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Game Master is Arma Reforger’s live mission-directing mode. One authorized player controls the scenario while it is running: placing units, vehicles, objectives and other available assets, then changing events as the situation develops. Everyone else experiences those decisions as players in an evolving mission.
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You can join through Multiplayer > Find server, or create a session through Multiplayer > Host > Host new server. The server host or declared server administrator always has access to the Game Master interface; on a public server, ordinary players do not automatically receive those controls.
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What Game Master multiplayer is
Game Master is not merely a pre-game scenario editor. Bohemia Interactive describes it as a real-time experience for curating events, placing assets or exploring alone. Its 1.0 release material presents the mode as a way to edit scenarios and manage events as they unfold, guiding players through an active battle.
A normal session has two connected viewpoints:
- The Game Master: directs the mission, chooses what appears, sets up situations and reacts to player actions.
- Players: operate as soldiers or other available units, follow objectives and deal with the conditions the Game Master creates.
The result is closer to a live referee, mission director or tabletop game master than to a fixed campaign mission. The scenario can begin with a plan, but the important decisions happen during play.
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What can change during a session
The available asset set depends on the scenario, terrain, server configuration and installed content. Within those limits, the Game Master can place combatants, vehicles, objectives and other assets, then introduce or adjust events while players are moving through the mission. A successful session therefore does not require a prewritten sequence: the director can respond to where players go, what they accomplish and how much resistance the group can handle.
What Game Master is not
It is not a guarantee that every connected player can open the director interface, and it is not the same objective structure as Conflict or Combat Ops. Access and available content are controlled by the server and scenario, not simply by joining the game.
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To use Game Master multiplayer, you need Arma Reforger, a network connection and access to a server running a Game Master scenario. The exact terrain and content you can select are limited to what that server offers.
- A supported installation: the game must be installed on the platform you are using.
- Network access: joining a public session requires the server browser to discover and reach the server; hosting also exposes a session to other players.
- A role with permission: directing requires the host or the server’s authorized administrator role.
- Matching content: a server may use configured scenarios or mods. Console storage and performance limits can differ from PC.
Bohemia Interactive’s support information also notes that public matches are used by milsim communities. Visibility is not identical for every player: filters, platform restrictions, ping limits, region and crossplay settings can all change which servers appear.
How to join a Game Master multiplayer session
The official Game Master tutorial presents Find server as the route into a network session. Use this process when someone else is hosting:
- Open Multiplayer from the main menu.
- Open the server browser through Find server.
- Review the listed server’s scenario, terrain, player information and any displayed requirements.
- Choose a server running Game Master and connect.
- When the session presents a terrain and scenario choice, select the option offered by that server.
- Join as a regular player unless the host or administrator has assigned you Game Master access.
If the server does not appear, check the browser filters before assuming it is offline. Region, ping limits, platform restrictions and crossplay settings can hide a session even when it is running.
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Joining as a player
As a player, you carry out the mission under the conditions created by the Game Master. You may receive objectives, encounter newly placed units or vehicles and see the situation change without loading a separate mission file. The director’s choices are part of the live session, so communication about objectives and rules matters more than memorizing a fixed walkthrough.
Joining as the Game Master
Joining the server does not by itself make you the director. The server host or declared administrator has guaranteed access according to the official Game Master reference. A community server can grant additional permissions, but that arrangement is server-specific. Ask the administrator how roles are assigned before the mission starts.
How to host Game Master multiplayer
Player-hosted listen server
For a quick private game, use the in-game player-hosting flow documented by Bohemia Interactive:
- Open Multiplayer.
- Select Host.
- Choose Host new server.
- Select the Game Master scenario and a terrain available in the hosting menu.
- Set the session options and make the server visible to the people you want to invite.
- Start the session. You enter the game as a player while also acting as the host with Game Master access.
A listen server runs from the host’s game session. The host is therefore both a participant and the machine providing the session. Bohemia’s hosting documentation identifies this player-hosting option as available on PC.
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Dedicated server
A dedicated server is a separate server process: no game instance is launched for the administrator, and the process handles game information and network synchronization. This model suits a community that wants a service to remain available without requiring the administrator to play in the same session.
Bohemia Interactive confirms that hosting can be local or arranged through third-party providers. The practical setup, access controls and maintenance steps depend on the server software and provider configuration, so do not assume that a dedicated server exposes the same in-game menus as a listen server.
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What the Game Master does during play
Open the asset tools
The official tutorial uses the Tab key to open the Asset Browser. From there, the Game Master selects assets that are available in the current scenario and places them into the world.
Place units, vehicles and objectives
Placement is the core loop: choose an available asset, position it in the terrain and confirm the placement. The catalog can include units, vehicles, objectives and other scenario elements, but the exact list is controlled by the scenario and server content.
Use the placement and teleport functions carefully
The tutorial documents Space as a way to place or teleport a player unit in the Game Master context. Because teleporting changes a player’s position directly, agree on its use before a competitive or immersion-focused session. A community may permit it for setup and recovery while forbidding it during an active objective.
Direct events instead of following a script
Once players are moving, the director can add pressure, open a new objective or alter the situation in response to what is happening. The mode’s defining feature is this timing: the Game Master manages events as they unfold rather than simply launching a finished mission.
Run a fair session
Good direction is not measured by the number of enemies placed. Establish the session’s rules first, then use the tools to create readable objectives and meaningful choices. Tell players whether the mission is cooperative, competitive or purely experimental; explain whether teleporting or surprise reinforcements are allowed; and avoid changing the rules without warning.
Game Master permissions: who can use it?
The official reference gives the host and declared server administrator a firm permission: that player always has access to the Game Master interface. Everyone else depends on the server’s permission setup and scenario.
| Player status | Game Master access | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Server host | Guaranteed by the official reference | Can direct the session while hosting. |
| Declared server administrator | Guaranteed by the official reference | Can open the interface on the server they administer. |
| Regular public-server player | Not automatic | Needs the server’s permission or role assignment. |
| Private-session guest | Depends on the host’s setup | Ask the host before the mission begins. |
If you join expecting to direct and cannot open the interface, the most likely explanation is authorization rather than a missing keybind. Confirm your role with the host before changing settings.
Listen server or dedicated server?
| Consideration | Listen server | Dedicated server |
|---|---|---|
| How it starts | Multiplayer > Host > Host new server inside the game. | A separate server process is started; no game instance is launched for the administrator. |
| Host participation | The host is included as a player. | The administrator does not need to occupy a player slot. |
| Best fit | Small private sessions and quick experiments. | Communities needing a persistent service and independent administration. |
| Control model | Host controls the session directly from the game client. | Administration is handled through the dedicated-server setup and its configuration. |
| Network considerations | The host’s game machine provides the session to connected players. | A separate machine or hosting service handles synchronization and network traffic. |
Neither model automatically grants every player Game Master permissions. Authorization still follows the host, administrator and scenario rules.
Game Master vs. Conflict vs. Combat Ops
Bohemia Interactive’s Boot Camp materials identify Conflict, Combat Ops and Game Master as the three primary modes. They answer different questions about what players should do.
| Mode | Player role | Objective structure | Who controls the situation? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Master | A director, or a player inside a director-led mission. | Objectives and events are created or adjusted during the session. | An authorized Game Master shapes the scenario in real time. |
| Conflict | Choose a side in a broader opposing-force battle. | Fight for control of Everon or Arland. | The mode supplies the strategic contest rather than a human director scripting each event. |
| Combat Ops | A solo or cooperative operator. | Complete missions against enemy AI. | The mission structure and AI opposition provide the challenge. |
Persistence is not established as one universal rule across these modes. Treat campaign carry-over, server continuity and saved progress as server- or implementation-dependent rather than assuming that Game Master, Conflict or Combat Ops all preserve progress in the same way.
Choose Game Master when
- You want a human to adapt the mission to the group’s decisions.
- You are organizing a role-play or milsim event with live objectives.
- You prefer creating situations over following a fixed mission brief.
Choose Conflict when
- You want the mode’s side-based fight over territory on Everon or Arland.
- You prefer a broader battlefield contest rather than a single director controlling events.
Choose Combat Ops when
- You want a solo mission or cooperative operation against enemy AI.
- You want the game’s mission structure to provide the objectives without a human Game Master.
Server discovery, platforms and crossplay
Server-browser results are affected by more than whether a server is online. Check these settings when a friend cannot see the session:
- Filters: remove restrictive map, mode, region or population filters.
- Ping limits: a low maximum ping can exclude distant servers.
- Platform restrictions: a server may limit which platforms can connect.
- Crossplay: crossplay settings must match between the server and player.
- Region: regional visibility and latency can affect the listing.
Bohemia’s support page states that mods are supported on Xbox and PlayStation 5, while storage and performance limits may differ from PC. If a Game Master server uses modded content, make sure your platform can install the required content and has enough available storage. A server’s mod list and platform policy determine whether you can actually join.
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Troubleshooting common Game Master problems
The server is missing from Find server
- Clear or broaden the browser’s filters.
- Check the region and maximum-ping settings.
- Verify whether the server is restricted by platform or crossplay policy.
- Confirm the server is running the Game Master scenario rather than Conflict or Combat Ops.
- Ask the host for the exact server name and any required mod information.
You joined but cannot open the Game Master interface
Joining is not the same as being authorized. Ask the server host or declared administrator to assign the appropriate role. On a public server, ordinary players may intentionally be limited to player controls.
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Asset availability is controlled by the active scenario, terrain and server content. Confirm that you selected the intended Game Master scenario and that any required mod content is installed and allowed on your platform.
Console players see different content or performance
Support for mods on Xbox and PlayStation 5 does not mean every PC configuration is identical on console. Storage and performance limits can differ, so a server with a large or heavily modified asset set may not present the same practical experience on every platform.
A practical first session
For a small group, start with a private listen server. One person hosts, opens the Game Master tools and explains the rules before placing anything. Begin with a simple objective, such as moving to a location or securing an area, then add units or vehicles as players progress. Use the Asset Browser with Tab, and reserve the documented Space placement or teleport function for agreed setup or recovery situations.
For a community event, use a dedicated server if you need administration separate from the person playing. Publish the scenario, terrain, platform and crossplay requirements in advance. Assign one authorized Game Master, define who can change objectives and tell participants how to report a missing mod or inaccessible server.
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Choose Game Master when the point is a responsive, human-directed scenario. Choose Conflict for the side-based fight over Everon or Arland, and choose Combat Ops for solo or cooperative missions against enemy AI. If you are organizing Game Master multiplayer, decide first whether a quick listen server is enough or whether a dedicated service better matches your group’s need for independent administration and ongoing availability.
Quick Recap
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