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Quakecon 2002 - Day 1
Краткое содержание статьи: Quakecon 2002 is off and running and THG is on site to cover all of the action. It is considered to be the premiere LAN gaming event in North America. We cover all of the action and bring you an extensive report of this incredible event.

Quakecon 2002 - Day 1


Quakecon 2002 - Day 1

Introduction

A few weeks back, we brought you coverage of a medium-sized LAN Party called Ultra Unreal. It was a good way of getting our feet wet before covering what some call the Mecca of Network Gaming Events. People traveled from around the world to QuakeCon 2002, flying in from as far away as Japan, Russia, Holland, New Jersey, and Ohio - a total distance of 18,582 miles. Quakecon attracts the best of the best in the online gaming world, and they come to play, have fun, and of course take a shot at the $100,000 that's at stake. Id Software's continued commitment to Quakecon is perhaps best thought of not only as a way of thanking their supporters, but as a real chance to see the progress that these folks have made in the playing of the games. Even with Quakecon's exceptional size, many of the developers of the software and mods are very accessable. This gives gamers (their fans) the opportunity to interact with them, which of course leads to some very interesting developments.

In addition to all of the fun, of course, business must also get done. A variety of sponsors are here to support LAN gaming and have a chance to reach some of the consumers who are the most difficult to nail down. Gamers as a whole tend to be tough on the companies that manufacture their products. For four days, these sponsors take the time to talk to the gamers and introduce them to their products. What is unique about this is that they are reaching a vast audience that certainly can help to make or break products. The importance of the gamer market is often overlooked, with many people believing the notion that gamers are not professionals. In reality, though, they have regular day jobs and many of them are involved in making buying decisions. As you might guess, companies pull out all of the stops to make sure that the consumer gamers know about their products. While it is still a somewhat relaxed atmosphere, the soft sell is on - and believe me, these consumers know it.

Looks like we made it to the right place! John Carmack, the lead developer of the engine that powers most of these games, will give gamers a glimpse into the future of gaming tomorrow with his keynote address on Doom III. So we will save our Doom III coverage and impressions till tomorrow.
Looks like we made it to the right place! John Carmack, the lead developer of the engine that powers most of these games, will give gamers a glimpse into the future of gaming tomorrow with his keynote address on Doom III. So we will save our Doom III coverage and impressions till tomorrow.

Quakecon 2002 - Day 1, Continued

250 gamers eagerly lined up 12 hours before the doors officially opened to secure a spot in the bring-your-own-computer (BYOC) LAN area. When we arrived just after the doors opened, the lines where long. Making your way to the registration table and getting through the inventory of your computer equipment is no small task. Security is first on the list, with 120 volunteers that keep the action going around the clock for four days. Yes, that is right - four days, which works out to 345,600 seconds of freewheeling volunteerism, which is sure to make most communities jealous.

It all starts with the registration desk. If you have pre-registered and followed the directions on the http://www.quakecon.org web site, then things go pretty smoothly. If not, then it can be a mess.
It all starts with the registration desk. If you have pre-registered and followed the directions on the http://www.quakecon.org web site, then things go pretty smoothly. If not, then it can be a mess.

When talking about the wait, it is important to understand that only 1300 people have the chance to get a spot in the BYOC area. In a way this is really sad, because every year there are many people that don't get the chance to bring their computers to enjoy the four days of mayhem that follow. I think that the waiting is the hardest part, because even if you have followed the instructions, it still takes time to process everyone and get them into the BYOC area. If you are bringing an entire system and have not made the move to smaller, more portable systems with a flat panel monitor or desktop replacement style notebooks, it is a lot of equipment to move and carry. By our best informal calculations, it can take as long as two hours or more to make your way into the BYOC area.

Some say that the waiting is the hardest part. When you have to carry all of this equipment, it sure feels like forever.
Some say that the waiting is the hardest part. When you have to carry all of this equipment, it sure feels like forever.

Once you make it past the registration desk and you are on your way to the promised land, you still have to pass a strict search looking for possible problems. One thing is certain, people have to abide by the rule of bringing only what is on the list when they enter the BYOC area. This strict policy is meant to avoid problems and keep things running smoothly, which, let's face it, can be tough when you have more than four miles of network cable - the length of 68 football fields, requiring one megawatt of power, which is enough electricity to power 1,000 homes in Texas. You must have strict policies in order to avoid problems and keep the networking running for four days.

Quakecon 2002 - Day 1, Continued

You almost made it into the BYOC area. All you have to do is round the corner, and you're done.
You've almost made it into the BYOC area. All you have to do is round the corner, and you're done.

As we have seen at other LAN gaming events, the action in the BYOC area is managed from a control desk. Quakecon is no exception, but this control desk has to manage a network that rivals some smaller IT shops. However, these well-trained volunteers have the experience to keep things running smoothly for four days.

The control desk at Quakecon 2002 is staffed by well-trained professionals that have experience in managing network gaming events. Managing a network of this size around the clock with the kind of network traffic that you have at Quakecon can challenge even the best of the networking experts.
The control desk at Quakecon 2002 is staffed by well-trained professionals that have experience in managing network gaming events. Managing a network of this size around the clock with the kind of network traffic that you have at Quakecon can challenge even the best of the networking experts.


Not everyone made it in yet, but it is time to start to cranking up the BYOC area at Quakecon 2002!
Not everyone made it in yet, but it is time to start to cranking up the BYOC area at Quakecon 2002!

Parking Lot Fun

To kick off the event, VIA sponsored a BBQ in the parking lot. In addition to the BBQ, they offered willing participants the chance at having their bodies painted or heads shaved with a Quake III logo.

Todd from Id Software got Quakecon 2002 off to a great start. To be honest, from what we saw, all he really had to do was remind people that the VIA folks had free food outside, and the people came running.
Todd from Id Software got Quakecon 2002 off to a great start. To be honest, from what we saw, all he really had to do was remind people that the VIA folks had free food outside, and the people came running.

What is amazing is that people were more than willing to sport the Quake III logo for the love of the game. Some said that it was just good fun, but others thought that the fact that they got a free t-shirt or other prize was more than enough motivation to be turned into a walking billboard for the next four days or perhaps longer, depending on whether you were willing to let Mary shave the Quake III logo onto your head. This was a first for your THG editor; I never thought that I would see people lining up to get the Quake III logo shaved on their heads.

Parking Lot Fun

Parking Lot Fun

Parking Lot Fun

Sponsors Take Different Roads To Attract Attention

ATI, the title sponsor for Quakecon 2002, used a very unique approach to attract attention at Quakecon. ATI's "Cool" idea was what I consider to be an innovative approach. ATI had no real sales or demos going on, but rather opted for comfortable couches, DVDs playing on wide screen monitors, and offers of refreshments to attract attention. It seemed to be working, and ATI found much support from gamers who wanted a massage or those who just wanted to "Chill Out."

The ATI gateway to the one and only Quakecon 2002
The ATI gateway to the one and only Quakecon 2002 "Chill Out" room at Quakecon.

As you know by now, ATI has launched the Radeon 9700 PRO, which currently gives them the upper hand in the game of graphics supremacy, for the moment anyway. While ATI has perhaps struggled with grabbing the attention of the gamers, this new more aggressive approach turned some heads for sure. ATI is back and they are more aggressive than they have ever been. This is a good thing, and gamers took the time to check out the ATI Radeon 9700 Pro by the dozen, while also taking the time to check out the latest DVDs on the widescreen flat screens.

While some were not sure what to make of the
While some were not sure what to make of the "Chill Out" area that ATI had in lieu of their booth, it turned out to be comfortable, and it provided an excellent environment in which to watch a movie and enjoy a frosty beverage.

Sponsors Take Different Roads To Attract Attention, Continued

The new ATI approach was also apparent in the one-of-a-kind super system that they were giving away at Quakecon. ATI knew that they wanted to make an impression, and they looked to Steve Horch from www.crazypaint.com to create a one-of-a-kind system to give away in a drawing at Quakecon. Steve worked with ATI's promotion and art department to create one of the most impressive and unique hand-crafted super systems I've ever seen. One lucky person will walk away with this brand new Pentium 4 2.53 GHz powerhouse. After seeing our interview with Steve on THG, ATI commissioned him to go wild and design the system that any gamer would be proud to own.

Our friend Steve Horch from CrazyPaint designed what can best be described as a masterpiece. One person will be lucky enough to get their hands on this system and take it home for their very own.
Our friend Steve Horch from CrazyPaint designed what can best be described as a masterpiece. One person will be lucky enough to get their hands on this system and take it home for their very own.


Sponsors Take Different Roads To Attract Attention, Continued

ATI also offered a public briefing workshop for attendees in order to introduce them to the Radeon 9700 Pro and explain to them why the Radeon 9700 is truly the next step in video card technology. We attended this workshop and found the participants' response to the demo to be VERY positive. The Radeon 9700's performance was incredible and something that you need to see to believe. (We are now even more excited than ever to see the upcoming review of the 9700 Pro that Lars Weinand is working on right now! Look for it on THG very soon!)

Our congratulations to ATI for learning how to be cool! This new approach hopefully will become more of a standard at trade shows in the future. After all, who wouldn't like a nice massage after a tough day of walking around from booth to booth?

Sponsors Take Different Roads To Attract Attention, Continued

Activision was at this year's Quakecon in full force. Activision handles the distribution of all of the Id Software titles, so it was only natural that they were present.

Yes, the Doom theater, the same one that they had at E3, is here. All attendees were issued one ticket to enjoy the chance at seeing the next generation fury of Doom III.
Yes, the Doom theater, the same one that they had at E3, is here. All attendees were issued one ticket to enjoy the chance at seeing the next generation fury of Doom III.

In addition to Doom III, everyone's favorite topic at Quakecon 2002, Activision showed Star Trek Elite Force II, which is an entirely new version of the popular Star Trek Voyager Elite Force. Star Trek Elite Force II is set in the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" universe.

We had a close-up look at the new Star Trek Elite Force II, and it looked great. Much detail went into improving the game, and Ritual will not disappoint with this new title.
We had a close-up look at the new Star Trek Elite Force II, and it looked great. Much detail went into improving the game, and Ritual will not disappoint with this new title.

Star Trek Elite Force II now uses an even more highly modified version of the Quake III engine. The changes from the last version are apparent - there are all new exterior missions in expansive environments, as well as new weapons with greater fire power. Star Trek Elite Force II is expected to ship sometime during the Q4 of 2002.

This screen shot doesn't do justice to the new Elite Force II. The borg in the new game is downright impressive, and at times it was pretty scary looking.
This screen shot doesn't do justice to the new Elite Force II. The borg in the new game is downright impressive, and at times it was pretty scary looking.

Sponsors Take Different Roads To Attract Attention, Continued

VIA, who also sponsored the BBQ at Quakecon, showed off the new KT400 chipset, and they also sponsored the trick jumping contest at Quakecon. THG gave you an exclusive first look at the new KT400 chipset earlier this week. As mentioned in the article, more motherboard makers have boards coming, and VIA had a selection of the new KT400 boards on display.

The first selection of KT400 boards that will be coming soon to a store near you.
The first selection of KT400 boards that will be coming soon to a store near you.


Most of the usual suspects are preparing to release KT400 motherboards.
Most of the usual suspects are preparing to release KT400 motherboards.

The KT400 looks to be the next generation motherboard that will carry the AMD processors until the release of Hammer and the Hammer motherboards. VIA continues on with its clear and defined road map.

VIA also had a nice painted case on display at Quakecon. We thought it looked pretty good.
VIA also had a nice painted case on display at Quakecon. We thought it looked pretty good.

Day One Fades Into Day Two In The Event That Never Sleeps

Oh my, that is one big bottle of Bawls! For sure, people who need additional motivation to continue to enjoy the activities will like having this around for four days.
Oh my, that is one big bottle of Bawls! For sure, people who need additional motivation to continue to enjoy the activities will like having this around for four days.

The tournament area, which is not in the same area as the BYOC area, is roped off so that spectators can watch the action from the outside and cheer on their favorites.

This picture was taken before the actual tournament started play. Each machine is the same and each is recloned between rounds. All of the systems are the same and feature a Radeon 9700 Pro.
This picture was taken before the actual tournament started play. Each machine is the same and each is recloned between rounds. All of the systems are the same and feature a Radeon 9700 Pro.

To keep things as fair as possible, Quakecon has special rules in place. You are allowed to use your own mouse and keyboard, but you must use their system with the published settings. This might be a disadvantage to some players who favor multiple tweaks, but this is all about finding out who are the best players. The top Quake III players from all over the world are there to take a shot, and from what we saw, it will be a tough contest to win.

The line still continues while people pour into the BYOC area.
The line still continues while people pour into the BYOC area.

As people continue to pour in and take their spots in the BYOC area, it starts to fill up. The fun is now in full swing and the lights are dimmed. The gaming continues far into the night. At least toward the end of day one, it does not appear that people are starting to show signs of wear, but as we have seen in the past, this will not be the case by the time Sunday rolls around.

Even with the lights dimmed in the BYOC area, there are players as far as the eye can see. It is amazing to see the vast numbers and types of computers in the BYOC area.
Even with the lights dimmed in the BYOC area, there are players as far as the eye can see. It is amazing to see the vast numbers and types of computers in the BYOC area.

Day One Fades Into Day Two In The Event That Never Sleeps, Continued

Before we end our coverage for day one, we wanted to show you another custom painted case that is being given away at Quakecon. Steve Horch from www.crazypaint.com and Michael Chang at www.directron.com partnered to donate a unique, custom-painted computer to give away at Quakecon. This system was on display at the control desk in the middle of the BYOC area.

Because it is so dim in the BYOC area, it's difficult to get a complete impression of the case that Steve and Michael put together for Quakecon, but it was one of the most impressive Quake III cases that we have seen.
Because it is so dim in the BYOC area, it's difficult to get a complete impression of the case that Steve and Michael put together for Quakecon, but it was one of the most impressive Quake III cases that we have seen.

This case was custom-painted and included red internal cold cathode lighting. In addition, it features custom graphics based on a screen shot within the game. It perhaps is one of the ultimate Quake III cases that we have seen. People seemed to be dazzled by the exceptional mirror finish featured on this case.

CrazyPaint & Directon custom painted the case on display in the BYOC area, shown here from another angle. If you want an attention-grabbing case for your next LAN party, and if you love Quake III, this is the case for you. All you have to do is win it.
CrazyPaint & Directon custom painted the case on display in the BYOC area, shown here from another angle. If you want an attention-grabbing case for your next LAN party, and if you love Quake III, this is the case for you. All you have to do is win it.

Day one was a lot of fun. Loads of people were everywhere and there was lots of gaming action. There are vendors to check out when you need to take a break, and, best of all, there are lots of different types of gaming action to quench your thirst for gaming. Even if you are not a player, it is still fun to watch the experts play the game.

In day two of our coverage we will cover the Id Software Doom III presentation and, of course, the John Carmack keynote address. We will also have more news from other on-site vendors here at Quakecon 2002.




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