This area should help you when running all of those great add-on Quake 2 levels and includes instructions for level authors for uploading levels to cdrom.com so the whole world can see your work. As time goes on we will be adding to this area.
First , you must own a copy of Quake2 Registered v3.05 or higher.
Read the text file that comes with the level. Most of the time the author includes instructions on how to install the level. The author's will also usually include their e-mail address so you can always ask them if you have any real problems or just want to send them back any feedback on it.
Put the Quake 2 level into the directory 'quake2\baseq2\maps' (ex: c:\quake2\baseq2\maps) You may need to create the directory 'maps'. Then Unzip the file. This will create a .bsp file and a .txt file.
Start up Quake 2
When Quake 2 has finished loading, press the ~ key (the key next to the "1") to bring down the console.
At the console prompt type "map mapname" where "mapname" is the name of the level. Example: if the file name of the level is newmap.bsp', then you would type " map newmap " at the console prompt. Press Enter. This should start up the level and you will be on your way to playing a cool game. NOTE: DO NOT type "map newmap.bsp"
To get a deathmatch level to work for you...At the console type deathmatch 2 then "enter".
Then type map newmap then "enter" and the game will be in deathmatch 2 mode playing the level you specified.
The first thing to do when you get a .pak file is READ THE AUTHORS INSTRUCTIONS in the text file accompanying the download. There are usually instructions on how to make it work for you.
If after reading the text file, you are still confused or the instructions are vague, go ahead and try the following...
Create a directory under the Quake2 file. You can name it anything you want but for illustration purposes I have just downloaded usermap.zip and will name the new directory "usermap"
Unzip the file in your new directory. You should now see at least two files. Pak0.pak
usermap.txt
To play the level you must do one of two things...
At a dos prompt in c:\Quake2 type in quake2 +game usermap +skill 1 +map usermap To change the skill level just substitute +skill 1 with +skill 0 for easy or +skill 2 for hard.
If the above is too much to remember all the time you can make a usermap.bat file and put it in your Quake2 folder and just double click it when you want to play that particular level.
Simply open Notepad and type in... quake2 +game usermap +skill 1 +map usermap
Save it as usermap.bat and put it in your Quake2 folder.
Hopefully you will now be enjoying that great level and be able to have a lot of fun!
Here's the scoop regarding uploading files to cdrom.com.
Anyone can upload their work as long as you follow their rules which are posted at
the top of their incoming page.
Pick a name for each zip file that is unique.... go to http://www.cdrom.com/pub/quake/quake2/levels/ and look it up to make sure your name is not the same as someone else's. All the levels are in a-c, d-f, etc.
Make a zip file for each map... include a text file in the zip... you must also upload a separate text file of the same name for every zip.... example...map.zip (with the text file in it too) map.txt
Also make sure they are in the same "case" so they will be together, a lot of authors make the mistake of calling the zip file "map.zip" and the text file "MAP.txt".. a bad idea as the administrator tends to throw both away.
Make sure there is a zip file and a separate text file of the same name uploaded to the server. If you don't do this the administrator will purge them.
Click on file.... click on upload file... find your files and click "open" and the file will transfer :)
When finished you will see your two files listed in the incoming section.
map.zip (with the text file in it too) map.txt
Hope this helps... if it works, your maps will be available to the whole world of Quakeing lunatics like me :)
This is the problem we most frequently get mail for so here is a simple fix.
Go to http://www.cdrom.com/pub/quake/quake2/ and choose a mirror site closest to you. I'm sure you will find a faster site which will accommodate you.
There are times we will not be able to link to cdrom.com or our own site due to requests from the author for exclusive rights. If you have slow download or corrupt files problems we will not be able to help you (the file really did work for us, that's how we got it). You will have to get in contact with the people on that site and let them know of the problem.
