Quake 4 shakes into factory

Few PC first-person shooters have been as successful as those in the Quake franchise, which is preparing to assault retail with its fourth full installment. Activision today announced that Quake 4 for the PC has gone gold and will hit retail shelves on October 18. The game is also scheduled for release on the Xbox 360 later this year.

The game was developed by Raven Software and executive-produced by id Software. Raven's previous body of work includes X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse and Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy.

The game continues the storyline from 1999's Quake II, as it follows new protagonist Matthew Kane as he and his team of special forces operatives, known as the Rhino Squad, land on the hostile planet of Stroggos. Gamers will fight solo, side by side with other space marines, and in mechanized walkers and hovertanks.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Quake game without a healthy dose of multiplayer. This mode will borrow much from Quake III: Arena, and it will welcome the return of jump pads and various multiplayer tricks, such as rocket jumping and grenade jumping.

Quake 4 is rated M for Mature and will retail for $49.99. For more information on the game, check out GameSpot's recent preview.