Quake: QTest1 public deathmatch release.
(a quick video of me running around the test2 map) (UPDATED!)
In case you want to delve into this piece of first person shooter history yourself you can download Qtest and DOSbox (to run the game on modern computers or even setup a multiplayer game via the DOSbox emulator). Be sure to review the README and other text files in Qtest as well as learning about DOSbox from the official site. Enjoy and have fun!
Qtest1 download: http://www.quaketerminus.com/tools/qt... 4.1mb
DOSbox download: http://www.dosbox.com
(Details about the video)
(Visit http://www.unseen64.net for a wide variety of rare game footage)
This is where it all began, where the masterminds at id Software worked hours upon hours creating what is now an iconic piece of gaming history, when the Quake guy received a swift kick to the balls (the early SFX of taking damage), interaction with a true 3D environment instead of burning your eyes out of the sockets staring at a still image of Quake in a gaming magazine, and being able to start a network game via TCP/IP, null modem serial cable, and IPX LAN. (there was a program later released to play on dial-up modem to modem, but the lag for the client was so bad that it rendered the multiplayer unplayable)
On February 24, 1996 a lot of players sat around in the IRC EFnet channel #Quake (which spawned maybe a little over 9 channels of mayhem) waiting for John Romero of id Software to join and make an offical announcement of the Qtest release. During this time several people were kicked from the first channel to try and make room for Mr. Romero.
His initial response that I remember upon joining #Quake was "ftp.idsoftware.com/idstuff/qtest1.zip" (it was like getting hit in the face by a blast of hot air).
This DM test has three levels (which were completed later on and given names in the registered release) Test1 (DM1: Place of Two Deaths), Test2 (DM2: Claustrophobopolis), and Test3 (DM3: The Abandoned Base)
Total of six weapons available: Shotgun, Super Shotgun, Nailgun, Super Nailgun, Grenade Launcher, and Rocket Launcher (that became a popular weapon to use in the official shareware / registered releases)