---
name: "Event Scripts"
type: topic
aliases: ["Event based scripts", "Init.sqs", "Initintro.sqs", "init.sqf", "init.sqs", "onPlayerRespawn.sqf"]
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Event_Scripts
revid: 377939
updated: 2026-01-11T17:03:24Z
---
# Event Scripts
**Default Scripts Location**
| Game | Path |
|---|---|
| Operation Flashpoint v1.00 | `DTA/scripts.pbo` |
| Armed Assault v1.00 | `Ca.pbo/data/scripts` |
| Arma 2 v1.00 | `Ca.pbo/data/scripts` |
| Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead v1.50 | `Ca.pbo/data/scripts` |
| Arma 3 v1.00 | `functions_f.pbo/scripts` |
| Take On Helicopters v1.00 | `data_h.pbo/data/scripts` |
Event Scripts are [scripts](../topics/Script_File.md) that are executed upon specific events. Not all event scripts are executed directly by the engine.
To use an Event Script, create a file of the given name in the [mission directory](../topics/2D_Editor~3A_External.md).
| init* scripts | (on)Player* scripts | Other Scripts |
|---|---|---|
| - [init.sqf](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#init-sqf)
- [init.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#init-sqs)
- [init3DEN.sqf](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#init3den-sqf)
- [initIntro.sqf](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#initintro-sqf)
- [initIntro.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#initintro-sqs)
- [initJIPcompatible.sqf](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#initjipcompatible-sqf)
- [initPlayerLocal.sqf](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#initplayerlocal-sqf)
- [initPlayerServer.sqf](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#initplayerserver-sqf)
- [initServer.sqf](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#initserver-sqf) | - [onPlayerKilled.sqf](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#onplayerkilled-sqf)
- [onPlayerKilled.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#onplayerkilled-sqs)
- [onPlayerRespawn.sqf](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#onplayerrespawn-sqf)
- [onPlayerRespawn.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#onplayerrespawn-sqs)
- [onPlayerRespawnAsSeagull.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#onplayerrespawnasseagull-sqs)
- [onPlayerRespawnOtherUnit.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#onplayerrespawnotherunit-sqs)
- [onPlayerResurrect.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#onplayerresurrect-sqs)
- [playerKilledScript.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#playerkilledscript-sqs)
- [playerRespawnScript.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#playerrespawnscript-sqs)
- [playerRespawnSeagullScript.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#playerrespawnseagullscript-sqs)
- [playerRespawnOtherUnit.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#playerrespawnotherunit-sqs)
- [playerResurrectScript.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#playerresurrectscript-sqs) | - [exit.sqf](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#exit-sqf)
- [exit.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#exit-sqs)
- [missionFlow.fsm](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#missionflow-fsm)
- [onFlare.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#onflare-sqs)
- [pauseOnLoad.sqf](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#pauseonload-sqf)
- [teamSwitchScript.sqs](../topics/Event_Scripts.md#teamswitchscript-sqs) |
> [!NOTE]
> - See [Initialisation Order](../topics/Initialisation_Order.md) to learn when initialisation scripts are executed.
> - Additional initialisation scripts can be executed using functions with [preInit or postInit](../topics/Functions_Library.md#attributes) attribute.
### Available Scripts
| File | Present in | | | | | | | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| File | Operation Flashpoint v1.00 | Operation Flashpoint: Resistance v1.75 | Armed Assault v1.00 | Arma 2 v1.00 | Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead v1.50 | Arma 3 v1.00 | Take On Helicopters v1.00 | Can [suspend](../commands/canSuspend.md) |
| **exit.sqf**
Executed when mission is finished (before debriefing screen).
In Arma 3, see also ["Ended"](../topics/Mission_Event_Handlers.md#ended) and ["MPEnded"](../topics/Mission_Event_Handlers.md#mpended) [Mission Event Handlers](../topics/Mission_Event_Handlers.md).
`params ["_endType"];`
- endType: [String](../topics/String.md) | | | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| **exit.sqs**
Executed when mission is finished (before debriefing screen).
In Arma 3, see also ["Ended"](../topics/Mission_Event_Handlers.md#ended) and ["MPEnded"](../topics/Mission_Event_Handlers.md#mpended) [Mission Event Handlers](../topics/Mission_Event_Handlers.md).
`params ["_endType"];`
- endType: [String](../topics/String.md) | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| **init.sqf**
Executed when mission is started (before briefing screen). | | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| **init.sqs**
Executed when mission is started (before briefing screen). | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| **init3DEN.sqf**
Executed when loading a scenario in Eden Editor if the file is present. Useful for executing scenario-specific editor functionality. | | | | | | ✓ | | ✗ |
| **initIntro.sqf**
Executed when intro, outro win or outro lose is started.
> [!NOTE]
> **Arma 3:** Functional in Arma 3 only for intro. | | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| **initIntro.sqs**
Executed when intro, outro win or outro lose is started.
> [!NOTE]
> **Arma 3:** Functional in Arma 3 only for intro. | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| **initJIPcompatible.sqf**
Executed locally by Arma 2: Multiplayer Framework when a player joins mission (includes both mission start and JIP). Also executed locally on server at mission start. | | | | ✓ | ✓ | | | |
| **initPlayerLocal.sqf**
Executed locally when player joins mission (includes both mission start and JIP). See [Initialisation Order](../topics/Initialisation_Order.md) for details about when exactly the script is executed.
`params ["_player", "_didJIP"];`
- player: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- didJIP: [Boolean](../topics/Boolean.md) | | | | | | ✓ | | ✓ |
| **initPlayerServer.sqf**
Executed only on server when a player joins mission (includes both mission start and JIP). See [Initialisation Order](../topics/Initialisation_Order.md) for details about when exactly the script is executed.
This script relies on [BIS_fnc_execVM](../functions/BIS_fnc_execVM.md) and [remoteExec](../commands/remoteExec.md). If [CfgRemoteExec](../topics/CfgRemoteExec.md)'s `class Functions` is set to mode = 0 or 1, the script will never be executed.
Therefore, `initPlayerServer.sqf` should be avoided - use [this method](https://www.reddit.com/r/armadev/comments/8fkitd/initplayerserversqf_therefore_initplayerserversqf/dy5k5pf/) instead.
`params ["_playerUnit", "_didJIP"];`
- playerUnit: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- didJIP: [Boolean](../topics/Boolean.md) | | | | | | ✓ | | ✓ |
| **initServer.sqf**
Executed only on server when mission is started. See [Initialisation Order](../topics/Initialisation_Order.md) for details about when exactly the script is executed. | | | | | | ✓ | | ✓ |
| **missionFlow.fsm**
Executed on post-init when mission is started. See [BIS_fnc_missionFlow](../functions/BIS_fnc_missionFlow.md). | | | | | | ✓ | | |
| **onFlare.sqs**
Executed when a flare is lit after being fired from grenade launcher.
`params ["_colorRGB", "_shooter", "_projectile", "_instigator"];`
- colorRGB: [Color (RGBA)](../topics/Color.md)
- shooter: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- Arma 3 v2.10 projectile: [Object](../topics/Object.md) - the flare itself
- Arma 3 v2.18 instigator: [Object](../topics/Object.md) - shot instigator | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| **onPlayerKilled.sqf**
Executed when player is [killed](../topics/Respawn.md#files) in singleplayer or in multiplayer mission.
`params ["_oldUnit", "_killer", "_respawn", "_respawnDelay"];`
- oldUnit: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- killer: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- respawnType: [Number](../topics/Number.md)
- respawnDelay: [Number](../topics/Number.md) | | | | | | ✓ | | ✓ |
| **onPlayerKilled.sqs**
Executed when player is killed in singleplayer or in multiplayer mission with "NONE" [respawn type](../topics/Description.ext.md#respawn).
`params ["_player", "_killer"];`
- player: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- killer: [Object](../topics/Object.md) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | |
| **onPlayerRespawn.sqf**
Executed locally when player [respawns](../topics/Respawn.md#files) in a multiplayer mission.
This event script will also fire at the beginning of a mission if [respawnOnStart](../topics/Description.ext.md#respawnonstart) is 0 or 1, oldUnit will be [objNull](../commands/objNull.md) in this instance.
This script will not fire at mission start if [respawnOnStart](../topics/Description.ext.md#respawnonstart) equals -1.
`params ["_newUnit", "_oldUnit", "_respawn", "_respawnDelay"];`
- newUnit: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- oldUnit: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- respawnType: [Number](../topics/Number.md)
- respawnDelay: [Number](../topics/Number.md) | | | | | | ✓ | | ✓ |
| **onPlayerRespawn.sqs**
Executed when player is killed in multiplayer mission with "INSTANT" or "BASE" [respawn type](../topics/Description.ext.md#respawn). It will not work if *dta\scripts\onPlayerRespawn.sqs* does not exist.
`params ["_player", "_killer", "_respawnDelay"];`
- player: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- killer: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- respawnDelay: [Number](../topics/Number.md) | | ✓ | | | | | | |
| **onPlayerRespawnAsSeagull.sqs**
Executed when player is killed in multiplayer mission with "SEAGULL" [respawn type](../topics/Description.ext.md#respawn), or when the type is "GROUP" or "SIDE", but no remaining respawn slots are left.
This script will replace the default respawn sequence.
> [!NOTE]
> **Arma 3:** `onPlayerRespawnAsSeagull.sqs` was renamed to `playerRespawnSeagullScript.sqs` in Arma 3.
`params ["_player", "_killer", "_seagull"];`
- player: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- killer: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- seagull: [Object](../topics/Object.md) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | |
| **onPlayerRespawnOtherUnit.sqs**
Executed when player is killed in multiplayer mission with "GROUP" or "SIDE" [respawn type](../topics/Description.ext.md#respawn). This script will replace the default respawn sequence.
> [!NOTE]
> **Arma 3:** `onPlayerRespawnOtherUnit.sqs` was renamed to `playerRespawnOtherUnit.sqs` in Arma 3.
`params ["_player", "_killer", "_newUnit"];`
- player: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- killer: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- newUnit: [Object](../topics/Object.md) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | |
| **onPlayerResurrect.sqs**
Executed when player is respawned in multiplayer mission with "INSTANT" or "BASE" [respawn type](../topics/Description.ext.md#respawn). It will not work if `dta\scripts\onPlayerResurrect.sqs` does not exist.
> [!NOTE]
> **Arma 3:** `onPlayerResurrect.sqs` was renamed to `playerResurrectScript.sqs` in Arma 3.
`params ["_player"];`
- player: [Object](../topics/Object.md) | | ✓ | | | | ✗ | | |
| **pauseOnLoad.sqf**
Executed when pause menu is activated.
To make it work in MP or Arma 3, use `onPauseScript = "pauseOnLoad.sqf";` in [Description.ext](../topics/Description.ext.md#onpausescript).
`params ["_pauseMenuDisplay"];`
- pauseMenuDisplay: [Display](../topics/Display.md) | | | | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ |
| **playerKilledScript.sqs**
Executed locally when player is killed in singleplayer or in multiplayer mission with "NONE" [respawn type](../topics/Description.ext.md#respawn).
Overrides default behavior of mission death screen in single player. Game may become unplayable if not scripted correctly. Avoid use if not experienced with this script.
`params ["_player", "_killer"];`
- player: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- killer: [Object](../topics/Object.md) | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | ✓ | Unknown | |
| **playerRespawnScript.sqs**
Executed locally and immediately when player is killed in multiplayer mission with "BASE" or "INSTANT" [respawn type](../topics/Description.ext.md#respawn).
Overrides default behavior of multiplayer respawn. Game may become unplayable if not scripted correctly. Avoid use if not experienced with this script.
`params ["_player", "_killer", "_respawnDelay"];`
- player: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- killer: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- respawnDelay: [Number](../topics/Number.md) | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | ✓ | Unknown | |
| **playerRespawnSeagullScript.sqs**
Executed when player is killed in multiplayer mission with "SEAGULL" [respawn type](../topics/Description.ext.md#respawn), or when the type is "GROUP" or "SIDE", but no remaining respawn slots are left.
This script will replace the default respawn sequence.
> [!NOTE]
> **Arma 3:** `onPlayerRespawnAsSeagull.sqs` was renamed to `playerRespawnSeagullScript.sqs` in Arma 3.
`params ["_player", "_killer", "_seagull"];`
- player: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- killer: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- seagull: [Object](../topics/Object.md) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | |
| **playerRespawnOtherUnit.sqs**
Executed when player is killed in multiplayer mission with "GROUP" or "SIDE" [respawn type](../topics/Description.ext.md#respawn). This script will replace the default respawn sequence.
> [!NOTE]
> **Arma 3:** `onPlayerRespawnOtherUnit.sqs` was renamed to `playerRespawnOtherUnit.sqs` in Arma 3.
`params ["_player", "_killer", "_newUnit"];`
- player: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- killer: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- newUnit: [Object](../topics/Object.md) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | |
| **playerResurrectScript.sqs**
Executed when player is respawned in multiplayer mission with "INSTANT" or "BASE" [respawn type](../topics/Description.ext.md#respawn). It will not work if `dta\scripts\onPlayerResurrect.sqs` does not exist.
> [!NOTE]
> **Arma 3:** `onPlayerResurrect.sqs` was renamed to `playerResurrectScript.sqs` in Arma 3.
`params ["_player"];`
- player: [Object](../topics/Object.md) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | |
| **teamSwitchScript.sqs**
Executed *after* a Team Switch is done. **Not** triggered by [selectPlayer](../commands/selectPlayer.md).
`params ["_oldUnit", "_newUnit"];`
- oldUnit: [Object](../topics/Object.md)
- newUnit: [Object](../topics/Object.md) | ✗ | | | | | ✓ | | |
Source: [BI Community Wiki — Event Scripts](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Event_Scripts) (revision 377939).