quake/articles/1996/art-103
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From: jkozan@nwu.edu (Jon Kozan)
Newsgroups: rec.games.computer.quake.announce
Subject: id press release
Date: 13 May 1996 20:04:24 +0100
Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, US
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FROM: C-bw@clari.net (Id Software)
SUBJECT: id Software's QUAKE to Explode Online and at Retail
DATE: Mon, 13 May 1996 4:51:05 PDT
ORGANIZATION: Copyright 1996 by Business Wire
For the First Time, id Will Distribute Their Own Game at Retail;
Shareware Version to Contain Full Version Encrypted on CD-ROM
------------------------------------------------------------------------
MESQUITE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 1996--id Software is
once again paving new ground in the marketing and distribution of
computer game software with the roll-out of their highly anticipated
title, QUAKE(TM). id Software, creators of software sensation
Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM, and DOOM II, will distribute QUAKE to consumers
using both traditional and unconventional marketing approaches,
including the encryption of the full game on the retail shareware
CD-ROM. The retail launch of QUAKE marks the first time that id will
distribute their own title under the id label.
"Our ultimate goal is for QUAKE to be as successful, if not more
successful, than DOOM," said Mike Wilson, director of
marketing/distribution at id Software.
"Given id's brand recognition, the buzz surrounding QUAKE in the
marketplace, and QUAKE's technological advancements and game play, I
believe it will be one of the biggest sellers of all time," said
Mike Davila, editor-in-chief of Computer Player magazine.
id Software has been credited for their widely imitated shareware
marketing model, whereby companies distribute or upload an abbreviated
version of a title and consumers respond by purchasing the full
version. id is updating that model by putting the shareware out at
retail and encrypting the full version of the title onto the CD-ROM.
"We can't wait to deliver QUAKE to the public," said Jay Wilbur,
chief executive officer and biz guy at id Software. "We share the
public's high expectations and anticipation for QUAKE. No one wants
to play this game more than we do."
Initially, QUAKE will be released as shareware on the Internet.
People will be able to download the QUAKE shareware from id
Software's Web site (www.idsoftware.com), through the various mirror
sites listed at id's site or virtually any cool gaming site on the
Internet. After the QUAKE shareware is uploaded, id will use gamers'
feedback to improve upon the game play.
Approximately 1-2 months after the initial upload, the shareware
version of QUAKE, with the full version encrypted on the CD-ROM, will
be available at retail. The shareware version, containing about 1/3
of the game, will be on the store shelves and on the checkout
counters for under $10. After purchasing the shareware CD-ROM,
gamers wishing to purchase the full version can call id to get a
`customer specific' code to unlock the rest of the game. Consumers
can also purchase the full version of QUAKE directly through id via
their 1-800-id-games number and Web site for approximately $50. In
addition to the mass merchants and computer stores stocking the QUAKE
shareware, the product will also be available at music retailers.
QUAKE's marketing and retail roll-out is unorthodox for a
computer game. "Since we are selling the QUAKE shareware for under
$10 we are able to break into untraditional retailers that would not
typically stock a $40 or $50 software product," said Wilson. In
addition, the company will not be doing any traditional promotions or
print advertising for QUAKE. He continued, "Similar to DOOM we will
let the shareware be its own advertising...our greatest advertisers
are our users."
In the United States, id will distribute the shareware and
registered version of QUAKE for IBM PC-compatible computers. Working
together with Stream (R.R. Donnelly), one of the biggest names in
distribution, id plans to blanket the marketplace with the retail
shareware. id has already received a great response from retailers
clamoring for the title.
The public frenzy for QUAKE has surpassed the incredible
anticipation for id's blockbuster DOOM, with even more Web sites and
news groups dedicated to the title. Gamers are flooding the news
groups with messages begging for QUAKE's release.
id Software released an "engine-test" in February to test the
multi-player capabilities of the game. This was the first time that
gamers around the world could roam through QUAKE's immersive world
and try the new weapons. News group were jammed with comments about
the game, amplifying the game's buzz.
QUAKE marks the next generational advancement of game play
technology and design. QUAKE is a true 3D game, allowing players to
travel, stalk and battle within the six degrees of freedom. The game
was created using a new engine, the first new core technology from id
since DOOM, and was designed using client-server technology to
maximize the multi-player aspect of the title. Gamers will notice
this quantum leap in technology as they blast though QUAKE's world at
incredible speeds without sacrificing the appearance of the game's
intense graphics. Powerful weaponry, horrific monsters,
lightening-fast action and astonishing environments combine for the
most extreme battling experience possible on a computer.
id Software, founded in 1991, is a software development company
located in Mesquite, Texas. id's team of talented developers
continue to make gaming history by creating and publishing one
sensational action game after another. Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM,
DOOM II, Heretic and HEXEN have created a frenzied demand worldwide
and have managed to consistently break shareware and retail sales
records at home and abroad.
All brands, products and service names mentioned are trademarks
or registered service marks of their respective owners.