Play Quake 4 on modern systems with an open-source engine and game-code replacement built around the original retail assets.
Get Started | Features | Player Docs | Build from Source | Technical Reference
openQ4 is an open-source replacement for the Quake 4 engine and game binaries, built to keep the original game playable on modern PCs while improving presentation, controls, packaging, and day-to-day usability.
It is designed for players who want the original Quake 4 experience with a cleaner path to running it on today's hardware.
Note
openQ4 does not include Quake 4 assets. You still need a legitimate Quake 4 copy from Steam or GOG.
Original Quake 4 content, modernized for current systems.
- Modern display support for widescreen, ultrawide, multi-monitor, borderless, and fullscreen setups.
- Optional visual upgrades such as bloom, HDR, anti-aliasing, soft particles, and enhanced shadow options.
- Improved input and quality-of-life features including controller support, better console UX, and modern settings behavior.
- Single-player and multiplayer in one install with active compatibility work aimed at the stock game.
- Cross-platform releases for Windows, Linux, and macOS, with Steam Deck support on Linux and separate macOS OpenGL/Metal bridge packages.
- Open development with releases, issue tracking, and community feedback all happening in public.
Visual improvements are optional, so you can tune the experience to your taste.
- Install Quake 4 from Steam or GOG.
- Download the latest openQ4 build from the Releases page.
- Launch
openQ4-client_<arch>(oropenQ4-steamdeckon Steam Deck). - If openQ4 does not find your Quake 4 install automatically, follow the path setup notes in the Getting Started guide.
Need the step-by-step version? Start with docs-user/getting-started.md.
- Getting Started - installation, first launch, and common setup questions
- Client Settings Guide - where to find the most useful in-game settings
- Server Setup Guide - basic dedicated server setup and common server variables
- Display Settings - fullscreen, windowed mode, resolution scale, and multi-monitor behavior
- Input Settings - keyboard, mouse, controller, and binding help
- Gameplay Settings - gameplay and audio toggles for everyday play
- Steam Deck - launcher, controls, and Linux handheld notes
- Multiplayer Networking - multiplayer tuning and lag-comp behavior
- Shadow Mapping - optional shadow-map settings and troubleshooting
- Light Grids - advanced lighting guide for players and testers
- BUILDING.md - compile openQ4 from source
- TECHNICAL.md - advanced configuration, file layout, compatibility notes, and mod details
- openQ4 targets the official Quake 4 retail assets.
- It ships its own engine and game modules.
- It is not a drop-in runtime for the original proprietary Quake 4 DLL mods.
- The project is still in beta development, so compatibility work is ongoing.
If you run into problems, please use the issue tracker and include crash logs or setup details when possible.
Bug reports, compatibility reports, testing feedback, and code contributions are all welcome. If you want to help build the project itself, start with BUILDING.md.
- themuffinator - openQ4 development and maintenance
- DarkMatter Productions - project stewardship and website
- Justin Marshall - Quake4Doom and early BSE reverse engineering reference work
- Robert Beckebans - renderer modernization reference work, including RBDOOM-3-BFG inspiration
- id Software and Raven Software - Quake 4 and the underlying technology
openQ4 engine code is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0. See LICENSE for details.
The game-library code in openQ4-GameLibs is derived from the Quake 4 SDK and remains subject to id Software's SDK EULA. Quake 4 assets remain the property of id Software and ZeniMax Media.
openQ4 is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by id Software, Raven Software, Bethesda, or ZeniMax Media.
Website | Repository | Game Library | Issues | Releases