Overview
Doom faked 3D. Quake delivered it. id Software’s technical leap enabled rooms above rooms, true vertical aim, and polygonal monsters. But Quake’s greater legacy was multiplayer—QuakeWorld’s netcode made online deathmatch viable, spawning competitive communities, clan culture, and the infrastructure for esports.
Fast facts
- Developer: id Software.
- Engine: Quake engine (id Tech 2).
- Innovation: True 3D, online multiplayer.
- Composer: Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails).
Technical achievements
| Feature |
Significance |
| True 3D |
Polygonal world |
| Mouselook |
Standard control |
| Client-server |
Network architecture |
| OpenGL support |
Hardware acceleration |
Multiplayer revolution
| Innovation |
Impact |
| QuakeWorld |
Lag compensation |
| Server browser |
Find games |
| Clan tags |
Team identity |
| Tournament play |
Competitive scene |
Movement mechanics
| Technique |
Discovery |
| Bunny hopping |
Speed preservation |
| Rocket jumping |
Vertical mobility |
| Strafe jumping |
Acceleration |
Game modes
| Mode |
Rules |
| Deathmatch |
Free-for-all |
| Team Deathmatch |
Team scoring |
| Capture the Flag |
Objective-based |
| Clan Arena |
Round-based |
Modding foundation
| Mod |
Contribution |
| Team Fortress |
Class-based combat |
| QuakeWorld |
Multiplayer refinement |
| Custom maps |
Community content |
Engine licensing
| Game |
Use |
| Half-Life |
Modified Quake engine |
| Medal of Honor |
id Tech derivative |
| Many others |
Foundation technology |
Series continuation
| Title |
Year |
| Quake |
1996 |
| Quake II |
1997 |
| Quake III Arena |
1999 |
See also