Id Software released Quake in 1996. Today, in 2020, I still play the game. I used to play it every
so often to waste a little time (see
previous post).
On one of those recent occasions I paused to search the Web for any updates or mods that would allow
me to play it full screen on my extension monitor. I still have the original game CD, but thought I might
try Steam in case their software allowed it. That's where I learned about Quakespasm.
Quakespasm is essentially a mod of the original game. You'll need the original .exe to use it. It
is an updated, cross-platform engine for the game that supports widescreen field of view at much higher
resolutions than did the original.
And the animations are buttery smooth. The characters are still "blocky," but their movements sure
aren't.
Is this retro gaming? When I think "retro," I think Nintendo's "Donkey Kong" (1981) and Williams'
"Defender" (1981). But, considering I've been playing Quake for 22 years... You know, when Quake came out
I was playing "DOOM", another Id Software release. I can't play "DOOM" natively on my Windows 10 laptop
because an essential Windows component doesn't exist anymore in the operating system (this can be
rememdied). The only reason I can still play Quake is because Id Software developed its own engine (that
doesn't rely on DPLAY.DLL). When one considers those facts, I think one has to include "Quake" in the
category, however reluctantly.
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