecting to the server will be required to have the exact mods as the preset which server is running, aside from the mods that are indicated as optional in the preset. People running mods that aren't listed in the preset or mods that are listed but outdated will not be allowed to connect.

To disable this, set verifySignatures value to 0 at \config\server.cfg. See biki server.cfg article for details.