Which download for America's Army do I need?

The download that is right for you will depend on your internet connection and speed.

For a connection that is lost quite often or if you have problems with the non install file then the "Full Install 2.8.3, Patch 2.8.3 - 2.8.3.1, Patch 2.8.3.1 - 2.8.4 and Patch 2.8.4 - 2.8.5" is the way you want to go.

These are smaller files so if you lose connection you may not need to start all over at beginning again. These files are executables except for the last one (Patch 2.8.4 - 2.8.5) which is a compressed file.

To install these files start with the "Full Install 2.8.3". Once this file has been installed start the game and make sure it will load up and not give you any errors. If all is good then move on to "Patch 2.8.3 - 2.8.3.1" and install it. Again start the game and make sure there are no errors. Also look at top right of screen and verify that it says it is the same version that you just installed so in this case it should say version 2.8.3.1.

If all is good then install the next patch which is "Patch 2.8.3.1 - 2.8.4". Again start the game and make sure there are no errors. Also look at top right of screen and verify that it says it is the same version that you just installed so in this case it should say version 2.8.4.

If all is good we are now ready for the last file called "Patch 2.8.4 - 2.8.5". This is the compressed file so you cannot double click it to install. Instead you must extract all the files from it and put them into your America's Army directory at the location where you installed the first file.. This will overwrite all of the files that are the same name in your directory.

If you did this correctly then you should be able to start the game without any errors and it will show version 2.8.5. If it doesn't or you got errors then you did something wrong. Un-install the game and start again.

Make sure to follow these instructions for a hassle free installation. The draw back to this is that you have to install the game and it writes to your computers registry. This version comes with the standard named maps for the game. The standard map names can give DCDS errors when joining a server due to incorrect version of map. See "Why do I get a DCDS Message when I try to join a server?".

If your installation was successful and the game started without errors and says version 2.8.5 then you are ready to login. Logging in can be tricky so read the FAQ "How do I log in?".

If you have a good connection and it is somewhat fast then you can go with either the "AA285 Non-Install" or the "AA285 Non-Install_uniform" version.

The "AA285 Non-Install" version is already at 2.8.5 and requires no patches. It is a bigger file that when using the patches but is a lot less work for you putting it on your computer. This version comes with the standard named maps for the game. The standard map names can give DCDS errors when joining a server due to incorrect version of map. See "Why do I get a DCDS Message when I try to join a server?".

This file is a compressed file so you do not install it. You simply extract all the files and put them where you want the game located. I would suggest you DO NOT put it on an external hard drive. Once you have extracted the files and put them in your preferred location start the game and make sure it loads without any errors. If the game starts without errors then you are ready to login. Logging in can be tricky so read the FAQ "How do I log in?".

If you join a server that is running the uniformly named maps then you will need to download that map if you haven't already.

The "AA285 Non-Install_uniform" version will be added soon!

How do I log in?

Due to the removal of authorization we no longer need an account to play Americas Army. To login start the game. If you are unsure how to start the game just read the FAQ "How Do I Start the Game?". Make sure you are at the login screen.

The only parts of this page you will use are the Username and Password input boxes, the Remember Login checkbox, the Automatically Log In checkbox, the Lan Play button and the Login button. Anything else on the login page is outdated and should not be followed. The help has a little bit of info that could be useful to you.

Choose a username and a password. Tickmark remember login and then click Login.

It will display "Loading your account".

Wait for the error message "Login Error. Your Internet connection may be down or the authorization server may be undergoing maintenance." You get this error due to the authorization being done away with. Just click "OK".

This writes your login info to your user.ini file. You only have to do this the first time you use the game or if you delete the user.ini file. Now you are ready to play. If you do not know how to join a server just read the "How do I join a server?".

How do I join a server while in Game?

To join a server while you are in the game (from any screen)

Just hit the "tilde" (~) key then type "open" then hit the "spacebar to give a space and then type the "IP" to join a server (that has a standard connection port of 1716) as a "regular player"

To join a server as a "regular player" but with "other than a standard connection port" of "1716" type the "IP" then a "colon" (:) then the "connection port"

To join a server as a "player admin" type the "IP" and then ?PAPassword=yourpasswordhere (use your actual password in place of yourpasswordhere)

I keep getting "Armyops.exe already running"

When you get this message just hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete or Ctrl+Shift+Esc to bring up task manager. Find Armyops.exe, right click on it and choose end process. If more than one instance is running do this to all of thew Armyops.exe processes. Once you have ended the process(es) right click your game icon and select properties. Under the Compatibility tab in the Compatibility Mode section tickmark box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for: and select the correct operating system for your computer (as well as service pack), click Apply and then click OK. You should now be able to start the game. This is a must for Windows 7.

I keep getting CRITICAL ERROR "Can't find 'ini:Engine.Engine.RenderDevice' in configuration file"

When you get this message it means that there is no render device allowed in ArmyOps.ini file. To fix this open ArmyOps.ini and find the section for [Engine.Engine] and remove the semi colon (;) at the beginning of the line for RenderDevice that fits your needs. For example, this is mine.

[Engine.Engine]
RenderDevice=D3DDrv.D3DRenderDevice
;RenderDevice=Engine.NullRenderDevice
;RenderDevice=OpenGLDrv.OpenGLRenderDevice
;RenderDevice=PixoDrv.PixoRenderDevice

How do I use OBAN's Browser?

Please visit Oban's Browser Help Page

To download Oban's Browser, go to Menu/AA2 Install from the menu button above.

How do I create a desktop shortcut to join a server?

Joining a server can be done a few different ways. You will have to decide which way you prefer by trying them so we will list them all for you. They are by desktop shortcut, typing ip into game console while in game and another way is by using Oban's AA Browser.

Let's see how to do it by "desktop shortcut". Go to your directory for "America's Army" and then to the sub-folder called "System".

Find the file called "ArmyOps.exe".

"Right click" on "ArmyOps.exe" and choose "Send to/Desktop (create shortcut)".

You should now have an icon on your desktop called "ArmyOps-shortcut".

Next, you should decide if you want a shortcut for just one server or a shortcut for all the servers. For a single shortcut you can just leave it on your desktop but if you want a shortcut for all the servers then it is easier to keep them all in a folder on your desktop.

If you just want the one shortcut for one server then you can go ahead and rename it to something so that you know what server it goes to (explained at end). If you want a shortcut for all the servers then wait on the renaming of the shortcut in order to save yourself a little work. I will explain both ways. I generally name them similar to server, for example for "75 Ranger Active Duty" I call it "rangers".

For a shortcut to all servers let's create a folder on your desktop to house them all to keep things neat and easy to find. "Right click" on your desktop and choose "New/Folder".

Now you have a folder called "New Folder" with the name highlighted.

Name it something identifiable. I used "AA Server Shortcuts".

Now that we have our folder to house our shortcuts we are ready to start the task of making the shortcuts into something that will work. First "right click" on the "ArmyOps-shortcut" icon on your desktop and choose "Copy".

Next, "right click" on the "AA Server Shortcuts" folder on your desktop and choose "Paste".

You should now have an "ArmyOps-shortcut" icon on your desktop and also one in the "AA Server Shortcuts" folder. Now we want to open the "AA Server Shortcuts" folder and resize it so that we can see the contents of it as well as the "ArmyOps-shortcut" icon on the desktop. "Right click" on the "ArmyOps-shortcut" icon located inside the "AA Server Shortcuts" folder and choose "Rename" and name it to the server of your choice.

Now "right click" on the "ArmyOps -shortcut" icon on your desktop and again choose "Copy" then "Paste" it into the folder. Now "rename" the "ArmyOps-shortcut" icon in the "AA Server Shortcuts" folder to the next server of your choice. Keep doing this until you have a shortcut for each server you want. For your last server shortcut just cut the "ArmyOps-shortcut" icon from your desktop and paste it into the "AA Server Shortcuts" folder.

Once you have all your shortcuts placed in the "AA Server Shortcuts" folder you are ready to put the final touches on each of them. For the shortcuts to work they have to know which IP to connect to so we will enter that data. If the server is one that your are a player admin on then we must also add your player admin password. To do this "right click" on one shortcut at a time and choose "Properties".

In the "Target box" at the end of the target location "put a space" after the "last quotation mark" and then the "IP" number. This is all you need to be able to join a server that has a standard connection port of "1716" as a "regular player".

To join a server that has a connection port "other than 1716" as a "regular player" you just put a "colon (:)" after the "IP" followed by the connection port.

To join a server as a "player admin" you add ?PAPassword=yourpasswordhere but "replace yourpasswordhere" with your actual password.

Do this with all the shortcuts and then just double click one of them to join that server. For a single shortcut to just join one server simply add the "IP" to the shortcut on the desktop and "rename" the shortcut to that server.

How do I use passwords when joining a server?

To join a password protected server as a regular player use xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx?Password=abcd
replace xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx with actual server IP and replace abcd with the password for that server.

To join a server as a player admin use xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx?PAPassword=1234
replace xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx with actual server IP and replace 1234 with your player admin password for that server.
NOTE- the server owner must have you listed as an admin for this to work.

To join a password protected server as a player admin use xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx?Password=abcd?PAPassword=1234
replace xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx with actual server IP and replace abcd with the password for that server and replace 1234 with your player admin password for that server.
NOTE- the server owner must have you listed as an admin for this to work.

Why do I get a DCDS Message when I try to join a server?

The DCDS message is due to either not having the map or having the wrong version of the map currently playing on the server you tried to join. Do not confuse the map version with the game version. They are 2 different things. This is an issue that we are trying to resolve. We have the resolution and we are actively trying to get all of the server owners to move to the uniform named maps instead of using the standard map names. What this means is that there have been a lot of map makers and map modifiers that did not change the map when they made changes to it. This resulted in having several maps with the same name but they have different sizes which means they are a different version. To join a server that has a different map version than the one you currently have in your maps folder you have to go download the correct version and place it in your maps folder. You cannot change the name of a map to be able to have both versions in your folder due to the fact that the server will not recognize the new name you gave one of the maps. This is the issue we all have been dealing with for many, many years. Map downloads can be found at this website. We have all of the versions that are out there with the exception of maybe a handful. Another site that has some of these maps is =PUF= Clan.

How do I download the map I need?

Answer coming soon!!

What are some hacks I can use in game?

I am dead but want to send a message to other players:
If cheats are turned on for the server you are in hit the tilde key (~) and then type mpcheat then type your message then hit enter.

I don't have the items in my inventory:
If you want grenades, flash grenades, incendiary grenades or breachers then cheats must be enabled on the server.
Make sure you have unlimited ammo activated by hitting the tilde key (~) then type mpcheat paramsammo1 then hit enter.
Drop your weapon (gun) by hitting the back arrow key (usually found above the Enter key on keyboard.
Hit the key for the item you want to get (it will show 0 in inventory) for example 4 for the flash grenades and a nade will appear.
Pick up your weapon and have fun.

How do I Create a Lan Server?

This is from Blannick, one of the earliest players of the game.
(Some modifications to this by Dodge such as links and layout )

Before anything, it is essential to know how to set up your FIREWALL and your ROUTER. Many problems to run a LAN server come from a bad setting of firewall and router.

Because of different firewall programs and different routers I wont explain here how to do it. You can refer to the firewall user manual (or help) on your computer/home server and to the site PortForward.com to learn what to do with your router (you must open ports on it). http://portforward.com/english/routers/port_forwarding/

If you have problems with that or if you are experiencing any difficulties to set them, feel free to ask for help on this site.

Now how to set up an America’s Army game server.

Since more than a year, AAO is not supported by developper. Then there are no more official servers. Only LAN servers are running AAO game. ( To learn how to join a server : http://dodges-community.net (use menu and choose faq) )

There are 3 ways to run such a server : 1- Some providers still rent non-honor (or LAN) AA2.8.5 servers (follow their instruction)
2- You can use America’s Army Server Manager (AASM) to install a server on your computer/home server.
3- You can use files included in America’s Army system folder to set your server.

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IMPORTANT NOTICES AND THINGS TO UNDERSTAND BEFORE DOING ANYTHING:

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A) Always make a backup of a file you want to modify before doing anything.

B) After installation of a AAO server on your computer/home server it is important to allow AAO server program (server.exe file) through your firewall AND your router. If you don’t authorize that program on your firewall and don’t open ports on your router then nobody will be able to join your server, not even you. The server.exe file is in AAO system folder.

C) Don’t forget to register your server on web sites (server tracker) like GAMETRACKER (https://www.gametracker.com/) or Dodges Community (http://Dodges-community.net). If not registered on them, nobody will know your server is online.

D) When the server setting is done you must install custom coop maps in the maps folder (see download links on this web site) and modify tours.ini file to run all those maps. (see the topic « Tours.ini GENERATOR for server admin »)

E) Don’t be shy to ask someone who knows how to act as admin on a server if you haven’t been admin on a server.

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AMERICA’S ARMY SERVER MANAGER (AASM)

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Here is a link for a guide that well explaines how to set up a server with AASM : (copy and paste link in your browser if necessary)

http://manual.americasarmy.com/index.php/Getting_Started_with_AA_Server_Manager_%28AASM%29

When running installation do not select “Tournament setup”. Instead of that select “Standard play setup” and follow instruction to setup a LAN server.

AASM is not a server program. This is a tool to set and to start a server. AASM setup files and config files are not the same files used in America’s Army program to configure a server (server.ini). AASM setup and config files are not located in the “system folder” of AA2 program but in “My document” in Windows and in “Server setups folder” in AASM program.

A new topic will be written if necessary to explain how to manually modify some parameters in AASM setting (how to increase round time, to change starting map, to modify InitialWarmupTime, etc). Next section can also help to understand what can be done in AASM setup and config files to change those things.

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AMERICA’S ARMY SERVER FILES

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Files used to set up a server are located in the “system folder” of your America’s Army program.
Those files are Runserver.bat and Server.ini (or ArmyOps.ini).
First of all make a backup (copy) of those 3 files.

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STEP 1 : the file “Runserver.bat”

This file is used to start the server. To open that file right click on it and select modify file. Scroll down until you see at the bottom the following line (or something like):
server.exe GLOBAL 16essborder.aao log=server.log ini=server.ini

Change 2 things in that line: 1- the word “GLOBAL” by LAN and 2- instead of “16essborder.aao” for starting map name write the map name you want to start the server with :
Ex : server.exe LAN Interdiction.aao log=server.log ini=server.ini

When you will start your server it will run the map you selected….on a LAN server!
It is very important to have the exact or same file name. For that refer to maps name in your maps folder.

– Save file.

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STEP 2 : Which file for “ini” file: “Server.ini” or “ArmyOps.ini”

Now you have to choose the “.ini” file of your server : server.ini or ArmyOps.ini.
Both can be used but on my side I prefer content and presentation of ArmyOps.ini.

Select in your Runserver.bat the file you want to use as “ini” file and type its name at the end of the line:

server.exe LAN Interdiction.aao log=server.log ini=server.ini
OR
server.exe LAN Interdiction.aao log=server.log ini=ArmyOps.ini

If necessary, save again Runserver.bat file.

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STEP 3 : File to start the server

Right click on your Runserver.bat file and create a shortcut on your desktop or elsewhere you want to have it.

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STEP 4 : How to set up the server (Main parameters to set in “ini” file)

Right click on your “.ini” file and select open file. You can also double-click on the file.

We need now to modify some parameters in that file. Lines we need to change are the following:

If you want to activate/desactivate a line then delete/put a semicolon ( ; ) in front of the line.

[url] Port=1716………=> Default listening port. Can be changed for other ports like 1916, 2016 …..

[engine.accesscontrol]
AdminPassword=…………………=> Leave blank
GamePassword=…………………=> Leave blank or write a password to make your server private
PlayerAdmin=……………………=> Write SomePlayerName + playeradmin password (example : AAOfan,liketoplay)
…………=> Always put a comma and no space between name and PlayerAdmin password
;PlayerAdmin=……………………=> Keep ; in front of a line with no name

[engine.gameinfo]
MaxSpectators=2………………=> Indicate the number of spectator you authorize on your server
MaxPlayers=16…………………=> Maximun number of players on the server (your choice)
MaxAdmins=2……………………=> Maximum server admin on the server at the same time (your choice)
…………………………………………=> Other admins over that number can’t joint server with admin status
………………………………………=> They will only have player status
TimeLimit=45 ……………………=> Time (minutes) for a round. => 0 = no countdown

[ipdrv.gamespyqr]
bNAT=True
;IP=1.2.3.4…………………=> Delete ; in front of ‘IP=1.2.3.4’.
……………=> Write your web IP (if no router) or your network IP (with router).
……………=>…………Ex: 48.172.37.44…………Ex: 192.168.0.101

[agp_gameplay.agp_gamedeathmatch]
InitialWarmupTime=30……=> Delay (seconds) between every round (don’t use less than 15 or over 45)
RoundsPerMatch=10……………=> Your choice here
[agp_gameplay.agp_gamemultiplayer]
bRequireAuthorization=True……=> Change it for False to run LAN server
bMPCheatsEnabled=False………………=> Change it for True if you want to activate Cheat mode on server

[agp.agp_gameinfo]
bOpenAllWeaponClassSlots=True……………=> To have all slots on the server available for players

[engine.gamereplicationinfo]
ServerName=Another ArmyOps Server……=> Write server name
ShortName=ArmyOps Server……………………=> Write server shortname (or write same name)
AdminName=……………………………………=> Server owner’s name
AdminEmail=……………………………………=> If you want players contact you
MessageOfTheDay=…………………………=> Leave blank
MOTDLine1=Welcome to America’s Army…=> Welcome message on the server
MOTDLine2=
MOTDLine3=
MOTDLine4=
MOTDDisplaySeconds=5 =>………………………=> Set 5 to 15 seconds maximum

[dbauth.dbauth]
GameServerIP=xxx.xxx.xx.xx………=> Must be your internet IP (no router) or your network IP (with router)

[dbauth.authorizeserverrequestadapter]
;ServerAuthUsername=……………=> Set ; in front of
;ServerAuthPassword=……………=> Set ; in front of

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STEP 5 : SAVE YOUR WORK!

You are now ready to run a LAN server with your “Runserver” shortcut. Don’t forget your firewall and your router!!!

If any problems, leave a shout.

Now have fun!

An easier way to create a lan server is to use OBAN's AA Server Browser which is found in our menu under AA2 Install.

How do I Communicate with Players while in Game?

To communicate with players while in game there are a few different ways.

   1) The easiest way to communicate with players is to use Teamspeak. Teamspeak is an external program that allows to communicate while playing saving the trouble of typing your message while you are trying to avoid fire and having to look at screen to make sure you have typed your message correctly. It also helps prevent missing messages that are typed in the console. Teamspeak gives much faster results for communications, for example, say you want to warn other players of a few enemies confronting you, you don't want to have to take the time to type your message into the console because the enemy may have already killed you which means they will not see your message when you hit enter to send the message. It also allows you to talk to who ever is in teamspeak with you to hear you regardless of who is alive or dead. Teamspeak client can be downloaded at the Teamspeak site. Using Teamspeak requires speakers and a mic, preferably a headset with microphone.

   2) If you don't have Teamspeak or speakers and a microphone you can still communicate with players while in game. Hit the tilde (~) key and then t to open the console and start typing your message . Hit enter when done to send the message. This is to talk to "ALL" players. Keep in mind, if you are dead and send a message only the dead players or players that have just joined and have not begun to play will see your messages. It works the other way around too, if you are alive and send a message then none of the players that are dead or have just joined but not yet begun to play will not see your message.

   3) If you don't have Teamspeak or speakers and a microphone you can still communicate with players while in game. Hit the tilde (~) key and then y to open the console and start typing your message . Hit enter when done to send the message. This is to talk to "ONLY Players ON YOUR TEAM". Keep in mind, if you are dead and send a message only the dead players or players that have just joined and have not begun to play will see your messages. It works the other way around too, if you are alive and send a message then none of the players that are dead or have just joined but not yet begun to play will not see your message.

   4) The next way is only if cheats are turned on for the server. If you don't have Teamspeak or speakers and a microphone you can still communicate with players while in game. Hit the tilde (~) key and then type mpcheat and then type your message then hit enter to send it. This is only an alternate way to send a message. It is useful for situations when you are dead and want to let a live player know that you are leaving but will be right back for example.

   5) If you are an administrator on the server you can hit the tilde (~) key and then type admin say then type your message and hit enter when done. This will show your message in the console where all other players message appear and will be be in red. All players can see this message.

   6) If you are an administrator on the server you can hit the tilde (~) key and then type admin message then type your message and hit enter when done. This will show your message in the center of the game window where all other players message appear and will be be in a grey box with white text. All players can see this message.