Quake3 Console Commands or How to Optimize the Game for Yourself

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I suggest conducting a guide on the settings of beloved Quake3

Before you is the first part dedicated to Quake settings. Discuss what is unclear; feel free to ask.

A config is a very useful, even essential thing; all (without exception) strong players use it. A config (or Quake configuration file) is a file where Quake console commands are recorded. Of course, you could write all of this manually each time you launch Quake, but with a recorded config, that makes no sense at all.

Let's get started. First, create an arbitrary file named something like your nickname (jakie.cfg), in which we will write the config.

Open Notepad

It's convenient to break the config (each of the files) into logical sections. Later, it will be easy to edit it, rather than searching for a forgotten command for half an hour.

Some information: the bind command reserves a specific action for a key; variables can have true values ("1") or false values ("0"); the seta command doesn't have to be written; it's written that way for show; everything that comes after the "//" symbol is not perceived by Quake3, so you can use it for your notes. After the dash ("—"), I will explain the meaning of the command.

Introduction

Unbindall — erase all previously "bound" keys.

Clear — clear the screen.

Graphics and Sound

seta com_blood "0" — do you need blood stains? Nah... they only get in the way.

seta cg_brassTime "0" — and cases are unnecessary.

seta cg_draw3dIcons "0" — no 3D icons in the menu...

seta cg_draw2d "1" — ...but 2D ones.

seta cg_gibs "0" — and no gibs (meat from corpses)...

seta cg_marks "0" — ...no marks on walls (from weapon shots) either...

seta cg_shadows "0" — ...and no shadows.

seta cg_simpleItems "1" — weapons lying around the arena will be shown as icons, not models, choose as you like.

seta r_mode "3" — an important parameter: in what resolution will you play? Most "veterans" set it to "3" or "4". (3 — 640x480, 4 — 800x600). I recommend setting it to "3".

seta r_colorbits "0" — if you increase this value, the graphics become somewhat gloomier and grimmer. Many play on "16"

seta r_detailtextures "0" — disable texture detail

seta r_drawSun "0" — disable processing (rendering) of sunlight...

seta r_dynamiclight "0" — ...and dynamic lighting.

seta r_fastsky "0" — the sky will be very ugly, but fast; you'll also be able to see the enemy on the other side of the teleport.

seta r_flares "0" — disable the halo around light sources

seta r_ignorehwgamma "0" — I have the default value set. If you set it to "1", the graphics will become "muddier" and lighter.

seta r_intensity "1" — gamma parameter. If set higher than 1, the image becomes brighter. I have it set to 1.4. Generally, it's personal preference.

seta r_picmip "5" — a very important parameter: how ugly the textures will be. This parameter's value should not exceed 5... it's just a standard rule for competitions, but of course, you can set any larger number if you wish.

seta r_simplemipmaps "1" — needed for "worsening" mipmapping (the graphics will become more "smoothed out", but also faster)

seta r_subdivisions "115" — responsible for "curvy" contours (angles of walls, objects). Setting it to 115 means there will be no curved surfaces in the game (though sometimes you might see parts of bodies and objects through the wall, which can even be considered a glitch).

seta r_swapInterval "0" — a fun thing. If set above "1", it will start causing horrific glitches. Set it to "0".

seta r_textureMode "GL_LINEAR_MIPMAP_NEAREST" — textures will become quite horrible, but this will boost speed.

seta r_vertexLight "1" — full lighting: vastly improved visibility and no shadows.

seta s_musicvolume "0" — turn off music and relieve the CPU.

seta cg_nochatbeep "1" — disables the sound on messages.

seta cg_drawRewards "0" — disable rewards. You might keep them, but they can clutter the screen.

seta cg_drawGun "0" — don't display the weapon model on-screen, which sometimes obstructs your view of an attacker (though it's a matter of taste).

seta cg_autoswitch "0" — don't switch to just found weapons.

Railgun

For the most awesome weapon of all time, I recommend creating a separate section.

seta r_railWidth "20" — width of the rail beam.

seta r_railCoreWidth "1" — width of the rail beam's "core".

seta r_railSegmentLength "10" — length of the beam.

seta cg_railTrailTime "400" — how long the beam "hangs" in the air.

Mouse

seta in_mouse "1" — with it or without?

seta sensitivity "11" — no comments.

seta cl_mouseAccel "0" — disable mouse acceleration. Everyone advises playing without it.

seta m_filter "0" — filtering is not needed (if the option is enabled, Quake will "soften" the mouse movement, but it doesn't do that very effectively).

Movement

No unnecessary swaying: walk straight, don't turn your head, don't linger looking around, don't jump while walking:

seta cg_bobroll "0"

seta cg_bobpitch "0"

seta cg_bobup "0"

seta cg_runroll "0"

seta cg_runpitch "0"

cg_fov 90 — a very important parameter: field of view width (perspective of view, so to speak). 90 is the default value. I have it set to 105. Some have it set to 120.

Control keys:

bind e "+forward"— forward

bind d "+back" — backward

bind s "+moveleft" — strafe left

bind f "+moveright" — strafe right

bind space "+moveup" — jump (usually set to space)

bind w "+movedown" — crouch

bind MOUSE1 "+attack" — left mouse button for shooting

bind Mouse2 "+zoom" — sniper mode on the second mouse button

bind "1" "weapon 1" — fist

bind "2" "weapon 2" — chain

bind "4" "weapon 3" — shotgun

bind "5" "weapon 4" — grenade launcher

bind "3" "weapon 5" — bazooka

bind "c" "weapon 6" — shaft

bind "g" "weapon 7" — railgun

bind "a" "weapon 8" — plasma gun

bind "b" "weapon 9" — BFG

This is all the key binding as an example. Of course, you can bind the weapons to your preference.

Interface

bind TAB "+scores" — display scores

bind ESCAPE "togglemenu" — main menu

bind ~ "toggleconsole" — call console

seta cg_drawfps "0" — do not display the fps counter.

seta cg_drawtimer "1" — display time

seta cg_lagometer "1" — lagometer

bind F12 "screenshot" — here, I think everything is clear.

Network Settings

seta cl_maxpackets "60" — maximum packets from server to client

seta rate "25000" — frame transfer rate

seta sv_fps "120" — set this parameter to 120 — it will increase fps, and consequently, jump ability (you'll have the chance to jump into previously inaccessible "hideouts").

seta g_syncronousClients "0" — to write demos, it should be set to "1", but this may cause game lag

seta com_maxfps "120" — maximum frame rate

cl_motd "0" — to avoid waiting for half an hour connecting to the server. This problem usually occurs on machines with Windows NT.

All_restart

After loading the config, you need to restart all Quake settings.

net_restart — network

in_restart — devices

snd_restart — sound

vid_restart — graphics