| id Software has announced that Apple Computer will be a sponsor of QUAKECON '99, id Software's mega-gaming event. QUAKECON '99 will be held in Mesquite, Tx. (near Dallas) from August 6-8 1999. Other sponsors include Activision, Inc, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc, and ATI Technologies.
QUAKECON has been a very popular gaming convention since its introduction, though this year's attendance is limited to 1000 participants. Attendees will be competing to be considered among the best Quake players in the world. Prizes for Quake competitions in the past have included such items as a Ferrari that belonged to John Carmack, the president of id Software and the person who presented OpenGL for the Mac at MacWorld San Francisco.
This year marks the first year that Apple will have any kind of presence at QUAKECON. This will also mark the first time that any version of Quake will see a simultaneous Mac/PC release with Quake III Arena which is being simultaneously developed for both platforms by id Software. Apple will be using the event to show off the Mac as a powerful gaming platform. In a statement issued by id Software, Clent Richardson, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations said:
"Apple's support for next-generation gaming technologies such as ATI graphics, USB and OpenGL, is making the Macintosh a powerful platform for games. id has been supportive of our revitalized games effort, and we're thrilled to give gamers the opportunity to try out the new Power Macintosh G3 at QUAKECON 99. The power of the Macintosh G3 will be unveiled to some of the most demanding group of gamers at QUAKECON 99."
In addition to the competition, the event will include seminars and workshops as well as a special competition just for the press. Workshops will include a seminar for female gamers which id calls "The first seminar ever held for female QUAKE fans offers an opportunity to discuss a variety of gaming issues affecting this growing sect of gamers."
The Mac Observer Spin: This is a VERY smart move for Apple. Sponsoring a tournament in what has always been a completely PC dominated community is just a great idea. It will give Apple exposure to a group of people very important to remaking Apple's image as a gaming platform. Quake fans, from the Mac and PC world are very dedicated gamers and if these people can see Quake working well and looking good on a Mac, Apple will earn more good will and grass roots buzz than any amount of advertising could buy. Having Apple stand side by side with id Software will also enhance their image in this notoriously anti-Mac crowd.
So come on all you Mac Quakers! Practice and practice hard so that you can show the PC crowd that the Mac is a great gaming platform!
Nice move Apple!
id Software - Apple
|