Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Quake Live Public Beta Launches To High Demand

Posted by Soulskill on from the good-times dept.

x1n933k writes "For anybody who was sitting on top of Quake Live's website today, clicking refresh and waiting for it to open, you can now browse over and join the fun. Unfortunately you'll have to hold in a queue: 'Here we are all dressed up and nowhere to go. Don't worry, to make sure everyone can enjoy the game we have activated our super secret Queue system, which keeps the server from being overloaded and affecting the website.' I've been waiting 40 minutes and now up to 591, after starting from 9982 but have been playing Quake 3 to kill time." The queue bounced up over 15,000, and as of this posting, is down to about 7,000. It moves pretty quickly, and there's an explanatory tour to watch while you wait. Reader Rogerpq3 contributes an interview with id's John Carmack and Marty Stratton, in which they discuss the game's technology and server infrastructure, as well as their thoughts on mod support.

10 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. Re:plugin required by mybadluck22 · · Score: 5, Informative

    The game is a plugin. The point is that matchmaking and all non-gameplay related stuff is handled through the browser, which reduces the code and the amount of time between thinking "I'd like to play a game" and being in a server.

    --
    If I could rearrange the keyboard, I'd put U and I together.
  2. Terrible. by jrj0001 · · Score: 2, Informative

    XP or Vista only.

    1. Re:Terrible. by Thorwak · · Score: 5, Informative

      When you log in to the web site with an unsupported browser (like Chrome) you get to know that:


      We're sorry, but your web browser or operating system is not compatible with QUAKE LIVE. You must be using a combination of the following:

      Windows XP Windows Vista
      Firefox 2.0 / 3.0 Internet Explorer 7 / 8
      Support for Mac & Linux, along with alternative browsers is under development.


      Seems fair to me.

      --
      Connection closed by foreign host.
  3. No linux or mac support by falcon5768 · · Score: 1, Informative

    Not to mention from what I can see, its pretty much a repackaged free version of Quake III with new maps. But the lack of Mac support just kills it for me, Im not running emulation just to play a FPS when there are plenty of free and maintained FPS out there of the Quake and UT variety. Interesting concept but crappy execution.

    --

    "Slashdot, where telling the truth is overrated but lying is insightful."

    1. Re:No linux or mac support by alienunknown · · Score: 2, Informative

      *shakes head* FFS people, Linux is not a priority for most companies. You're lucky if they even bother with a release after time as passed. Of COURSE they're gonna focus on the primary operating system - Windows. Mac? Maybe sometime later.

      id will probably release a version for linux and mac in the future. Quake III has a linux native version.

      But please, don't keep getting disappointed whenever high-profile software is released and doesn't have a Linux version. You'll become exhausted very quickly.

      I don't think any of us that use FOSS are disappointed if a commercial vendor doesn't release their software for linux or other free operating systems. There is plenty of great software available that is free and will meet the demands of most people.

      If the trade off for using a stable, secure and free linux operating system that won't be constantly infected with viruses/trojans/malware is that I can't play 10 year old games in my browser then I think the trade-offs are well worth it :)

  4. Re:This looks fun. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    You can(and should) disable weapon switch on pickup.

    use ctrl + alt + tilde to get to the console.

    From there, the option you want either cg_ or cl_autoswitchweapon -- set it to 0. You can use tab completion to find option names.

  5. Punkbuster service by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Be aware that the installer leavs a punkbuster (anti-cheat) service running, even while not playing, at least the earlier betas did.

  6. haha mac gaming by revxul · · Score: 3, Informative

    Mac and Linux support are promised for final release. And yes, it is Q3. It is Q3 for free and in a browser with leaderboards and such.

    --
    Truth, Just Us, And Hatred For All Mankind!
  7. Do you want to play quake RIGHT NOW! by JochenBedersdorfer · · Score: 2, Informative

    Want to play Quake now? From the browser?
    No matter what Operating System?

    Take a look at Jake2.

    http://bytonic.de/html/jake2.html

    So where exactly is the innovation here?

  8. Fun, But not amazing. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    I actually signed up right before the rush so I didn't have to wait for the plug-in.

    I experienced absolutely no problems with the game, unlike a majority of the people who tried it.