In order to start playing, first you must update the game with the latest patch,
Point Release 1.32. This update includes up-to-date game fixes as well as
PunkBuster, Anti-Cheat software used to prevent online cheating.
In order to join PunkBuster enabled servers you must type "
/pb_cl_enable" in the console (press the tilde key: ~ on your keyboard to open the console while in-game). In addition, you should enter "
/pb_sleep 500" and "
/pb_system 1" in the console in order to reduce any slowdown or stuttering due to PunkBuster's scanning.
Afterwords, you should download
PBWEB.exe, which will allow you to manually update PunkBuster. Place the file in your "
Quake III Arena\pb" directory and launch the executable. It will take a few minutes for it to update, be patient.
Next, Download and install
All-Seeing Eye to browse for game servers. While not necessary, ASE is far superior to the in-game browser, therefore I suggest you use it. Open the All-Seeing Eye program. In ASE, under the Game column, you'll find what mod the server is running. Baseq3 refers to a server running w/o any modifications. If you don't have the mod that the server is running you'll have to download it (use google to locate mod developers website and the corresponding mod files).
Rocket Arena 3,
Threewave,
OSP,
DeFraG,
CPMA and
Urban Terror are some of the more popular mods, just to name a few.
In addition, you may find servers running maps you do not have (indicated by their red color in ASE). You can either turn automatic downloading of missing files on by typing "
/cl_allowDownload 1" in the console or finding the map via
Google. Some of the more popular maps are ztn3tourney1, hub3aeroq3, cos1_beta7b, along with the Threewave CTF and CPMA map packs. You can find even more custom-made maps at
LvLworld.
Also, be sure to check out the
FAQ, it contains a wealth of information and may contain answers to any additional questions you may have.
If you have any further questions please do not hesisate to ask, we are here to help!
Good Luck and Happy Fragging!
