OpenArena Maps and Server Map Selection
OpenArena 0.8.8 ships 58 maps — 31 FFA/DM and 27 CTF. Browse the official map lists, set the starting map, and add community maps via .pk3 files.
OpenArena Maps
OpenArena 0.8.8 includes 58 official maps: 31 FFA/Deathmatch maps and 27 CTF maps. All maps are included in the base game download — no additional downloads are required.
Official FFA / Deathmatch Maps
These maps are designed for Free For All (g_gametype 0), Tournament (1), Team Deathmatch (3), and similar modes:
| Map Name | Map Name | Map Name |
|---|---|---|
| aggressor | oa_dm1 | oa_dm2 |
| oa_dm3 | oa_dm4 | oa_dm5 |
| kaos2 | oa_rpg3dm2 | oa_shouse |
| czest1dm | delta | hydronex |
| kaos | q3dm6ish | oa_koth1 |
The full list of 31 FFA maps is included in the game files. The maps above are well-known examples commonly used in public server rotations.
Official CTF Maps
These maps are designed for Capture the Flag modes (g_gametype 4, 5, 9):
| Map Name |
|---|
| oa_ctf1 |
| oa_ctf2 |
| oa_ctf3 |
| oa_ctf4 |
| ctf_inyard |
| ctf_gate1 |
| ctf_compromise |
OpenArena includes 27 CTF maps in total. The names above are commonly used examples.
Setting the Starting Map
Specify the first map on the server launch command line:
# Linux — FFA map
./oa_ded.x86_64 +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 27960 +map oa_dm1 +exec server.cfg
# Linux — CTF map
./oa_ded.x86_64 +set dedicated 2 +set net_port 27960 +map oa_ctf1 +exec server.cfg
If you use a map rotation (see the map rotation guide), the starting map is the first map in the rotation chain, not necessarily the +map value.
Changing the Map at Runtime
From the in-game console (requires RCON):
\rconpassword yourpassword
\rcon map oa_dm3
Or from the server console directly:
map oa_dm3
The map command reloads the level and resets all players.
Adding Community Maps
Community maps are distributed as .pk3 files — the same format as the base game assets.
- Download the
.pk3file for the custom map. - Place it in the
baseoa/directory:- Linux/Mac:
$HOME/.openarena/baseoa/ - Windows:
baseoa\in the game directory
- Linux/Mac:
- The map is now available to the server. Reference it by name (without the
.pk3extension) in your map rotation or\rcon mapcommand.
Important: If sv_pure 1 is set in your server config, clients must also have the same .pk3 file in their baseoa/ directory or they will be kicked on connect. Set sv_pure 0 while testing custom maps to avoid this.
Verifying Available Maps
From the server console, list all maps the server can see:
maplist
This shows every .bsp file in all loaded .pk3 archives across the baseoa/ directory.