Bethesda Softworks, id Software, and Machine Games are set to announce a new Quake game at QuakeCon 2021; possibly featuring a female protagonist.
Bethesda had announced the schedule for QuakeCon 2021; a digital event running August 19th to August 21st via Twitch. The schedule at this time of writing includes the pre-show, live gameplay of classic titles, contests, games jam, panels, the Quake Champions Tournament, and more.
The main show will also discuss Deathloop, Fallout 76, The Elder Scrolls Online, Skyrim‘s 10th anniversary, and Doom Eternal. However, one surprise may have been mentioned early. Xbox Era reports that when the schedule originally launched, it included a different description for the Let’s talk Quake segment on August 20th (10:30 a.m. EDT to 11:30 a.m. EDT) (archived here).
“Quake is back, in this special stream John Linneman from Digital Foundry talks to Jerk Gustafsson of Machine Games about the title’s iconic legacy and what it meant to both of them. The pair will also discuss the additional content Machine Games have contributed to this revitalized edition.”
At this time of writing, that segment of the schedule omits the last section. Machine Games and id Software are set to appear during the QuakeCon Digital Welcome (2 p.m. EDT); also celebrating the Quake series 25th anniversary.
Xbox Era journalist Nick Baker had previously claimed on their podcast that a new Quake game was in development, and that it would involve Machine Games. This version of Quake would allegedly feature a female protagonist, and that the game would have both single player and multiplayer.
Samuel Tolbert also theorized even if the game was not fully announced at that time, it could be revealed at E3 2022. Even so, the anniversary of Quake and the success of the new Doom games would suggest now would be the ideal time to announce a new Quake game.
The Quake series has had female characters before, and id Software Creative Director Hugo Martin had previously stated there had been conversations about having a female Doom Slayer in the new Doom games. The FPS Review also previously reported that id Software’s “PROJECT 2021B” had been rated in Australia.
We will keep you informed as we learn more.
Image: Bethesda