5 Biggest Reveals From QuakeCon
Let's take a dive into the best moments of QuakeCon throughout history!
QuakeCon is a storied esports event with a deep legacy that shaped the future of PC gaming. Let's take a look at some of its biggest moments.
QuakeCon returns to its roots in 2023, once again inviting fans to gather for an offline event. QuakeCon dates all the way back to 1996, becoming one of the first gatherings for a LAN PC competition. Famous for its BYOC (bring your own computer!) section, the event has gamers traveling from all over the world to celebrate FPS gaming as well as other genres — since other big Bethesda titles such as Fallout, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and The Elder Scrolls: Online have also often made appearances throughout the years.
Let's take a look at some of the most monumental events from QuakeCon:
1. Paving the way for offline events since 1996
First, we need to go all the way back to 1996.
Offline events as we know them today wouldn't be nearly as prevalent without QuakeCon, according to esports website Upcomer . In their list of moments that defined the world of esports, QuakeCon is number 1.
While the event did not intend to be primarily competitive (rather, it was to promote Quake), esports leagues began after that QuakeCon: the Cyberathlete Professional League and the Professional Gamers League. The first event had a demo of Quake and literally just about 32 participants in one room.
The growth since then has been unprecedented. Featured in the Guinness World Records 2018 Gamer's Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Gaming, QuakeCon is the longest-running esports event.
2. Quake Champions becomes free-to-play
Quake Champions was the first mainline entry since 2005. Following up the excellent Quake 3 Arena, Quake Champions was a monumental entry in the legendary FPS series. It brought a whole new type of gameplay, adding a fast-paced arena shooter feel to Quake.
