Quake 4 Linux

Crusader writes "id Software has released the Linux client and server for Quake 4. There's a FAQ page with installation instructions, notes, and download links."

Wait

I've been living under a rock... is Quake 4 out yet for other OSs?

Re:Wait

God, I hate when games for linux are only available two full days after their windows counterpart. If linux is EVER going to be a viable gaming platform, we need to demand that it's available at the same time as for windows..

Ahhhhh, one day I'll be able to make a statement like that with a straight face....

great job, id!!!!!

Quake 3 install troll

Does this mean that the copy and paste troll about installing Quake 3 in Linux vs Windows will have to find a new troll to copy and paste?

Torrent

Torrent [idsoftware.com]

Now if only..

...these things started happening the day a game is released.

YESSSS!!

I can finally get rid of my Windows partition!!

4 ALREADY!? :(

And I just purchased Quake 3... damn!

Quake 4 is out?

Damn, either I've really gotten out of the loop, or this has been one of the stealthiest release campaigns for a major game that I've ever seen.

id software...

Just because you were (and I say still are) a great innovator in the world of gaming (namely FPS), doesn't mean your site can't be slashdotted.

Buy Windows, use on Linux

FTA: A licensed copy of Quake 4 retail for Windows(r) is required

Interesting...

Re:Buy Windows, use on Linux

The cd likely has the artwork to keep the download small, and the cd key of course. Basicly you need to buy the cd, then you can dl and use the linux client.

It also gives ID firm numbers on how many actually use the linux version. So if you bought the game, please dl it.

Exciting news...

BUT, couldn't they have made a regular website instead of a flash app that has ridiculously long transitions? I was all interested in checking it out, until I lost interest due to the wait for basic information.

Demo?

It's great that they've released this. I hope to be able to play a demo before I buy this game. I've purchased Quake, Quake 2, not Quake 3, hopefully this will be better than Quake 3.

So, how long to people think it will take before there's a playable demo?

Q4 webpage

Just a note: The quake 4 webpage is flash based. So if you try to access it, either have a broadband connection (and you will still have to wait), or a lot of patience with a modem. Also, if you block pop-ups with firefox, you won't be able to access anything but their main page unless you turn off the pop-up blocker.

One more thing... if a company already has a patches section with the words "Coming Soon" before the game is released, is that suggesting something about the quality of the product?

-Kruton

Review - to see if it's Linux worthy

Here is the IGN review which might help you decide if it's worth putting on the Linux box. http://pc.ign.com/articles/658/658263p1.html [ign.com]

Can't get to any of it....

I can't get to any web page, the flash will not let me submit my age. Debian, mozilla, flash, every other we flash-page works but Id's. Oh well no time for games./.

Sinister Voiceover

Quake 4 Linux Version! IMPRESSIVE!

Requires Windows Version! HUMILIATION!

Re:Sinister Voiceover

The quotes are from the Quake 3 announcer for when you perform actions such as killing someone with the melee glove.

Heh

I know what my roommate's gonna be hearing all tonight "Quad Damage!" Seriously, thanks id for this onderful (I hope, haven't tested yet) release, and as many others have said I hope others companies might see the response to this and do the same. And you might want to send id an email, or post on a forum thanking them because, hey, who doesn't like praise for good work?

Don't forget to register your Linux version!

Be sure to let id know that you bought the Windows package in order to install it on your Linux box. I know id are good guys (as evidenced by how quickly this came out), but it never hurts to let them know exactly how much we appreciate it.

Re:Don't forget to register your Linux version!

I forget whether this was UT2004 or Quake 3, but one of the devs was saying in an interview that the best wya to show your support for Linux ports is to simply play the game on-line. This is because the master servers keep statistical information, including client version (Which has OS info in it). So the more Linux gamers show up to play on-line, the more the developers know we play their games too.

You have your homework, now get to it!

In Other News...

Jack Thompson today publically voiced his opinion against Linux and against Quake in all shapes and forms... quoted specifically he said :

"Any group of people who advocate giving a Penguin a helmet and a rocket launcher are a bunch of sick fucks..."

News at 10!

The path to increased market share...

is through games. This is a great boon to Linux as it would seem that anything built on the Q4 engine should be easily ported to Linux.

-Rick

Full review and screen shots

I was wondering if I was living under a rock since I never heard of quake4?

Turns out Raven software made the port and modified the doom3 engine. For the older slashdoters who remember doom1 and doom2, raven developed heretic and then hexan on the doom1 and doom2 engines and added multiplayer capability. I forgot all about these guys.

A full review and screenshots are here [gamespot.com]. I find it pecuilar that Raven ported this classic level of quake3 to quake4. ... or commonly known as the level where the cheaters with auto-aim and the rail gun whip your butt in.:-) [com.com]

Re:Full review and screen shots

Since I'm friends with a member or 3 of the Q4 dev team, I just want to point out that this is not a "port" of Doom 3. There has been major under the hood work between D3 and Q4 -- Raven would like people to license the Q4 engine instead of the D3 engine. The new engine is far more powerful but also efficient, which allows them to have a lot more lighting, shadowing, etc. effects while maintaining the same basic performance characteristics. That's why, unlike FEAR, it doesn't bring a 7800GTX to its knees.

Re:Full review and screen shots

Yeah, yeah, optimization, performance, blah blah blah. In Quake 4, your weapons come with _flashlights_ attached! That's got to be the biggest improvement over Doom 3, right there.

Ha!

And the numbskulls say Linux doesn't have gaves, or doesn't get new games.

How does one get to the torrents?

I followed the link on http://zerowing.idsoftware.com/linux/quake4/ [idsoftware.com] to the BitTorrent tracker, but it wants me to "log in" to their site and asks my username and password. Since I have none I can't get in. But I can see that tere are 20 leechers, so a few people must have solved this problem? I would much rather use BitTorrent than FTP, how do I get to the torrents?

Adrain Carmack fired

I've been trying to get this posted here for days so I'll post it here...

It's semi off topic, but id stuff is posted a lot here, so here it goes:

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid= 11868 [gamesindustry.biz]
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/09/27/news_61345 36.html [gamespot.com]

Adrian Carmack (one of 4 founders of id software) was fired over some stock despute (RTFA). What's more interesting (depends how you take it) is that Activision tried buying id for $105 million dollars. Read the rest in the links.

So

When's a demo coming out?

Where are the Linux/Win Demo versions?

For those of us who don't want to pay for a game that probably won't run very well on some of our systems, when will the demo be released?

Too bad the installation is failing for people...

A lot of people (myself included) are having issues with the second installation disc. It basically just won't read in any CD drive I can get my hands on. And I'm not alone [forumplanet.com].

If this turns out to be a result of SecureROM [securom.com], I'm going to send my box back to Activision with a piece of poo inside.

Re:Too bad the installation is failing for people.

I had the same problem with UT2004, the DVD would not read properly so I had to go download the warez version from Usenet and use my key to install the game. It's ironic that you have to turn to the pirates because you can't legitimately install the game yourself because of a copy protection that is intended to deter piracy!

Re:Too bad the installation is failing for people.

It appears that there is a number of badly pressed CDs. You should be able to exchange them at the store :)

Re:Too bad the installation is failing for people.

SecureROM seems like an awesome product. The guys at Penny Arcade had been looking forward to F.E.A.R. for a long time, and last update said "Well, we would love to tell you if it is any good, but since it refuses to install... I guess we will just have to play something else". Some really great marketing there!

Fantastic

It's nice to see id still supporting Linux. Bioware produced a very nice Linux client for Neverwinter Nights but since they started making Xbox games their new engines are based on DirectX. UT-UT2004 also had excellent Linux versions, but UT2007's target platforms are PS3, Xbox 360 and Windows. Who knows if that will hit Linux in the end.

Hey ID Software!

Nice, that you are using a Opensource-Wiki (MoinMoin). However, it is completly locked and Moinmoin has localized Frontpages - so with intl.accept_languages="de-de, en-us" I get this page http://zerowing.idsoftware.com/linux/quake4/StartS eite [idsoftware.com] when I click on this link: http://zerowing.idsoftware.com/linux/quake4/ [idsoftware.com]
Also it would be nice to have some possibility of feedback other than posting on /. ....

Re:Hey ID Software!

I use a wiki because it's an easy format for me to edit and update wherever I am. I have no intention to make it writable - god we're getting enough feedback as it is :)

Thanks for pointing the language issue though. Would you know how to force a single language maybe?

No such file or directory

ncftp ftp.idsoftware.com
NcFTP 3.1.9 (Mar 24, 2005) by Mike Gleason (http://www.ncftp.com/contact/ [ncftp.com]).
Connecting to 192.246.40.185...
ftp.idsoftware.com

Welcome to ftp.idsoftware.com

Connection from 24.195.181.250 logged
You are user 102 of 100 available connections.

Average throughput for this server is 1347.912 KBps.
37581 people have visited this site in the last 24 hours.

Please e-mail [e-mail] if you encounter any problems.

Logging in...
User logged in, proceed.
Logged in to ftp.idsoftware.com.

ncftp / > cd idstuff/quake4/mac
Could not chdir to idstuff/quake4/mac: server said: /idstuff/quake4/mac: No such file or directory.
ncftp /idstuff/quake4 > echo doh
doh

This suggests a great Linux-boosting strategy

Hypothetically, what if a heavyweight like Id released the Linux version of their game for free, but made the Windows version cost the regular price? If the game was in hot enough demand, it might encourage a large number of gamers to install Linux in some form. It would also create quite a buzz about Linux among people who might otherwise not install it because "they play games". Obviously this would cut into retail sales, so it would be a sacrificial move of sorts, but for a game company sufficiently already rolling in the dough, with an established franchise, it might not be too hard to take the hit of losing a chunk of sales. Again the plan is: 1. Release game for free on Linux, regular price for Windows. 2. Create buzz, get people installing Linux, make your game company less dependent on Microsoft. 3. Profit (*) (*) At least in karma, definitely in publicity, and over the long haul, probably in $ too.

i wonder...

if the copy "protection" (prevention) works in linux...

securom/starforce/etc restriction technologies require a driver be installed and running at all times in order for them to prevent copies being used on windows.

ironic that people who download copied games have a much easier time playing than people who run out, give the companies 50 bucks and come home to an unplayable game due to onerous restrictions.

too many games nowadays each install their own "driver" and if you have many games installed like many do, you exponentially increase your chances of instability (more so than usual), conflicts and downright crashes.

another thing that's absurd is that most new games will complain after being installed and not run or will not install if you have nero or other cd recording programs installed. also if you have alcohol 120% or daemon tools.

didn't it ever occur to publishers, that having those tools installed would only screw over the people who bough the games legitimately? because infringers would never have to deal with that bullshit. they go out of their way with time and money to introduce these offensive, unstable "protection" technologies yet vehemently argue that it prevents "piracy"? yet, "pirates" are the ones who are the least inconvenienced and hindered...

something just doesn't add up.

pissing off your paying customers is one of the few things you don't want to do... i wonder where they went to business school?

You like?

"You like? I don't care if you like!" --line from the TV ad for Quake II Best video game ad ever.

Mac version

Any news on the Mac version? Will there be one?

How is this any different from Steam?

I'm glad to see Linux acknowledged, and I hate to be a party pooper, but I can't stand this sort of on-line product activation thing. It will cause me NOT to buy this game. I like to play games offline, in single-player mode, on my PC.

When I bought Unreal Tournament 2004 to play on Linux (I have never installed it on Windows) I was able to buy the box in a brick and mortar store and install it without an Internet connection. It installed easily, and played great.

But I avoided Half Life 2 because of Steam. How is this any different from Steam?

Star Trek parralels...

Is it just me or does the story line for Quake 4 seem somewhat similar to ST:TNG where Picard was assimilated by the Borg?

Plus the Strogg being a civilisation that goes through space assimilating any culture in it's path is another dead giveaway.

I'm not saying it's not a bloody awesome story tho! Well done id!

This isn't Quake!

Who cares? Seriously. Quake 4 dosn't have a metal / NINish soundtrack, you have to reload your weapons, and there aren't as many hidden secrets and powerups. Sounds more like Doom3 and less like Quake to me.

OS X version?

Will there be an OS X version released anytime soon?

Quake3 is not OSS!

I downloaded the GPL Quake3, and well, it's not as if it will just run.

You have to compile it first, which I don't believe is straightforward, it still pretty much needs porting, then you have to already have a Windows version to get to the .PAK files etc.

So you certainly can't download Quake3 (or RTCW) for Linux and just play it.

Releasing the source to a game ENGINE but forcing you to buy the Windows version to play it is not OSS.

Making a Linux client for a game that requires a Windows version to play it is not OSS.

Making a Windows game and not even making a Linux installer but forcing the user to copy around .PAK files from a pre-installed Windows version (not even straight off the CDs) is not OSS.

I'll buy Quake4 when they release the Linux version in the same box as the Windows version with a proper installer.

Quake4 and DRI

Can anyone test Quake4 with DRI (r200 or r300)?
I wonder is it working on Open Source drivers.
Because in FAQ Radeon 9700 is required....

blah blah

I think Half Life 2 pretty much explored every option of making a game immersive, other than just making it "pretty". Q4 just looks like more of the same shoot reload repeat crap that I got over after I beat Q1.

We need holographic displays or entirely new input interfaces, not more polygons.

HL2 was the climax of "3d on a flat screen", I don't think it is going to get any better until it becomes cost effective enough to do some form of VR. Until then we get more marines in space, with slightly higher framerates and anti-alias passes.

Gaming sucks right now.

I'm waiting for QuakeWars - Enemy Territory...

..and it'll be the first game I've bought on launch days since.... Well, since the GTA games, but other than that, since... Well, Quake.

I'm sick to death of everything FPS has to offer, and I gave up years ago, although I'd test the waters once in a while....

But ET just sucked me in like nothing I've ever experienced. I just can't get enough of the game, I lay awake at night thinking about it, what, 2 years later?

QW:ET had better kick ass. Because if it doesn't, well, I guess I'll just continue to play Wolf:ET.

God, I Hate Flash.

I'd just like to read the info, not have to figure out over-designed interfaces :(

Re:Sweet

I believe the game was developed by Raven Software, who also did the Soldier of Fortune games as well as Hexen 2 and Heretic 2. I'm not sure how much id had to do with the actual development of the game other than the engine of course.

Re:quake 4 linux

It isn't open source. It's an i386-only binary.

Re:quake 4 linux

Praise is good, but your wallet speaks louder. Don't forget to let them know *why* you purchased the game.

Re:quake 4 linux

This just didn't work. They released Quake 3 and RTCW on Linux also, but hardly anyone bought those. Sure it's good to let them know you support their Linux clients and servers, because then they'll keep doing the support that they are doing, but it's not going to make other people "wake up" and support Linux or even Mac OS.

Loki tried to market Linux games, and I bought just about every title that they had released, but it didn't save them, because there weren't enough people like me, who were willing to put their money where their mouth was.

Anyways, as much as I appreciate id for releasing Linux binaries and I love Blizzard for supporting the Macintosh, at the same time, don't think that just because some big name is porting their code to a particulr platform that you really love, isn't going to make other people do the same.

If it did, then this would be old news because Linux and Mac *would* have the same games that Windows has now. But fact is that these big names have supported Linux/Mac for a long time, and there's still very little more support now than there was before.

Re:quake 4 linux

That is just used as a benchmark. If they were to say "OpenGL 1.5 [or whatever they use] compatable", nobody would have any idea what they were talking about.

Re:Portage...

Jon Caramack is generally a pretty wicked Apple fan. So expect a client for OSX at some point sooner rather than later.

Re:that was quick

What say does Microsoft have over studios releasing Linux clients for their games? One of MS' biggest Xbox 360 partners, Epic, has been releasing Linux binaries for years.

Re:Need RAM!

What VPN support do you need?

MS PPTP? http://pptpclient.sourceforge.net/ [sourceforge.net] (recommending Suse 10.0)
Cisco has a client which is included in Knoppix.

Just trying to help.

Re:quake 4 linux

Yeah... because ID has never supported Linux on any of their products before. ;-) But you're right, it is nice... and I must admit that having a Quake port essentially sold me on Linux (otherwise I would've needed to keep DOS around!)

The first time I saw Linux, my friend demonstrated rendering the original Quake in a window, while running Netscape 3, and an xterm. Of course, seeing all of that, I was hooked... I ran home, fired up xmodem, and started downloading my first slackware install ;-)

Wow.. I'm feeling old ;-)

Speaking of Open-Source : GFX Cards.

Speaking of open source :
Which 3D card do you know have decent open-source support ?
And of them, which are open source encouraged by card maker vs. open source alternative to binary that was developped by reverse engeneering because card maker refuses to make specs available ?

Card I know of :
- ATI Radeon up to 9250 - working opensource drivers, some specs from ATI (with NDA restriction).
- ATI Radeon up to 9800 (and somewhat up to X850...) - developpment of opensource drivers, without ATI support (not available).
- ATI Matrox - opensource only up to g550, developped using refs. from Matrox.
- XGI Volari - heard once that they made their linux drivers opensource but I haven't heard much from them since. Any one has news ?

(And for the real dynosaurs :
- 3DFx Voodoo up to 5 - opensourced drivers by 3dfx. no SLI support
but that's what i'm using right now)

What are your exprecience with 3D cards and open-source drivers ?

Re:quake 4 linux

This is definately a good move, both for ID and for the linux community.

Re:Portage...

It is definitely better to write portable code from the ground up and be able to run and debug it on multiple platforms. The GNU/Linux market share alone would not justify the time I spend on it.

This said, I'm much happier doing my developement on Linux when it's possible. Debugging isn't as easy as MSVC, but the environement just feels right for me.

TTimo

Re:Recommended Hardware to play?

This is what I found for requiremnets. Add GNU/Linux in there.

English version of Microsoft Windows 2000/XP
Pentium 4 2.0 GHz or Athlon XP 2000+ processor
512MB RAM
8x Speed CD-ROM drive and latest drivers
2.8GB of uncompressed hard disk space (plus 400MB for Windows swap file)
100% DirectX 9.0c compatible 16-bit soundcard and latest drivers
100% Windows 2000/XP compatible mouse, keyboard and latest drivers
DirectX 9.0c (included)
3D hardware accelerator card required
100% DirectX 9.0c compatible 64MB
Hardware accelerated video card and the latest drivers
          ATI Radeon 9700
          ATI Radeon 9800
          ATI Radeon X300 series
          ATI Radeon X550 series
          ATI Radeon X600 series
          ATI Radeon X700 series
          ATI Radeon X800 series
          ATI Radeon X850 series
          Nvidia GeForce 3/Ti Series

Multiplayer requirements:
Internet (TCP/IP) and LAN (TCP/IP) play supported
Internet play requires broadband connection and latest drivers
LAN play requires network interface card and latest drivers

Re:I'll stick with the Windows version...

It's easier to install and play.

The Linux version is harder to play? Is it stuck in Nightmare mode?