The Olden Domain is a classic piece of geometry that has stood the test of time for roughly 24 years. There are actually two distinct versions of this layout floating around. The first was included in the official OSP Map Pack for the Orange Smooth Project mod - the competitive foundation that arguably paved the way for CPMA. Then we have this release: Geit's definitive standalone edition. Beyond the different filenames, the structural brushwork is identical; the true variance lies entirely in the item placement and the level shot.

That item placement makes a massive difference, and it will likely dictate which version you prefer. The most striking change is that Geit's edition includes the Railgun, an item completely omitted from the OSP tournament version. Landing a clean, long-range slug from a Railgun remains one of the most deeply satisfying moments in Quake III Arena, which easily makes this version my personal favourite.

Visually, Sock's iconic Egyptian texture set is used to great effect. Geit has applied them intelligently to clarify the structure, utilising the patterns to differentiate space and shape without ever overloading the player's eyes during a frantic firefight.

Bot navigation is flawless. While AI routing might have been an afterthought for some authors back in 2002, a broken AAS (Area Awareness System) ruins a map today, so it is great to see the bot file holding up perfectly.

If you have never played The Olden Domain, now is your chance. Even after more than two decades, it remains a remarkably solid and enjoyable release - especially when you clip someone with a rail shot from across the arena.