Guide: Get a list of servers again in Quake 4!

This guide will help you having an alternate masterserver for Quake 4.

Introduction

EDIT 05/01/2022: The masterserver is officially back, I've thus modified the guide for GOG users who want to have an ability to play online.

This article is mainly for GOG users but can be used as a fallback if iD's official masterserver breaks again.

Recently, I have been able to recreate from scratch a masterserver that works with Prey (2006), but was also adapted to support Quake 4 and Doom 3. I have been able to share the info with the community. However, updating the masterserver to a new IP address isn't that much of an easy task, and will require some slight computer knowledge.

This guide will help you to see servers again, as well as giving you information to host some for future events. Also, this will work on the Steam version (V.1.4.3), the GOG release (also v1.4.3) and the retail version (V1.4.2).

I will give you 2 methods to achieve it: either by changing a CVAR (easiest method) or by modifying the DNS, for advanced users.

Method 1: Changing a CVAR (easiest way)

This method is extremely simple.

- First of all, open up the console ( CTRL + ALT + ~ )
- Then, type this command:

seta net_master0 "q4masterserver.baseq.fr" 

NOTE: GOG users should create an autoexec.cfg file with this line as this CVAR isn't saved.

If you want to revert to the original masterserver, type this command instead:

seta net_master0 "q4master.idsoftware.com" 

Finally, restart the game to apply it. That's all!

Method 2: Manually changing the DNS

This method is not really recommended as the masterserver's IP can change at any time. Besides, GOG users cannot use it, as iD purposely emptied the masterserver address.

To do this method, you’ll have to modify your hosts file and add this line to redirect the previous masterserver address to the newest.

First of all, ping q4masterserver.baseq.fr to know the IP address of the masterserver (at the time of this guide, it is 217.182.206.29):


Then, we will open the Hosts file. To do so, here are the steps to do (taken from this page[gist.github.com]):
1) Press the Windows key.
2) Type Notepad in the search field.
3) In the search results, right-click Notepad and select Run as administrator.
4) From Notepad, open the following file:

c:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\hosts

Now, we will add the following line at the end of the file:

217.182.206.49 q4master.idsoftware.com

Finally, click File > Save to save your changes.

Pfew, done.


If you want to come back to the original masterserver, just delete that line you created.

Verifying if it worked

Now that we replaced the master, we will verify if it worked.

When starting up your game, open the console. (CTRL+ALT+~). The game should attribute you a GUID, like this:


In addition to this, when you'll click on the Game Browser...

Congratulations! You can now see servers again!

Simple, isn't it? ;)

For server creators

For server creators, you can add the masterserver very easily, by simply adding this command to your configuration files:

seta net_master1 "q4masterserver.baseq.fr:27650"

That's all you need to do!

Conclusion

I hope this small guide will help you in planning or play games online a little easier than before. I was really happy recreating a masterserver for the past few days that I needed to share it with y'all. :)

Have fun!

Changelog

05/01/2022:
- Changed most of the guide, as the official masterserver is back online.
04/01/2022:
- Added a new, simple method to change the masterserver address.

[messier26]

Большое спасибо! Это великолепный подарок в новом году! Всегда хотел попробовать Quake 4. Хотя в основном играю в Quake Champions. Эта проблема со списком серверов не давала мне спать в течении двух недель. Я думал что проблема в провайдере или настройках роутера. Вы предложили элегантное решение. Премного обязан.