Config Settings XML Format

cfgenvironment.xml

Controls environmental settings, lighting, and world parameters. Used for customizing the look and feel of the game world including ambient effects.

Overview

The cfgenvironment.xml file controls the environmental simulation of the DayZ world. It defines territory zones for ambient sound, animal spawning regions, and environmental parameters that shape the atmosphere of the map.

This file is located in the mission folder and is read at server startup. It works alongside cfgweather.xml to create the overall environmental experience.

XML Structure

The root element contains territory definitions and environment parameter blocks.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<env>
    <territories>
        <territory type="Coast" x="2500" z="2000" width="12000" height="800">
            <file usable="ambient_coast" />
        </territory>
        <territory type="Forest" x="3000" z="5000" width="8000" height="6000">
            <file usable="ambient_forest" />
        </territory>
        <territory type="City" x="3700" z="2500" width="600" height="600">
            <file usable="ambient_city" />
        </territory>
    </territories>
</env>

Environment Territories

Territories define rectangular regions on the map that are associated with specific ambient sound sets and environmental behaviors.

Attribute	Type	Description
type	String	Territory classification (e.g., Coast, Forest, City, Field, Military).
x	Integer	X-coordinate of the territory's origin point on the map.
z	Integer	Z-coordinate of the territory's origin point on the map.
width	Integer	Width of the territory rectangle in meters (X-axis).
height	Integer	Height of the territory rectangle in meters (Z-axis).
file usable	String	Reference to the ambient sound set used within this territory.

Ambient Settings

Each territory type maps to a set of ambient sounds that play when a player is within the zone. Common ambient sets include:

ambient_coast Ocean waves, seagulls, and coastal wind sounds.

ambient_forest Bird calls, rustling leaves, and woodland creature sounds.

ambient_city Urban ambience with distant sounds and structural creaking.

ambient_field Open field sounds with wind and insect ambience.

ambient_military Eerie, tense ambience for military installations.

Lighting Parameters

Environment lighting is primarily controlled through the engine's internal systems, but cfgenvironment.xml territories influence how lighting transitions between zones. Dense forest territories may have darker ambient lighting compared to open coastal areas.

For direct weather and lighting control, see cfgweather.xml. The environment file works in tandem with weather settings to produce the final visual result.

Example Configurations

Full Chernarus Environment

A comprehensive territory setup covering the major biomes of Chernarus.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<env>
    <territories>
        <!-- Southern coastline -->
        <territory type="Coast" x="2000" z="0" width="12000" height="1000">
            <file usable="ambient_coast" />
        </territory>

        <!-- Central forests -->
        <territory type="Forest" x="3000" z="4000" width="8000" height="5000">
            <file usable="ambient_forest" />
        </territory>

        <!-- Chernogorsk -->
        <territory type="City" x="6500" z="2500" width="800" height="600">
            <file usable="ambient_city" />
        </territory>

        <!-- Elektrozavodsk -->
        <territory type="City" x="10000" z="2000" width="700" height="500">
            <file usable="ambient_city" />
        </territory>

        <!-- NWAF -->
        <territory type="Military" x="4000" z="10000" width="1500" height="800">
            <file usable="ambient_military" />
        </territory>

        <!-- Northern fields -->
        <territory type="Field" x="2000" z="8000" width="10000" height="3000">
            <file usable="ambient_field" />
        </territory>
    </territories>
</env>

Custom Map with Minimal Territories

A simple setup for a smaller custom map with just two zones.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<env>
    <territories>
        <territory type="Forest" x="0" z="0" width="5000" height="5000">
            <file usable="ambient_forest" />
        </territory>
        <territory type="City" x="2000" z="2000" width="1000" height="1000">
            <file usable="ambient_city" />
        </territory>
    </territories>
</env>