Install Quake 3 Server Using Docker Compose

This article is for those looking for a detailed and straightforward guide on installing Quake 3 Server using Docker Compose.

QuakeJS is a project that allows you to play Quake 3 in your browser using WebGL technology for graphics rendering. This makes QuakeJS an ideal choice for those who want to quickly set up a gaming server without the need to install additional software.

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Architecture Context

Choose a self-hosted Quake III server when you need full control over game configuration, custom maps, and network settings. Cloud game hosting services offer managed alternatives with automatic scaling but limited mod support. Self-hosting is the right approach when you need a dedicated server for LAN parties, competitive play, or custom game modes without recurring hosting fees.

💾 You can find the repository used in this guide on GitHub.

CAUTION

You will need A-type records in the external DNS zone, which point to the IP address of your server where Quake 3 Server is installed. If you have created these records recently, you should wait before starting the installation of the services. Full replication of these records between DNS servers can take from a few minutes to 48 hours or even longer in rare cases.

CAUTION

Alternatively, you can use the public static IP address of your server to connect directly.

IMPORTANT

Docker Engine and Docker Compose must be installed on the server.

For a step-by-step guide on installing Docker Engine on Ubuntu Server, see Install Docker Engine and Docker Compose on Ubuntu Server

IMPORTANT

OpenSSH must be installed on the server, and port 22 must be open in order to be able to connect to the server using the SSH protocol.

To install OpenSSH on the server you can use the command:

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sudo apt install openssh-server

NOTE

To connect to the server from a Windows system, you can use tools like PuTTY or MobaXterm.

NOTE

This guide walks you through connecting to a server with the iTerm2 terminal emulator on macOS.

CAUTION

You will need to open the following TCP ports for access to the services:

• TCP port 80 - for accessing Quake 3 via the web interface.
• TCP port 27960 - for Quake 3 gaming servers, used for connecting clients to the server.

We connect to the server on which Quake 3 Server is planned to be installed.

Next, you need to clone the repository that contains the configuration files, which include all the necessary conditions for Quake 3 Server to work.

You can clone the repository using the command:

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git clone https://github.com/heyvaldemar/quake3-server-docker-compose.git

Navigate to the directory with the repository using the command:

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cd quake3-server-docker-compose

Next, you need to change the variables in the .env and server.cfg file according to your requirements.

NOTE

The .env and server.cfg file should be in the same directory as quake3-server-docker-compose.yml.

Now let’s start Quake 3 Server with the command:

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docker compose -f quake3-server-docker-compose.yml -p quake3-server up -d

To access the Quake 3, go to http://quake3.heyvaldemar.net from your workstation, where quake3.heyvaldemar.net is the domain name of my service. Accordingly, you will need to specify the name or IP address of your server where Quake 3 Server is installed.

Click on the “I agree” button if you accept the terms of the license agreement.

I wish you all a pleasant game!

To connect to your Quake 3 Server, enter its domain name in the game client. This name should resolve to the IP address of the server where Quake 3 Server is installed. Alternatively, you can use the server’s public static IP address for a direct connection.

IMPORTANT

If you are using a domain name, ensure that the A records in your DNS zone are correctly set up to point to this IP. If the records were created recently, it is recommended to wait before starting to use the services. The propagation of DNS records can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours or more.

To apply new settings in the server.cfg file of your Quake 3 server, execute the following command. This will restart the Docker container hosting the server, which is necessary to activate the configuration changes.

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QUAKE3_SERVER_CONTAINER=$(docker ps -aqf "name=quake3-server-quake3-server") \
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&& docker container restart $QUAKE3_SERVER_CONTAINER

After running this command, all the changes you made in the configuration file will be applied, and the server will restart with the new settings. This ensures a quick and convenient update of settings without the need for a complete server shutdown.