QuakeCon 2021 rumor: Is MachineGames working on Quake 5 or Wolfenstein 3? Quakenstein?

We’ll find out soon enough whether MachineGames is working on a new Quake, a new Wolfenstein... or both

Quakecon 2021 rumors
Quake Champions was good and still gets played, but the series deserves better

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It’s nearly time for QuakeCon 2021, where once upon a time we got to see what id Software was working on, but has since become a showcase for all of Bethesda’s games. This year we’re expecting to learn more about what’s in store for Elder Scrolls Online, Fallout 76, Starfield, whether there’s another rumored Skyrim remaster, and perhaps get to make a few wild guesses about Elder Scrolls 6 – not least where the next in the series might be set.

Ahead of the celebrations, Bethesda has announced the schedule for the three-day event, part of which is a panel celebrating Quake’s 25th anniversary, and to which MachineGames will apparently be contributing. This has sparked some intrigue over the possibility that the Wolfenstein reboot developer might be working on a Quake reboot or sequel, possibly along the lines of the recent Doom (sorry, DOOM) games. We’ll be hovering over our caps lock keys in anticipation for that one.

If the QuakeCon 2021 rumor mill is on point and MachineGames is working on a new Quake game, it will surely not be to the benefit of the long-planned but as-yet unannounced Wolfenstein 3, which was reportedly being worked on back in 2019. Given that MachineGames are working on an unspecified Indiana Jones game, a possible Quake 5 and Wolfenstein 3 seem unlikely. Fans of one or other should brace themselves for disappointment.

The most recent Quake game was 2017’s Quake Champions, a somewhat bloated hero shooter that most seem keen to forget. Prior to that was Quake Live in 2010, Quake Wars in 2007, and Quake 4 in 2005. All the best Quake games were released last century. If you need reminding of which Wolfenstein games went where, you only need to click here.

QuakeCon 2021 will be streamed live from Thursday, August 19 at 11:00am PT (2:00 pm ET). Check out the QuakeCon Twitch Team when the time is nigh.