edit: might be a little outdated and not easy to read because formatting doesn't work properly (copy-pasting notes in Markdown is hard here). You can take a look in here too: https://github.com/MashedD/quake-config
Markdown (GitHub flavored):
# How to effectively: Quake
Yes, the title has an error. It is to get your attention.
This guide is not only for beginners.
## Get Quake
You can buy Quake on:
- [GOG](https://www.gog.com/en/game/quake_the_offering),
- [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/2310/Quake/),
- [Epic](https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/quake),
- and other places.
## Console
You'll have to use it from time to time, usually it can be opened/closed using tilde key `~` on keyboard.
It's a place to write commands.
## Engines
It's not possible to determine which look is original one (WinQuake, GLQuake or DOS version).
I like to believe it's DOS Quake.
Each engine has different defaults (fog settings, brightness levels, particle type and scaling, ...), HUD-s and quirks.
Originals:
- DOS Quake version (`cd "C:\GOG Games\Quake\DOSBox" & DOSBox.exe -conf ..\dosbox_quake.conf -conf ..\dosbox_quake_single.conf`) - you might want to apply this [Ultimate DOSBox patch for Quake (GOG version) v1.10](https://www.moddb.com/games/quake/downloads/ultimate-dosbox-patch-for-quake-gog-version-v110). If you have a Steam version, then use [Ultimate DOSBox patch for Quake (Steam/other version) v1.10](https://www.moddb.com/games/quake/downloads/ultimate-dosbox-patch-for-quake-steamother-version-v110).
- WinQuake (`cd "C:\GOG Games\Quake" & Winquake.exe`)
- GLQuake (`cd "C:\GOG Games\Quake" & Glquake.exe`)
Enhanced (also called KexQuake or Rerelease or Remastered):
- Enhanced (`cd "C:\GOG Games\Quake Enhanced" & Quake_Shipping_Playfab_GOG_x64.exe +ui_addonsBaseURL "https://kexquake.s3.amazonaws.com/" +g_showintromovie 0`) - here's an example about running with additional parameter to get more addons in downloads menu. More info about it can be found [here](https://kexquake.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html). Another param disables an intro. Alternatively you can create a file:
`C:\GOG Games\Quake Enhanced\id1\autoexec.cfg` and place there: `g_showintromovie "0"`. Some people don't carefully read messages when starting the game for the first time and later they have white text instead of proper fonts. To fix this go to menu, then `Options`, `Accessibility`, `Alternative Typeface` - `Off`. When you play Quake 64 mod, you might want to disable CRT effect with `r_crtmode "0"` command.
Mark-V forks:
- [ChadQuake](https://fdossena.com/?p=chadQuake/index.frag) - aim to achieve original look.
FitzQuake forks:
- [QuakeSpasm](https://quakespasm.sourceforge.net/) - awesome for playing single player maps, should be compatible with almost everything out there. Anyway I'd recommend one of its forks.
QuakeSpasm forks:
- [QuakeSpasm-Spiked](https://triptohell.info/moodles/qss/) - has some improvements over QuakeSpasm, like high framerate is decopled from physics
- [Ironwail](https://github.com/andrei-drexler/ironwail) - it's my engine of choice now. Here's a video that got me convinced, maybe it's convince you too - [Ironwail is amazing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MO3GxoNm8o) - it came out along with version 0.7.0 that did get a lot of features.
- [vkQuake](https://github.com/Novum/vkQuake) - requires updated video card drivers on Windows (default ones are too old). You can check if your video card is supported [here](https://vulkan.gpuinfo.org/).
- [QSS-M](https://qssm.quakeone.com/) - for multiplayer.
Other:
- [JoeQuake](http://joequake.runecentral.com/) - used by speedrunners. `show_speed 1` in console to show speed meter. I recommend downloading maps [100m, 110m, 400m](https://quake.speeddemosarchive.com/quake/otherdemos/demos.php?records=bunny) to practice bunny hopping. There are awesome tutorials on YouTube about bunny hopping (a technique to make you move faster by jumping) and how to do it.
- [DarkPlaces](https://icculus.org/twilight/darkplaces/) - has a lot of visual features, used to play Epsilon mod, Quake 1.5 and Slayer's Testament.
- [TyrQuake](https://disenchant.net/tyrquake/) - when you play Quake with RetroArch it uses TyrQuake under the hood.
- [FTE](https://fte.triptohell.info/) - very advanced engine.
- [RetroQuad](https://www.patreon.com/posts/retroquad-0-10-0-59789217) - focuses on 8-bit color software rendering.
Other:
- NetQuake.io (`https://www.netquake.io/`) - play in a browser.
- [QuakeDroid](http://quakeone.com/quakedroid/) - Quake for Android
- [Quad Touch](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.opentouchgaming.quadtouch&gl=US) - best way to play Quake on Android. I've tried with Bluetooth controller 8BitDo SN30 Pro+ and it works.
IF you want to know more about engines I recommend an article:
[Quake Engines & Source Ports: A Beginners Guide](https://www.slipseer.com/index.php?threads/quake-engines-source-ports-a-beginners-guide.11/).
## Engine: Ironwail: Setup
There's a nice [Quakespasm spiked with mods and maps Fanpack](https://www.reddit.com/r/quake/comments/py715s/quakespasm_spiked_with_mods_and_maps_fanpack/), here's how to do things manually to get similar effect.
Description will be based on GOG version and assume default install directory on Windows.
In case you need any support related to Linux I'll be happy to help.
- Download and install `Quake` and `Quake Enhanced`.
- Download and extract [Ironwail](https://github.com/andrei-drexler/ironwail/releases).
- Ironwail can find game files on its own, but let's configure it.
Press `Win`+`R` or just press `Win`, type `cmd` and press `Enter`.
```bat
:: Please note paths used here, you might want to use different ones
set "IRONWAIL=C:\Games\ironwail-0.7.0-win64"
set "QUAKE=C:\GOG Games\Quake"
set "ENHANCED=C:\GOG Games\Quake Enhanced"
:: Copy Original Quake files and music
xcopy "%QUAKE%"\id1\PAK*.PAK "%IRONWAIL%"\id1\
xcopy "%QUAKE%"\hipnotic\pak0.pak "%IRONWAIL%"\hipnotic\
xcopy "%QUAKE%"\rogue\pak0.pak "%IRONWAIL%"\rogue\
xcopy "%ENHANCED%"\id1\music "%IRONWAIL%"\id1\music\
xcopy "%ENHANCED%"\hipnotic\music "%IRONWAIL%"\hipnotic\music\
xcopy "%ENHANCED%"\rogue\music "%IRONWAIL%"\rogue\music\
:: Run Original Quake, go to Mods menu and download everything, see if music works
cd "%IRONWAIL%" & ironwail.exe -addons "https://kexquake.s3.amazonaws.com/"
:: Copy Enhanced version files
xcopy "%ENHANCED%"\ctf "%IRONWAIL%"\enhanced\ctf\
xcopy "%ENHANCED%"\dopa "%IRONWAIL%"\enhanced\dopa\
xcopy "%ENHANCED%"\hipnotic "%IRONWAIL%"\enhanced\hipnotic\
xcopy "%ENHANCED%"\id1 "%IRONWAIL%"\enhanced\id1\
xcopy "%ENHANCED%"\mg1 "%IRONWAIL%"\enhanced\mg1\
xcopy "%ENHANCED%"\rogue "%IRONWAIL%"\enhanced\rogue\
copy "%ENHANCED%"\QuakeEX.kpf "%IRONWAIL%"\enhanced\"
:: Run Enhanced Quake, go to Mods menu and download everything
cd "%IRONWAIL%" & ironwail.exe -basedir enhanced -addons "https://kexquake.s3.amazonaws.com/"
```
Note about folders:
- `hipnotic` - relates to Official Mission Pack 1: "Scourge of Armagon".
- `rogue` - relates to Official Mission Pack 2: "Dissolution of Eternity".
- `dopa` - considered to be Episode 5: "Dimensions of the Past".
- `mg1` - new episode named "Dimension of the Machine".
## Engine: Ironwail: Config
Create `%IRONWAIL%\id1\autoexec.cfg` and/or `%IRONWAIL%\enhanced\id1\autoexec.cfg` with your settings.
Comments are starting with `//` and are skipped by game, to uncomment is to remove `//` before a command.
Here is my config as an example (to see default value write a command without a value):
```
// General
name "Player"
hostname "ServerName"
sndspeed "44100" // Makes sound better
cl_upspeed "350" // Faster swimming up
// Some settings are available only on Ironwail.
gl_texturemode "GL_NEAREST_MIPMAP_LINEAR" // Retro look
gl_texture_anisotropy "1" // More retro look
r_oit "1" // "order-independent transparency", needed by a few maps, turning off should improve performance
// Keys
unbind "F10" // Default: "quit"
bind "\" "toggle scr_showfps" // Toggles showing FPS
bind "MWHEELUP" "impulse 10" // By default it cycles weapons counterintuitively
bind "MWHEELDOWN" "impulse 12"
// Cheats
sv_cheats "1"
bind "MOUSE2" "noclip"
bind "g" "god"
bind "q" "impulse 255" // Quad damage
bind "f" "toggle r_fullbright" // Useful to see in dark places. Can be considered cheating
// Other settings
exec md_enhanced.cfg
//exec md_retro.cfg
//exec md_retro_plus.cfg
```
Additional config files:
- md_enhanced.cfg:
```
hudstyle "2"
r_scale "0"
r_softemu "0"
r_viewmodel_quake "1"
scr_sbaralpha "0.75"
scr_sbarscale "2"
scr_conalpha "0.5"
scr_conspeed "9000"
scr_pixelaspect "1"
viewsize "100"
cl_bob "0"
cl_rollspeed "0"
cl_rollangle "0"
v_gunkick "0"
fov "95"
gamma "1.0"
contrast "1.2"
crosshair "2"
r_lerpmodels "1"
r_lerpmove "1"
fog "0.025" "0.576471" "0.266667" "0.431373"
ui_mouse "1"
sv_aim "1"
bind "F10" "exec md_retro.cfg"
```
- md_retro.cfg:
```
hudstyle "0" // Classic HUD. Default: "2"
r_scale "2" // More pixelated. Default: "1"
r_softemu "3" // More retro look. Try values "1"-"3"
r_viewmodel_quake "1" // Change weapon placement. Use with 'hudstyle "0"'
scr_sbaralpha "1" // Non-transparent HUD
scr_sbarscale "3" // HUD scale. Change to your preferences based on resolution
scr_conalpha "1" // Non-transparent console
scr_conspeed "9000"
scr_pixelaspect "1" // Pixel scaling in menu
viewsize "100" // Display additionally more ammo status
cl_bob "0.02"
cl_rollspeed "200"
cl_rollangle "2.0"
v_gunkick "2"
fov "90"
gamma "1.0" // Makes game darker. Use it while making maps to make sure it is not too dark
contrast "1.2" // With 1.2 gives some more colour
crosshair "1"
r_lerpmodels "1"
r_lerpmove "1"
fog "0" "0.3" "0.3" "0.3"
ui_mouse "1"
sv_aim "1" // Turn off auto-aim
bind "F10" "exec md_retro_plus.cfg"
```
- md_retro_plus.cfg:
```
exec md_retro.cfg
r_scale "4"
scr_conspeed "300"
scr_pixelaspect "5:6" // Square pixels in menu
gamma "1.4" // Makes game darker. Use it while making maps to make sure it is not too dark
contrast "1.2" // With 1.2 gives some more colour
crosshair "0"
r_lerpmodels "0"
r_lerpmove "0"
ui_mouse "0"
sv_aim "0.93"
bind "F10" "exec md_enhanced.cfg"
```
Note that's above there's enhanced config loaded by default, F10 toggles also between retro and retro plus.
### Refinement: Lightmaps
Download [Colored Lightmaps](https://www.moddb.com/games/quake/addons/quake-colored-lightmaps) and extract to `%IRONWAIL%`.
Go to `hipnotic`, `rogue` subfolders and rename `LIGHTS.PAK` to `pak1.pak`. In `id1` rename to `pak2.pak`.
You can try to spot a difference how the game looks with and without colored lightmaps. Note that this is not supported with
Enhanced Quake and they are not needed there.
Add more lits for mods from [here](https://quakewiki.org/wiki/External_Lit_And_Vis_Files).
### Refinement: Sounds
Use [Sound Bulb](https://www.moddb.com/games/quake/addons/quake-sound-bulb) for 44kHz remastered sounds.
I've downloaded a version from here - [Slipseer](https://www.slipseer.com/index.php?resources/quake-sound-bulb-higher-quality-audio-for-quake-1.110/). Extract contents to `%IRONWAIL%\enhanced`. Now copy manualy to Original Quake like so:
```bat
set "IRONWAIL=C:\Games\ironwail-0.7.0-win64"
:: Please note that in case pak2.pak doesn't exist and you add pak3.pak it won't load in game.
copy "%IRONWAIL%"\enhanced\id1\pak1.pak "%IRONWAIL%"\id1\pak3.pak
copy "%IRONWAIL%"\enhanced\hipnotic\pak1.pak "%IRONWAIL%"\hipnotic\pak2.pak
copy "%IRONWAIL%"\enhanced\rogue\pak1.pak "%IRONWAIL%"\rogue\pak2.pak
```
It's nice improvement, however I'm used to original sounds and axe hitting a wall hurts my ears (sound/player/axhit2.wav) I'm using different sounds set - [Mindgrid](https://gfx.quakeworld.nu/details/384/mindgridaudio-high-resolution-quake-1-sounds/). Extract `mindgrid-audio_high-resolution_quake1_sounds.pk3` to a temporary location. Download [PakScape](https://valvedev.info/tools/pakscape/), run it and open `*.pk3` file. Then save as Quake Pak type to `%IRONWAIL%/id1/pak4.pak` and `%IRONWAIL%/enhanced/id1/pak2.pak`.
With other engines it would be enough to move `sound` folder to `id1` - it would overwrite the sounds from `pak*.pak` files, but seems like with Ironwail it works the other way round.
### Refinement: Models
Download [Authentic Models](https://www.moddb.com/mods/authentic-models-for-quake).
Extract to `%IRONWAIL%` and `%IRONWAIL%\enhanced`. Change in all extracted subfolders `z` to a next number in file `pakz.pak`.
So id `id1` contains `pak3.pak` and `pakz.pak`, then rename `pakz.pak` to `pak4.pak`.
Additional I recommend [Upgraded armor](https://www.moddb.com/games/quake/addons/upgraded-armor-for-quake-1). Use same trick as mentioned for Mindgrid sounds. Extract the archive, open PakScape, `File` -> `New`. Move there `gfx` and `progs` folders. Save as Quake Pak type to `%IRONWAIL%/id1/pak5.pak` and `%IRONWAIL%/enhanced/id1/pak3.pak`.
### Refinement: Last touches
In `%IRONWAIL%` folder create files:
- `addons.url.dat` containing: https://kexquake.s3.amazonaws.com
- `ironwail-enhanced.cmd`:
```bat
@echo off
cd "%~dp0"
start "" "ironwail.exe" -basedir enhanced
```
## Links
* Alternative guides:
- [How to start playing Quake](https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/quake-renaissance-how-to-start-playing-quake)
* Tools:
- [Quake Injector](https://www.quaddicted.com/tools/quake_injector) - downloads maps form Quaddicted
- [Quakestarter](https://www.slipseer.com/index.php?resources/quakestarter.104/) - only for Windows, make setting game up easier, quite nice
## Comments
Feel free to comment about:
- typos, my English. Point out my mistakes and I'll correct them,
- Quake config,
- anything I can change in this guide (maybe it's overcomplicated).
## Ideas
- mention about mouse acceleration
Last edited:
