Verdict: q2.pieter.com is a Quake II deathmatch server you join from a browser tab. You type a name, press Play and are dropped into a match; you do not need your own game files. When we checked on 2026-10-17 the site was up, with five people and three bots on map q2dm5. Phone play is untested. It is an unofficial fan project, so the play button opens the original site in a new tab.
What it is
Quake II (1997) was id Software’s follow-up to Quake, published by Activision. Despite the name it had nothing to do with the first game’s story: it moved to a sci-fi war against the Strogg, and its deathmatch became a staple of LAN parties thanks to fast rocket and railgun duels and a large modding scene.
q2.pieter.com runs Quake II multiplayer through the FTE engine. FTE started as a QuakeWorld client but can also load Quake II data. The browser build talks over a WebSocket to Pieter Levels’ own server. The front page shows players online, the current map, a top players table and a daily match countdown.
Pieter Levels put it online on 11 June 2026, the day after his Quake 1 server, and posted about it alongside his Return to Castle Wolfenstein port.
What is different from the original
- Multiplayer only. There is no campaign or menu for starting your own game; you go straight onto the shared server.
- Bots fill the server, marked separately from humans in the live player list.
- A grappling hook is bound to Q. Standard Quake II deathmatch has no hook (it is best known from the Capture the Flag add-on), so movement can differ from what you remember.
- Map packs: besides the main data file (about 50 MB), the site loads two extra packs with deathmatch maps and add-ons, about 75 MB in total. The site does not say which edition of the data it uses.
Controls
| Action | Key |
|---|---|
| Move | WASD |
| Aim | Mouse |
| Fire | Left mouse button |
| Jump | Right mouse button |
| Grappling hook | Q |
| Scoreboard | Tab |
Always-run is on. On a gamepad the left stick moves, the right stick looks, the right trigger fires, A jumps and X fires the hook.
Requirements
- A recent desktop browser; Chrome or Edge are the safe choices for WebAssembly.
- Keyboard and mouse, or a gamepad.
- Patience for the first load. Later visits are faster.
Is it safe and legal?
- It is an unofficial, non-commercial fan project, not affiliated with id Software. Quake II belongs to id Software’s parent companies.
- You do not install anything or upload files.
- The full game, including the 2023 remaster, is sold on Steam.
Not working?
- Stuck loading: the first download is the slowest. Try Chrome or Edge.
- Empty server: bots keep it running, but for human opponents try the daily match time shown on the front page.
- The mouse does not aim: click inside the game to capture the pointer.
- If it is down, try QuakeWorld or Quake III Arena on the same platform.
FAQ
Can I play Quake 2 online in my browser?
Yes. q2.pieter.com runs Quake II deathmatch in a desktop browser tab and connects you to a live server. There is nothing to install and you do not need your own copy.
Is q2.pieter.com free?
Yes. It is a free, non-commercial fan project by Pieter Levels. It downloads its own game data on first load and asks for nothing except a player name.
Does q2.pieter.com have the Quake 2 single-player campaign?
No. The site is a multiplayer deathmatch server. For the campaign, buy Quake II from an official store such as Steam.
Are there bots on q2.pieter.com?
Yes. When we checked, the live player list on the front page showed several bots alongside human players, so you can usually find someone to shoot at.
Which engine does q2.pieter.com use?
It credits FTE QuakeWorld, an open-source engine that can run Quake II data, compiled to WebAssembly for the browser.
Unofficial. This page is written by an independent directory. It is not made by, endorsed by or affiliated with id Software (Activision) or Pieter Levels (pieter.com) (Quake II on q2.pieter.com's author). We do not host any files, and we never link to game files, ROMs or ISOs.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on Oct 17, 2026. Versions and steps follow the official project; if they differ, the official source wins.