QuakeCon 2023 Returns To An In-Person Event, But Does Away With General Admission

QuakeCon 2023 is back to being an in-person event for 2023, but not without some major changes that will require attendees to purchase tickets and pre-register.

In past years, only those interested in joining the "BYOC" (bring your own computer) LAN party that QuakeCon is best-known for needed to pony up for a ticket. That's changing this year, as Bethesda has announced that QuakeCon attendance will be limited to those who pre-register and purchase a ticket for the BYOC event. There will be no exhibit hall or free general admission for QuakeCon 2023, a major change from how the event functioned prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a blog post, Bethesda states this year's event is focused on BYOC, but that there will be other activities for those who purchase QuakeCon 2023 tickets, including the QuakeCon Finals Party, the finale of the Quake World Championships, and the Tabletop Village. There will additionally be "several vendors and experiences to support the BYOC," though Bethesda has not yet offered additional details. The event will take place August 10-13 in Grapevine, Texas, with tickets slated to go on sale April 21. Standard tickets will cost $75, with a premium ticket package available for $200 and an even pricier "elite" option for $400.

"QuakeCon is our favorite event of the year, and we can't wait to finally see our incredible QuakeCon community in-person again, celebrate games, and frag all weekend with thousands of friends," id Software studio head Marty Stratton said in a statement as part of Bethesda's announcement. "For our first year back, QuakeCon 2023 is focusing on the fan-favorite BYOC and the players that made QuakeCon the best gaming gathering for more than 25 years."

Due to COVID-19, the past three years of QuakeCon were online-only, with Bethesda hosting a variety of digital presentations and panels in lieu of an in-person event. Bethesda confirmed that similar to the last several years, QuakeCon 2023 will feature a "full slate of programming" that will be streamed live on Twitch for those who can't make it to the event. A full program announcing all of the activities, features, and the layout of QuakeCon 2023 will be released soon.