Mission Brief: As with most FAQ pages, this page is in response to the daily questions I'm asked via e-mail on topics covered by this site. I get on average 40-60 mails a day and a fair proportion ask the same questions, hence the FAQ. Please feel free to correct me if you feel something could be explained better or if I've got my facts wrong! |
"I've downloaded some maps from your site. How do I run 'em in Quake?"
Ahhh - the No.1 most frequently asked question :) A tip of the hat here to Crash as I've used his excellent explanation as the basis of mine!
Firstly, you must be running the full registered version of Quake to play user-created levels. They won't work in shareware, so be a good citizen and rush out and put some hard-earned in id's pocket by buying the full registered version of the life-giving game they call Quake! Once you've done that...
Inside your main Quake directory, you'll find a directory called id1. Inside this id1 directory, make a new directory and call it maps (that's maps plural, not map singular!).
Next, download a Quake level from this fine site (heh!) and unzip it using a file extraction program such as WinZip. Ordinarily, you'll have extracted 2 files from the zip file: A .bsp file, which is the actual Quake (binary space partition, trivia buffs...) level file, and a .txt text file, which the level author uses to tell you some information about him/herself, information on how the level was created, inside leg measurement, etc. Place the .bsp file inside your newly created maps directory.
Next, start up Quake as normal and select your skill setting either at the start map or by pulling down the console (using the tilde key, which is immediately to the left of the 1 key on most keyboards) and typing skill 0 for easy, skill 1 for normal, skill 2 for hard, or skill 3 for nightmare. Then, again at the console, but on a new line, type map [name of map]. So, for example, if your .bsp file was called jawbreak.bsp, you would type map jawbreak. You don't need to add the .bsp file extension. That's all there is to running a user-created level. Simple, huh? :)
Alternatively, if you prefer to run Quake from the dos prompt, type quake +skill # +map jawbreak, where # is the skill level (0-3) you want to play on. And as Crash always says, if after all that you enjoyed the level, make sure you mail the author and let him/her know!
"Hold on, this level is a .pak file, not a .bsp file - I'm confused!"
(Once again, thanks to Crash!) When you run an add-on that comes as a .pak file, it's like running a whole new game. That's why it's common for larger level packs, tc's, etc, to be provided as .pak files - simply put, you can stuff more information into 'em (how's that for a technical explanation, Mr Carmack? :)
OK, first, create a directory inside your main Quake directory and call it anything you like - it's best to give it a name similar or the same as the .zip file you downloaded, as it's easier to remember. Let's say we have a zip file called matt.zip. We'd therefore create a directory structure like this: \quake\matt. Unzip the contents of matt.zip into the matt directory (note that the file inside the archive will not be called matt.pak! it will most likely be called either pak0.pak or pak1.pak).
Next we have to launch Quake, but because we're adding new game information, we have to do it from the dos prompt. To launch the example file above, we would type quake -game matt. This tells Quake that there is new information, and that this new information can be found in the matt directory. The game will run normally and you select your skill level as normal. Please note: you may have to pull down the console to run the map(s) contained within the .pak file, depending on how the author has set the files up. It's therefore vital that you read the text file of every level you intend to play.
"How do I run these 'ere .mdl, .dat, and QuakeC files then?"
Sorry, but I use this type of file once in a blue moon, so I'm not really qualified to help out. If you need help, read the text files first, then try The QuakeC Source or The QuakeC Archives for further information.
"I really want to get into Quake editing. What is the best level editor out there?"
There's no right answer to this question. Editor preference is very much personal taste and the best thing to do is to try a few and decide which one you like best. Personally, I use WorldCraft by Ben Morris at http://www.worldcraft.com/, but there are many other good ones such as BSP, Qoole, ToeTag, Quark, Stoneless and many more. Check out editing sites such as Quake Workshop and Quake Editor's Reference Guide for more information on available editors.
"I'm stuck with Problem X in WorldCraft. Can you help?"
If there's a quick answer to your question, I'm usually more than willing to help out by mail, but I tend to recommend that people visit The Forge (WorldCraft-specific help) or QuakeLab (general editing help). Both these sites hold a mine of vital editing information and are fantastic resources.
"I'm stuck on Level X" or "Level X has a bug in it!"
While I sympathise with your plight, I am merely the webmaster of this site, not the Oracle of all Knowledge :) If you have a problem with a level, mail the person who built the level! You'll find their mail address in the text file that accompanies the level. You would not believe the mail I get from people saying "Level X does not work - your site is crap!"...
"Your links to ftp.cdrom.com are really slow. Are there any mirror sites?"
For the uninitiated, a mirror site is an ftp site that holds exactly the same files and directory structure as the main Quake file archive at ftp.cdrom.com. Usually, if you try downloading files from a site closer to your geographical location, you'll achieve a faster download, plus it reduces the strain on ftp.cdrom.com. A full list of ftp.cdrom.com mirror sites can be found at http://www.cdrom.com/pub/quake/.
"The .zip file I downloaded is corrupt or damaged..."
All the links on my site (where possible) point to files held on the main Quake file archive at ftp.cdrom.com. These files have been checked and verified as 'righteous', uncorrupted, undamaged files. In almost every case, they are the same files I use to review a particular level. If your download is corrupt, the problem almost always lies at your end. Try downloading the file again or try a mirror site. Also, make sure you aren't closing the download connection too early.
"I really enjoyed that map by Author X. Has he/she built any other levels?"
Dave Kelvin has put together a great site called |24| at http://www.planetquake.com/24/ that alphabetically lists every author who has built a level (be it single player, deathmatch, ctf, qrally, whatever) and uploaded it to ftp.cdrom.com. Use it to track down maps by your favourite authors.
"Your site is great, but how come you keep spelling 'colour' and 'defence' wrong?"
Wake up and smell the coffee, man! I'm English! - unlike a large percentage of our foreign brethren, we spell things correctly :)
"Our PC/TC Project is looking for mappers. Will you post this info on your site?"
Sorry, but my site is not a news site so I don't tend to post requests of this type.
"How do I install/configure/get the latest version of GLQuake?"
For the most up to date and knowledgeable information on the wonder that is GLQuake, I suggest that you visit Zanshin's GLQuake Dojo (although he never answers my mail... :)
"Will you be building and reviewing levels for Quake 2?"
Does a bear shit in the woods? :)