Quake 2 is a highly nostalgic sequel to Quake by ID Software. They did release native Linux binaries, but I found it runs perfectly in PlayOnLinux and looks absolutely beautiful with the Berserker engine texture mods.





Follow my step-by-step guide on installing, configuring and optimizing Quake II in Linux with PlayOnLinux.

Note: This guide applies to the retail version of Quake II. Other versions may require additional steps.

Tips & Specs:

To learn more about PlayOnLinux and Wine configuration, see the online manual: PlayOnLinux Explained

int 17 64-bit
PlayOnLinux: 4.2.2
Wine: 1.6.2

Wine Installation

Click Tools
Select "Manage Wine Versions"


Look for the Wine Version: 1.6.2
Note: Try using stable Wine 1.8 and 1.8-staging

Select it
Click the arrow pointing to the right


Click Next

Downloading Wine


Extracting

Downloading Gecko


Installed


Wine 1.6.2 is installed and you can close this window

PlayOnLinux Setup

Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Install


Click "Install a non-listed program"


Click Next

Select "Install a program in a new virtual drive"
Click Next


Name your virtual drive: quake2
Click Next


Check all three options:

• Use another version of Wine
• Configure Wine
• Install some libraries

Click Next


Select Wine 1.6.2
Click Next


Select "32 bits windows installation"
Click Next


Wine Configuration

Applications Tab
Windows version: Windows XP
Click Apply


Graphics Tab
Check "Automatically capture the mouse in full-screen windows"
Check "Emulate a virtual desktop"
Desktop size: 1024x768
Click OK


Installing Quake II

Click "Select another file"
Click Next


Click Browse

Navigate to your Quake II CD ROM
Select "Setup.exe"
Click Open


Click Next

Click Install


Click Next


Click Yes


Click "Register Later"


Click Maximum
Click Next


Click Install


Click Finish


PlayOnLinux Shortcut

Select "quake2.exe"
Click Next


Name your shortcut: Quake 2
Click Next


Select "I don't want to make another shortcut"
Click Next


Download Patch 3.20 Full

Go to: http://www.3dgw.com/hellsgates/files.htm
Click q2-3.20-x86-full-ctf.exe

Navigate to your desktop
Click Save


Back to PlayOnLinux
Click Configure


Click Miscellaneous Tab
Click "Run a .exe file in this virtual drive"


Navigate to your desktop
Select q2-3.20-x86-full-ctf.exe"
Click Open


Folder should have: c:\quake2
Click Unzip


Click OK


Installing Berserker Quake 2

Go to: http://www.moddb.com/mods/berserkerquake2/downloads/berserkerquake2-138-full
Click "Download Now"


Navigate to your Desktop
Click Save


Go to your Desktop
Double-click berserkerquake2_138full.zip
Click Extract


Navigate to your quake2 virtual drive
\home\username\.PlayOnLinux\wineprefix\quake2\drive_c\
Note: replace "username" with your login

Click "Create Folder"
Name it "berserker"
Open berserker
Click Extract


Copying pak files

Open both baseq2 and BaseQ2 in your Quake2 and berserker game folders
Copy all the files from baseq2 to BaseQ2


Berserker shortcut

Backto PlayOnLinux
Click Configure


Click General Tab
Click "Make a new shortcut from this virtual drive"


Select "Berserker.exe"
Click Next


Name your shortcut "Berserker Quake 2"
Click Next


Select "I don't want to make another shortcut"
Click Next


Close Configure

Run Berserker Quake 2

Select "Berserker Quake 2"
Click Run


!IMPORTANT!
At first launch a Quake command line will appear
It will require 15-20 minutes to create all of the bsp maps and files
Please wait and then keep waiting
This will only happen once.

When Berserker Quake 2 finally launches You should already see the new textures and lighting in the demo

Press Esc
Click Video


Adjust the video mode to match your Linux desktop
Most of the other default settings should work unless you are on a laptop
Click More Options...


Adjust optional video settings to gain more frames per second
Click Esc to apply


Rule of Thumb:
Higher settings = More detail, lower frame rates
Lower settings = Less detail, higher frame rates

Conclusion:
I know there are native Linux binaries available for Quake 2, but I found that executable requires installing game files in /usr/local/games and the config in /etc
It gets kinda confusing and requires admin access. Not to mention the Berserker mod is not Linux compatible.
The Berserker mod is very optimized and ran extrememly well on my GeForce 550 Ti. Quake 2 now has modern textures, normals, specular maps, particle effects and lighting.

Screenshots: