Also from QuakeCon, two new Quake 4 screenshots. QuakeCon attendees can check out the game's multiplayer this week. Over at FileShack you can find a new gameplay movie.

In related news, the official site now has information about a fan art contest.

Activision sends along two new screenshots from Quake 4, showing two very different scenes from Raven's upcoming PC/Xbox 360 first person shooter.

Over at GameSpot you can find the first Quake 4 development diary. Bob Love and Eric Biessman of Raven Software give us an overview of the marines that make up the Rhino Squad.

We have two Quake 4 screenshots, showing more from Raven Software's Strogg killing game. I'm pretty sure they aren't entirely new, as they might've previously shown up in a magazine preview or two. In any case..

IGN has posted the G4TV Quake 4 interview, which features id's Todd Hollenshead talking about the Raven Software developed shooter.

There's another Quake 4 Q&A on IGN, this time talking to id CEO Todd Hollenshead about the game. Questions are about the storyline, weapons and multiplayer features of the game.

Here's some more Quake 4 screenshots, taken from the PC version of the game. For two Xbox 360 shots go here.

IGN has a new Quake 4 Q&A, talking to id Software lead designer Tim Willits about Raven's PC/Xbox 360 shooter. Willits answers questions about graphics, things the game does to differentiate itself from DOOM 3, the singleplayer element, AI, and multiplayer support.

Activision sent along a press release officially announcing the Xbox 360 version of Quake 4, which isn't much of a surprise after it was already featured on MTV. They also sent us this screenshot from the game

GameSpot has a new Quake 4 Q&A, talking to Raven project lead Eric Biessman, Raven lead designer Jim Hughes, and id Software lead designer Tim Willits about the game. Questions are about the environments, squads, weapons, the singleplayer focus and the multiplayer. Here's a bit about the squads

Tim Willits: You're not a squad commander in Quake 4. You're a guy who is taking orders, not barking orders. But we wanted to make communication with your squadmates straightforward and intuitive. Basically, you'll have missions where you may have to escort or protect a VIP, meet up with your squadmates [after losing them], and so on. Different squadmates, like the tech marine and the medic, will give you armor and healing. What we really wanted to do in Quake 4 was to make your squad, which is Rhino Squad, consist of unique personalities. So, you're not just in a squad with a bunch of redshirts, you're actually part of a squad. You have these familiar guys that you'll see and interact with throughout the whole game. It really adds depth to the story and context for what you're doing and why you're doing it.

The Art and Design of Quake 4 is a GameSoy Q&A asking Eric Biessman and Kevin Long of Raven Software, and Tim Willits of id Software about the style of the game.

Sluggo: Do you think characters and weapons will be easily recognizable to people who played Quake 2, or is the DOOM 3 engine just so far ahead that it's night and day?
Kevin Long: I think you can. The updated Strogg marines are a little different but you can still tell they're the Strogg marines. The gladiators have somewhat the same feel, but are also getting updated, a little bit more streamlined, to create a model in hi-poly and show a lot of bolts, compared to the Quake 2 stuff which was a little lower poly. I think you can tell that it's a Strogg facility and that some of the creatures are returning creatures from Quake 2.

IGN has a report up about a recent Quake 4 recording session, also talking to id Software's Tim Willits about the game (not much news though). According to the article the main character in the game is called Matthew Kane, and Charles Napier is voicing a character called General Harper.

Some unexpected Quake 4 news, as Activision sends along a screenshot and this:

Earth is under siege by an alien race. The Strogg are cybernetic warriors--a mechanical frame and decaying body parts stabilized by flesh consumed in a systematic annihilation of other species and civilizations. In a desperate attempt to survive a Strogg attack on Earth, an armada of Earth's finest warriors is sent to take the battle to the Strogg home planet. Earth's initial assault force is nearly annihilated immediately, but one marine manages to infiltrate the base, bring down their planetary defense systems, and kill the Strogg's collective brain and leader--the Makron. Earth assumed the destruction of the Makron would end it all, but it didn't.

That's where QUAKE II leaves off and QUAKE 4 begins.

The Strogg are quickly regrouping. However, with the Strogg's planetary defenses still destroyed, Earth's forces can deliver a full and final assault. This time, you're not alone. You are Matthew Kane, an elite member of Rhino Squad, and part of Earth's next invasion wave. An army of soldiers are fighting with you and an arsenal of weapons and vehicles are at your disposal in this heroic and epic battle between worlds.

In a GameSpot article about the launch of DOOM 3 Xbox and DOOM 3: Resurrection of Evil, id Software CEO Todd Hollenshead talks about a few id related topics before mentioning this about QuakeCon: "We'll have Quake IV multiplayer to play". That should convince some people to attend. Meanwhile here's a bit about id's plans for console support

Addressing whether future id titles will be written for PCs or consoles, Hollenshead took a pragmatic approach: "Well, that's really more of a financial question than anything else," he said. "Over the past few years, PC game sales have either declined a little bit or stayed relatively flat, while console game sales have seen mostly double-digit growth. I don't know if we'll be releasing multiple SKUs at the same time, but as for PS3 and Xbox 2 and so on, yes, we will continue our development effort on the consoles." "John [Carmack] has been playing with the tech on the new consoles for a bit now," he added. "I obviously can't talk about that as it's all under [wraps], but I think developing for multiple consoles will happen at id."

In an article looking at games coming out in 2005, Games Domain has the first two internet screenshots of Raven's Quake IV. A PC Gamer print article was the only source for screenshots previously.

As we posted last week, the November issue of PC Gamer is featuring a preview of Quake 4 (the UK PC Zone magazine has a preview as well). The issue hits newsstands September 21 but it looks like subscribers are starting to get it already. Here's a few tidbits from the preview

- Quake 4 is a direct sequel to Quake 2, takes place just hours after the event of that game.
- During most of the game, you are fighting with other marines, however there will be solo missions.
- Some missions take place inside, others outside. You'll get to use vehicles at times.
- You're part of a military campaign attacking the Strogg homeworld.
- Returning weapons so far: blaster, machine gun, nailgun, shotgun.
- Multiplayer: "The multiplayer experience is more akin to Quake III: Arena", no vehicles.
- "With Doom 3 it was horror. With Quake IV, it's war."

Be sure to grab PC Gamer to read the entire 10 page preview and check the screenshots. Do not post scans in this thread.

The guys at PC Gamer send along word that their November issue will have a 10 page Quake IV preview, the first look at the new Raven Software game. The issue hits newsstands September 21st, get a look at the cover by clicking here.

Quake 4 lead programmer Rick Johnson updated his .plan file, mentioning that Raven Software is looking to hire a User Interface designer. As the UI designer you'll create the player interface as well as things like control panels, consoles, information panels for in-game use. Requirements can be found here.

Quake 4 lead programmer Rick Johnson has updated his .plan file, mentioning that Raven is looking for a technical artist for the game. The artist will create textures, world models and shaders. Requirements can be found here.

Raven's Kenn Hoekstra has updated his .plan file, mentioning that Raven is looking to hire a 2D/3D texture and world model artist to work on Quake 4. All requirements can be found here.