Creative's Sound Blaster website has a Quake 4 Q&A posted, asking Raven Software's Zachary Quarles about the game's sound design.

Activision sends along a beta patch for Quake 4, updating Raven's first person shooter to version 1.0.5. For this update id Software and Raven worked together with Intel to improve performance of the game on systems equipped with Hyper-Threading Technology, multiple processors or dual core CPUs.

Players who have a system with one of these configurations will notice performance gains in QUAKE 4 of anywhere from 25% - 87% depending on processor type. If you do not know whether or not you have a multi-processor, dual core, or HT Technology enabled system, please see the ReadMe file for simple instructions on checking your system. Please use the form at www.idsoftware.com/bugs/ to report any issues you find with the 1.0.5 update.

Activision also let us know that there are broader Quake 4 updates planned for next year, including several multiplayer map packs.

An updated Quake 4 demo is now available from FileShack, offering you a renewed opportunity to check out Raven's new first person shooter. The 324 mb demo comes with two singleplayer missions from the beginning of the game, and two versions of the multiplayer map The Fragging Yard.

The id Software website has been updated with a message by CEO Todd Hollenshead, who explains what happened with the Quake 4 demo that came out with broken multiplayer. As we previously mentioned, an updated version is expected soon. Thanks Blues.

A Quake4 demo has been released over on FileShack. Word from Activision is that they plan on making another release next week that will include a working multiplayer component.

The first Quake 4 patch is now available, updating Raven's sci-fi shooter to version 1.0.4. The 13mb download offers many improvements for the game server browser. We also have the Windows and Linux builds of the SDK available on FileShack, along with updated Linux binaries. Here are some of the patch changes

- Improved Game Browser sorting and filtering: You can sort by up to three criteria, which will be displayed just under the server list, with the more recently clicked criteria sorting first. For example, to sort by ping time, then number of players, then gametype, click them in the reverse order: Click "GAMETYPE," then "PLAYERS," then "PING." The server list will be sorted by the fastest ping, then the servers with the fewest players, then the gametype. Clicking a category more than once will keep its position as the primary sorting criteria, but will change the sorting order.
- The Game Browser now displays more than 1000 servers.
- Fixed a problem with the refresh time on the Game Browser.
- Added a Game Browser filter for full or empty servers.
- Players can now connect to a server while the Game Browser is refreshing.
- Copied map files can now be overwritten/deleted without quitting first.
- The console command "com_allowconsole" will stay set after leaving the game.

SDK documentation can be found at http://www.iddevnet.com/quake4/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" class="external.

id Software has released the Quake 4 Linux binaries, allowing you to play the game or run a dedicated server for it. It requires a copy of the Windows version along with a working CD key. More information can be found here.

By popular demand here is your dedicated Quake 4 chat thread. Post your impressions of the singleplayer campaign, the multiplayer, performance, everything people would want to know. The Raven Software developer Quake 4 shipped to North American stores yesterday and will be released in Europe later this month.

Activision sends along a new Quake 4 trailer, offering thirty seconds of in-game footage highlighting the game's premise. Raven's first person shooter is shipping to stores this week.

For all the doubters out there thinking Quake 4 would not hit its mid-October release date, fear no more as Activision just let us know that the game has gone gold and is off to manufacturing. The PC version of the game will be shipping to stores October 18.

The long awaited sequel to QUAKE II, QUAKE 4 enlists gamers in the role of Matthew Kane, a member of the Earth Defense Force's legendary Rhino Squad, to penetrate deep into the heart of the Strogg war machine and engage in a series of heroic missions to destroy the barbaric alien race. "On October 18, QUAKE is dialing it up to 4.0 on the Richter Scale with this new chapter in Earth's war against the Strogg," said Todd Hollenshead, CEO, id Software. "Fusing an epic war-story driven single player campaign, and fast-paced QUAKE III Arena inspired multiplayer, QUAKE 4 delivers a gaming experience fans will be raving about for years."

GameDaily is the latest site with a Quake 4 preview, offering their impressions based on playtime with the game at a recent Activision press event for the game. The Adrenaline Vault also has a preview.

The announcements page on the Even Balance website has word that Raven is incorporating PunkBuster into the upcoming Quake 4. The anti-cheat software will be supported out of the box.

All sorts of Quake 4 media today. We have three multiplayer shots, four singleplayer shots and four Xbox 360 screenshots. On FileShack you can find two new gameplay movies. One has vehicular footage while the other shows off the multiplayer action.

Next Generation has a Quake 4 interview, offering quotes from id's Todd Hollenshead and Tim Willits about the FPS market, the game's art style, Stroggification, multiplayer, working with the Xbox 360 and a few other topics.

CVG previews Quake4 deathmatch this morning in case you just havent gotten enough info on the game as it nears release. The summary: It's a lot like Quake3 deathmatch, but with a bigger number in the title.

Worthplaying had the opportunity to sit down with id Software's Tim Willits at QuakeCon and talk to him about Quake 4. There are questions about attention to detail, game length ("Quake 4 is shorter than Doom 3"), naming the player character, story, and episodic development.

GameCloud has a new, lengthy Quake 4 multiplayer preview, going over the different weapons, feel of the game engine, physics and maps found in the QuakeCon build.

There's a Quake 4 preview over at Worthplaying, taking on the singleplayer and multiplayer modes on display at QuakeCon this past weekend.

1UP, IGN and GameSpy all have posted their hands-on previews of Quake 4 multiplayer which can be played on lots of machines at QuakeCon.

Both GameSpot and GameCloud have impressions of Quake 4 DM, based on some time with the game at QuakeCon.