id Software's QUAKE hits retail outlets worldwide; QUAKE and a Slurpee - Gamers can pick up QUAKE shareware at 7-Eleven.

MESQUITE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 30, 1996--id Software's Internet gaming sensation QUAKE(TM) hit store shelves across the globe today.

Gamers can pick up the low-cost shareware at computer stores, music outlets, bookstores, mass merchandisers, video rental outlets and for the first time ever, convenience mart 7-Eleven. id's agreement with Southland Corp's chain of 7-Eleven stores calls for the stocking of QUAKE shareware in an estimated 60% of the 5,100 7-Eleven stores nationwide.

"The demand for QUAKE has been incredible and we have had a record-breaking number of pre-orders for the game from both traditional retailers and unchartered alternative outlets like 7-Eleven," said Mike Wilson, id Software's director of marketing and distribution. "Convenience marts like 7-Eleven offer a whole new distribution channel for us and since the QUAKE shareware was white hot and priced right, it made perfect sense. 7-Eleven is obviously a forward thinking company and was the first convenience mart to step up and take advantage of this opportunity. They could potentially be our biggest customer."

"Teaming up with id Software for the distribution of QUAKE is a very exciting move for 7-Eleven," said John Donovan of Southland Corp. "We feel that with the market potential of QUAKE, and the widespread presence and strength of 7-Eleven, we can play a major role in the success of what will be the best-selling game ever."

The retail launch of QUAKE marks the first time that id has distributed their own title under the id label. The shareware version of QUAKE, with the full version encrypted on the CD-ROM, will be available 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 via id's 1-800-id-games number and Web site for $45 plus shipping and handling. GT Interactive Software will be distributing the full version of QUAKE outside of the United States.

Representing the next generational advancement of game play and design, QUAKE's technology was developed by industry vanguards, John Carmack and Michael Abrash, using a totally new engine -- the first new core technology from id since DOOM. This new engine allows players to explore, stalk and battle at incredible speeds within the six degrees of freedom. Designed from the ground up as a multi-player game, QUAKE uses client/server technology to maximize modem and network play, resulting in brutal and exhilarating deathmatches.

QUAKE, a nightmarishly intense 3D shoot-em-up game, has already become a phenomenon on the Internet. Following in the footsteps of their shareware model of distribution for the legendary DOOM, id Software quietly uploaded the QUAKE shareware, representing one-quarter of the full game, onto their Internet server (www.idsoftware.com) on June 22. Immediately the game was posted on 20 mirror sites around the world. QUAKE alarms, rigged by fanatical gamers, alerted the faithful id watchers that the Dimension of the Doomed shareware episode was available for downloading. Sites around the world were clogged and getting onto id Software's site was virtually impossible.

Since the initial upload, millions of gamers have downloaded the game. id's site alone has been dispensing 25,000 copies a day, representing a tiny fraction of the total as the game is now posted on thousands of Web sites worldwide. The press has also embraced the phenomenon of QUAKE with significant coverage appearing in Time, USA Today, Business Week, People, Entertainment Weekly, and the cover of Wired and seven computer gaming magazines.

The full registered version of QUAKE, which features music and sound effects from Nine Inch Nails front man Trent Reznor, introduces the wrath of new enemies -- the enforcer, the rotfish, deathknights and the vore -- in addition to a final monster too gruesome and lethal to describe. Luckily id has provided players with a new weapon to add to their arsenal to stave off an untimely demise -- the Thunderbolt, guaranteed to fry the monsters into submission. Gamers got a taste of QUAKE's perilous environment in the Dimension of the Doomed shareware, but progressively more difficult episodes -- Realm of Black Magic, Netherworld, The Elder World -- will leave gamers gasping for their final breath. Several Deathmatch arenas were specifically designed to encourage a melee of seismic proportions.

QUAKE requires a Pentium computer, DOS 5.0 or higher, CD-ROM Drive, 8MB RAM, and 40 MB Hard Disk space. QUAKE supports VGA and SVGA graphics, SoundBlaster, and 100% compatible sounds cards. QUAKE's multiplayer features support modem, network and IP (Internet Play).

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, HEXEN and QUAKE have created a frenzied demand worldwide and have managed to consistently break shareware and retail sales records at home and abroad. -0-

NOTE: QUAKE screenshots, photos, and game footage b-roll available from Lori Mezoff at Technology Solutions, Inc. (212-696-2000, ext. 202 or [e-mail])

CONTACT: Technology Solutions Inc., New York 

Lori Mezoff, Audrey Mann, 212/696-2000

[e-mail] or [e-mail]