It's almost that time of year again, when PC gamers, developers and hardware vendors gather together around John Carmack's feet and listen in sheer awe as he speaks the Gaming Gospel. Of course, there's also plenty of gaming too, as QuakeCon 2012 is free and open to all -- gamers and non-gamers alike -- taking place August 2-5 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas.
On Friday Bethesda released the tournament lineup which offers up to $30,000 in prize money. Top professionals will compete in the Quake Live Duel Invitational Masters Championship as well as the Intel-sponsored Quake Live Capture the Flag Open, Quake Live Amateur Duel and Quake Live Random Draw Free For All tournaments (see below for details).
"QuakeCon brings together some of the the greatest players in the world to participate in highly-competitive tournaments," Bethesda said. "Matches will also be broadcast live each day of the competitions on large screens with play-by-play commentary from this year’s shoutcasters who will be unveiling the excitement, energy, and behind-the-scenes chaos that unfolds, with live match coverage, player interviews and expert analysis."
Registration for the Quake Live Duel Open is first come, first served, Bethesda said. Additional on-site registration will be available to fill any remaining tournament slots. Interested parties can visit Bethesda's tournament area on-site at QuakeCon from noon to 1:00pm CST on Thursday, August 2nd for participation availability.
Players may register online by going to registration.quakecon.org between July 13th at 12pm CT and July 31st.
"Players with professional gaming experience or extensive Quake Live experience interested in receiving an invite to the Quake Live Duel Invitational Masters must register online at registration.quakecon.org," Bethesda said. "Tournament invites will be delivered to qualified competitors selected by our competition committee. A complete list of qualified participants will be posted at www.quakecon.org following the selection process. Players selected for Quake Live Duel Invitational Masters Championship are not eligible for the Open Tournament or the Intel Quake Live Random Draw Free For All challenges."
Now here's the schedule:
The Quake Live Duel Invitational Masters Championship
The Quake Live Duel Invitational Masters will feature known professionals and top Quake Live competitors in an exclusive tournament. Thirty-two (32) of the world's best Quake Live players, hand selected by tournament staff from the open online registration, will face-off in the 1 vs.1 duel for $20,000 in a single elimination bracket, with each match played in a best-of-three-games format. With two competitors remaining, thousands will gather to watch as these two best-of-the-best survivors go head-to-head in a single elimination, best-of-five-games throw-down with a $9,000 check written to the champion. The tournament will feature a pool of the following five arenas: Aerowalk, Blood Run, Furious Heights, Lost World, and Toxicity.
The Intel Quake Live Capture the Flag Open
The Intel Quake Live Open Capture the Flag will feature 4 vs. 4 competitions for up to eight (8) teams battling it out in a double elimination bracket and best-of-three games format, concluding in a best-of-five grand final. Players who come out on top will share prizes of $7,000, including $4,000 for the team of champions. The tournament will feature a pool of the following five arenas: Ironworks, Japanese Castles, Reflux, and Spider Crossings, and Stonekeep.
The Intel Quake Live Duel Open
Available for up to 64 amateur players, the Intel Quake Live Duel Open will offer up-and-coming competitors a test of the excitement and pressure of professional gaming. Battling for a share of $2,000, including $1,000 for the champion, players will compete in a single elimination bracket, with each match played in a best-of-three-games format. The tournament will feature a pool of the following five arenas: Battleforged, Campgrounds, Hektik, House of Decay, and Phrantic.
The Intel Quake Live Random Draw Free For All
Over the course of three days, the Quake Live Free Play booth will be home to the Intel Quake Live Random Draw Free For All, where attendees can battle for a share of $1,000. Eight lucky participants will be drawn at random from the crowd to compete in 5 minute FFA Challenges, with the victor of each challenge winning $100. Matches in the Random Draw Free For All will be played in a best-of-one-game format on a randomly selected map from the following map pool: Almost Lost, Asylum, Campgrounds, Cliffside, Devilish, Leviathan, Longest Yard, Quarantine, Retribution, and Trinity. One challenge entry per attendee must be present to participate.
For official rules, requirements, prize money distribution, pool of arenas and additional information, please go to www.quakecon.org/tournament.
