Even in cyber space, not too many things are raised from the dead. But the once-popular video game Quake III has received the Lazarus treatment, and yesterday saw it back as the beta for Quake Live, a game for the browser, not the games console, from id Software. All it requires is a software plug-in. And yes, it’s free, supported by advertising.
Michael French, editor of games industry magazine Develop, told the BBC:
"A lot of the foundations of the mechanics of modern shooters were established by Quake.”
"It makes a lot of sense for id to be trying new avenues for their intellectual property.”
"One of the things id has always been known for is being cutting edge in graphics but also for finding new ways to get their games to gamers."
Of course, Quake isn’t the first game to go to a browser, but it’s certainly the most high-profile, ands that means the industry will be watching the interest. French added:
"The Massively Multiplayer Online space is certainly the area most likely to move to browser. Some well-known role playing game franchises could also move to the browser and are probably already in development."
