Bethesda and id Software made the difficult decision to cancel QuakeCon last year in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. QuakeCon is a celebration of id Software’s most iconic games, and prior to 2020, the event had been hosted annually since 1996. The transition to an online platform, while understandable, was disappointing for many, but the rebranded QuakeCon at Home made a positive impression nonetheless. Events that would have otherwise taken place in-person were streamed via Twitch, and giveaways could be entered by engaging with Bethesda’s social media channels.
This May, it was announced that QuakeCon would once again be held as a digital-only event. The social media accounts for Bethesda, id Software, Quake, Doom, and other franchises have slowly revealed more information about QuakeCon 2021, but specifics about the event have yet to be announced. What’s certain is that this year’s QuakeCon will run from August 19 to August 21. If previous QuakeCons are anything to go off of, fans of id Software and arena shooters in general can expect a variety of different events, giveaways, and panels.
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Last year, QuakeCon at Home utilized Twitch to broadcast its panels and presentations, and it will do the same for 2021. Bethesda announced on its website that Twitch viewers could expect “special influencer streams, Bethesda’s own Community teams from across the world, developer appearances, and game updates.” QuakeCon is also known for its BYOC (“bring your own computer”) LAN parties, events where attendees could set up their own machines and play with one another. This aspect of the event is now being hosted virtually via Twitch Teams in an attempt to recreate the magic of local play.
Every QuakeCon begins with a keynote presentation in which Bethesda welcomes fans and makes its most exciting announcements. For many, this may just be the highlight of the convention; games like The Elder Scrolls Online and Doom Eternal debuted during these keynotes. To replace last year’s presentation, a pre-recorded welcome video was produced, and according to QuakeCon 2021’s schedule, Bethesda will doing something similar this year. Streaming live on Thursday, August 19 at 11:00 a.m. PT (2:00 p.m. ET), fans can tune in to watch as the convention makes its initial introductions. While Bethesda has yet to divulge any information regarding what may or may not be announced, this is usually the time for big reveals.
Living up to its “peace, love, and rockets” slogan and its reputation as the Woodstock of gaming, QuakeCon strives to give back to the community. Bethesda, for its part, is no stranger to donating to a good cause, considering it pledged $1 million to fight COVID-19 last year. The convention has managed to raise money for local, national, and even international groups in previous years. This year is no different: audience members on Twitch will be able to donate directly to Asian Americans Advancing Justice, NAACP Legal Defense, Educational Fund, Trevor Project, and UNICEF. Viewers can expect to see more information about each cause throughout the duration of QuakeCon.
Moreover, animal-themed charity t-shirts will be returning to QuakeCon 2021 with two new designs: “Catloop” (a feline parody of Deathloop’s main characters) and “Pugcubus” (Doom Eternal’s Mancubus reimagined as a pug). In partnership with Custom Ink, all profits from these shirts will be divided between two organizations. One of the organizations is QuakeCon’s long-time Dallas-based animal adoption partner, Dallas Pets Alive; the other is FOUR PAWS, a global animal welfare organization. Unlike previous years, these designs are available on sweaters as well as t-shirts.
QuakeCon has run various digital promotions in previous years, and it’s to be expected that similar giveaways will be at this year’s convention. In exchange for donating to its partnered charities, fans can expect discounts (and perhaps even free) downloads of titles like Quake and Quake 2. Additionally, in-game skins and other cosmetics are sure to make a return this year, with QuakeCon skins for Quake Champions and Doom Eternal. Some of these downloads can be time-sensitive, so interested players would do well to follow updates from Bethesda’s official social media.
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It wouldn’t be QuakeCon without Quake, of course. The convention’s annual Quake tournament is a tradition that hearkens back to the very first QuakeCon in 1996. Last year’s tournament saw pro players from around the world compete in not only the traditional 1v1 Quake game modes, but also in games like Quake 2, DOOM, Elder Scrolls Online, and even Fallout 76. Quake’s fast-paced gameplay is a natural draw for spectating, and since the matches are streamed in real-time via Twitch, fans can root for their favorite esports athletes live. Last year’s winner, Rapha, will be returning this year to defend his title.
To get in the spirit of Quake, the convention’s online shop provides a variety of different QuakeCon-themed merchandise. Hoodies, tank tops, and t-shirts featuring the iconic Quake “Q” are available for purchase, as well as Q-shaped pillows and corkboards. QuakeCon 2020’s commemorative barrel mugs return this year in a new design and are available through through the convention’s affiliate, Pecos Pete’s. Whereas these products may have previously been convention-exclusive, the online merch store is accessible to those who are and aren’t virtually attending QuakeCon.
QuakeCon 2021 will likely feature other attractions, too. Last year’s cardboard cosplay contest will almost certainly be returning, and with it, new prizes for first place. On top of Bethesda’s own giveaways and digital promotions, QuakeCon partners like Alienware and ViewSonic have done product giveaways in the past via the convention’s Twitch chat. Matt Heafy, lead vocalist/guitarist for Trivium and lifelong Doom fan, could return to deliver another live performance. After TheSpudHunter’s absurd blindfolded Nightmare difficulty playthrough of Doom Eternal last year, other farfetched challenges could be streamed at QuakeCon 2021 as well.
The effects of COVID throughout the gaming industry are manifold. From game development to yearly conventions, adapting in-person activities on the fly has become essential to preserving traditions. The decision to make last year’s QuakeCon a digital-only event was especially disappointing given that it was the franchise’s 25th anniversary. This year there is no particularly significant anniversary to celebrate, but the organizers of the event will be able to incorporate lessons learned from QuakeCon 2020 to improve the convention. For both diehard Quake fans and anyone even remotely interested in Bethesda games, this year’s QuakeCon is a promising one.
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