
Alex showing off 3D accelerated Quake III on PocketC.H.I.P.
Youโve been asking for it and we heard you loud and clear. Today we’re releasing an alpha image for PocketC.H.I.P. that features our new MALI-400 3D acceleration driver. That’s right. You can now run Quake III with hardware acceleration directly on PocketC.H.I.P.!
Update: Take PocketC.H.I.P. Quake III to the next level with multiplayer, here’s how!
The software team has been hard at work to create this new PocketC.H.I.P. image, and thereโs plenty more to read about (including shipping for the December holidays!) on the forum. But letโs just jump ahead and get Quake III running on PocketC.H.I.P. first!
1. Flash PocketC.H.I.P. & Setup Wifi

Use the online flasher and update your PocketC.H.I.P. to the new alpha image with GPU acceleration. Flashing PocketC.H.I.P. will overwrite all of the data, but also installs an MLC NAND driver which gives you the full 8GB of storage space.
Once the flashing finishes, connect PocketC.H.I.P. to your WiFi network.
Note: Need help with setting up WiFi? Check out our online PocketC.H.I.P. docs.
2. Update the Package List
Update the list of packages available to your system by typing the command below, then press enter.
sudo apt update
When prompted for your password, type chip and press enter.
3. Install Git & Clone the Quake III
Install the version control software git so you can download the Quake III source code.
sudo apt install git
Use git to clone the source code for Quake III from GitHub to your PocketC.H.I.P..
git clone https://github.com/NextThingCo/ioquake3-gles
4. Build Quake III
Change directories to the one you just cloned.
cd ioquake3-gles
Run the build.sh script, which compiles Quake III and makes a configuration change to the Awesome window manager. Just sit back and relax while the script does the work!
./build.sh
5. Play Quake III
Type the following command and get your frag on. Enjoy!
openarena
Note: To change the controls, start from the main menu of the game and use the arrow keys to highlight Setup, then press enter. In the new menu, use the same method to select the Controls and press enter. You can then bind the keys just the way you like.

Now that there is an alpha release of the 3D driver and a new NAND driver giving you 4GB more space on PocketC.H.I.P., what are you planning to install? Make sure to let us know in the comments below, and share your photos with us in the forum and on Twitter. Happy Fragging!
Awesome! Can’t wait to try this out. Thanks NTC crew!
You’re welcome, Ben! We can’t wait for you to try it out.
My problem is that the chip flash update doesn’t work.
I stay on the first page and nothing happens. I use USB 2 and the chip is lighted and is powered up.
What’s wrong here?
Thanks for any help
Robert
I got problems too when flashing my Chip. Then I tried to download the image file first and the use the option “Flash from file” (I don’t remember what it’s exactly called..) and it works.
This is incredible work :O Thank You NextThing! ๐
Thanks for the kind words, Salwan!
Thanks guys! ๐
You’re welcome, Scotty!
Just when i thought i was happy with Pocketchip, this comes along! Top work guys! It’s been quite some time since i was this happy with a new toy! <3
So mad Rite now spent 6 hours trying to get the new up date 4.4 would only get up to 5 percent restarted the computer to many times to count now I have just a blank screen.
Solution: First time i flashed it would hang and chip would shut off. Turns out you just need a more robust charger cable. All the cables i had laying around didnt work. I bought a good one and works like a charm!
This was exactly my problem as well, once I got a new cable it worked great
Is this open source? Where can we find the code?
AWESOME!!!
Immensely thank you for this, in this times were companies sell stuff and then disappears is refreshing know that my investment for my PockeChip is been a good one (Last one was No Man Sky :'( )
Just when everything looks good, you make it look even better! I just flash the new Alpha image and its looking good so far. Thank you guys
Very good, it doesn’t work on my chip… but I’m confident
Getting an error when trying to run “openarena”- I flashed to 4.4 3D, ran apt update then apt upgrade, then rebooted, then installed OpenArena as per this blog, then rebooted again, then ran “openarena”.
I get this message when I try to run “openarena”:
/usr/local/bin/openarena: line 7: ioquake3.arm: command not found
I had this same error, but it only happened when I installed it via SSH. Try running the ./build command from the chip itself.
I have the same problem. I’m working with the PocketCHIP but did flash only the CHIP using the Chrome flasher. Help!
Hi i have issues to Flash the new image once time chrasht the flasher another time say the flasher where are issues with the usb cable . I test 3 different cables . Are existing a solution for the terminal ?
Great Work a Dream becomes true 8GB Flash !
The git hub directory is asking for a username and password
having a lot of lag assuming due tot the settings but the game crashes when i try to edit them,any ideas?
I Really don’t get it? How can a Software update give you more Hardware, how can this new alpah update for PocketC.H.I.P. give it more built in storge?
Also will me get more storage for C.H.I.P.?
Thanks guys! Amazing Work! KEEP it UP! ๐
I’m not one that has ever flashed anything before, so let me double check what i’ve read. Flashing my PChip will remove everything on it? So i’d have to install everything again? But that would get me pico8 0.1.9 and the other stuff?
Is there a good way to get a list of everything i’ve installed? Some command or something?
Bummer that flashing is the only way to update pico8.
This is great, thanks for this! Now you can aim for the unified OS ๐
Thanks for making this clear BUT…. I seem to be doing something wrong here. Here’s my error
chip@chip:~$ openarena
/usr/local/bin/openarena: line 7: ioquake3.arm: command not found
i get the same error (?_?)
When will GPU drivers for the regular C.H.I.P. be available?
I got it to run on my pocket chip.
TL;DR – clean 4.4 flash, sudo su’ under root’s home, to build, modify /usr/local/bin/openarena to use r_fullscreen 1
long story:
1) My first attempt failed with the ioquake3.arm command not found. However, I messed around with my first 4.4 install beforehand with openframeworks.. , probably screwed up the libs and x11 stuff.. So I decided to reflash my pocketchip with 4.4 to start fresh.
2) did a sudo su, and then ran all the commands up above as root (without the sudo of course now)
3) ran openarena, but it didn’t work.. either got a black screen or a white screen, but at least it seemed to be recognizing the mali driver.
4) then copied /usr/local/bin/openarena up to my local dir, looked inside, and by whim flipped r_fullscreen’s value to 1
5) ./openarena
it works!
Nice! Looks awesome. Now, just please team up with ScummVM to make a port to the PocketCHIP! I know one of the lead people reached out to you on twitter (after I asked @scummvm if they will make a port). So pleeeeeeeeeeease make it happen!
Anyone know where the cfg file is? The startup rezolution is too small for me and with the wrong aspect ratio
How do I order C.H.I.P To India and what are the shipping costs with time required for C.H.I.P To arrive to India?
Great work!! Keep em coming!!
I preordered this in September. I still haven’t received it after emailing the company. If there is someone who is actually paying attention, I would love a reply. I have the invoice.
You need to confirm your address at Track.getchip.com before we can send you your order.
Neato.
Now, when’s the Pockulus version coming out…? ๐
Installed without a hitch, loads no problem… Controls are a major issue though! I can get into the setup menu to reassign the buttons, but the font is too small to read. I’ve tried every button on the keyboard, but can’t get the game to launch. Any tips?