It looks like the reveal of Microsoft’s next big FPS title is just right around the corner – and, no, we aren’t talking about the next Call of Duty installment.
While everyone’s still hung up on MachineGames’ official reveal of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which is coming out later this year with Troy Baker voicing the namesake lead, the developers managed to snuck in a reference to one of the most iconic shooters of all time.
Eagle-eyed fans on Reddit noticed a subtle hint on a whiteboard in the trailer with the words “Quake 6” written next to the iconic Quake logo.
Spotted this on today’s Indiana Jones game reveal.
byu/Acrymonia inquake
MachineGames, known for their successful revival of the Wolfenstein series, seems a likely candidate to take on another classic id Software franchise like Quake. The studio has previously worked on the Quake series, making two expansions for the original Quake – Dimension of the Past and Dimension of the Machine – which were added to the 2021 remaster. They also contributed 28 new campaign levels and a new Deathmatch level to the remaster of Quake 2 in the previous year. Given this history, their involvement in a new Quake project appears both plausible and fitting.
However, as of now, neither MachineGames nor Bethesda has officially acknowledged the appearance of this Easter egg. Nevertheless, the appearance of the tease in a high-profile reveal video suggests an intentional move, but the exact implications remain unclear.
Speculation about a Quake reboot isn’t entirely new. A couple of years ago, XboxEra co-founder Shpeshal Nick hinted at a collaboration between id Software and MachineGames on a Quake reboot featuring both multiplayer and a single-player campaign with a female protagonist. While that rumor was thin, the recent tease in the Developer Direct video has reignited these discussions.
If Quake 6 is indeed in the works, it would mark a continuation of id Software’s legacy, which has seen the successful re-release of its other major franchises, Doom and Wolfenstein. The revival of Quake could follow a similar trajectory and potentially combine id Software’s multiplayer expertise with MachineGames’ proficiency in single-player campaigns. It’s an approach in line with current trends, as both the recent Quake 2 remaster and id Software’s single-player Doom reboots have been well-received.
Although if we’re being technical, the next Quake game is supposed to be Quake 5 and not Quake 6.
Ultimately, it’s clear that something is brewing over at MachineGames and Bethesda. The only question now is, what?
With this year’s QuakeCon scheduled presumably in August, we’ll likely hear more about the next Quake game sooner rather than later. Until then though, be prepared to keep an eye out for these developer showcases, which often leave little room for accidental inclusions.
