Swedge’s Beginner’s Guide.
Version 1.3.
Updated: 29 August 2011.

1. WTF is Arma 2?

‘A2′. A realistic military-simulation PC game by Bohemia Interactive. Singleplayer or multiplayer. Also available is an expansion pack called ‘Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead’ (‘A2:OA’), downloadable-content, and community-made addons/modifications (‘mods’). The game engine, called ‘Real Virtuality’, is also used to conduct real-world defence training.

2. What’s so good about it?

• Over 231 km2 of land including expansive urban, desert and mountainous terrain
• Multiple factions with over 300 units, weapons, and vehicles
• Simulated weaponry and bullet ballistics, including material penetration modelling and deflection
• International multiplayer communities, modifications and mission-development

3. Would I like this game?

There’s a reasonable chance you’d like it if you are fairly patient and mature, you value teamwork, and are frustrated by small maps and the lack of realism in military PC games. Find out more by watching some missions on YouTube like these and this one and reading Dslyecxi’s tactics guide.

4. Will my PC run this game?

The Minimum or Recommended requirements are listed here. Buy it and find out.

5. How do I get and setup the game?

Arma comes in a mind-boggling variety of packages with different acronyms, content, and compatibilities. I recommend you choose and install the following.
Not for the faint-hearted but if you are patient and do your homework, it is well-worth it. We’d love to welcome another new player.

1. [Optional] Return your computer to the factory setting, do a clean reinstallation of Windows 7, and optimise your PC.
2. [Optional] Login to Windows with your Admin account instead of your standard account and disable User Access Control.
3. To avoid 100 pages of technical dramas, don’t buy anything Arma from Steam! Buy Arma 2: Combined Operations (A2:CO) via download from Sprocket. That is the Arma 2 original game (A2) combined with the Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead expansion pack (A2:OA). If you have any Sprocket problems, search for a solution in this official forum thread or the AusArma forum.
4. Install Arma 2 (A2). If you have any Installation problems, search for a solution in this official forum thread or the AusArma forum.
5. Install Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead (A2:OA).
6. [Optional]: Buy and install downloadable content Arma 2: British Armed Forces (BAF) and Arma 2: Private Military Company (PMC).
7. If required, install any software updates/patches.
8. [Optional] Configure/Tweak Arma 2 settings and optimise performance. I’m not aware of a detailed current guide to do this so it would require research and one-change-at-a-time experimentation on your part. Check out the official Startup parameters info. Also here and here are some official forum threads to get you started or try the AusArma forum.
9. Download, install, setup ‘mods’ or ‘addons’.
   These are community-made modifications to the game. The popularity and requirements for these can be different in different events, communities and clans.
   The official Arma wiki provides more information on Startup parameters and Modfolders.
   I also recommend using ArmaLauncher.
   The one mod I would recommend to maximise realism is called ‘ACE’ and is installed with these Instructions. If you have any problems, search or post on the ACE official Q&A website or the AusArma forum.
10. [Recommended] Download, install, configure, TeamSpeak. TeamSpeak is a free third-party application often used for communications while playing Arma. After you have installed it, I recommend connecting to the AusArma Teamspeak server:
    ts3.ausarma.org. If you have any problems or questions, search or post on the AusArma troubleshooting forum.

6. Now what?

Smell the napalm! Become a regular at the Australasian Arma forums (‘AusArma’) and on the ts3.ausarma.org AusArma Teamspeak server. Maybe study tactics, Join an Australian clan, make some YouTube videos, write a guide, Create a Mission, or Create an Event.

7. Why aren’t there as many players as Battlefield, Call of Duty, etc?

Games with this level of realism are not everyone’s cup of tea. It’s really a niche community. And as you can see from all the steps required to get and setup the game, there are signficiant barriers to entry. Missions can require preparation, logistics, and lead-times. The other thing to remember is that many players attend clan-promoted events at specific times on private servers. Hence the value in joining a clan or making contact with some. Whatever the story, given the small community it is critical that all players go out of their way to work together, to help newcomers, and to avoid drama. Otherwise there will be no one left to shoot.

8. Using Swedge’s Beginner’s Guide.

Life is short. You are welcome to copy, steal, edit, ambush, hijack, republish, burn, post, and repurpose this guide.