id Software's QUAKE to Explode Online and at Retail; For the First Time, id Will Distribute Their Own Game at Retail; Shareware Version to Contain Full Version Encrypted on CD-ROM

Business Wire, May 13, 1996

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.