Here are my Quake Live mock-IGN ratings:

Presentation: 8.5

Easy to install and play.

Sound: 8.0

Some sounds could be improved. Overall, the sounds work well to assist gameplay.

Graphics: 8.0

Old but good.

Gameplay: 9.0

Could be 9.5 with 15 minute duels.

Media: 1.0

Excluding the Quakecon stream, which barely worked, there are no first-party streams, video's, demo's, GTV's, or even links to any of these things.

New player facilities: 1.0

There is a skill-matching system, which doesn't really work without lots of players (who do not exist). There are a few tutorials, which are probably almost never used and have limited use even when. Other than bot-games (which are arguably considered new player facilities), that's all there is.

Competition: 1.0

Excluding Quakecon, there are no first-party leagues, ladders or tournaments, and there are no links to the third-party variants. By having nothing but pubs, only Quakecon and third-party support warrants even a 1 rating.

Developer support: 1.0

There is practically none, aside from almost completely useless devpicks (which don't happen anymore), and Santa Claus player-models. There is even less when you have a free account. Maps are about the only substantial developer support, and the maps aren't even made 1st-party.

Overall, the game gets a pro-rating of 4.7 (rounded to the nearest decimal). Third-party support is the only thing that could justify a higher rating. But because the 1st-party does not support third-parties, in any fashion other than allowing their distanced involvement, and rarely purchasing their maps or scoreboards, it is impossible to give Quake Live itself a higher rating. To give the Quake Live community a higher rating would be easy, but this is a Quake Live review. It's really no surprise Quake fails to grow or maintain a competitive model over newer games. If not for the community, which is exceptional, Quake Live would have been aborted.

See how helpful it is to critically review games based on their professional gaming qualities?