QWrookie

Welcome to QuakeWorld, rookie!

This page summarizes some crucial information to get you playing online, considering you landed on QuakeWorld now for some reason. Come chat with us at Discord.

What is QuakeWorld

QuakeWorld is a modification for Quake that was developed with internet multiplayer in mind back in 1996. QuakeWorld today has advanced features that didn't exist in 1996, because iD Software released the original source code in 1999 and ever since the community improved the game. This is the reason there are so many different clients and servers. The information on this page is for QuakeWorld. If you are interested into regular Quake, visit Steam's forums and QuakeOne instead.

Download

Notes:

• You can play Quake/QuakeWorld without owning it.
• Most people purchase Quake on Steam or GoG.
• After installing Quake, note that that you have a folder, called id1, in which are the pak*.pak files that have the original assets of the game. You will need those to play.
• The shareware version of the game is free but it doesn't include pak1.pak.

Next, you need modern contents for the game. Luckly, there's some all-in-one packages you can download that include everything you need to start playing QuakeWorld with features that you will normally see in today's games. Choose the package that suites you the most:

• nQuake most players use this. Includes ezQuake as the client.
• classicQ, a simpler, more classic approach to online play. Includes FodQuake as the client (Steam link).
• AfterQuake, a much more feature rich client (FTE), but also much more complex. It works for Quake also (not only QuakeWorld).
  

After downloading and installing your preferred package to a new folder, don't forget to copy the .pak files from id1 to this new folder! Yes, you can have different folders with different "versions" of the game - when you run an executable file from a specific folder, that folder and its subfolders will be used to run the game. And other "versions" or "installations" of the game that you have on your drives won't interfere (unless you are using "My documents" folder to store some settings, keep it in mind but ignore it).

Playing

Once you download one of the packages, time to start playing. Each package includes a different client (or sourceports or executables). nQuake ships with ezQuake, classicQ ships with FodQuake and AfterQuake with FTE. All these different clients have specific documentation, its a matter of choosing one that suites your likings. You can also have multiple clients in the same Quake folder, so you can fiddle around with them using the same game assets (but you can also have them in different folders , this is not uncommon, for example, to have a casual Quake folder with all the graphic enhancements, and a competition Quake folder with a minimal install for optimum performance.)
Once you run the client, a menu will appear. you can bring down the console at any time pressing the key above <tab>. The console is where you write commands, either to the client or to the server you are connected. You can use the menus to change settings, but the console is much more powerful. If you're looking for a command to type in the console, cvarlist <keyword> is your best friend.

Connecting to a server

QuakeWorld is a multiplayer game. It relies on a client-server architecture. You install the client on your computer, which is used to connect to servers running on the internet.
You can connect to a server either using the client's built-in server browser, or by typing /connect ip:port in the console:
/connect nl.badplace.eu:28501

Finding servers

• QuakeWorld HUB - Modern QuakeWorld HUB.
• QuakeServers.net - the most complete active servers list.
• badplace.eu - web based server browser. Live updated list of populated servers.

Usually clients have a server browser in the menu. You can use it OR you can use the console to connect to a server. Here's some common commands:
/connect <ip:port> - This will try to connect to the ip:port
/join - This will try to connect you as a player
/observe - This will try to connect you as a spectator
There are hundreds of servers to choose from. Around 90% of all QuakeWorld servers run the modification known as KTX. Other mods, like FFA and Coop, you just join and play!

Using a KTX server

The classic map Aerowalk.

A KTX server enables a plethora of gamemodes. In most servers, the default gamemode is 2on2, which is a "match mode". In a match mode, every connected player needs to type /ready in the console for the game to start. Meanwhile, you can shoot and do tricks on the map. This is called prewar. To choose a different mode, simply type it in the console. For example:
/1on1
/4on4
/ffa
Each gamemode has default rules, which are the recommended settings. For example, 1on1 gamemode defaults to 10 minutes, weapons stay, no powerups, etc.

To choose a different map, simply type the map name:
/aerowalk
Type /maps to view a list of maps available in the server.

Check this page to know the more common maps played in QuakeWorld.

To readyup for a match, simply type:
/ready

When every player is ready, a countdown will start. To stop the countdown, or vote to stop a match after it has started, type:
/break
This can also be used to interrupt a game.

Playing with bots

You can add bots (computer-controlled players) so you have someone to play with. It can be done with a specific mod (for example, Frogbot) or in compatible KTX servers. More information in Playing with bots.

Basic movement

There's no double jumps in QuakeWorld or other fancy jumps. There's only one, speedjump aka Bunnyhop, along with a unique air control. Here's a video tutorial explaining how to do it. It's hard at first, and hard to master. But once you get how it's done, you will realize that it is very enjoyable, with a very flexible air strafe. It has a natural feeling to it and you will fell in love with it. Some more advanced examples.

Observing games

Everyone can connect to a server in spectator mode (if spectators are allowed). To do so, type /observe <server ip:port> at the console. You can also toggle between spectator and player while connected to a server, by using /observe and /join commands respectively.
But in official games, QuakeTV (link) must be used to spectate games. Here are some different options, ordered by recommendation:

• Simplest option, you use the Web QTV option in https://hub.quakeworld.nu/
• You can use your client to connect to a QTV stream. There are 2 options here: either you click on a QTV web page link, which will open your client and connect to the stream (requires you to type once in the console /register_qwurl_protocol), or you can run your preferred client connect manually to the stream ( /qtvplay <stream url>, example: /qtvplay 1@qtv.besmella.com:28000/qtvplay).
  

Have fun spectating! In official games, most likely there's a Twitch stream also. Here's a list of Twitch channels.

Using the serveMe bots

When you connect to a server, a spectator called ServeMe may join. This is a bot. It is used to broadcast messages to QuakeWorld players, using QuakeWorld servers, IRC and Discord. It is mainly used to call players to play with you. The usage is simple, type on the console:
.qw rookie here, need opponent
if the broadcast is sucessful, it will print something like:
Sent to 65 channels, 271 unique users. And to 21 Players, 9 Servers.
Use it only for QuakeWorld games.

What do I do now?

• Connect to Discord, this is crucial. Use this link to invite friends. http://discord.quake.world
• Register on QuakeWorld.nu and introduce yourself on the forum (it's not that active anymore).
  
• Forum for rookies check the Stickies, MUST READ
  
• Guides section on QuakeWorld.nu and Help section on the forum
  
• QuakeWorld Terminology
• Quake community on Steam.
• Getting wrecked? Its ok. Community is generally helpful, practice makes perfect! See Practicing alone page.

Resources

• Custom Search engine: use this to search a plethora of sites related to Quake and QuakeWorld.
• The most helpful resource is QuakeWorld.nu portal. It has lots of subsites (look at the top bar), good content on the forum and blogs. There's 99% chance that the information you are looking for is there.
  
• This wiki! Check the resources links on the bottom
• Some QuakeWorld clients include ezQuake, FTE, FodQuake, and FTEDroid for Android
  
• QuakeWorld servers mods include KTX (which includes the gamemodes Race, Bloodfest Survival mode, all pure deathmatch modes, Clan Arena, CTF...), Cooperative modes, and soon a revived Team Fortress (Classic Fortress)
  
• Steam Quake guides, most about Quake, not QuakeWorld
  

Follow QuakeWorld

• http://twitter.com/qw_tips
  
• https://www.reddit.com/r/quake/
  
• https://www.reddit.com/r/quakeworld/
  
• https://www.facebook.com/groups (search for QuakeWorld groups)
  

Popular Streams and other Videos

• Links for Video Content (most streams are here)
• Andeh: SuddenDeath TV
• Milton: Milton's stream
• Sebi: badsebitv
• QuakeWorld: 24/7 QuakeWorld's stream

Note to other first person shooter players

There are many maps from other first person shooters ported to Quake. UT, Q2, Q3, Reflex... About Quake 3 maps specifically, there is a :forum thread, and you can search for and look for q1q3*, or q3* maps on the servers.