Like most conventions and major events this year, QuakeCon is moving online for 2020, in a venture dubbed QuakeCon at Home – a welcome change after the event was originally cancelled back in March.
Bethesda’s annual celebration of its games – initially Quake of course, but now with a bigger focus on the likes of DOOM, Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and more – always features a host of tournaments, giveaways, livestreams, and game reveals.
And since this year the company decided not to host its usual June E3 event there’s hope that it could have even more to announce at QuakeCon 2020 than usual.
When is QuakeCon 2020?
This year QuakeCon will run over 7-9 August.
It kicks off at 11am CST/5pm BST with the QuakeCon Digital Welcome event, which is the event most likely to include any teasers or reveals for new games.
Here are some other panel highlights, but check out the full schedule for even more:
Friday, 7th August
- QuakeCon Digital Welcome with Pete Hines: 5 p.m BST
- Representation in Video Games panel discussion: 10 p.m. BST
- Prey Tell, an interview with Actress Janina Gavankar and Lead Producer Susan Kath: 11 p.m. BST
Saturday, 8th August
- DOOM Eternal Panel with Hugo Martin & Marty Stratton: 12:30 a.m. BST
- CHAD: A Fallout 76 Story Podcast – QuakeCon at Home Edition: 8 p.m. BST
- Dishonored Tabletop RPG featuring Arkane Studios’ Harvey Smith: 11 p.m. BST
Sunday, 9th August
- ESO Stream with Top UFC Middleweight Rob Whittaker: 4 a.m. BST
- Fallout 76: Global Community Team Free Play: 1 p.m. BST
- Quake World Championship – Grand Finals: 10 p.m. BST
How to watch QuakeCon 2020 online
Since QuakeCon is taking place online that means you’ll be able to watch absolutely everything from home if you’re so inclined.
The best place to watch everything will be the publisher’s official Twitch channel, but highlights will likely also appear on its YouTube account, so make sure you’re subscribed to those.
How to take part in QuakeCon tournaments
QuakeCon has always been about playing games as well as talking about them, and that won’t change this year. Gameplay this year will be organised through the QuakeCon at Home Twitch Team – sign up here if you want to take part.
What to expect from QuakeCon this year
Bethesda has already promised “livestreams, tournaments, charity fundraising, and a few fun secrets.”
This year we’re celebrating #QuakeCon @ Home! Join us for a global online event taking place August 7-9, including livestreams, tournaments, charity fundraising, and a few fun secrets.
Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks! pic.twitter.com/fGs5JF3k8c
— QuakeCon (@QuakeCon)
June 25, 2020
Of course the main draw for many will always be game announcements, trailers, and gameplay footage from upcoming titles.
We know that the company has Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo on the way for next-gen consoles the PS5 and Xbox Series X in 2020 and 2021 respectively, so expect to find out more about both of those games.
Looking further afield, there’s Commander Keen coming to smartphones, and the elusive Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 promised for PC and consoles – we’re particularly hopeful that we might get a proper look at Starfield this year.
As for unannounced stuff, there’s always hope for another Fallout. Wolfenstein 3 could get an announcement, as could the next DOOM game – though it’s probably a little soon after DOOM Eternal for that.
No doubt we’ll also hear about updates to ongoing games like Fallout 76 and Elder Scrolls Online, though those will likely only appeal to current players.
The event will also feature multiple chances to support Bethesda’s charity partners, including donations through Twitch. Supported charities include Direct Relief, UNICEF, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and The Trevor Project.
There’s even special QuakeCon at Home merch, which you can pre-order now from either the North American or European Bethesda store, with plenty of time to get T-shirts, hoodies, pins, and mousemats in time for the show to kick off.
Meanwhile digital PC game store GOG is running a QuakeCon sale until 17 August, with huge discounts across Bethesda’s catalogue of games, while the Xbox Store has its own QuakeCon sale until 11 August.
Via Techadvisor