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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.

17 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. plugin required by shird · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I just waited in queue for 5 minutes or so, only to be taken to a 'download plugin' page, which probably isn't compatible with my browser Opera.

    I don't get it, this game requires a plugin to play? If you require players to download and run client side non-sandboxed code, why not just have a standalone client rather than playing through your web browser?

    It's a .msi installer too, so probably requires admin access. So what's the point of this?

    --
    I.O.U One Sig.
    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. Re:plugin required by SpazmodeusG · · Score: 4, Interesting

      They couldn't give you a stand-alone .exe for free because that wouldn't help them acheive their goal of creating a 3D engine browser plug-in with a large install base.

    3. Re:plugin required by Brian+Gordon · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Wait what? How is an in-browser version any better than the standard Quake 3 if you have to download and install a plugin? "Reduces code" doesn't make sense, they've already written the lobby code and it's in Q3A. "Reduces the amount of time" is also nonsense; it takes less than 10 seconds to start Q3TA and connect to a server.. I'm not playing an fps in my browser when I can fire up the real game.

  2. This looks fun. by CrazyJim1 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    There are ranked games and that appeals to me. I like to know how good I am in relation to the general populace. In the old quake, you could be top dog on a server, but still not know how good you are in relation to the world. I waited 3 hours through bugs, crashes and the queue to get it to work. It didn't work on IE6 or Firefox because the mouse wouldn't move, but I did get it to work on IE7. I played the training missions, but I was not able to play live because I was looking through the options to see how I can set weapon priorities. I always find it annoying when I am wielding a rocket launcher for me to switch to a shot gun just because I walk over it. While I was looking through my options and browsing the QuakeLive forums for help, I timed out. I'll wait until tomorrow if someone has an answer how I can set weapon priorities on the forums. It may just be another FPS, but it is a classy enough one that it is worth playing if for no other reason than to enhance your FPS skill.

    --
    God spoke to me.
  3. Terrible. by jrj0001 · · Score: 2, Informative

    XP or Vista only.

    1. Re:Terrible. by drik00 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      What part of "BETA" don't you understand? You expect a beta version for three platforms INSTEAD of someone using their head and putting together a beta for the most popular platform while they work out the kinks?

      And yes, I'm a linux user, but I have common sense.

      J

      --
      Beer, now there's a temporary solution -- Homer Jay S.
    2. 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. Re:Terrible. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Seriously, what a-holes. The nerve of these people to release a public beta of a free game that only supports 90% of the general public. Clearly id has no idea what they're doing, they are most likely a flash in the pan and will be out of business over the next few years.

  4. Re:Prepare to asplode by urbanriot · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It's funny, I was getting up there, into 900 and then my queue position started rising not lowering. I gave up when it hit a few thousand. I'll wait until the fresh popularity wanes and give it a shot again.

  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.

    1. Re:Punkbuster service by Iron+E · · Score: 3, Interesting
      Some of the hilarious wording from the Punkbuster license agreement:

      Licensee agrees that the invasive nature of PunkBuster software is necessary to meet this purpose and goal. Licensee agrees that any harm or lack of privacy resulting from the installation and use of PunkBuster software is not as valuable to Licensee as the potential ability to play interactive online games with the benefits afforded by using PunkBuster software.

  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. No email for people on list by WiiVault · · Score: 2, Funny

    I signed up to get altered by Id when the beta opened up, but have yet to hear anything. Why bother collecting emails of people if you aren't going to bother contacting them about what they signed up for?

  8. Re:No linux or mac support by WiiVault · · Score: 4, Interesting

    As a Mac user let me say sir, you are a moron. iD has already stated there will be a Linux version. Granted us Mac users will more than likely get it first but seriously dude get off your high horse. You sound like a mega troll.

  9. 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 :)

  10. 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?