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How To Play Quake III On iPad

Posted by timothy on from the cross-platform-is-the-way-to-go dept.

SlappingOysters writes "I thought those veteran gamers amongst you might like this one. Quake III Arena by legendary developer id Software isn't available on the App Store, but there is a way that you can get it to work on your iPad all the same. You can also get Open Arena and Quake III Shareware to work on Apple's tablet. The process is reasonably straightforward for anyone who wants to give it a ago, and Grab It Magazine has provided a step-by step guide, with pictures and necessary links, to help the interested through it."

54 comments

  1. *sigh*, if only... by Penguinisto · · Score: 2

    ...if only they made a version that works on an x86 OSX box - I unlimbered my old Mac-flavored install media, and no effing joy. Maybe I should get out and look, though.

    (When it came out, I bought a version for Windows, for Linux (w/ the special metal case), and even for OSX - just so that I could play it on every computer I owned at the time.)

    --
    Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
    1. Re:*sigh*, if only... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Quake 3 is open source, I find it hard to imagine it can't work on a mac.

    2. Re:*sigh*, if only... by Penguinisto · · Score: 3, Informative

      Well, good news is, if I'm willing to give my old OSX install a quick lobotomy, it looks doable. :)

      --
      Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
    3. Re:*sigh*, if only... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, right. Didn't OP know that by virtue of being "open source" it will automagically work on all platforms? I bet he or she feels like a real dolt right about now.

    4. Re:*sigh*, if only... by the_humeister · · Score: 1, Informative

      Here you go. Ok, maybe you have to compile it yourself, but since you're on thia site, you should know how to do that with both hands tied behind your back.

    5. Re:*sigh*, if only... by idontusenumbers · · Score: 1

      They do, I play it all the time.

  2. Android by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    Who cares? Just get an Android tablet and avoid all the complexity.

    At least then it'll Just Work.

    1. Re: Android by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This may be the first time I have seen anybody say something will Just Work on an android tablet.

    2. Re:Android by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes! I recently found out the all-time classic RTS Dune 2 is available on Android. Seems to run in some DOS emulator but that's hidden when you just install the apk or download it from the playstore. Even my old save games loaded partially (I got a message that the game would restart at the begin of the level but at least I could start on level 9).

  3. define 'play' by epyT-R · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Play as in 'aim-like-a-drunken-duck-with-a-controller', or play as in 'cpm-god'? With quake, those are two very different definitions.

    1. Re:define 'play' by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      I played it on Android with a mouse and keyboard. Can't you attach such things to an iPad, maybe via Bluetooth?

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    2. Re:define 'play' by epyT-R · · Score: 1

      How's the display and/or input latency? framerate?

    3. Re:define 'play' by AmiMoJo · · Score: 3, Interesting

      It was fine for me. Keep in mind that Q3 is rather old now, modern phones and tablets can easily render it in full HD.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    4. Re:define 'play' by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I get your bluetooth latency point, but if you are a purist you WILL play it on PC anyway with a corded mouse and a mechanical keyboard, locked at whatever FPS was with (i don't remember anymore).

      My point is that bluetooth it's OK for most people. Definitely better than touch controls.

  4. Only now? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I've been playing Quake 3 on my Android devices since I had an HTC Desire HD!!??

  5. No "veteran gamer"... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    ... would even think of using a shitty tablet.

    1. Re:No "veteran gamer"... by Stormwatch · · Score: 1

      How about a non-shitty gaming tablet instead?

      --
      Circumcision is child abuse.
    2. Re:No "veteran gamer"... by GrahamJ · · Score: 1

      No, but only because of I/O latency. If you wired in mouse and keyboard a Retina iPad Mini, for example, would easily run it better than machines of Q3's era and is a hell of a lot easier to carry around.

    3. Re:No "veteran gamer"... by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1

      Oh, I need one of those.

      --
      You are welcome on my lawn.
    4. Re:No "veteran gamer"... by hoborg1 · · Score: 2

      My baby's milk money!

    5. Re:No "veteran gamer"... by Blaskowicz · · Score: 1

      It's still limited to a 60Hz display, which is decent enough for many other games but in Q3 you will get your ass handed over by people playing on 85Hz or higher monitors.

  6. GL GG by winphreak · · Score: 1

    I'd like to see someone try playing on Vogon's Anarchy server. It's just a blur of movement, pixels, and death on a normal computer... which would be just as pretty on the Retina Display!

    --
    "I'm a well-wisher, in that I don't wish you any specific harm."
  7. Slashvertisement? by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 3, Insightful

    At first glance, it looks like the "story" is just an attempt to get people to purchase some other random 99-cent app that, in turn, let's them play Quake... iF they already own Quake III Arena or some such.

    I didn't give it a second glance, so it's possible I'm being too cynical.

    --
    #DeleteChrome
    1. Re:Slashvertisement? by gl4ss · · Score: 1

      "Open the Beben III app and press âoeSELECT GAME.â Select either âoeOpen Arenaâ or âoeQuake III Shareware.â The process for starting up Quake III Arena is different and will be explained below."

      uhm yeah i thought the story was about how to get development credentials and install that way, but its really just about a quake 3 engine that's on the app store already??

      which begs the question, can you get the source for beben3?

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
    2. Re:Slashvertisement? by jones_supa · · Score: 4, Informative

      which begs the question, can you get the source for beben3?

      Good question. The Q3A source code released by id Software is licensed under GPL so all derivative works must also be open source. I dug around a bit and at the home page Mac and I there is a text:

      If you want access to the source code just drop me an email to ronny.stiftel[at]gmail.com.

    3. Re:Slashvertisement? by GrahamJ · · Score: 1

      According to the App Store description, source code is available.

    4. Re:Slashvertisement? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      which begs the question

      raises the question

    5. Re:Slashvertisement? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      works without having to won the original Q3; worked perfect on iPad Mini (none retina) with the shareware ,
      and no connecting to PC required, downloads the shareware from the web;
      the same app didn't work on ipHone 4s;

      now with the "working" part out of the way... let's realize that touchscreen controls for this FPS make you an easy target;
      even bots on easy are hard to beat.

  8. I remember playing Quake with early touchscreens.. by Chas · · Score: 1

    Basically point-and-tap headshots.

    --


    Chas - The one, the only.
    THANK GOD!!!
  9. Re:Wrong section by GrahamJ · · Score: 1

    Ya, a post about Quake isn't about gaming at all.

  10. Breaking news by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 2

    Computer runs computer program, minor inconvenience required to do so

    --
    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  11. Re:Wrong section by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Slashvertisement for an iPad app isn't Quake.

  12. Having to carry two tablets by tepples · · Score: 1

    I don't think a lot of people want to have to carry two tablets, one to run iPad apps and one to run Android apps.

    1. Re:Having to carry two tablets by wwphx · · Score: 1

      Well, technically my wife and I do. We each bought half of an iPad two years ago for our anniversary, conveniently they fit together, and I got a Nook HD+ for my birthday last month. That's not one person carrying both, but it is one marital unit.

      --
      When you sympathize with stupidity, you start thinking like an idiot.
  13. Why not a laptop? by tepples · · Score: 1

    By the time you pair a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard to a tablet, you might as well use a laptop.

    1. Re:Why not a laptop? by John+Bokma · · Score: 1

      If you own one, that is, right?

      --

      Perl Programmer for hire
    2. Re:Why not a laptop? by tepples · · Score: 0

      Which brings one to the question of why one would buy an iPad in the first place instead of a proper laptop, or even a laptop/tablet hybrid like the Transformer Book.

    3. Re:Why not a laptop? by John+Bokma · · Score: 1

      I can only answer for myself. I bought an iPad mostly for reading PDFs / online documentation *away from a computer*. I will buy a BT keyboard in the near future so I can write blog posts on it (standing desk). But since it's mainly going to be used for reading a "proper" laptop is not what I want. As for hybrids... I like iOS.

      --

      Perl Programmer for hire
    4. Re:Why not a laptop? by tepples · · Score: 1

      I bought an iPad mostly for reading PDFs / online documentation *away from a computer*. [...] As for hybrids... I like iOS.

      So what do you plan to do should your mobile computing needs grow to include something for which there happens not to be an iOS app because of Apple's rules? Wireless network mapping and troubleshooting is the most common such application that I can think of. At that point you'll have to buy a laptop or at least an Android tablet anyway.

    5. Re:Why not a laptop? by John+Bokma · · Score: 1

      If my needs change and Android is the answer I just have to buy another device (in case the Kindle Fire 1st gen with Cyanogen is not good enough, which wouldn't surprise me). It's the same the other way around, no?

      --

      Perl Programmer for hire
  14. Installation information by tepples · · Score: 1

    The "complete corresponding source code" under the GPL includes "installation information" (GPLv3) or "scripts used to control installation" (GPLv2), which would appear to include a usable signing key. Apple forbids disclosing this information.

  15. Plug it in, plug it in by tepples · · Score: 1

    Last time I read about Quake Live, it was a browser plug-in. Mobile browsers tend not to support plug-ins, especially plug-ins compiled for x86.

  16. Great timing! by avatar139 · · Score: 1

    Just got my first iPad mini yesterday! Now if only someone would port VO to iPad as well!

    --
    I'm honest enough to admit I lie to myself.
  17. Soulless by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

    Eff Quake III -- it has no soul, nor did Quake II. Can someone put Quake I on something?

    --
    (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
  18. How To Play Quake III Correctly......... by danknight48 · · Score: 1

    Turn your toy iPad off, put it down.

    Turn your PC on, Goto http://www.quakelive.com/ (or install from a DVD-ROM of Q3, yes, it exists!)
    Use a mouse + keyboard, AS IT WAS INTENDED TO BE PLAYED 10+ years ago.
    Admire one of the greatest game of all time, and, the best game engine ever created.

    Once your done, put your iPad back on.
    Enjoy all the buggy games made with Unity + Java by a 16 year old kid.

  19. People for whom $300 is a lot of money by tepples · · Score: 1

    People for whom $300 is a lot of money, such as K-12 students who receive an iPad as a gift and can't earn money themselves because of child labor laws, might have no way to "just [...] buy another device". Take, for example, a high school student who has only an iPad and brings home homework from a programming class in which he has enrolled. Will the parents necessarily be willing to jump online and buy a Raspberry Pi, USB hub, wired keyboard and mouse, and all the rest of the supporting peripherals so that he can complete his homework?

    1. Re:People for whom $300 is a lot of money by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      High school programming class?
      I guess the homework can be done on paper.

    2. Re:People for whom $300 is a lot of money by John+Bokma · · Score: 1

      Yeah, those horrible first world problems. Now what if he got a device running Android and he really needs an iPad? OMG! Same difference. You're taking your anti-Apple attitude a bit to far.

      Anyway, here are some answers:

      And if that's not enough, he/she can mow the lawn, or visit a friend who does have what is needed. It's not like there is a severe lack of devices in countries that hand out iPads as gifts at school.

      --

      Perl Programmer for hire
  20. Quake 3 isn't old. Look at the nice mods. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Dragonball mod is excellent.
    Tremulous mod is excellent.

    try them out, nothing old.

  21. Disappointing. by Time+Doctor · · Score: 1

    I'm part of the team that works on ioquake3, the open source project that this ipad version is based on. This project (Beben III) has not contributed their changes back to ioquake3, or made them easily available for the public. It is extremely disappointing when bad players like this are given press and make money off of the backs of others.

    Please do not spend your money on apps that are bad open-source contributors, and please do not give them press.

    --
    Check out ioquake3.org for a great, free, First-Person Shooter engine!