Editing Quake II (section)

===Ports===
[[Porting|Ports]] of ''Quake II'' were released in 1999 on the [[Nintendo 64]] (ported by Raster Productions) and [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] (ported by [[HammerHead (company)|HammerHead]]) video game consoles.<ref>{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=1999-10-16 |title=Quake II |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/10/16/quake-ii-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813151836/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/10/16/quake-ii-2 |archive-date=August 13, 2023 |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=I. G. N. Staff |date=1999-07-01 |title=Quake II |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/07/01/quake-ii-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216104142/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/07/01/quake-ii-5 |archive-date=December 16, 2023 |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> In both cases, the core gameplay was largely identical; however, changes were made to the game sequence and [[Split screen (computer graphics)|split-screen]] multiplayer replaced network or Internet play. A Macintosh port was developed by Logicware and released in July 1999. ''Quake II: Colossus'' (''Quake II'' with both official add-ons) was ported to [[Linux]] by id Software and published by [[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan Digital Publishing]] in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-06-17 |title=Macmillan Says 'Let the Linux Games Begin!'; Market Leader in Linux Software & Books Offers 'Quake' & 'Civilization' |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Macmillan+Says+'Let+the+Linux+Games+Begin!'%3B+Market+Leader+in+Linux...-a054913355 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305020245/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Macmillan+Says+'Let+the+Linux+Games+Begin!'%3B+Market+Leader+in+Linux...-a054913355 |archive-date=2016-03-05 |access-date=2018-03-03 |website=[[Business Wire]]}}</ref> [[Be Inc.]] ported ''Quake II: Colossus'' to [[BeOS]] to test their OpenGL acceleration in 1999, and provided the game files for free download at a later date—a Windows, Macintosh, or Linux install CD was required to install the game, with the add-ons being optional.

[[File:Q2psx.jpg|thumb|left|''Quake II'' on the PlayStation]]

The PlayStation version contains abridged versions of Units 1, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 10 of the PC version, redesigned to meet the console's technical limitations.<ref name="exclusive-interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/11/26/exclusive-quake-ii-interview |title=Exclusive Quake II Interview |date=November 25, 1998 |first=Douglass |last=Perry |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=November 15, 2017}}</ref><ref name="real-interview">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/12/31/the-real-quake-ii-interview |title=The Real Quake II Interview |date=December 30, 1998 |first=Douglass |last=Perry |website=IGN |access-date=November 15, 2017}}</ref> For example, many short [[airlock]]-like corridors were added to maps to provide loading pauses inside what were contiguous areas in the PC version. In addition, part of the first mission of the N64 port is used as a prologue. Some enemy types were removed and two new enemies was added: the Arachnid, a human-spider cyborg with twin [[railgun]] arms, and the Guardian, a bipedal boss enemy. Saving the game is only possible between levels and at mid-level checkpoints where the game loads, while in the PC version the game could be saved and loaded at any time. The game supports the [[PlayStation Mouse]] peripheral to provide a greater parity with the PC version's gameplay. The music used in this port is a combination of the ''Quake II'' original music score and tracks from the PC version's mission packs, while the opening and closing cut-scenes are taken from the Ground Zero expansion pack.

The PlayStation version uses an engine developed by [[HammerHead (company)|HammerHead]] for their future PlayStation projects<ref name="real-interview" /> and runs at a 512x240 resolution at 30 frames per second.<ref name="exclusive-interview" /> The developer was keen to retain a visual parity with the PC version and avoid tricks such as the use of environmental fog. Colored lights for levels and enemies, and yellow highlights for gunfire and explosions, are carried across from the PC version, with the addition of [[lens flare]] effects located around the light sources on the original lightmaps. There is no [[Skybox (video games)|skybox]]; instead, a flat [[Gouraud shading|Gouraud]]-textured purple "sky" is drawn across the ceiling. The game uses [[particle system|particles]] to render blood, debris, and rail gun beams analogously to the PC version.

There is a split-screen [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] mode for two to four players (a four player game is possible using the PlayStation's Multi-tap). The only available player avatar is a modified version of the male player avatar from the PC version, the most noticeable difference being the addition of a helmet. Players can only customize the color of their avatar's armor and change their name. The twelve multiplayer levels featured are unique to the PlayStation version, with none of the PC multiplayer maps being carried over.

The Nintendo 64 version has different single-player levels and multiplayer maps, and features multiplayer support for up to four players. This version has new lighting effects, mostly seen in gunfire, and uses the [[Nintendo 64 accessories#Expansion Pak|Expansion Pak]] for extra graphical detail. This port features a new soundtrack, consisting mostly of [[dark ambient]] pieces, composed by [[Aubrey Hodges]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Quake - Nintendo 64: Official Soundtrack, by Aubrey Hodges |url=https://aubreyhodges.bandcamp.com/album/quake-nintendo-64-official-soundtrack |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605112245/https://aubreyhodges.bandcamp.com/album/quake-nintendo-64-official-soundtrack |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=Aubrey Hodges |language=en}}</ref>

A port of ''Quake II'' was included with ''[[Quake 4]]'' for the [[Xbox 360]] on a bonus disc. This is a direct port of the original game, with some graphical improvements.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2015-quake-2-on-xbox-360-the-first-console-hd-remaster |title=Quake 2 on Xbox 360: the first console HD remaster |first=John |last=Linneman |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=February 15, 2015 |access-date=November 15, 2017}}</ref> The port allows for System Link play for up to sixteen players, split-screen for four players, and cooperative play in single-player for up to sixteen players or four players with split-screen alone.