Activision has officially announced that it will be the publisher for id Software's upcoming Quake III Arena. If you haven't heard already, Quake III Arena will be built on a completely new 3D graphics engine allowing gamers to use the latest capabilities of 3D graphics accelerators. Some of the enhanced effects include curved-surface rendering and high-detail textures.

　　Although Quake III Arena will still contain single-player levels, its new outlook on deathmatches is where id is betting most gamers will find happiness. Activision and id aren't talking too much about what major features will debut for the new deathmatches, they do talk about computer-generated opponents.

　　Anna Kang, id's Director of Business Development, told GameSpot News the designers and programmers on QIII are putting in "very, very vigorous hours. The guys work 12 to 16 hours a day, seven days a week.... Our calendar is pretty much stay and complete the game."

　　''Game enthusiasts saw an incredible jump in intensity from Doom to Doom II, then again with Quake to Quake II,'' said Todd Hollenshead, CEO of id Software in a statement. ''With the release of Quake III Arena, they'll get another adrenaline rush like only id can deliver. Quake III Arena will be a one-of-a-kind, first-person action game worthy of id Software.''

　　Id says Quake III Arena will be available sometime next year, but the spokesperson added, "We are restraining from giving any particular date."