QuakeCon 2009 relocates

Bethesda Softworks parent company ZeniMax Media's acquisition of id Software last Wednesday may not have been the biggest business combination the gaming industry has seen, but it was certainly one of the more shocking. Today, id Software announced far more expected news, revealing details for its long-running annual confab, QuakeCon.

Of primary note, QuakeCon will see a change of venue in 2009, with id Software saying that this year's event will return to the Gaylord Texan, the site of QuakeCons 2004 and 2005 located approximately 20 miles north of Dallas, Texas. According to id, those who had previously made hotel accommodations at the Hilton Anatole Hotel--better known as the site of QuakeCons 2006-2008--have had their reservations automatically canceled.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will span the four-day period from August 13-16. As in years past, QuakeCon 2009 will feature the BYOC LAN party--the largest of its kind in North America--which allows up to 3,000 gamers to bring their own gaming rigs and synch up at the event. The expo also features pro tournaments and booths from a number of hardware and software manufacturers.

Id Software also said that it will be offering "exclusive looks" at two of its upcoming titles, Wolfenstein and Rage. As part of id's QuakeCon 2008 keynote address, president Todd Hollenshead (re-) announced Doom 4. Id programming icon John Carmack also used the occasion to offer new details on the Mesquite, Texas-based studio's upcoming postapocalyptic action game, Rage.

Registration for the event is available through id Software's official event Web site. For more from John Carmack, check out GameSpot's in-depth interview from last week.