Quake 3 Arena Linux

booman

booman

Grand High Exalted Mystic Emperor of Linux Gaming
Staff member
Nothing new here for Quake, but did you know there is a released Linux version of Quake 3 Arena and bundled with SuSE?

Found it on Amazon: Quake 3 Linux

Thanks Loki Entertainment!
 
Personally I didn't know that but I was still able to install it natively on Linux back in 2006 despite only having the Windows CD thanks I believe to a Loki installer.
I think it is important to remind new Linux users that Quake 3 runs perfectly well on Wine / Playonlinux.
 
Back then didn't you have to download some binaries?
Even when Doom 3 was compatible with Linux, you have to download binaries, extract, then copy pak files to run it.

But you are right, its probably just as easy to run it through PlayOnLinux.
 
Doom 3 is still compatible with Linux; the only issue I have is a (very annoying) cracking sound, but at least on Ubuntu 12.04 is fixed launching from terminal "../doom3 +set s_alsa_pcm plughw:0 +set s_driver alsa +set r_alphaToCoverage "0".
 
Oh, nice fix. I had crackling static issue with Psychonauts, I wonder if these switches would have helped?

I just meant Doom 3 wasn't Linux compatible out-of-the-box. You had to go online and download those Linux dependencies.
I was wondering if those were already included in the original Quake 3 Arena?
 
Well, according to Wikipedia Quake 3 was released for Windows on December 2, 1999 and for Linux only 25 days later so I think it is reasonable to assume those dependencies were included.
 
No way! What happend since? None of their games are Linux compatible that soon after release...
 
Quake 3 used OpenGL, so I suspect it would have been very easy to produce a Linux version.
 
I wonder if later games they had to make them OpenGL compatible later one?
Direct X has been such a pain for Linux users...
I've read that Direct X is easier to program when working in Windows for Windows, but OpenGL is better for multiple platforms.
So the developers have to decide from the beginning whether their game will be Windows only, or multi-platform.
Its a shame because OpenGL runs fine in Windows too.
 
The notable difference at the time was due to OpenGL being built in to graphics hardware, whereas DirectX was software only. So, OpenGL was generally much faster, but not as fancy looking as DirectX graphics.
 
Wow really?
Its funny how software and hardware go back-n-forth...
I hope everything eventually goes OpenGL as Linux becomes a more prominent gaming platform.
I'm guessing Mac uses OpenGL only right?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top