DayZ (mod)

DayZ is a modification for Arma 2 and the standalone expansion Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead. It is currently in the open alpha development phase and is frequently updated with new content. The modification can be downloaded here.

Installation

Requirements

In order to install and run the mod, you must own a copy of Arma 2: Combined Operations, which is a combination of Arma 2 and the Operation Arrowhead standalone expansion. However, it is possible to purchase only Operation Arrowhead and install the mod using a copy of Arma 2 Free and Operation Arrowhead (the process of this is detailed below). More information on installing the mod can be obtained here, the basis for most of this guide.

Using the DayZ Updater Tool

The simplest way to download and install the latest version of the DayZ mod is to use the Worrom Updater tool, a downloadable program which will automatically install all relevant mod files automatically. Before downloading the tool, ensure you have the latest version of Java installed to prevent any issues from arising when using the tool. Then perform the following actions:

1. Download the Worrom DayZ Updater Tool and run the program.
2. When prompted, refer the tool to your Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead folder. By default, this folder will be located at the following:
   Steam:

   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\

   Retail:

   C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\

3. When the tool has finished installing the mod files, you need to force the game to run with the DayZ mod files. To do this, do the following:

• Steam: Go to Steam and right click on Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead. Go to 'Properties', 'Set Launch Options' and copy and paste -mod=@dayz -nosplash into the target line.
• Retail: Locate a shortcut to Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead and right click on it before selecting 'Properties'. Under the 'Shortcut' tab, add the following: -mod=@dayz -nosplash to the target line. Note that changing the target line is only possible when modifying a shortcut, not the game executable itself.

Installer Unable to Detect Game Folder

This issue can be encountered when using the Worrom Updater Tool, and is most likely caused by incorrectly inputting the location of your Operation Arrowhead folder. Check the spelling and location of the file path you have inputted, and ensure you seperate folders using a backwards slash "\" rather than a forwards slash "/". Remove any extra spaces left after the file path, and end the file path with a single backwards slash.

Manual Steam Installation

If the Updater Tool did not work for you, or you are unwilling to download the tool, it is possible to download the DayZ mod files and install them manually. To do so, perform the following instructions:

1. Ensure you have downloaded both ARMA 2 and ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead via Steam.
2. Run both games once before continuing, as this will create several new files necessary for the mod to function.
3. Download the DayZ mod files to a relevant location.
4. Navigate to your Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead directory, located at the following:
   

   C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\

5. Right click and create a folder named "@DayZ" in your Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead folder.
6. Inside the newly-created "@DayZ" folder create a subsequent folder called "Addons".
7. Open a new Windows Explorer window and locate your downloaded DayZ mod files zip folder, before extracting it into the newly created "Addons" folder.
8. Load up Steam before right clicking on Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead. Select 'Properties' and then 'Set Launch Options' before adding -mod=@dayz -nosplash to the target line. Click OK.
9. Load up Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead via Steam and select "Launch ARMA 2: Combined Operations" in the pop-up to play DayZ.

A correct install will result in the line "@dayz" appearing towards the right of the games main menu. DayZ servers can be found using the relevant filter in the multiplayer menu. Note it is also possible to alter the target line to run the game with other parameters, for example, windowed mode. A list of acceptable parameters you can add to the target line is available here.

Using Six-Updater for Non-Steam Versions

If you do not own the Steam version of the game and cannot or do not wish to use the DayZ Updater Tool, it is possible to use the Six-Updater tool to install the mod:

1. Ensure you have installed/downloaded & installed Arma 2 and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead.
2. Download and install Six-Updater from here.
3. Run the program and navigate to the options menu, ensuring the target path for the Operation Arrowhead main folder is correct. For most non-Steam versions, it will be this by default:

   C:\Program Files\Bohemia Interactive\Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead

4. It should say at the bottom of the tab that you have installed A2 Operation Arrowhead (Combined Operations). If not, check your installation is correct.
5. Navigate to the 'Preset' tab in the topmost menu, before creating a 'New Preset' called it 'DayZ'.
6. Next click the 'Mods' tab at the top and search for '@DayZ'.
7. Right click the DayZ mod in the search results and click 'Add to Preset'.
8. Finally click on the 'Home' tab before selecting 'Install or Update Mods'. This will automatically download and install the latest version of the DayZ mod.
9. To run the game with the mod, launch Six-Updater and select 'Launch the Game' each time.

Manual Non-Steam Install

A manual install of the modification is also possible with a non-steam version of the game:

1. Ensure you have installed/downloaded & installed Arma 2 and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead.
2. Download the DayZ mod files to a relevant location.
3. Create a folder called "@DayZ" in the Arma2 main folder.
4. Navigate to this new folder and create a subsequent folder inside it called "Addons".
5. Locate your downloaded DayZ mod files and extract them to the newly-created "Addons" folder.
6. Locate [or create] a shortcut to Arma2.exe on your desktop or somewhere easily locatable. Right click it and navigate to 'Properties', before adding the following to the end of the target line: -nosplash -mod=@dayz.
7. Using this shortcut from now on will start Arma 2 with the DayZ mod automatically enabled.

A correct install will result in the line "@dayz" appearing towards the right of the games main menu. DayZ servers can be found using the relevant filter in the multiplayer menu. Note it is also possible to alter the target line to run the game with other parameters, for example, windowed mode. A list of acceptable parameters you can add to the target line is available here.

Installation Using a Mixed Retail & Steam Version

Make sure you install the latest patch for the retail version from http://www.arma2.com/supply/game-updates Then follow the STEAM/NON-STEAM INSTALLATION guide.

Installation using Arma 2: Free & Operation Arrowhead

It is possible to use the free version (not the demo) of ARMA2 and combine it with ARMA2: Operation Arrowhead to create ARMA2: Combined Operations Lite and use it to play DayZ.

Steam Install

1. Download both ARMA 2: Free and ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead through Steam.
2. Run the game once before proceeding.
3. Download DayZ Mod files. http://www.armafiles.info/dayz/
4. Make a folder named "@DayZ" in your Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead directory.
5. Inside "@DayZ" folder create another folder named "Addons". It should look like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons
6. Unpack all DayZ Mod files in the "Addons" folder.
7. Create a new shortcut to arma2oa.exe. It should look like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\arma2oa.exe
8. Add behind the target: "-mod=C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 free;Expansion;@DayZ -nosplash"
9. Run the game from this shortcut

If everything is installed correctly you should see "ArmA 2 Free" (or "ArmA 2 Demo"), "ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead" and "@dayz" on the right side of the menu screen.

Retail Install

1. Install ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead
2. Dowload and install ARMA 2: Free from http://www.arma2.com/free
   • Retrieve a CD Key from http://free.arma2.com/activation/
3. Download DayZ Mod files. http://www.armafiles.info/dayz/
4. Make a folder named "@DayZ" in your Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead directory.
5. Inside "@DayZ" folder create another folder named "Addons". It should look like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons
6. Unpack all DayZ Mod files in the "Addons" folder.
7. Create a new shortcut to arma2oa.exe. It should look like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead\arma2oa.exe
8. Add behind the target: "-mod=C:\Program Files (x86)\Bohemia Interactive\ArmA 2 Free;Expansion;@DayZ -nosplash"
9. Run the game from this shortcut

If everything is installed correctly you should see "ArmA 2 Free" (or "ArmA 2 Demo"), "ArmA 2 Operation Arrowhead" and "@dayz" on the right side of the menu screen.

Playing Using the Arma 2 Beta Patch

Beta patch is backwards compatible, so you can still play on non-beta servers.

If you have previous beta patches it's suggested to unistall them before installing a newer version. You can also try deleting beta subdirectory inside ARMA 2 folder manually.

1. Download and install beta patch from http://www.arma2.com/beta-patch.php (Latest patch is in the green field top of page)
2. Go to the Arma2:OA main directory and right-click on shortcut "Launch Arma2 OA Beta Patch". Add "-mod=@dayz" without quotes to the target line.
3. Run "Launch Arma2 OA Beta Patch" and enjoy playing!

Issues & Fixes

I get 'You cannot play/edit this mission, it is dependent on downloadable content that has been deleted.dayz_code, dayz_weapons, dayz_equip etc.'upon joining any DayZ server

You installed the mod or the shortcut incorrectly. Make sure you add "-mod=@dayz" without quotes in the launch options and DayZ mod files are installed in the proper folder. By default: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead\@DayZ\Addons"

I am stuck at "Waiting for server response" or "Waiting for character to create" or "Receiving Data"

Servers are simply being overloaded, wait a litte or try another server. If nothing works try below.

Launch Operation Arrowhead from steam and select the option to re-install BattlEye Anti-Cheat client. If you are using retail download the latest version form http://www.battleye.com/download.html and put it in a folder named "BattlEye" in the "Expansion" folder of your Arma2:OA main directory.

Redownload DayZ mod files and make sure you have the latest version. http://www.armafiles.info/dayz/

If nothing works try reinstalling both Arma2 and OA.

Note: Frequent connections and disconnections on a server compound this problem. Please try to be patient before switching to another server.

I get "You can not play/edit this mission; it is dependent on downloadable content that has been deleted.cherarus" when trying to join any server

Make sure you launch the game as 'Combined Operations' and NOT 'Operation Arrowhead' when launching from STEAM.

Invisible objects, missing textures etc.

Right click ARMA 2 in STEAM - 'Properties' - 'Local Files' - 'Verify integrity of game cache'.

Try changing your ingame video settings.

I get other weird graphic artifacts ingame that block my screen

Known bug, it occurs on the barbed wire fences that players can build and should be fixed in the next patch. You can try changing your ingame video settings as a temporary fix.

I get 'ARMA2 stopped working' error on launch

Right click ARMA 2 in STEAM - 'Properties' - 'Local Files' - 'Verify integrity of game cache'.

Redownload and make sure you are using the latest version of DayZ mod files.

Try launching the game without DayZ mod, see if it works. If it does reinstall DayZ mod files.

Try installing the latest beta patch (see above).

I can't use Direct Chat ingame. Mic is stuttering

Known bug. You can install the latest beta patch for Arma2:OA (see above) or wait for the official fix.

I get "No entry 'bin\config.bin\CfgVehicles\'" or similar pop-up error message when launching the game or playing on a server

Ignore it. It won't affect your game.

I get 'missing CBA_Main' when joining a server

Ignore it. It won't affect your game.

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Source

Modified version of the guide located at http://dayzwiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=How_to_install_DayZ both incase the website should ever go down, and to add additional content not noted in said guide.