Quake gets free Dawn of the Machine episode with 19 maps for its 30th anniversary

Bethesda Softworks has released a free update for the 2021 remaster of Quake, timed to the 30th anniversary of the original game. The main addition is the Dawn of the Machine campaign, developed by Swedish studio MachineGames together with id Software, the creators of the original shooter.

The new episode features 19 maps where the protagonist is trapped in a time loop. To progress through the story, players must solve puzzles, fight new enemy types, and use additional weapons, including an axe. The developers added a fresh soundtrack to the campaign, along with Deathmatch maps and new achievements.

According to the creators, the time loop mechanic boosts replayability: on subsequent playthroughs, previously inaccessible paths, secrets, and upgrades that strengthen the character become available. MachineGames acknowledges Quake's influence on its own work — the studio is known for rebooting the Wolfenstein series and the recent adventure game Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

The original Quake turned 30 on July 22, 2026. The id Software shooter played a key role in popularizing PC 3D accelerators, multiplayer gaming, and the machinima genre. The MachineGames remaster launched in 2021 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

A free episode was also released for the game's 20th anniversary. The base version of Quake consists of 28 levels split into four episodes, plus four hidden sub-levels. In 2017, researcher Fabien Sanglard published his analysis of the original Quake source code.