Rocket Arena Quake

Rocket Arena did not start off as a mod but rather a single server for Quakeworld publicized on PlanetQuake. This server would run a custom map that would be automatically downloaded when you connected to it. Players were expected to follow a code of conduct when connecting to this server, they would take their turn

1. Buy Quake One from Steam
2. Download Darkplaces
3. Download Arena (Client files)
4. Download the Map Pack
5. Download the Server (If you want to host games)

Rocket Arena is a special sub-game for Quake where players engage in one-on-one matches. They are automatically provided with all the weapons and given enough ammo for each of them as well as a complement of armor.

Two players were placed in the arena, one died and the other had all their health/ammo/armor restored to full and a new player was placed in to face the winner. All non-active players watched from an observation room high above.

The person with the most frags (kills) at the end of the level won;
conditions varied per server, some had a time limit, others had a kill limit, some had both.

The mod was originally 100% server side, meaning that the server used a special progs.dat file and without having to download anything except the map (which was done automatically thanks to the Quakeworld client), players could connect to the server and the server would automatically rotate through players.

The mod was quickly bundled with an ever expanding quantity of maps, eventually custom sound files and other things were added and it was expected that players would download the package prior to attempting  join a Rocket Arena server.

With the release of Quake 2 came a Rocket Arena 2 mod and so Rocket Arena for Quake One became known as RA1 to separate itself from RA2 and later on RA3 for Quake 3. Rocket Arena 2 introduced maps with multiple arenas and Rocket Arena 3's primary focus shifted to the Clan Arena where two teams duked it out under the same single elimination rules.

Due to the innovation of the Railgun and ever changing game physics, RA2 and RA3 play very differently from RA1. While the Railgun is an amazing, wicked fun sniper gun, it's overpowered strength spoils the 'pure'  battle experience of RA1 and I recommend that all RA2 and RA3 players give RA1 a try some time to return to a time when Rocket Jumping was king.

Rocket Arena and other details can be gotten on the Rocket Arena help thread at Quakeone.com but if you aren't intending host a server, only the levels need to be downloaded. The level package can be found on this QuakeOne.com page.

The only server to have regular players these days is a quake.shmack.net:26001 all other games are pre-organized.