Tutorial: DayZ Setup and Enabling Steam Overlay

[Huuwap 25]

So, I have a lot of friends who took my advice and purchased Arma 2: CO for DayZ specifically. I didn't expect the influx of "WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO AND WHY DOESN'T STEAM WORK." that came to me. To combat that a bit, I wrote a guide with my friends in mind. It is simple, quick and doesn't over explain why things are done. I'm an IT guy by trade, I guess I'm used to doing that. That said, here is the guide. Also a link to my blog at the bottom where this will be updated on a more regular basis than this post most likely.

Step 1: Install Arma 2: CO and download Six Updater Suite. Run Arma 2 and Arma 2: OA one time each for preliminary setup. Run Six Launcher to install DayZ and update your Arma 2: OA beta installation.

OPTIONAL STEPS (ignore if you only plan on playing DayZ mod)

Step 2: Go to your Arma 2 Operation Arrowhead install folder.

Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead

Step 3: Rename ArmA2OA.exe to ArmA2OA.exe.bak

Step 4: Go to Expansion\beta, copy arma2oa.exe from that folder to Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\arma 2 operation arrowhead

Step 5: Right click Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead in Steam and go to Properties, then click “Set Launch Options”. Enter -beta=Expansion\beta;Expansion\beta\Expansion -nosplash -mod=@dayz in that field and click OK.

NEW AND IMPROVED STEPS 4 & 5: Download and install DayZ Commander. Open the program and click “Settings” in the top right. Check the box next to “Launch using Steam” and “Replace original Arma2OA files with Beta so Steam works” and click done. BAM. Now you have an awesome server browser with filters and friend list functionality, PLUS all the in-game features of the Steam overlay.

You will keep Arma 2 and DayZ up to date with Six Launcher, so when a new update comes out, run Six Launcher to update.

Original steps 4 and 5 not completely removed and only struck-through because they are still valid and working, but DayZ Commander tends to be easier to use than the in-game server browser anyway and I personally enjoy it more.

Original guide here.

Edited July 25, 2012 by Huuwap

[tylerpage.yugioh@gmail.com 0]

Thank you.

[Huuwap 25]

You're welcome and I hope it helps a bunch of folks =).

[Black Dow 21]

Awesome. I love that I can now favorite servers without having to write their names down. Thanks.

Also the ability to sort by day or night!

Edited July 25, 2012 by Black Dow

[Huuwap 25]

Shameless bump - I want to make sure folks having a hard time getting this going are helped.

[Huuwap 25]

Bringing it back to page 1.

[Huuwap 25]

  On 7/26/2012 at 2:09 PM, Huuwap said:

Bringing it back to page 1.

[Huuwap 25]

Another visibility bump.

[simonjames 25]

Just installed this app today to get Steam Overlay working. There's a problem though, on launching the app windows posts the 'program has stopped working' error. People on the DayZ Commander google group are posting the same issue.

[Styles 0]

Application crashes upon launch - I'm on Windows 7 64bit

[Huuwap 25]

Odd, I haven't had any problems. Did you find a solution?