AT&T brings the bandwidth to QuakeCon!

This year’s BYOC will be better than ever thanks AT&T’s participation in the event. With more bandwidth than ever streaming and networked gameplay will be better than ever. For more details, check out the press release below…

AT&T BRINGS QUAKECON 2011 UNPRECEDENTED INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
AT&T Network to Provide Better Gaming Experience, Faster Content Streaming
and Greater Fan Interactivity

July 29, 2011 (Rockville, MD) — id® Software and Bethesda Softworks® are pleased to announce that AT&T is an official sponsor of QuakeCon® 2011, North America’s largest Bring-Your-Own-Computer (BYOC) LAN party and gaming festival. AT&T’s network will deliver more than five times the bandwidth ever made available to the event –ensuring the most connected and social QuakeCon ever.

AT&T’s participation provides this year’s attendees with the best possible networked gaming experiences and opens up more possibilities than ever for fans at home to enjoy the event through increased live and on-demand video streams.

“We are absolutely stoked to have AT&T as an official sponsor of this year’s event,” said Todd Hollenshead, president of id Software. “AT&T has impressed us with their enthusiasm for QuakeCon and stepped up with services to improve every aspect of the event. Gamers at QuakeCon and fans participating from home will see and appreciate the difference.”

“AT&T is thrilled to be a part of this year’s BYOC and we’re proud to connect these avid gamers to each other through our greatest asset – our network,” said Greg Skasko, director of AT&T Sponsorships. “By wiring the event with our reliable, U-verse High Speed Internet, we’re ensuring that the focus of the party stays on having fun with those who share the same passion for gaming.”

Upgrading QuakeCon – More bandwidth and a chance to get upgraded to a suite

QuakeCon 2011 is less than a week away, so let’s go over the all-important checklist:

  • Bring extra deodorant – It’s hot in Dallas, so you’ll want to upgrade your underarm arsenal.
  • Don’t forget your PC/monitor/keyboard/mouse for BYOC – Get ready for the most connected and social QuakeCon ever. At this year’s show, we’ve partnered with AT&T and are using their U-verse High Speed Network, which will ensure five times the bandwidth ever made available at QuakeCon.
  • Make a reservation at the Hilton Anatole – Even with a case of BAWLs, you’re going to need some sleep. Below are details on booking your room and how your QuakeCon experience could get upgraded!

If you haven’t already booked at the Hilton Anatole, make sure you reserve your room using the QuakeCon room block. If it’s easier, you can simply call 1-800-955-4281 and let them know you’re coming for QuakeCon. For those already planning to stay at the Hilton, make sure you’re registered under the QuakeCon block. You’ll save some cash, and we’ll be upgrading one booking with the following:

  • Reservation will be upgraded to a premium suite for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings (August 4 – August 6)
  • Free QuakeCon Done Quick Registration
  • (2) Invites to our exclusive private party Thursday night
  • Free initial buy-in and two free drinks at the IDG Poker Party
  • Two VIP passes to the Tournament Finals Event & Party

For full information, read the rules below… see you next week!

Sweepstakes Rules/Legal Information

  • Open to all QuakeCon attendees 21 and older who have made a reservation of at least 2 nights between July 30, 2011 – August 6, 2011. Void where prohibited. Promotion ends 9:00 a.m. Thursday, August 4, 2011.
  • id will randomly select the potential winner from amongst all eligible attendees as of 09:00 a.m. Thursday, August 4. The winner will be notified via room call at the Hilton Anatole. The winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements.
  • Prizing: One (1) Grand Prize: Upgrade to a Premium Suite at the Hilton Anatole on August 4 – 6, Free QuakeCon Done Quick Registration, Two invites to the QuakeCon private party on August 4, free buy-in and two free drinks at the IDG Poker Party, and Two VIP passes to the Tournament Finals Event & Party. Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $531. The Prize is non-transferable and no substitution will be made except as provided in Id’s sole discretion. Id reserves the right to substitute a prize for one of equal or greater value. Odds of winning the Prize is dependent on the number of eligible entries during the promotion.
  • Release: Winner must sign the attendee Waiver and Release of Liability prior to accepting Prize. The potential winner may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability/publicity release, and a US tax form W-9, if applicable, within 10 days of receipt of notification.

Brink Title Update Today, DLC Next Week!!

We’re excited to announce the final release date for Brink: Agents of Change. The content will be available this coming Wednesday, August 3rd, on Xbox LIVE, PlayStation Network, and Steam. As long as you download Agents of Change during the first two weeks it becomes available, you’ll always be able to play it for FREE. If you don’t download in the first two weeks, it’ll cost $9.99 (or 800 Microsoft Points)… so be sure to get it early.

For a refresher on all the new maps, abilities, character outfits, and weapon attachments in Agents of Change, check out our previous post located here.

And after the break, learn about Agents of Change’ achievements and trophies, plus details on the latest title update…

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Review Roundup: Old World Blues

“Rather intriguing, if you don’t mind an old brain for saying so.” - Dr. Mobius

It’s been a little more than a week since the release of Old World Blues, and from the looks of reviews, it seems like everyone’s having a great time with the B-movie, zany fun vibe. Haven’t played it yet? Check out Giant Bomb’s quick look (warning: spoilers) and check out the following reviews…

  • GamePro (4.5/5) — “Put simply, if you own Fallout: New Vegas, this one’s, well, a no-brainer.”
  • Gamespot (8.5/10) – The fun and funny Fallout: New Vegas – Old World Blues gushes personality and is the game’s best add-on yet.
  • MTV Multiplayer — “The Best ‘Fallout’ DLC Yet”
  • GameSpy (4.5/5) — “Obsidian’s latest New Vegas add-on is pitch-perfect.”
  • GameTrailers (8.6/10) — Watch the video review
  • GameFront (95/100) — “… Old World Blues is exactly what you want out of Fallout DLC.”
  • Thunderbolt (10/10) – ”Old World Blues is essential”
  • Eurogamer (9/10) — “It all adds up to the strongest expansion in the relaunched series, across both Fallout 3 and New Vegas.”
  • The Examiner (National) — “This is — simply put — the best Fallout DLC since Point Lookout.”
  • Just Push Start (4.5/5) — “Overall, Old World Blues is one of the greatest entries to Fallout DLC and should not be missed by any fan of the game.”
  • Rock, Paper, Shotgun – ”it’s bursting with new stuff.”
  • Gaming Bolt (8.5/10) — “In the end the moral is, well I’m not sure what the moral was, but this DLC was extremely funny”
  • RPG Fan — “It looks like Obsidian and Bethesda have figured out exactly what a piece of DLC needs to be – and it’s going to be very tough to top this one.”

For more reviews after the break…

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Modeling Morality: The Chaos Of Dishonored at GameInformer.com

In Game Informer’s latest feature for Dishonored, Adam Biessener chats with Harvey Smith and Rafael Colantonio to learn more about Arkane’s “chaos system” approach for handling player choice, as well as how the system differs from  morality systems seen in other games.

Head over to GI’s site and watch the 10-minute interview here.

What’s new at Tango Gameworks??

It’s been awhile since we shared news on Tango Gameworks, our development studio in Tokyo headed by Resident Evil creator (and action figure-extraordinaire), Shinji Mikami. While we can’t talk about what they’re working on yet, we can tell you they have a mini-indoor soccer arena, papier-mâché heads, and new staff profiles and web comics on their official site.

See more at their official site, and be sure to check out the office slideshow above.

QuakeCon 2011: Arrive in a clunker… leave in a beast

At this year’s QuakeCon, one lucky winner will drive away in a 2011 Ford F-150 Raptor SVT Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 SC. While the name doesn’t roll off the tongue, you’re not going to care if you win it. Watch this Top Gear video to see why it would provide an unfair advantage in RAGE’s wastelands.

Learn more about the “Ultimate Power Up” Sweepstakes and the “Ventrillo RAGE Quick Drive” contest below…

VENTRILO SPONSORS QUAKECON® 2011
‘ULTIMATE POWER UP’ SWEEPSTAKES AND ‘VENTRILO RAGE® QUICK DRIVE’ CONTEST

One Lucky Winner Will Drive Off in a 2011 Ford F-150 Raptor SVT
Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 SC

July 27, 2011 (Rockville, MD) – Ventrilo, the premier group voice communication program used in tournaments and multiplayer games, will once again participate in QuakeCon® 2011, with the sponsorship its 4th annual “Ultimate Power Up” Sweepstakes at QuakeCon. In addition, the Company will also sponsor their newly added “Ventrilo RAGE Quick Drive” contest.

This year, one lucky attendee will drive away from QuakeCon 2011 in a brand-new 2011 Molten Orange Ford F-150 Raptor SVT, complete with the Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 SC upgrade package. Attendees will also have the chance to win their share of $10,000 cash as they compete in the “Ventrilo RAGE Quick Drive” contests held throughout the event. The 2011 Ford F-150 Raptor SVT Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 SC, valued at approximately $69,719, will be on display in the main exhibition area throughout the event.

“Once again we’d like to say a special thank you to Brian Knapp and everyone at Ventrilo for giving QuakeCon attendees the chance to drive home on Sunday with panache,” said Todd Hollenshead, president of id Software. “This brand new, 600 HP Super Cab Ford F-150 is not only 4WD, but is also supercharged for the best performance on roads or off—and in bandit infested Wastelands.”

“It is an honor to be a major sponsor of QuakeCon once again. We could not ask for a better opportunity to give back to the community that spawned the creation of Ventrilo.”said Brian Knapp, president of Flagship Industries. “The Ford F-150 Raptor SVT was specifically designed to run in the Baja 1000 desert race but can be used for every day street driving. Those wasteland bandits will never catch you when you have 600 horsepower at your disposal.”

The “Ultimate Power Up” winner will be randomly selected after the final “Ventrilo RAGE Quick Drive” contest at 9:30pm CST on Saturday, August 6th as part of the tournament finals event on the QuakeCon Dell Main Stage. A total of 100 coveted tickets for the Ford F-150 Raptor SVT Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 SC will be awarded to attendees throughout each day of the show in QuakeCon contests, random drawings, and other events.

QuakeCon 2011, North America’s largest BYOC (Bring-Your-Own-Computer) LAN party, will take place at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, TX. The event is free to general admission and BYOC attendees thanks to the support of id and Bethesda Softworks, as well as the QuakeCon volunteer staff and the 2011 event sponsors and exhibitors. Doors to the QuakeCon BYOC will open on Thursday, August 4th at 9:00am CST and will remain open through 12:00pm CST on Sunday, August 7th.

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From the halls of id…

For both Nick and I, our first trip to id’s new offices is something we’ll never forget. In addition to playing plenty of RAGE, it was great spending time with members of the team (more on that later this week) and seeing all the cool DOOM, Quake, and Wolfenstein stuff throughout the office. As you can see from the pics above, the place is full of video game history!

Got id memories you want to share? Don’t forget to send your pics to bethblog@bethsoft.com for a chance to win a poster. For more details, check out this post.