QuArK

Free plan LinuxWindows

What QuArK is

QuArK is a free editor for maps and, to a limited extent, models for games based on or similar to the Quake engine. It is aimed at people creating total conversions or changing game resources. Alongside map editing, it can import, export, and convert sounds, textures, and other assets, and modify .pak and .pk3 files. It can also open compiled BSP maps so users can inspect and change their entities.

For building maps, QuArK includes duplicators and shape builders for structures such as stairs and arches. Editing the texture on a source duplicator item updates its copies. Documented output formats include Classic Quake, QuArK etp, Valve 220, and Brush Primitives. The SourceForge project page lists 3D preview through software, OpenGL, Direct3D, and 3Dfx Glide rendering, plus Python plugin support; more than 60 plugins are bundled with the installer. QuArK Explorer gathers game assets into a .QRK file and can link material from earlier projects into later ones. The project page lists 41 games and 5 generic engines; the FAQ’s figure is 31 games. QuArK is free under GNU GPL v2, with Windows binaries available. The Linux guide describes running it through Wine.

Who it suits

QuArK suits people making total conversions or editing maps and resources for games based on or similar to the Quake engine. Its asset tools and project organization may also help users who reuse game files across projects.

What it does well

Edits maps and, to a limited extent, models.
Imports, exports, and converts sounds, textures, and other assets.
Can inspect and change entities in compiled BSP files.
Includes more than 60 Python plugins with the installer.
QuArK Explorer gathers assets into a .QRK file.

What to know first

Linux setup uses Wine to run the Windows binaries.
Floating-point map coordinates can cause problems with some build tools.

Limits

Floating-point coordinates in QuArK maps can cause problems for build tools that cannot read them.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
QuArK	GNU GPL v2 · Windows binaries available	Free

As quark.sourceforge.io lists them, read 8 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://quark.sourceforge.io/.
For Windows, use the available Windows binaries and installer.
For Linux, follow the maker’s guide to run QuArK through Wine.
Use the free GNU GPL v2 plan.

Verdict

Choose QuArK if you need a free map and game-asset editor for Quake-like engines, with tools for map construction and project asset reuse. Check your build tools’ support for floating-point map coordinates, and note that the Linux guide uses Wine.

Questions

How much does QuArK cost?

The QuArK plan is free.

Which platforms does it support?

The listed platforms are Linux and Windows. The Linux guide describes running QuArK through Wine.

What games and engines does it support?

The SourceForge project page lists 41 games and 5 generic game engines. The FAQ describes 31 games at the time that page was written.

Can it edit compiled maps?

It can import compiled BSP files so users can inspect and change their entities.

Is QuArK open source?

It is distributed under GNU GPL v2, and Windows binaries are available.

Facts from QuArK's own pages

Asset tools: It can import, export, and convert sounds, textures, and other game assets, and modify .pak and .pk3 files. · quark.sourceforge.io, 8 Oct 2026
Compiled maps: QuArK can import compiled BSP files to inspect and change their entities. · quark.sourceforge.io, 8 Oct 2026
Distribution contents: The documented Windows installer includes QuArK binaries, a bundled Python micro-distribution, and the Infobase; source and help archives are also listed as distribution files. · quark.sourceforge.io, 8 Oct 2026
Intended users: The FAQ describes QuArK as useful to people creating total conversions or editing resources for their games. · quark.sourceforge.io, 8 Oct 2026
Known map-format limitation: The maker warns that floating-point coordinates in QuArK maps can cause problems with build tools that cannot read them. · quark.sourceforge.io, 8 Oct 2026
Linux setup: The maker’s Linux guide describes running QuArK through Wine, a compatibility layer for Windows binaries. · quark.sourceforge.io, 8 Oct 2026
Map editing: The FAQ describes duplicators and shape builders for making structures such as stairs and arches, with texture changes to an original duplicator item updating its copies. · quark.sourceforge.io, 8 Oct 2026
Map formats: Documented output map formats include Classic Quake, QuArK etp, Valve 220, and Brush Primitives. · quark.sourceforge.io, 8 Oct 2026
Platforms: The project page lists Windows; the FAQ says QuArK can be made to run on Linux. · quark.sourceforge.io, 8 Oct 2026
Project organization: QuArK Explorer can collect game assets into a single .QRK file and link files from past projects into future projects. · quark.sourceforge.io, 8 Oct 2026
Purpose: QuArK edits maps and, to a limited extent, models for games using engines based on or similar to the Quake engine. · quark.sourceforge.io, 8 Oct 2026
Python plugins: The SourceForge project page says QuArK is extendable with Python plugins and that over 60 are bundled with the installer. · sourceforge.net, 8 Oct 2026
Rendering: The SourceForge project page lists 3D preview using software, OpenGL, Direct3D, and 3Dfx Glide rendering. · sourceforge.net, 8 Oct 2026
Supported games: The maker’s FAQ says QuArK had expanded to 31 games at the time that page was written; the SourceForge project page lists support for 41 games and 5 generic game engines. · sourceforge.net, 8 Oct 2026

Where QuArK stands on Freedom251

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