quakecon-2009
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Bethesda clarifies MMO claims, Elder Scrolls V statements
Rather than let the statements made at QuakeCon 2009 by Elder Scrolls executive producer Todd Howard rest as they are, Bethesda's Pete Hines has clarified a few things on the company's blog. First and foremost, he wants to make sure that people know that another Elder Scrolls game will eventually be released. "Both Todd and I have said repeatedly that, of course, we're going to do another Elder Scrolls game," Hines outright states. Rather than comment directly on what Bethesda is currently working on, he instead notes that, "We aren't going to confirm or deny or comment on speculation, nor are we going to give hints about anything ... if you know us by now, you know we don't really do that." Hines additionally points out that Bethesda Softworks (the game studio) isn't working on an MMO at the moment, per the speculation surrounding a possible Elder Scrolls MMO. ZeniMax Online Studios, however, is working on an MMO, though "they have not said anything about what game they are making." It looks as though an upcoming Elder Scrolls MMO may be more likely than seeing numero cinco anytime soon, folks. What happened to that "possible 2010 release," eh, Bethesda?
Carmack says ad-based model not working for Quake Live
In addition to announcing support for Quake Live on Mac and Linux, John Carmack admitted that the current ad-based model wasn't exactly working for the game. To assuage the problem, id Software will soon be offering a subscription model in addition to the free-to-play model currently in place."The in-game advertising stuff has not been big business .... [it's] not going to be able to carry the project," Carmack said. Dually, he noted that while a subscription service will be offered, the game will never go exclusively "pay-to-play." According to Shacknews, the subscription model will allow players to create and host private server matches.This all sounds good to us -- now maybe all the hardcore Quake Live players will play in private servers and allow us to get a single shot off.
Elder Scrolls V not in the works, there's a 'chance' for Elder Scrolls MMO
Bethesda's Todd Howard delivered a heart-crushing blow to fans of Oblivion (and the Elder Scrolls series as a whole) during a recent speech at QuakeCon 2009. When pressed about the company's next big project, Howard told the audience not to expect "Elder Scrolls V" any time soon. Amidst wails of anguish from the Tamriel enthusiasts in attendance, Howard followed that statement with a minor concession -- he joked that "there's always a chance" for an Elder Scrolls MMO. Flash forward to this morning, when stalwart internet lookyloo Supererogatory noticed a startling trend. A number of intriguingly named web domains use Zenimax's nameserver as their host -- domains such as ElderScrollsOnline.com, ElderScrollsMMO.com, TheElderScrollsMMOG.net, etc. This is so very far from a confirmation of the project -- but definitely food for thought following Howard's QuakeCon remarks.
Mac and Linux users joining Quake Live community August 18
Has your ultra-hip, Justin Long-approved operating system kept you from joining in the Quake Live online gib-fest? 1UP recently reported on a recent QuakeCon 2009 announcement which should bring some joy to your empty, empty life -- on Tuesday, August 18, the title will be patched to allow Mac and Linux users to access the game's web-based bounty. Since the service's launch, this has by far been the most requested feature from free-to-play FPS lovers worldwide. It's nice to see id deliver on its promise to incorporate the non-Windows contingency.Of course, we're still running a version of Digital UNIX circa 1995, so we might just be permanently S.O.L.
QuakeCon 2009: The Wolfenstein launch trailer
Before sharing the very first video footage of Rage with the crowd at QuakeCon today, id Software CEO Todd Hollenshead shared the final piece of video marketing material for another title: the launch trailer for the Raven Software-developed Wolfenstein. Despite being in development for what seems to be an eternity (we first heard about this one-time Xbox 360 exclusive in 2005!) the game hits retail next week. Let us know if this launch trailer makes your wallet itchy. Download in HD (124MB)
QuakeCon 2009: You'll be angry if you miss this Rage trailer
id Software just unveiled the new trailer for Rage, which, to our eyes, combines high-quality visuals and exciting action with some mid-'90s-level cheese. It's hard for us to look at those characters without imagining them asking us if we want some rye. ("'Course ya do!") It's cutting-edge and nostalgic at the same time! QuakeCon attendees will actually have the opportunity to play Rage, but the rest of us can savor the apocalyptic Wild West-ish setting and buggy combat (as in, dune buggies, not software issues) in the trailer above. Download in HD (114MB) %Gallery-69562%
QuakeCon 2009: Doom Resurrection and Wolfenstein 3-D at shareware prices this week
At the QuakeCon 2009 keynote, id CEO Todd Hollenshead, no doubt hoping to start off with some guaranteed applause, announced temporary sale prices for id's iPhone/iPod Touch games Doom Resurrection and Wolfenstein 3-D. Resurrection is $2.99, and the ported Wolfenstein is just 99 cents. Both of these deals will be active until Sunday. If you've been holding off on trying Doom Resurrection, now's the best time to check it out! If you haven't tried Wolfenstein 3-D yet, how young are you?iTunes links: Doom Resurrection; Wolfenstein 3-D%Gallery-67049%
QuakeCon 2009 detailed, first public demos of Rage and Brink
Nothing more clearly shows the new relationship forged by Zenimax Media between id Software and Bethesda Softworks than this year's QuakeCon lineup. Littered with little extras like an hour-long presentation by Bethesda's Todd Howard and the first public demonstration of Splash Damage's Brink, QuakeCon 2009 is clearly accommodating some new faces.That being said, id Software's John Carmack will be giving this year's keynote speech, and the event is still very much PC-centric, with Alienware, NVIDA and Ventrilo hosting a handful of events. Upcoming post-apocalyptic, not-Mad Max FPS Rage will also be getting its first public demo at the show, further asserting id Software into the event. For those of you attending, we encourage hounding Todd Howard for information on the next Elder Scrolls game during his Q&A -- if not for us, do it for the kids.
Rage heading to QuakeCon, calm soon to follow?
id Software today announced that the upcoming rageahol-fueled FPS, Rage, will be heading to the company's yearly soirée, QuakeCon. The email we got from id billed the event as "the first look at the next revolution in FPS from id Software," a game we've been anxious to get our hands on since it was announced all the way back in 2007. Wait, 2007?! And the game (er, "prototype") looked pretty good back then! With QuakeCon 2009 just four short weeks away -- and Gearbox Software showing off its strikingly similar-to-Rage shooter, Borderlands, this week to the press -- we're becoming mighty interested in who is going to win the desert death race ... of our hearts. In the meantime, we'll be entertaining ourselves with the strange new website/ARG/slow web thing that just launched around the game, After the Impact. Needless to say, we hope you'll be greatly impacted by your visit. Thanks, folks -- we're here all night.[Via Shacknews]%Gallery-28861%
Quakecon 2009 moves to the Gaylord Texan, new hotel reservations required
Listen up, QuakeCon attendees: id Software's LANtastic event is changing venues to the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, the location of the show in 2004 and 2005. The people most affected by this change are folks who made reservations at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. Those who made reservations through the QuakeCon website have had their room "automatically canceled." Reservations at the Gaylord Texan will be at an equal or lesser rate, and reservations will begin "very shortly."The dates for QuakeCon have not changed. The event will be held August 13-16 and is still a free event open to the public; however, if you plan on bringing your own computer, you'll have to register ASAP.
PSA: QuakeCon 2009 registration begins March 6
Registration for id Software's annual QuakeCon extravaLANza begins this Friday, March 6, at 9:30PM ET. QuakeCon 2009 is free, but registration is required, especially if you plan to bring your own computer.QuakeCon will frag the frak out of the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas, between August 13-16. Special room rates ($145, not bad!) are available for those who want to stay in the hotel -- but it's probably best not to dawdle on grabbing those. No word yet if Rage or Doom 4-EVA (not working title) will be shown.[Via Big Download]
QuakeCon 2009 fragging Dallas August 13-16
There will be gibs aplenty next summer as id Software and QuakeCon organizers have announced that QuakeCon 2009 will take place in Dallas, TX from August 13 through 16. For the third year running, the annual frag fest will be held at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, and as usual will be free to anyone who can squeeze through the door.As in years prior, the weekend gathering will play host to news, events, tournaments and what organizers dub as North America's largest BYOC (Bring-Your-Own-Computer) LAN party. For those wishing to sleep at ground zero, the hotel has a special QuakeCon reservation page, and everyone can begin warming up their GPUs when online registration opens the evening of March 6, 2009. Campers beware.
