Quake 4 confirmed for 360 launch

Next-gen gamers can add Stroggicide to the list of possibilities of Xbox 360 launch day activities. Activision today announced that Quake 4 for the Xbox 360 will be among the games available on November 22, the day the console hits stores. In fact, the game ships on November 18 and will be one of several that will be available before the 360 is on shelves.

Microsoft Game Studios' Kameo: Elements of Power is already in retail, and the publisher's other two games, Project Gotham Racing 3 and Perfect Dark Zero, are also scheduled to ship before November 22. Online retailers also have prelaunch release dates for several other games, including Gun, Call of Duty 2, and Need for Speed Most Wanted. Microsoft has not yet released a list of games that will be ready in time for the next-gen system's launch.

The crux of Quake 4 will be identical to the PC version, which was released October 18. In this fourth installment in the series, Rhino Squad member Matthew Kane and his troop are sent to Stroggos to slaughter the Stroggs on their home turf. It's not just guns, guns, and more guns in Quake cuatro; this time there are hover tanks and mechanized walkers in the mix. In addition to the single-player campaign, an arena-style deathmatch mode supports up to eight players over Xbox Live.

Quake 4 will ship with some bonuses for hardcore Quake fans, including a reengineered version of Quake II that supports four-player co-op and eight-player head-to-head action. Behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the game is thrown in for good measure.

Quake 4 was developed by Raven Software and executive-produced by id Software. The game is rated M for Mature. For more information, read the review of the PC version or GameSpot's recent hands-on with the 360 version.