Home
History
Q3A
Hall of Fame
Configs
Tips
About Quake 3 Arena
The arrival of a new type of game came in December 1999: Quake 3 Arena, unleashed by id Software. There was much anticipation about this game that was built specifically for online gaming. Originally, it was supposed to be the online version of Quake's sequel: Quake 2. However, while in developement there were many changes made to it, as well as many new features that made it appear as a completely new game. Hence, it was dubbed Quake 3 Arena.
Before Q3A was released, there was much concern about the storyline. Every game that id Software made beforehand each had its own unique plot. Since Q3A was primarily meant to be a multiplayer game, there was the possiblity of the single player campaign not needing a story at all. However, before the release date, the makers did end up putting together an outline to entertain id Software fans. It was a very simple storyline: A superior alien race known as the Vadrigar, traveled through time and throughout the universe in search for the most fearless warriors ever known. Then by stealing them away, they unleashed all of the warriors into the Arena Eternal, a torture chamber built particularly for these fighters, where they were forced to slay one another all for the Vadrigar's entertainment. Unfortunately for the Arena Eternal warriors, the Vadrigar possessed a superior technology, one that allowed each fighter to be reincarnated unlimited times after being fragged (killed). Hence, the warriors were doomed forever, trapped inside an artificial hell to feed the Vandrigar's thirst for blood and carnage.
The release of Quake 3 Arena marked a new benchmark for the online gaming community, and set the standard for all FPS games to follow. Q3A had everything that an online game would need to entertain online gamers. It had beautiful network coding, powerful weapons to wield, preferable player options, great graphics, and superb online gaming quality. Quake 3 Arena was one of the first games of its kind that was skill-based. Meaning, it took skill and savvy to reach the upper ranks of the online community. Unlike other games, no newbie is going to be able to connect to a server, and start owning people left and right. Q3A was like a sport. It took time, effort, and a lot of practice to become a good player; and a great amount of desire to become a great player. Once you figure out what makes the game tick, and get so good at exercising the skills involved in the game to the point where it is almost like walking, you develop your own style and savvy. This style and savvy defines who you are in the game, and is how people identify you. Quake 3 Arena was an instant success when it hit stores before the millenium. Thousands of players instantly connected online, and gaming servers were in great demand. Gamers of all types played on the Q3A servers during its glorious beginnings. From the high school teenager to the truck driver, Q3A attracted a wide array of gamers.