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What is Xonotic?
Xonotic is a free, fast-paced arena first-person shooter for Linux, Windows and macOS. It is built around quick movement, map control and a weapon set where each gun has a primary and a secondary fire, so success depends on picking the right tool for the situation rather than learning one dominant weapon. It is free to play and modify under the GPLv3+ copyleft license, and the download needs no installation.
What you actually get
- Weapons: 9 core weapons and 16 in total, each with two fire modes. The secondary fires are described as UT-like, meaning they are distinct utilities rather than simple alternate damage.
- Game modes: Standard arena fare such as Deathmatch (FFA), Capture The Flag and Clan Arena, plus unusual modes like Nexball and Freeze Tag, and multiplayer Race.
- Maps: 25 official maps ship with the game, with community maps available in-game. Classic Nexuiz maps and some converted Quake 3 maps are supported, and a map editor is included.
- Statistics: XonStat tracks kills, deaths, weapon damage and accuracy, and recent games. Tracking is opt-in and requires no login.
- Interface: A HUD editor lets you rearrange or strip down on-screen information, from default layouts to minimalist setups.
Who it suits, and the trade-offs
If you want a competitive arena shooter without a storefront, account requirement or installation step, Xonotic is aimed directly at you. It supports both casual play and organised competition through customizable configs and servers, an anticheat system, spectator mode and game recording. The trade-off is typical of community-driven open-source shooters: the population is smaller than commercial titles, so match availability depends on when and where you play. The site reports 268 players and 530 games in the past day, which is enough for pickup games but not the constant matchmaking of a large commercial release. Expect to browse a server list rather than press one button and be placed in a full lobby.
A practical next step: download it, play a few rounds of Freeze Tag or Clan Arena to learn the movement and weapon switching, then enable XonStat if you want to see whether your accuracy and damage numbers are improving. For broader context on open-source shooters, Xonotic is the primary source, and its community forums and live chat are the places to ask about active servers.
How do I download and play Xonotic on Linux, Windows, or macOS?
Download Xonotic from the official site's Download page, pick the build for your operating system, and run it. The site states that no installation is needed, so on Windows and macOS you generally unpack the archive and launch the executable, while Linux users typically get a ready-to-run package or archive rather than a system-wide install.
What to do on each platform
- Windows: Download the Windows build, extract it to a folder you can write to (avoid Program Files if you want to keep configs and mods alongside the game), then run the game executable.
- macOS: Download the macOS build, move it somewhere convenient, and open it. If macOS blocks it because it came from the internet, use the standard right-click Open or Privacy & Security allowance rather than disabling Gatekeeper.
- Linux: Download the Linux build and make the launcher executable if needed, or use your distribution's package if one is offered. Running from your home directory avoids permission problems when the game writes settings and downloaded content.
First launch and getting into a game
- Start the game and set your player name and basic video/audio options.
- Open the server list and pick a server with low ping and players near your skill level; the site lists active servers, players and recent games so you can judge whether the community is busy when you play.
- Join a familiar mode first. Deathmatch (FFA), Capture the Flag and Clan Arena are the standard arena-shooter options, while Nexball and Freeze Tag are more unusual; Multiplayer Race is also supported.
- Learn the movement and a couple of weapons before worrying about aim. Xonotic has 9 core weapons and 16 full weapons, each with a primary and a UT-like secondary fire, so weapon choice matters more than raw reflexes at first.
Useful things to know before you commit
- Xonotic is free to play and modify under the GPLv3+ license, so there is no purchase step and no paywall.
- It ships with 25 official maps plus community maps, and supports classic Nexuiz maps, including conversions from Quake 3.
- Player statistics through XonStat are opt-in and need no login, so you can ignore them if you prefer.
- The HUD editor lets you keep the default display, add widgets, or go minimalist, which helps if you are coming from another arena shooter with a different layout.
- Competitive features include customizable configs and servers, an anticheat system, spectator mode, and game recording and watching.
If you want a quick sanity check on activity before downloading, the site's stats pages show current players and games; a healthy server list at your usual play time is the best sign the game will be worth the download for you. For community help, the official forums and live chat are linked from the site, and the Newbie Guide is the sensible first read once you are in-game.
What can I expect from Xonotic's gameplay and weapons compared to other arena shooters?
Xonotic is a free, fast arena first-person shooter built around movement and weapon switching rather than realistic gunplay. Expect Quake-style pacing: strafe-jumping and rocket-jumping matter, maps are small and vertical, and fights are decided by positioning and timing rather than by loadouts or progression unlocks.
Weapons and how they compare
The armory has 9 core weapons and 16 full weapons, each with a primary and a secondary fire. That two-fire structure is the closest thing to Unreal Tournament's approach, while the overall feel—pickups on the map, no classes, no persistent unlocks—is closer to Quake III Arena and its descendants.
| Aspect | Xonotic | Typical modern shooters |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon access | All weapons found on the map | Loadouts or unlocks |
| Firing modes | Primary plus secondary per weapon | Usually one mode per weapon |
| Skill curve | High; movement and map control dominate | Often flatter, with abilities or classes |
| Cost and licensing | Free to play and modify under GPLv3+ | Usually commercial, closed source |
Because every weapon has a situational role, you spend matches cycling through them: a close-range splash weapon to force movement, a precise weapon for finishing, and utility tools for area denial or mobility. That constant switching is the main strategic difference from shooters where you commit to one gun.
Modes and match feel
The mode list covers standard arena fare—Deathmatch/FFA, Capture the Flag, Clan Arena—alongside oddities such as Nexball and Freeze Tag, plus multiplayer Race. Clan Arena removes pickups and gives everyone full equipment, which makes it a pure aim-and-movement test; Freeze Tag and Nexball reward team coordination over raw fragging. The game ships with 25 official maps, and community maps plus classic Nexuiz and converted Quake 3 maps are available.
If you are coming from a modern class-based shooter, the adjustment is mostly mental: there is no progression to grind, so improvement shows up as better movement and weapon selection. If you already play Quake or Unreal Tournament, the transition is short, and the extra secondary fires give you more options per encounter.
Practical next step
Download it for Linux, Windows or macOS—no installation is needed—and play a few Deathmatch rounds on a small map before trying Clan Arena. If you want to check activity or track your own results, the site reports live player and game counts and offers opt-in stats through XonStat, with no login required. The official site is Xonotic, where the download, server list and newbie guide live.
Which game modes does Xonotic offer for casual and competitive play?
Xonotic covers both ends of the spectrum: familiar arena modes for quick casual sessions, and objective-based or team formats that suit organised play.
Modes named on the site
- Deathmatch (FFA) – everyone for themselves; the simplest entry point.
- Capture The Flag – team objective play, the classic competitive staple.
- Clan Arena – team-versus-team rounds, typically played with limited lives.
- Freeze Tag – eliminated players are frozen and can be revived by teammates.
- Nexball – an unconventional, sports-like mode rather than straight combat.
- Multiplayer Race – movement and route speed rather than shooting.
The site describes these as a sample of a "huge variety" supported by the community, so expect additional community-run modes on public servers.
Casual versus competitive
Casual players benefit most from Deathmatch, Freeze Tag and Nexball: rules are easy to grasp, rounds are short, and you can join a public server without scheduling. Competitive players gravitate to Capture The Flag and Clan Arena, where team coordination, map control and weapon timing decide outcomes. Xonotic's supporting features — simple item pickups, configurable servers, spectator mode, game recording and an anticheat system — matter more for the competitive side than for a casual drop-in.
Practical next step
If you are unsure where to start, play a few FFA rounds to learn the nine core weapons and their two fire modes, then try a team mode once movement feels natural. For organised play, check server rules and player counts before committing: a mode is only as competitive as the people on the server. The game is free to download for Linux, Windows and macOS with no installation required, so testing modes costs nothing but time. Community discussion and server listings are available through Xonotic.
How does Xonotic track player statistics and support competitive play?
Xonotic tracks player statistics through XonStat, an integrated application that records metrics such as kill:death ratio, weapon damage, accuracy and recent games. Tracking is opt-in, and no login is required, so casual players can ignore it entirely while competitive players can review performance data without creating an account. For competitive play, the game offers simple items, fully customizable configs and servers, a functioning anticheat system, spectator mode, and the ability to watch and record games.
What the statistics cover
- Combat metrics: kill:death ratio, weapon damage and accuracy.
- Match history: recent games, so you can review form over a session or longer.
- Opt-in model: you choose whether to be tracked; no account gate.
This combination matters because it serves two audiences at once. A new player can jump in without signing up or being ranked, while a competitor can use the same data to identify weak weapons or inconsistent aim.
Competitive features beyond stats
- Simple items: reduces randomness and puts the focus on map control and aim.
- Customizable configs and servers: leagues and communities can standardize rules.
- Anticheat: a functioning system intended to keep matches fair.
- Spectator mode and game recording: useful for coaching, review and broadcasts.
A practical scenario
Suppose you want to improve your rocket aim. Play a few opt-in matches, then check XonStat for weapon damage and accuracy. If your damage is high but accuracy is low, you are likely taking low-percentage shots; if both are low, you may be choosing fights at the wrong range. Pair that with a recorded game and spectator review to see the decisions behind the numbers.
How to start
Download the game from Xonotic, play a Deathmatch or Capture The Flag match, then visit XonStat to see whether tracking is enabled and what your first metrics look like. If you prefer not to be tracked, leave it off and use recorded games and spectator mode for feedback instead.
Can I create custom maps or modify Xonotic under its GPLv3+ license?
Yes. Xonotic is released under GPLv3+, so you can modify the game, create custom maps, and redistribute your work, provided you follow the license's copyleft terms. The game also ships with a map editor and supports community-made maps, so map creation is an intended part of the project rather than an afterthought.
What the license lets you do
- Modify the game: You can change code, assets, gameplay logic, and configurations, then share your version.
- Create and distribute maps: Custom maps are explicitly supported, and community maps are available alongside the official ones.
- Redistribute: You can publish modified versions, but derivative works generally must stay under GPLv3+ and include the source.
- Play freely: The project states it will always be free to play and modify.
Practical next step
If you want to make a map, start with the built-in map editor and the Newbie Guide linked from the main site. For gameplay changes, expect to work with the game's configuration and source rather than only in-game menus. If you plan to publish a modified build, read the full GPLv3+ text first so your distribution complies with the source and licensing requirements.
The main trade-off is that GPLv3+ gives you broad freedom but not the ability to relicense your modified version as closed-source. If you want to keep changes proprietary, this license will not allow that.
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