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Game Dev Admits To Using Midjourney—Panelists Respond With 12-Minute Groan

July 13, 2025

What began as a typical panel on “Innovative Art Pipelines in Indie Development” at QuakeCon took a dark and groan-filled turn Friday afternoon when an independent developer admitted to using Midjourney—and liking it.

The confession came from Theo “PixelDrip” Marin, a solo dev best known for his pixel-heavy roguelike “CyberCloaca.” During a Q&A, Marin casually mentioned, “I used Midjourney for some early concepts—it actually saved me weeks.”

Gasps echoed through the conference room. One audience member audibly whispered “traitor,” while another began furiously Googling Marin’s Steam profile. Panel moderator and character artist Genevieve “GenVFX” Krull tried to pivot, but the damage was done.

“That tool steals from real artists,” said panelist and concept veteran Benni “Brushlord” Kim, who then attempted to start a slow clap that no one joined.

The panel descended into chaos when someone from the crowd yelled, “But hands are hard, man!” prompting a 12-minute collective groan from the panelists, several audience members, and possibly a service ferret.

Security was called when one attendee brandished a stylus in a vaguely threatening manner, demanding Marin “draw a bicycle, right now, with no references.”

When reached for comment, QNN’s equine correspondent NewsHorse—who may or may not have been hiding under the table with an open BAWLS can and a field recorder—said, “I’ve seen developer drama before, but this was pure groanformance art. I got a hoof cramp halfway through.”

QuakeCon organizers have announced a new panel: “Conflict Resolution for Artists Who Can’t Yell Quietly,” scheduled for Saturday afternoon in Room 404.

H.U.M.A.N. Declares AI Art “Soulless,” Posts Rant Using 27 Photoshop Filters

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July 12, 2025

In a dramatic livestream from what appeared to be a heavily airbrushed basement, the controversial artist collective H.U.M.A.N. (Humans United Making Actual Narratives) declared AI-generated art to be “soulless, cold, and devoid of real humanity.”

“We believe in the raw, imperfect beauty of the human touch,” said spokesperson Indigo Ravenbeam while wearing a digitally composited flower crown and a sparkle effect on their pupils. “What these AIs produce is nothing but algorithmic garbage—unlike this,” they added, gesturing to a glowing, lens-flared image of a cyberwolf howling at a double moon.

The group, known for its anti-AI stance and Etsy shop full of heavily filtered character portraits, has come under fire after it was revealed they rely heavily on Photoshop automation, AI-assisted upscalers, and occasionally even MidJourney for “idea generation.”

“Photoshop is a tool,” Ravenbeam clarified. “AI is a demon.”

Asked if the use of AI for color correction, brush generation, and content-aware fill conflicted with their stance, H.U.M.A.N. Technical Director Dave “CyberDruid” Maloney responded, “That’s different. Photoshop has a soul. I named mine Cheryl.”

H.U.M.A.N. has since launched a petition calling for a ban on AI art at conventions, despite submitting their booth application to QuakeCon using an AI-remastered JPEG of a wolf with sunglasses.

QNN’s field reporter, a horse in an orange suit, attempted to attend the group’s last meeting but was ejected for using a generative AI to create his business cards. He has since issued a formal challenge to debate Indigo Ravenbeam live on Twitch.

AI To Run QuakeCon Line Con in 2025, Sniffs Gamers to Decide Line Position

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July 1, 2025

In a bold move toward scent-based egalitarianism, QuakeCon 2025 is deploying artificial intelligence to manage the famously chaotic Line Con, marking the first time hygiene will be algorithmically enforced.

The new AI system—dubbed “Febreze Prime”—will assign attendees a line spot based on biometric data collected at badge pickup, including how recently they showered and the chemical composition of their deodorant.

“Our goal is to prevent ‘line funk stacking,’” said Dr. Synthia Vapes, Lead Olfactory Algorithm Engineer at Bethesda Softworks. “The AI is trained on over 5,000 gamer scent profiles, from Mountain Dew musk to BAWLS berry blast, ensuring optimal social dispersion.”

Not all products are created equal. According to internal documents leaked to QNN by our horse reporter—who disguised himself as a vending machine—the system will penalize users wearing Axe body spray, placing them in the dreaded Friday queue regardless of their arrival time.

“The algorithm simply detected a 93% correlation between Axe and unsolicited anime monologues,” said Chad “Clippy” Dinkwater, Senior Line Logistics Officer. “This isn’t judgment. It’s science.”

While some attendees are embracing the scented future, others are alarmed. “I’m just here to play Quake, not be judged by a robot’s nostrils,” said LAN veteran Greg “SnaxPaxx” Blevins, who admitted he hadn’t showered “since Doom Eternal dropped.”

Still, QuakeCon organizers are optimistic. “By 2026, we hope to replace badge checkers with AI-enhanced pitbulls wearing GoPros,” teased one anonymous insider.

More on this developing scent-scape as it unfolds.

QuakeCon Adds Shower Zones to Decontaminate Gamers Before Entry

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July 1, 2025

In a bold move to address long-standing olfactory issues at QuakeCon, organizers have installed industrial-grade sanitation shower zones just before the convention’s main entry points—right alongside newly upgraded metal detectors.

“The goal is simple,” said Sharon Brillstein, QUAKECON’s Director of Hygiene & Homeland Security. “If you can’t pass a sniff test, you’re not passing security.”

The showers—affectionately dubbed “Funk-Free Zones”—douse attendees with a lavender-scented cleansing mist while a sensor determines whether any deodorant has been applied in the past 24 hours. Failing to meet the minimum freshness threshold will trigger a second, more aggressive rinse known internally as the “Gamer Pressure Wash.”

QNN’s reporter, the notorious orange-suited horse, managed to bypass the line entirely by pretending to be a service animal. “I made it through untouched. I think they assumed I was someone’s emotional support stallion,” He neighed while smoking a menthol behind the VIP showers.

Not all attendees are thrilled. “I was halfway through my fourth Red Bull and suddenly I was naked and lemon-scented,” said Lance “PwnDaddy69” Reynolds, who’s attended 17 consecutive QuakeCons and hasn’t owned body wash since 2008.

Meanwhile, metal detectors remain in place to ensure no one sneaks in a mouse heavier than regulation weight or a suspiciously modded mechanical keyboard.

Cat Overlords Feast on Quakecon Attendees for Yet Another Year in the Quakecon Cat Cafe

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August 8, 2024

The QuakeCon Cat Café once again hosted the annual gathering of the mysterious Cat Overlords, marking another year of this unique QuakeCon tradition. Attendees visited the Cat Café, where they engaged with the feline inhabitants, sharing stories and experiences from the gaming floor.

The cats did not care.

The café, now a staple of QuakeCon, continues to draw visitors seeking a break from the intensity of the event. Participants reportedly never return from the café, fueling speculation about the Cat Overlords are doing.

QuakeCon organizers confirmed that the Cat Café will return next year, promising another opportunity for attendees to experience this unusual and longstanding QuakeCon event.

PSA: Don’t Forget to Take Apart Your Computer, Rebuild It, & Reinstall Windows Before QuakeCon

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August 6, 2024

Attention, gamers, tech enthusiasts, and those who have a deep, inexplicable desire to live on the edge: QuakeCon is just around the corner, and we have an essential public service announcement for you. No, it’s not about packing extra energy drinks or remembering to wear deodorant (though both are highly recommended). This year’s survival tip is: Don’t Forget to Take Apart Your Computer, Rebuild It, & Reinstall Windows Before QuakeCon!

Guy in duck costume feels rather foolish after mistaking QuakeCon for QuackCon

/ News - QNN - Reusable / quakecon /

May 20, 2021

After a duck fanatic traveled 10 hours to what he believed was QuackCon, he soon realized his blunder upon entering the Gaylord Texan. “I walked into the building, duck costume on and everything, and yet not another duck in sight. Then I get told that I’m at some kind of gamer event or something. I must be going QUACKERS!”

TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM QANON, QUAKECON CHANGES ‘Q’ TO ‘N’ FOR NOT QANON

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April 1, 2021

QUAKECON & GAYLORD STAFF LAUNCH INVESTIGATION FOR PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR SPRINKLER SYSTEM SPRAYING BAWLS INSTEAD OF WATER

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April 1, 2021

After a small electric fire erupted in the BYOC, QuakeCon and Gaylord staff were puzzled to find that the sprinkler system had been altered to release pure BAWLS Guarana instead of water.

Local authorities are now seeking any information that may lead them to the memelord responsible.

“This is no laughing matter,” a local Grapevine Sheriff stated shortly after laughing at the word “BAWLS.”

EARTHQUAKE ENTHUSIASTS ATTENDING QUAKECON FURIOUS AT LACK OF REAL EARTHQUAKES

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April 1, 2021

QuakeCon attendance has risen exponentially over the past few years, however that rising statistic seems to be attributed to the flock of earthquake enthusiasts who descend on QuakeCon only to leave dissapointed.

When interviewed, traveling Idaho man said “I love Earthquakes! They’re a way of life! This so called QuakeCon is a lie and cheat! I think I speak for my fellow Quaker Boyz when I say we’ve been tricked, backstabbed. and quite possibly, BAMBOOZLED!”