QuakeCon 2012 opens its doors today in Dallas, TX

If you're in the Dallas, TX vicinity today, and you have a hankering to celebrate all things id Software and Bethesda, you're in luck! Starting today and running through Sunday, you can attend QuakeCon 2012 for the mere price of free.

QuakeCon is home to one of the largest Bring Your Own Computer or BYOC Lan parties, and will feature a keynote from legendary developer John Carmack, as well as other panels that will feature well known gaming industry professionals. Not to mention, there will be contests with more than $150,000 in cash and prizes. Not too shabby for a free event.

QuakeCon 2012 kicks off today with a welcome address by id Software’s Todd Hollenshead and Bethesda Softworks’ Pete Hines which will lead directly into a keynote address given by John Carmack, co-founder and technical director of id Software. In addition to the keynote, this year’s QuakeCon will host a number of panels featuring prominent members of the interactive entertainment industry. Attendees will be able to check out panels such as The Game of Making Games, Designing Multiplayer Games That Last, GTTV’s Bonus Round,’ and Idle Thumbs Podcast Live: Arena. Panelists will include Chet Faliszek and Tom Leonard from Valve Software, Geoff Keighley, host of Spike’s GTTV, Blair Herter, host of G4TV’s X-Play, Marty Stratton from id Software and Ted Price, President and CEO of Insomniac Games.

Those attending can even get some hands on time with the upcoming game Dishonored, as well as Doom 3 BFG Edition, which will both be located in the Bethesda booth.

“QuakeCon is the culmination of a dedicated group of gamers, ranging from casual to hardcore, who make the trip each year to visit with friends and connect with peers on the largest LAN party in North America,” said Todd Hollenshead, president of id Software.  “We couldn’t host this event without such a devoted community behind us, including hundreds of volunteers and event sponsors who are passionate about making QuakeCon 2012 the most rewarding yet.”

Doors to the QuakeCon BYOC will opened today, August 2 at 9:00am and will remain open through 12:00pm on Sunday, August 5.