It is the Second Annual AMD/Inquirer Hot Dog Party and Sausage Fest, to be held at the world famous Pink's Hot Dog Stand. No, really, I mean it, look at the links, we did this last year without your help, and this time, now that we know it is safe, we want you there.

"WP: Although it is still a ways off, have you made any special plans or events for QuakeCon 2006?

TH: Marty Statton (id Software Director of Business Development) is working hard on that right now. We're almost certain that the venue for QuakeCon 2006 will change, which presents us with a bunch of challenges. Some of what we can do is always subject to the constraints of the venue for the event and until all of that is finalized, it's really tough to make definite plans. The sponsors are enthusiastic, and I know the fans are looking forward to it, so we have some ideas about making QC06 a special one by building on everything that worked well last year and mixing in some new stuff, too. Of course the LAN party and tournament will be the focus of the event, but as anyone who's been to QuakeCon can attest, there's more to it than that. There's still a possibility we may move QuakeCon outside of Texas (!) for this year. And before I get crushed by email, even if it's not in Dallas, it will stay in the U.S."

Not in Dallas??!?!? Say it isn't so!!!!

Update Chris: Just today I got asked about our next TXGF Dallas event, and if id makes the bonehead move of going outside of Texas, or even outside of Dallas then well, looks like a super opportunity for us. What apparently these guys don't understand is how critical volunteers, particularly volunteers in the immediate Dallas area, and Texas are to Quakecon. Without them there is no event. It is too big, and id does not pay all those volunteers to work. They do it for fun, and a bit of swag. The tremendous amount of work from crimping cable, and pulling it, to setting up the network, registration, etc, etc is not to be trifled at. This is not an event that is something easy to move, and no way in hell do you think about moving it only 6 months out. Sure, if id wants Quakecon 2006, or 2007 for that matter to be much smaller, and not run as well then go for it. Last years already was showing a lot of problems, and for my money was not as large as 2004. You move Quakecon from Dallas, and you lose its soul. That is a fact. I remember when AMD told me that Cyber X Games was moving their big event to Vegas from Florida, and during CES no less. I told them that I thought that was not a good idea. Well here is what happened.

Driver Heaven