Xonotic is an open source first person shooter (free FPS) video game. This arena style shooter is a branch of and was forked from the all popular Arena shooter game Nexiuz. Like Alien Arena, and other reputable free FPS games, this chaotic fast paced game is also free to play and can be stored and run entirely from a USB drive.
Xonotic Game | Free Arena Shooter
Xonotic is a free and open source first person shooter (FPS) video game that is heavily influenced by classic FPS titles like Quake and Unreal Tournament. It is known for its fast paced gameplay, intricate movement mechanics, and a wide variety of weapons and maps. The free shooter game was originally developed as a fork of Nexuiz in 2010 and has since evolved into its own unique game.
Xonotic Origins and Evolution
Xonotic was created in 2010 as a direct continuation of the open source Nexuiz project after development of the original game effectively stalled. Rather than abandon years of community driven work, many of the original contributors chose to fork the codebase and continue development under a new name, ensuring the game remained fully open source and community controlled.
Unlike Nexuiz, which eventually stopped receiving updates, Xonotic has continued to evolve with regular releases, modern engine improvements, balance updates, and new content. While it preserves the fast paced arena shooter foundations of its predecessor, it has grown into a more polished and competitive experience with improved visuals, refined mechanics, and ongoing support.
Today, Xonotic is widely regarded as the true successor to classic open source arena shooters, offering a modernized take on Quake style gameplay while remaining completely free to play and portable.
Key Features
- Intense Fast Paced Shooter Gameplay: The Xonotic arena shooter game offers intense and fast paced gameplay, focusing on skill-based combat and movement. It includes various game modes such as Deathmatch, Capture The Flag, Duel, and more. The game encourages players to master advanced movement techniques like strafe jumping and rocket jumping to gain an advantage in battles.
- Diverse FPS Weapons: Provides diverse selection of weapons, each with its own unique characteristics and playstyle. These weapons include classic FPS staples like shotguns, rocket launchers, plasma guns, and more.
- Includes Multiple Maps: The game features a wide range of maps, from small, tight arenas to larger, more open spaces. The maps are designed to accommodate various playstyles and game modes, providing a varied and dynamic gaming experience.
- Plenty of Customization Options: Allows players to customize their gaming experience by adjusting settings, including player and weapon characteristics. This flexibility allows for a tailored experience that suits different preferences.
- Community Mods Supported: Has a dedicated and active community of players and modders who contribute to the game's development and create custom maps, game modes, and modifications. This community driven approach keeps the game fresh and vibrant.
- An Open Source Arena Shooter Game: This Quake like shooter game is released under an open source license, which means that the game's source code is freely available for anyone to use and modify. This openness has led to a variety of community driven modifications and improvements.
- Cross Platform Shooter Game: It is made available across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide audience of gamers.
- eSports: While not as widely recognized as some other esports titles, it offers a competitive scene with tournaments and leagues. Skilled players and teams compete for recognition and prizes in various competitions.
- Arena Shooter Game with good Graphics and Sound: Offers visually appealing graphics and sound effects, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
- Single player or multiplayer modes: Although primarily designed for multiplayer gameplay, it also includes a single player mode with bot AI, allowing players to practice their skills offline.
Xonotic is a testament to the enduring popularity of classic arena style shooters and the potential of open source gaming projects. It provides a very fast paced skill driven gaming experience that has attracted a dedicated fan base over the years. If you enjoy fast and frenetic first person shooters, this game is worth checking out, especially if you appreciate community driven development and modding opportunities.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Actively developed open source FPS | Larger download size than older arena shooters |
| Highly competitive, skill based gameplay | Steep learning curve for new players |
| Fully portable and cross platform | Smaller player base than mainstream shooters |
| Strong modding and community support | Primarily multiplayer focused |
Specifications, Official Site and Download
- Authors Website: Project Home Page
- Release Date: First released in 2010
- License: Open Source (copyleft GPLv3+)
- Extracted Size: Roughly 1.3 GB
- Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7
- Price Currency: USD
- Price: Free
- Application Category: GameApplication, Portable Game
- Editor's Rating: 5 Star
- Downloading: You can get this free and portable shooter game here:
Xonotic Download
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Xonotic still actively developed?
Yes, it continues to receive updates, including balance changes, new maps, engine improvements, and community driven enhancements.
Is Xonotic better than Nexuiz?
For most players, yes. Xonotic builds on Nexuiz's foundation while offering modern improvements, active development, and a larger feature set.
Does Xonotic support offline play?
Yes. You can play against bots in single player mode or host local LAN matches without an internet connection.
Can Xonotic run on older hardware?
It remains well optimized and can run on mid range systems. Graphics settings can be adjusted for lower end hardware.
Final Thoughts
Xonotic represents what open source gaming can achieve when a dedicated community continues to refine and evolve a project over time. It delivers fast, skill driven arena shooter gameplay without microtransactions, paywalls, or platform restrictions.
If you enjoyed Nexuiz or classic Quake style shooters and want a modern, actively supported alternative that still runs portably from a USB drive, I think Xonotic is one of the best free FPS games available today.