Did you know that Armed Assault allows for custom faces in game? Well, actually, this is an old capability from the OFP days, but many new players are unaware of this small, yet definitive, capability.

This post will help you get set up with your very own custom face!

1) First, have a look at this BIS forum topic that sort of explains it all: BIS FORUMS: Custom Faces

2) If you're not willing or able to make your own, never fear! There are plenty of folks out there who are hard at work, even as I type:

Here's a RAR file with the default faces from the game (free registration required at Armed Assault Zone): BloodOmens ArmA FacePack v1

3) Over at Armed Assault.eu, they've been collecting custom faces in an image gallery...just pick the one you want and save it to your computer (I'll tell you what to do with it in a bit): Armed Assault.eu - Custom Face Gallery

If you decide you've got the photoshopping skillz and want to have a go at it, you can start with this face template that I mugged from the BIS forums:



Here are some basic guidelines for using your custom face in a multiplayer session:

1) Standard square dimensions divisible by 8: i.e. 64x64, 128x128, 256x256, 512x512, etc
2) File size less than 96kb (some say 97kb, some say 100kb...keep it less than 96kb for safe measure)
3) .jpg or proprietary .paa file (.paa file greatly increases file size and is not recommended)
4) Save the file in the My Documents/ArmA Other Profiles/USERNAME directory as face.jpg
5) Select your custom face under your character selection screen. Even though the custom file is saved as face.jpg, in-game you select "CUSTOM" under the face options.

Known Issues:
1) If you can't connect to a MP session with a custom face check the above file dimension and size requirements. The server will tell you that you've been kicked for an invalid face file.

2) If you still can't connect to a MP session (after #1 above was checked), then you may be trying to connect to a server that's imposed a further size restriction on client-side information. You may want to create a backup face.jpg file that is scaled down or re-compressed to meet a 40kb size requirement and try again. I've never had a problem with this, but worth a try anyway.

3) If you connected to an MP session but the skin is missing (your character is completely white), then you haven't met the size requirements above. Never seen this in person, but I'm sure it happens.

4) The skin is there, but it looks washed out or pale. Consensus is that its due to your ATI card. NVIDIA seems to display custom faces properly. Some have tried darkening the skin texture in PhotoShop, but all this does is make your custom face look too dark to all the NVIDIA users out there you're trying to impress. I wouldn't recommend this...besides you can't even see your own custom face on our servers since we don't allow 3rd person view. Another option that seems to work is to save the face file as a .paa file. Apparently, this cures the "pale face" syndrome but greatly increases the file size and requires you to decrease resolution. Just let your buddies enjoy your funny looking mug and get on with it.


O.K...if I've forgotten something, I'm sure one of you wiseguys will let me have it....so until then:


let's see your face!