.AR File Extension

AR files exist as 3 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: Midtown Madness Data File

The contents of AR files can be extracted using third-party utilities like deAR for Midtown Madness or deAR2 for Midtown Madness 2. They may also be extracted with Zip decompression as they are saved ...

General Information

Title AR File Extension
Extension .ar
Full Form Midtown Madness Data File
File Type Game Data File
Developer Angel Studios
MIME Type application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function Store game data
Additional Functions Package models, textures
Features Binary format, Packaged content

File Characteristics

Quality Fixed by game
Supports Layers No
Supports Transparency Yes
Editable With tools

Use Cases

Gaming Yes
Modding Yes
Game Development No

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low risk
Best Practices Verify sources, Scan for viruses

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 1999
Latest Version Game-specific

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .bng, .pkg, .viv, .p3d

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
Midtown Madness Commercial Windows
ZModeler Commercial, Free trial Windows

Type 2: Unix Static Library

General Information

Title AR File Extension
Extension .ar
Full Form Unix Static Library
File Type Archive File
Developer AT&T Bell Laboratories
MIME Type application/x-archive

File Function

Primary Function Stores object files
Additional Functions Linking static libraries
Features Symbol indexing, Quick linkage

File Characteristics

Quality High performance
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Indirectly

Use Cases

Software Development Yes
Static Libraries Yes
Program Linkage Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Code exploitation
Best Practices Regular updates, Usage audits

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release 1971
Latest Version Depends on toolchain

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .a, .lib, .o

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
GNU AR Free Unix-like, Windows
LLVM AR Free Unix-like, Windows
7-Zip Free Windows, Linux

Type 3: Arc System Works Archive

The contents of AR files can be extracted using third-party utility deAR for Midtown Madness and deAR2 for Midtown Madness 2. They can also be extracted using Zip decompression utility since they are ...

General Information

Title AR File Extension
Extension .ar
Full Form Arc System Works Archive File
File Type Game Archive File
Developer Arc System Works
MIME Type application/x-archive

File Function

Primary Function Store game assets
Additional Functions Contain textures, models
Features Compressed, Encapsulated

File Characteristics

Quality High, Game-dependent
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency Varies
Editable With tools

Use Cases

Game Modding Yes
Asset Extraction Yes
Backups Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Game modification risks
Best Practices Verify sources, Backup original files

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Varies by game
Latest Version Dependent on game updates

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .pak, .arc, .bin

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
QuickBMS Free Windows
Noesis Free Windows