# JoeQuake

> Quake engine fork for speed runners

**Wikidata**: [Q124581254](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124581254)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/joequake

## Summary
JoeQuake is a source port of the Quake engine specifically developed for speedrunners. It is a free software application designed to run on Microsoft Windows, offering optimizations and features tailored for the speedrunning community. The project is actively maintained, with its latest stable release (version 0.18.0) published on July 12, 2025.

## Key Facts
- **Definition:** JoeQuake is a fork of the Quake engine (specifically a "source port") optimized for speedrunning.
- **Initial Release:** The software was first published on May 7, 2006.
- **Platform:** It runs exclusively on the Microsoft Windows operating system family.
- **Latest Version:** The stable version 0.18.0 was released on July 12, 2025.
- **Software Classification:** It is classified as both free software and a source port.
- **Genre:** First-person shooter.
- **Game Mode:** Single-player video game.
- **Source Code:** The code is maintained in a repository hosted by GitHub under the user `j0zzz`.
- **Website:** The official web resource is hosted at `https://j0zzz.github.io/JoeQuake/`.

## FAQs
### Q: What is JoeQuake used for?
A: JoeQuake is a modified version of the Quake engine designed specifically to assist speedrunners in playing and recording playthroughs of the game Quake. It provides the technical environment needed for high-performance gameplay.

### Q: Is JoeQuake free to use?
A: Yes, JoeQuake is classified as free software, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it. It is available for digital download.

### Q: What is the most recent version of JoeQuake?
A: As of July 12, 2025, the most recent stable version is 0.18.0. Previous recent releases include versions 0.17.7, 0.17.8, and 0.17.9.

## Why It Matters
JoeQuake holds a specific and vital role within the classic gaming and speedrunning communities. While the original Quake engine pioneered the first-person shooter genre, standard source ports often lack the precision tools required by competitive players. JoeQuake fills this gap by providing a specialized environment that caters to the unique needs of speedrunners—players focused on completing the game as quickly as possible.

Its significance lies in its longevity and continued maintenance. Originally published in 2006, the software has seen continued development well into the mid-2020s (with releases noted through 2025). This ongoing support ensures that the game remains accessible and playable on modern Windows systems while preserving the specific mechanics and timing required for competitive records. By bridging historical software with modern hardware needs, JoeQuake helps sustain the vitality of the Quake speedrunning scene.

## Notable For
- **Speedrunning Optimization:** Unlike general-purpose source ports, JoeQuake is explicitly built to serve the speedrunning community.
- **Active Long-term Development:** The project demonstrates a long lifecycle, spanning from 2006 to 2025 with continuous stable updates.
- **Detailed Versioning:** The project maintains a rigorous release schedule, with frequent stable updates (e.g., moving from 0.17.9 to 0.18.0 within distinct timeframes).
- **Digital Accessibility:** Distributed via GitHub and digital download, ensuring easy access to the latest builds.

## Body
### Development and Release History
JoeQuake was initially published on May 7, 2006. It is developed as a fork of the original Quake engine (engine ID Q181202). The software is categorized as a "source port," meaning it ports the game's functionality to newer systems or modifies it for specific uses—in this case, speedrunning.

The development is characterized by frequent stable releases. Recent development activity includes:
- **Version 0.17.7:** Released November 3, 2023.
- **Version 0.17.8:** Released September 7, 2024.
- **Version 0.17.9:** Released December 23, 2024.
- **Version 0.18.0:** Released July 12, 2025.

### Technical Specifications
JoeQuake is designed exclusively for the **Microsoft Windows** platform. It functions as a single-player video game within the first-person shooter genre. The software is available in English.

Regarding licensing and copyright, structured data indicates the software is "copyrighted" and lists a "proprietary license," yet it is also explicitly classified as **free software**. This allows users to run, study, change, and distribute the software and its modified versions.

### Distribution and Availability
The software is distributed primarily via digital distribution channels. The official source code repository is located on **GitHub** at `https://github.com/j0zzz/JoeQuake`. Users can access the project through the main website `https://j0zzz.github.io/JoeQuake/` or via an older domain at `joequake.runecentral.com`.

The project maintains identifiers across several databases:
- **Wikidata ID:** (General entry for JoeQuake)
- **Quake Wiki ID:** 455
- **VGList Video Game ID:** 95081
- **Repology Project Name:** joequake
- **Gamerprofiles Game ID:** DRNmm

## References

1. [Release 0.17.7. 2023](https://github.com/j0zzz/JoeQuake/releases/tag/v0.17.7)
2. [Release 0.17.8. 2024](https://github.com/j0zzz/JoeQuake/releases/tag/v0.17.8)
3. [Release 0.17.9. 2024](https://github.com/j0zzz/JoeQuake/releases/tag/v0.17.9)
4. [Release 0.18.0. 2025](https://github.com/j0zzz/JoeQuake/releases/tag/v0.18.0)
5. [Release 0.18.1. 2026](https://github.com/j0zzz/JoeQuake/releases/tag/v0.18.1)
6. [Source](https://github.com/j0zzz/JoeQuake)
7. [Source](https://joequake@gmail.com)