List of freeware first-person shooters explained

See also: List of open-source video games.

This is a list of some of the most popular freeware and free and open-source software first-person shooter games.

TitleDeveloperRelease dateLast updateOperating systemEngineLicenseNotes
Action Quake 2The Action Team19982003Linux, Windowsid Tech 2FreewareTeam and Deathmatch based very fast FPS
AssaultCubeRabid Viper Productions20062022-04-01 (1.3.0.2)Linux, Mac OS, Windows, AndroidCube Enginezlib License (code), Individual licenses (media)Realistic environments, fast arcade game play, many game modes. Single/Multiplayer.
AssaultCube Reloaded (ACR)AssaultCube Reloaded Task Force20102021Linux, Mac OS (requires manual compilation), WindowsImproves AssaultCube. Single/Multiplayer.
Black ShadesWolfire games2001Linux, OS X, Windows, Mac OS, iOSWolfire GamesFreewareFree First-person shooter
BZFlagChris Schoeneman, Tim Riker19932022-03-08 (2.4.24)Linux, BSD, OS X, Windows, other UNIXGNU LGPLTank combat
Chub Gam 3D: Director's CutChubGamSoft1998MS-DOSPie in the SkyFreewareSurreal horror single player game
COR Entertainment, LLC2004-112011-12-29 (7.53)Linux, BSD, OS X, WindowsCRX EngineGNU GPL (code), Proprietary license (media)Science fiction, with single or multiplayer modes.
CubeWouter van Oortmerssen20012005-08-29Linux, BSD, Mac OS, WindowsCube Enginezlib License (code), Individual licenses (media)Quake style multiplayer deathmatch. Single/Multiplayer.
Wouter van Oortmerssen20042020-11-30Linux, BSD, OS X, WindowsCube 2 Enginezlib License (code), Individual licenses (media)Quake style deathmatch, includes built in level editor. Single/Multiplayer.
The Dark ModTeam Dark Mod20092015-02-08 (2.03)Windows, Linux, OS Xid Tech 4 engineCC-BY-NC-SAFirst person stealth game in the style of the Thief series games (1 and 2) using a modified Id Tech 4 engine
GarageGames, InstantAction2009-06-302013-06-27WindowsTorque Game EngineProprietary licenseFirst-Person Shooter with Jetpacks, Multiplayer, CTF, Deathmatch
FreedoomFreedoom project2019-10-22 (0.12.1)Linux, OS X, Windows, Android, Mac OS, MS-DOS, othersDoom engineGNU GPL (code), BSD (media)A Doom WAD file intended to be used instead of the copyrighted file from the original Doom and Doom II.
The Glorious MissionGiant Interactive Group2013-06-20WindowsProprietary licenseOnline multiplayer. Developed with the People's Liberation Army of China for use as a recruitment and training tool.
Gore: Special Edition4D Rulers2008-07-04WindowsAMP engineProprietary license
Hidden & DangerousIllusion Softworks, Take-Two Interactive1999-07-292001-11WindowsInsanity EngineProprietary license
.kkrieger.theprodukkt2004WindowsProprietary licenseWon first place in the 96k game competition at Breakpoint in April 2004.
Kuma\WarKuma Reality Games20042006-07WindowsSource engineProprietary licenseTactical episodic shooter. Single/Multiplayer.
MarathonBungie1994-12-212007Mac OS (original), ported to Linux, OS X and Windows via AlephOneAleph OneGNU GPL (code)Released as freeware and source code.
NexuizAlientrap2005-05-312009-10-01 (2.5.2)Linux, OS X (10.4 or later), WindowsDarkPlaces Quake engineGNU GPLUnreal Tournament style deathmatch. Single/Multiplayer.
OpenArenaOpenArena team2005-08-192012-02-20 (0.8.8)Linux, OS X, Windowsioquake3 id Tech 3GNU GPLFree software content remake of Quake III Arena. Single/Multiplayer
OpenSpadesYVT2019-01-04 (0.1.3)Linux, OS X, WindowsGNU GPLBased on Ace of Spades 0.75
Point BlankZepetto, NCSOFT2008-03WindowsN/AProprietary licenseFree FPS created by Zepetto in 2009. Close Beta version.
Red EclipseQuinton Reeves, Lee Salzman2011-03-152024-05-28 (2.0.9-9)Linux, BSD, OS X, WindowsCube 2 Engine / Tesseractzlib LicenseNew take on the first person arena shooter, featuring parkour, impulse boosts, and more.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. build 1935GSC Game World2009-02WindowsxrCore build 1935Proprietary license2004 Alpha build of . Contains content and features cut from the final release. Has a number of bugs but contains a full, playable single player campaign.
S2 Games2003-09-09Linux, OS X (commercial), WindowsSilverback EngineProprietary licenseHybrid FPS/RTS with both ranged and melee combat
S2 Games2008-01-16Linux, OS X, Windows (commercial)K2 EngineProprietary licenseThe sequel to the award-winning game, Savage: The Battle for Newerth.
Smokin' GunsSmokin' Guns Productions and Iron Claw Interactive2009-01-012012-06-08Linux, BSD, OS X, Windows, othersioquake3 id Tech 3GNU GPL (code/some media) Proprietary license (some media)Western Quake-like FPS. Single (with bots)/Multiplayer.
Dynamix, Sierra Entertainment2004 (free release)WindowsDarkstar engineProprietary licenseFuturistic team based combat, released for free to promote . Multiplayer only.
The DinoHuntersKuma Games2006-04-24WindowsSource engineProprietary licenseAlso a machinima series. Single/Multiplayer.
TremulousDark Legion Development2006-03-312009-12-04 (preview release)Linux, OS X (unofficial), Windowsioquake3 id Tech 3GNU GPLAliens vs Humans multiplayer team combat with some RTS elements.
Tribes 2Dynamix, Sierra Entertainment2004 (free release)WindowsTorque Game EngineProprietary LicenseFuturistic team based combat, released for free to promote . Single/Multiplayer.
UberStrikeCmune Ltd.20082015-06-17OS X, WindowsUnityProprietary licenseFree-to-play "social shooter" on Facebook, MySpace and Apple's Dashboard Widgets.
Unreal TournamentEpic GamesTBA2015-03-09Linux, OS X, WindowsUnreal Engine 4Proprietary licenseCrowdsourced and free first-person shooter.
Unvanquished[1] Unvanquished Development2012-02-292021-06-21 (Alpha 0.52.1)Linux, OS X, Windowsmodified ioquake3CC BY-SA 2.5/GPLFork of Tremulous with new assets
Urban TerrorSilicon Ice Development / Frozen Sand2000-08-05 (Beta 1.0)2018-06-21 (4.3.4)Linux, OS X, Windowsioquake3 id Tech 3GNU GPL (ioquake3 engine), Proprietary license (mod code, media)Fast-paced, Hollywood tactical shooter. Originally a Quake 3 mod, now a standalone game.
NetDevil2007-11-282009-08-27WindowsUnreal Engine 3GNU GPL (code), Proprietary license (media)High-end Free-to-play first person shooter with destructible environments..
WarsowWarsow team2005-06-082016-04-14 (2.1)Linux, OS X, WindowsQfusion id Tech 2GNU GPL (code), Proprietary license (media)Quake style deathmatch focussed on high-paced action and trickjumps.
Activision, id Software, Splash Damage2003-05-292015-08-21 (ET:Legacy 2.74)Linux, OS X, Windowsid Tech 3, ET:LegacyGNU GPL (code), Proprietary license (media)Intended expansion pack turned freeware. WW2 multiplayer team combat
World of PadmanPadworld Entertainment2007-04-012011-07-16 (1.5.4 beta Windows/Linux), 2011-01-24 (1.5.1 OS X)Linux, OS X, Windowsioquake3 id Tech 3GNU GPL (code), Proprietary license (media)A free Quake 3 like comical FPS game
XonoticTeam Xonotic2010-12-232022-06-30 (0.8.5)Linux, OS X, WindowsDarkPlaces Quake engineGNU GPLFork and direct successor of the Nexuiz Project.
Team Fortress 2Valve2007-10-72019-3-28Windows, Mac OS, Linux.Proprietary licenseAlso available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, formerly pay to play, sequel to Team Fortress Classic.

Freeware clients

Some free-to-play online first-person shooters use a client–server model, in which only the client is available for free. They may be associated with business models such as optional microtransactions or in-game advertising. Some of these may be MMOFPS, MMOTPS or MMORPG games.

TitleDeveloper, PublisherRelease dateOperating systemEngineLicenseNotes
Zombie Studios2012-04-03WindowsUnreal Engine 3Proprietary licenseOnline multiplayer, futuristic setting.
CrossfireZ8Games2006WindowsLithtech JupiterFreewareModern team-based shooter. Many game modes.
Mission Against TerrorKingsoft Dalian JingCai Studio, Wicked Interactive / Suba Games2012WindowsProprietary licenseFree-to-play online fps, developed by KingSoft, published by Wicked Interactive / Suba Games.
Fallen Earth?????Online multiplayer[2]
Heroes and Generals?????Online multiplayer
War Rock?????Online multiplayer, features controllable vehicles
Combat ArmsNexon2008-07-11WindowsLithtechProprietary licenseOnline multiplayer, modern setting; microtransaction business model.
CrimeCraftVogster Entertainment2009-08WindowsUnreal Engine 3Proprietary licenseMassively multiplayer online with 3rd and 1st-person perspectives; microtransaction business model.
PlanetSide 2Daybreak Game Company2012-11-20WindowsForgeLightProprietary licenseMassive battles with 2000 players per continent at a time. 3 factions fighting over 4 continents. Player customization, microtransaction business model.
Sudden AttackNexon2005-4-11WindowsLithtechProprietary licenseOnline multiplayer
Hi-Rez Studios2011-12WindowsUnreal Engine 3 (modified)Proprietary licenseOnline multiplayer; microtransaction business model.
Overwatch 2Blizzard Entertainment2022-04-10Windows, PS4/5, Xbox One/Series, Nintendo SwitchCustomProprietary licenseChanged to free-to-play after Overwatch closed

Game engines

EngineDeveloper, PublisherRelease dateLinuxOS XWindowsotherLicenseNotes
Aleph OneBungie (originally)2000-01-17Mac OS, BSDsGPL-3.0-or-laterAleph One is an open-source project based on the code, which was released to the public by Bungie.
Build engineKen Silverman/3D Realms2000-06-20Custom licence, GNU General Public LicenseFirst released by Silverman; 3D Realms later did GPL releases of Duke Nukem 3D and Shadow Warrior
Cube EngineWouter van Oortmerssen2001Android[3] zlib License (code), Individual licenses (media)FPS with sandbox style level-editor
Cube 2 EngineWouter van Oortmerssen2004zlib License (code), Individual licenses (media)FPS with sandbox style level-editor
Dim3Brian BarnesMIT LicenseDevelopment set
id Tech 0id Software1995GPL-2.0-or-laterWolfenstein 3D. Also available from source release; earlier versions in Hovertank 3D and Catacomb 3-D source releases, and further developed in Rise of the Triad source release
id Tech 1id Software1999-10-03GPL-2.0-or-laterKnown as the Doom engine, originally used for Doom, Doom II, and clones. Heretic and Hexen.
id Tech 2id Software1999-12-21GPL-2.0-or-laterQuake, Hexen II, DarkPlaces is an open source derivative.
id Tech 2.5id Software2001-12-22GPL-2.0-or-laterQuake 2, CRX and Qfusion are open-source derivatives
id Tech 3id Software2005-08-19GPL-2.0-or-laterQuake 3, ioquake3 is an open-source derivative
id Tech 3.5id Software2010-08-12GPL-3.0-or-laterReturn to Castle Wolfenstein, iortcw is an open-source derivative
id Tech 4id Software2011-11-22GPL-3.0-or-laterDoom 3
id Tech 4.5id Software2012-11-26GPL-3.0-or-later
Torque Game EngineGarageGames2012-09-20MIT License
UnityUnity Technologies2009Purchasable license for commercial use, iPhone license, Free indie licenseDevelopment set
Unreal EngineEpic Games1998PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, AndroidProprietaryFree to download and use

See also

Notes and References

  1. http://www.unvanquished.net Unvanquished
  2. http://www.mmobomb.com/games/mmofps List of free MMOFPS games
  3. Web site: AssaultCube Mobile . . May 23, 2021 .