Last month, rumors arose regarding a new Quake game. With the last release, Quake Champions, having been released almost four years ago, fans were stunned by the rumor, but the hype quickly faded due to a lack of official information. Now, with the official QuakeCon 2021 schedule confirming minor details from the rumor, it seems all the more likely that a new Quake game could actually be on the horizon.
QuakeCon 2021, will not only feature news surrounding the Quake series, but will act as an exhibition for all of Bethesda's major franchises including DOOM, Fallout, and Elder Scrolls. However, one particular presentation on the schedule seems to confirm last month's Quake leak.
During an episode of the Xbox Era podcast, Shpeshal_Nick, a leaker known for his reliable rumors, suggested that a new Quake game was in the works. When he was pressed as to which studios were involved, he stated that the game would be an effort by id Software and MachineGames. A quick glance at the newly released QuakeCon 2021 schedule reveals that the first event following the introduction is a joint presentation by none other than id Software and MachineGames. This led Shpeshal_Nick to take to Twitter to highlight the accuracy of his earlier prediction.
While the first iteration of Quake was a pioneer of online gaming, this newly rumored game looks to switch the series up in a memorable way. During the same Xbox Era podcast episode, Shpeshal_Nick also revealed that the new game was rumored to feature a female protagonist for the first time in franchise history. Of course, this bit of information also more or less confirms the inclusion of a single-player campaign, a mode that was conspicuously lacking from the latest title in the series, Quake Champions, which was a strictly online multiplayer affair.
With the recent success of the Halo-like arena shooter Splitgate, now could be the perfect time for the reveal of a new Quake game. While there are obvious differences between Quake and games like Splitgate, the recent success of the latter at least demonstrates an appetite for fast-paced, momentum-driven shooters among fans. However, with Halo Infinite also slated to release later this year, if the rumors of a new game are true, it might be best for id Software and MachineGames to hold off on a potential release so as to not oversaturate the market with another first-person shooter.