A new beta version 1.1 patch for Quake 4 is now available, addressing bugs and adding in-game multiplayer voice chat to Raven's first-person shooter sequel. The 59 MB download is available on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, Boomtown (registration required), Computer Games, Filecloud, Gamer's Hell, GameSpot (registration required), PlanetQuake4.net, VGPro, and Worthplaying. Here's word, which includes details on inter-version compatibility, and plans to include multiplayer maps with the finished version of the patch:

This is the BETA of our broad QUAKE 4 update. It fixes issues and adds gameplay elements throughout both single and multiplayer—including voice chat in multiplayer, a forecemodel option, a one-minute warning for tournament matches, fixed pure server autodownloading, Hyper-Threading Technology support, smooth stairjumping and a ton of multiplayer specific fixes which have been requested by the community and discovered during our own gameplay. In short, multiplayer is fixed. ;) For a complete list of new features, fixes, and changes, please see the ReadMe file.

This update will bring any previous version of the game completely up to date, however it will affect pure server and protocol consistency. Therefore, players who update to 1.1 BETA will only be able to play multiplayer against other 1.1 BETA users, and save games created on previous versions of the game will not be compatible with the 1.1 BETA update. Please use the form at www.idsoftware.com/bugs/ to report any issues you find with the 1.1 BETA update.

Once we are satisfied the 1.1 BETA is completely solid, we will release the FINAL 1.1 update. This will be a required update and will be available through the “Update” option in the game. With that release, we’ll also be including 4 all-new multiplayer maps in addition to the QUAKEMAS map pack (3 maps) that was released in December.

We are currently working with the mod team community to deliver the 1.1 SDK and bring their mods current as soon as possible. Lastly, stay tuned in the coming months for additional free game content including new maps and gametypes.