For hardcore PC gamers, there aren't many events bigger than QuakeCon, the annual meeting grounds for those who prefer to frag with a keyboard and a mouse. This year's event booted up today at 10 a.m. Central time in Dallas, Texas, at the Hilton Anatole. As always, the convention is sponsored by local developer id Software, the studio behind the Quake, Doom, and Castle Wolfenstein franchises.

　　The highlight of this year's convention is the first opportunity for the public to play Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, the next installment of the Quake series. The game was playable at the industry-only E3 expo in LA earlier this year, but this weekend will show off a more advanced build.

　　Another noteworthy happening at QuakeCon 2006 is Friday's keynote address by John Carmack, the cofounder and co-owner of id. For those in it to win it, there will also be Quake 4 and Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory tournaments, with a total of $100,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs.

　　QuakeCon 2006 runs through August 6. For more information, head over to the event's official Web site.