This year marks the 50th anniversary of QuakeCon , the PC gaming expo that began as a tiny gathering of fans at a hotel in Garland and has sense grown into the largest LAN party in America. Next week, thousands will gather at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas to play games with friends, see unreleased titles, check out panels and more. But the people behind the show wanted to mark the occasion by giving back a little to the community that's supported them for two decades.
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Id Software (creators of games such as Doom and Quake) and Bethesda Softworks (their parent company) will host five charity organizations at the show this year, several of which are directly tied to D-FW.
"The community has been the backbone of QuakeCon ever since the first gathering in 1996," said Pete Hines, Bethesda Softwars' VP of PR and Marketing. "Now it's our turn to show our appreciation by supporting some amazing organizations while giving something back to our ever-important supporters and fans."
Last year, Bethesda and the American Red Cross teamed up for a blood drive that doubled as a promotion for the then-upcoming horror game The Evil Within. They'll be doing that again this year along with four other charitable causes. You can find info for each of them, directly from Bethesda, below.
Dallas Pets Alive
A local non-profit dedicated to promoting and providing the resources, education and programs needed to eliminate the killing of companion animals, will be on hand with adoptable dogs, fun photo opportunities, and raffles. Attendees who adopt a pet or contribute a charitable donation will receive a small token of appreciation from "Vault-Tec Animal Friends" while supplies last. Visit Dallas Pets Alive in the Exhibit Hall (booth #303) throughout the event.
DFW Nerd Night
A local, community driven organization that hosts gaming parties and events to help support their monthly charity of choice, will be on hand raising support for their July organization of choice, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of North Texas. Visit the Exhibit Hall (booth #205) to "Play Games and Help People"!
Extra Life
A peer-to-peer fundraising group that raises money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals through the power of play, will be in attendance raising awareness and encouraging sign ups for Extra Life 2015, were you can play games for 24 hours to raise money for your local children's hospital. Visit the Extra Life booth in the Exhibit Hall (booth #302) to sign up and support the Children's Miracle Network Hospital of your choice
Take This
A non-profit group dedicated to informing the video game community about mental health issues, will host its popular Away From Keyboard (AFK) Room for QuakeCon attendees for the first time. The AFK room provides a safe place to take a break from the hustle of the show between the hours of 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. from Thursday, July 23 through Saturday, July 25.
The American Red Cross
Attendees who wish to donate blood can sign up with American Red Cross representatives in the Topaz room from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25. Donors who take part in the Blood Drive will receive a special gift to honor the donation while supplies last. (Donors must be at least 17 years old and meet American Red Cross requirements for donating blood.)
