[QUAKE LIVE] - We're out of Beta, we're releasing with (optional) subscriptions

Grimthwacker

Anybody still play Quake Live here? Y'know, the free to play browser-based reincarnation of Quake 3 Arena, brought to us by the fine folks at id Software themselves?

After a year plus-long beta period, QL has officially ironed out the wrinkles and entered its next phase of operations, with a new site design, plug-in version and everything. Of note is the fact that you now have three choices you can make: while the game is still free for everyone to play thanks to pre- and in-game ads, id is allowing people to join one of two yearly subscription plans that eliminate the ads and enables extra content. There's the Premium plan ($1.99/month) that adds a number of new maps and a new game mode, and the Pro plan ($3.99/month) that also includes stuff like individual server support and clan creation.

From the official release:

The Premium Subscription, which can be purchased for $1.99 per month, billed annually, includes:

* Access to 20 QUAKE LIVE Premium only maps at launch with more to come. Premium maps are a combination of brand new maps and frequently requested community favorites from previous QUAKE games such as Aerowalk, Theater of Pain, Japanese Castles, and Realm of Steel Rats;
* An all new 'Freeze Tag' game mode;
* Exclusive premium level awards;
* Create your own clan and join up to five separate clans;
* Custom QUAKE LIVE profile wallpaper; and
* Match statistics stored for six months.

The Pro Subscription, which can be purchased for $3.99 per month, billed annually, includes all of the premium subscription features as well as:

* The ability to start your own game server, specify a server location, determine the game mode and invite who you want to join you;
* With the Pro Subscription, you can invite three friends with Standard level memberships to play with you in any Premium level map;
* Exclusive pro awards;
* Create your own clan and join up to ten separate clans; and
* Match statistics stored for 12 months.

The QUAKE LIVE 'Standard' version is still free to play and includes friend lists, access to one clan, matchmaking, and stats tracking delivered through a web browser with over 40 arenas and five game modes.

I just played a few games yesterday after a little time away and it still plays smoothly, with a cleaner overall site interface for choosing games. I'll be sticking to the free-to-play stuff (honestly, the in-game ads aren't very offensive at all, considering the fact that QL looks like it's being televised from all the logos in the arenas), but it looks like the subscription plans are pretty reasonable considering the amount of content being added.

If anyone's interested in making a list of QL players here in G&T, let me know. Otherwise, yeah! Free Quake 3 is still free!

JJ

So I started dabbling in this. My id is jerkjerky so yeah. Also, I suck. Hopefully after a couple days of play time I can reach my maximum potential of mediocrity.

floatstarpx

every time I go back to playing this, I remember how badly I suck at Q3A. some people on there just seem to react faster than I can think... occasionally I get a 5 minute window where I somehow manage to work at the same speed as the game requires, but then on the next game I'll completely lose it. it's fun while it lasts though....