QuakeCon 2008 is upon us.

Since becoming the official sponsor of QuakeCon in 1999, id Software has consistently provided the hardcore gamer niche with what many regard as the LAN party of the year in North America. However QuakeCon is more than just a LAN party, also acting as a stage on which id and its partners can announce and show off their new titles. In that regard, this years QuakeCon may prove to be one of the most exciting events in its history. With not one or two but five games in various stages of production, id Software along with partners EA and Activision have plenty to show off.

Rage, which debuted at QuakeCon 2007, is now about four years into development and has a publishing partner in Electronic Arts, which means QuakeCon 2008 might be indeed be the introduction for playable demos as well as the kickoff for the massive marketing campaign EA will surely throw together. Doom 4 and Wolfenstein will hopefully both make some sort of appearance in the form of playable demos, trailers or screenshots. The latter title was teased ever so briefly at Activision's non-E3 press conference recently.

There is no doubt that Quake Live, which has been in beta for several months, will be the star of the show. With two tournaments showing off the dueling and capture-the-flag action, Quake Live should prove to be a hit, especially since it's free. While Quake Live will indeed be the star, a just-announced iPhone title will be the most interesting. With no name or scenario yet announced, id hopes that it can find the same success with an iPhone App Store game that it did with other mobile titles like Doom RPG and Orcs and Elves.

Along with the new titles, QuakeCon will feature its usual LAN party fun. With thousands of dollars and various prizes up for grabs, including a brand new 2008 Corvette provided by Ventrilo up for grabs, the 2008 event should not disappoint. Fans of id's games can look forward to several tournaments, including an Activision-sponsored Enemy Territory: Quake Wars double-header, with the PC and the 360 versions each having their own 6-on-6 tournament. Also, Quake Live will make its public debut with two Intel-sponsored events, including a 1-on-1 duel tournament as well as a 4-on-4 Capture the Flag tournament. Also, the Quick-Draw Challenge is back, offering all QuakeCon attendees a chance to win some cash provided by Alienware. With $60,000 dollars over five events up for grabs, the competition should be stiff and exciting to watch.

Id has certainly set itself up for success, offering at least one new IP while simultaneously pleasing its core audience with three titles based on legacy franchises, as well as 5th mystery game. With big money up for grabs, 5 new titles to show off, the return of classic events like id Co-founder John Carmack's Keynote and the heralded Quake Jam, and the usual plethora of vendors working the floor (Dell, Intel, AMD, Alienware, and Texas Instruments to name a few), QuakeCon 2008 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events of the summer.

To hold over all the id Software fans who aren't going to QuakeCon, or if you just can't wait until Thursday, here are some photos of QuakeCon 2008 taking shape. Stay tuned for more QuakeCon news on Tom's Games.

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