To commemorate its 30th anniversary, the seminal first-person shooter Quake has received a significant update, introducing a completely new episode developed by MachineGames. This surprise content drop, titled 'Dawn of the Machine,' is now available for all versions of the game's 2021 remaster.
MachineGames, known for their work on the recent Wolfenstein titles and the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, collaborated with id Software and Nightdive Studios to create this new addition. The 'Dawn of the Machine' episode is built upon the foundation of the original Quake but incorporates fresh elements, including new enemy types and unique weapons such as a super axe and a laser cannon. The 19-level episode is designed with replayability in mind, allowing players to collect runes that unlock alternate paths on subsequent playthroughs, while also retaining previously acquired health and ammunition upgrades.
Beyond the new episode, the update also adds a vault containing behind-the-scenes development assets from Quake's history, an expanded achievements list, and a cheats menu. For multiplayer enthusiasts, a new deathmatch map has been included.
The release of 'Dawn of the Machine' arrives at a time of uncertainty for id Software and MachineGames, following recent layoffs at Xbox. The future projects of both studios remain unclear as Xbox re-evaluates its focus on major franchises.
The 'Dawn of the Machine' update and episode are accessible on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X versions of Quake.