Play Quake in Your Browser

Quake background

id Software released Quake in June 1996, three years after DOOM. Its engine, led by John Carmack, rendered both levels and monsters as true 3D polygon models and supported hardware acceleration soon after launch. The ambient soundtrack and sound effects were made by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.

Quake also shaped online play. The QuakeWorld update made internet deathmatch practical on dial-up connections, and the game was one of the earliest competitive PC shooters. Players built mods such as Team Fortress on top of its QuakeC scripting language.

id Software released the Quake engine source code under the GPL in December 1999. That release is why the game can be recompiled for platforms the original never targeted, including WebAssembly builds that run inside a browser.

How to play Quake

Quake's single-player campaign has four episodes. You begin in a start map where you pick a difficulty by walking down one of the skill hallways, then step into an episode portal. Each level is a fight to the exit: you clear rooms, find keys, and press buttons to open the way forward. Enemies hit hard, so the game rewards constant movement, choosing the right weapon for each monster, and hunting for armor, health, and secret areas. The rocket and grenade launchers deal splash damage that can hurt you too, which is also what makes rocket jumping possible.

1. Click inside the game window so it captures your keyboard and mouse.
2. In the start map, walk through a skill hallway to choose a difficulty, then enter an episode portal.
3. Clear each area, collect keys, and press buttons to reach the exit.
4. Look for hidden doors and switches that lead to armor, ammo, and power-ups.