Quake 4 multiplayer still runs on dedicated servers, and the Steam version joins them directly. Here is how to connect, which mode to pick and how to run your server.
How to connect
Launch Quake 4 from Steam, then pick one of these:
- From the menu: Use the game's connect option in Multiplayer and enter the IP and port from your server card.
- From the console: Press the key below Esc, left of 1 (` on a US keyboard), and type
connect 203.0.113.7:28004. - Straight from Steam: In the game's Properties, set the launch options to
+set com_allowConsole 1 +connect 203.0.113.7:28004. The game joins as soon as it starts. Clear it afterwards. - Your name: Type
name YourNamein the console, or everyone sees Player.
Modes
- Deathmatch and Team DM: Free for all or two teams, up to 16 players.
- Tourney: 1v1 duels. The match waits until a second player joins, so it is not a mode to try alone.
- CTF and Arena CTF: Capture the Flag, plain or with Arena power-ups that last until you die.
- DeadZone: A team mode on the four DeadZone maps and some of the newer arenas.
- No bots: Quake 4 multiplayer has no bots. Bring friends. To look around a map alone, pick Deathmatch.
Run your server with rcon
The rcon password on your server card makes you the admin. Enter it in the game's rcon field, or use the web console in your browser. The mode is fixed when you deploy: to play another mode, deploy a new server in it. Useful commands:
say hello: message everyone.si_map mp/q4dm1: pick the next map. It has to suit the server's mode, for example q4ctf1 for CTF. The web console lists the maps that fit.serverMapRestart: load the new map.
Deploy a Quake 4 server by the hour