PortedGames
Browser · MS-DOS → Browser

QuakeWorld on q1.pieter.com

QuakeWorld deathmatch in a browser tab: the FTE QuakeWorld engine in WebAssembly connected to a live server, using the shareware episode. No install, no own files.

WorkingNo game files neededUpdated Oct 17, 2026
▶ Play QuakeWorld on q1.pieter.com ↗

Opens the port on its author's site (q1.pieter.com) in a new tab. We do not host it.

Verdict: q1.pieter.com lets you play QuakeWorld deathmatch in a desktop browser with no install and no game files of your own. It loads the free shareware episode of Quake and drops you onto a live server. The site was up when we checked on 2026-10-17, with a dozen players on map e1m7. Phones are untested. It is an unofficial fan project, so the play button opens the original site in a new tab.

What it is

Quake came out in 1996 from id Software and is one of the games that made online deathmatch popular. Playing over the internet was laggy at first, so id released QuakeWorld in December 1996: a separate client and server with client-side prediction, which made movement feel smooth even with a slow connection. Most competitive Quake play since then has been QuakeWorld.

q1.pieter.com runs QuakeWorld through the open-source FTE QuakeWorld engine compiled to WebAssembly. The browser client connects over a WebSocket to Pieter Levels’ own QuakeWorld server. The front page shows how many people are online, which map is running, a top players list for 24 hours, 7 days and all time, and a countdown to a daily match at 20:00 UTC.

How it started

Pieter Levels first built a virtual null modem on 10 June 2026: two people played the DOS version of Quake through an emulated serial cable in his web-based Windows 3.1 PC. The same day he spun it off into a standalone multiplayer page, then replaced it with QuakeWorld because the original Quake netcode felt laggy over his relay. The DOS null modem version is still linked from the site for people who want the classic experience.

What you need

  • A recent desktop browser. Chrome or Edge are the safe choices for WebAssembly games.
  • Keyboard and mouse, or a gamepad.
  • Nothing else. The site downloads the shareware data (about 18 MB) on first load. It contains episode 1, “Dimension of the Doomed”, so you will not see maps from the other episodes.

Controls

These are the default bindings the site sets:

Action Key
Move WASD
Aim Mouse
Fire Left mouse button
Jump Right mouse button
Scoreboard Tab
Chat / team chat T / Y

On a gamepad the left stick moves, the right stick looks, the right trigger fires and A jumps.

  • It is an unofficial, non-commercial fan project, not affiliated with id Software. Quake is owned by id Software’s parent companies.
  • It uses the shareware version of Quake, which id released for free distribution. You do not upload or install anything.
  • If you enjoy it, the full game, including the 2021 remaster, is sold on Steam.

Not working?

  • Nobody else is there: try the daily match at the time shown on the front page, which is meant to bring players together.
  • Lag or rubber-banding: the server location decides your ping; there is no region choice.
  • The mouse does not aim: click inside the game to capture the pointer.
  • If it is down, try the Quake II and Quake III Arena servers on the same platform.

FAQ

Can you play Quake multiplayer in a browser?

Yes. q1.pieter.com runs QuakeWorld, the online version of Quake, in a desktop browser tab and connects you to a live deathmatch server. Nothing needs to be installed.

Do I need to own Quake to play on q1.pieter.com?

No. The site loads the free shareware data of Quake by itself, so you only get the first episode's maps. For the full game, buy Quake from an official store.

Who made q1.pieter.com?

Pieter Levels (@levelsio) runs it as part of pieter.com, which he calls a non-commercial preservation project. The engine is FTE QuakeWorld. It is not made or endorsed by id Software.

How many players can join a QuakeWorld game on q1.pieter.com?

The page says up to 8 players. The front page shows a live list of who is on the server and which map is running.

Does q1.pieter.com work on a phone?

The site does not promise phone support. We have not tested it on phones, so use a desktop browser with a keyboard and mouse or a gamepad.

Unofficial. This page is written by an independent directory. It is not made by, endorsed by or affiliated with id Software (GT Interactive) or Pieter Levels (pieter.com) (QuakeWorld on q1.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.