The best way to begin is to explain what QuakeCon exactly is. Once a year nearly 3000 gamers make their pilgrimage to what is known as the largest computer gaming convention in the western hemisphere. The origin of QuakeCon is very unique and I suggest you read more about it in this wiki entry.

Unfortunately, for being a gaming convention where you play games, I never had a chance to sit down and play a single game. However, this does not subtract from what I did do (which I have to say is pretty damn cool).

As you might know I’m a part of QuakeLive.TV. We do what ESPN does but only with computer games and primarily with id Software’s Quake Live. We don’t have a TV station but that doesn’t stop us from broadcasting to the internet.

Since QuakeCon is id Software’s party we naturally had to attend. Now unfortunately while we weren’t chosen to broadcast the main tournaments we did cover the Bring Your Own Computer tournaments and also managed to get some great interviews with developers. We interviewed id Software’s Creative Director Tim Willits, on RAGE, id Software’s Executive Producer Marty Stratton on QUAKE LIVE and Splash Damage’s CEO Paul Wedgwood, on BRINK.

When we weren’t doing interviews we were broadcasting and that’s where my expertise came in as technical director. When I wasn’t running the vision mixer and sound board I was running around doing anything from coordinating interviews to scheduling special events with NVIDIA. In fact I arrived a day before my other staff members to make sure we hit the ground running.

During the event, I also tried to make sure our staff members were posting content such as photos and reviews on a regular basis onto our website.

While I could continue talking about my experience, I think it’s important to mention what I gained from this year’s QuakeCon. Our staff was a little bit different than last year’s but at the same time I made new friends and some great contacts. This year I was able to work a little bit closer with the QuakeCon staff and in turn left a good impression on them for next year.

A Note to the QuakeLive.TV staff: Our QuakeCon 09 coverage would not have been possible without the efforts of every single staff member at the event and at home as well. Great job guys.

Highlights of our coverage:
Tim Willits
Marty Stratton
Paul Wedgwood
John Carmack’s Keynote

and also check out QuakeCon.QuakeLive.TV for everything else.