There are hundreds of user created levels - known variously as "mods", "total
conversions" or simply "maps", all over the internet. When it comes to
finding them though, many URLs are no longer valid, and it is easier to just
google for a file name (perhaps adding "quake" as an extra search term) than
to try and find the project's homepage - which is probably just dust in the
ether now.
To run new maps, place the bsp file into the "quake/id1/maps"
subdirectory, and start Quake with the +map MAPNAME option.
Installing mods is simply a matter of creating a subdirectory DIR and
extracting the contents of the mod zipfile/tarball into this directory.
It is then loaded by using the -game DIR command line option and,
sometimes, +map MAPNAME where MAPNAME is the mod's start map.
For both maps and mods, all files should be in
lowercase format.
Gorgeous medieval themed mod with two single player
episodes, a melee style arena mode and nice documentation. Many thanks to
Tronwyn, Fat Controller and their co-authors.
Link
Nehahra
Epic. Ambitious. Otherwordly.
Nehahra is the definitive Quake mod, supported in Linux by LordHavoc's
Darkplaces, and
QuDos'
port of the NehQuake engine. It has some great models and maps, uses fog effects well, and has an
(optional) two hour movie/demo which ties-in well with the original Quake
"story-line" but is also in desperate need of an edit.
Nehahra also features improved enemy AI - the grunts strafe behind cover, and
scrags in open space can be very hard to pin down. New gamers may wish to
disable this feature by typing nomonsters 1 at the game console.
A modern mod which made my jaw drop. It also has ambitious sequels: The Lost
Chapters and Quoth.
Link
Zerstörer
Dark and bloody, with Doom's paranoiac atmosphere - a classic.
Zerstörer also has some good death match levels -
zerstorer
Neil Manke's mods
Neil wrote the definitive Half-Life mod "They Hunger".
The quality and fun is in these maps too -
alba01, alba02, sofsp1, sofsp2, starshp2,
Link
The Hunted Chronicles
Another game requiring the Darkplaces engine, the Hunted Chronicles is a
zombie shooter/survival mod in two parts. The second uses fog
and lighting effects to spooky effect, and could almost be mistaken for a
Half-Life mod.
Link
Blood Mage
... is a dungeons and dragons themed mod with great monsters and music. It's a
little dated now, and the numerous spells can be overwhelming -
bmfull
Operation: Urth Majik
Oum is one of the few Quake 1 mods with a sci-fi feel. It's a well made five
level mod with cut-scenes and many new weapons -
oum,
Link
The Coagula Contest 2
Coagula is a six level compendium of maps originating from a contest. The
novelty is that all maps are floating in the ether, and it's a great set.
Link
Scourge done Slick
SdS is a speed run through Mission Pack 1, Scourge of Armagon. Hilarious and
amazing.
Link
FQ is a traditional medieval themed conversion. The game
has some beautiful levels, but also plenty of raw edges as it was never quite
finished. (The project ended prematurely when the web hosting hit a snag).
Not all the player classes work perfectly. Use the "g" key twice to purchase
items, the "<",">","/" keys for inventory, and the "w","e","r" keys for the
grappling hook -
fantasy
Here you can get the long lost Fantasy Quake
manual.
Scourge of Armagon by Ritual Entertainment (formerly known as Hipnotic Interactive).
After playing Armagon, you should also check out the
Death's Dominion Level Pack.
Mission Pack 2
Dissolution of Eternity by Rogue Entertainment.
- Both official mission packs are generally acknowledged as better than the original game.
Malice
Very original Quake total conversion, with the greatest
(make believe) machine gun I've ever unleashed. Worth paying for.
Another first for Quake was the implementation of it's own game language -
Quake C. This enables mods to work seamlessly on any operating system.
It is possible to install many of the editors which are used to make Quake
maps, but creating full scale mods is real voodoo and beyond my knowledge.
GtkRadiant
is the only currently maintained and Linux friendly world editor I know of.
Link
The Quake Army Knife (QuArK) is a multi-purpose Quake editing tool which..
may or may not have Linux support %-(.
Link
...You may be able to find out from the
Func_Msgboard - an ongoing hub for Q1 development and new mapping projects.
Bengt Jardrup's
homepage
has lots of mod friendly stuff.
QuakeForge
include some Quake C tools with their tarball.
The
Quake Wiki
has some relevant links for the windows platforms.
