According to Windows Central, studio id Software is considering resuming work on the iconic Quake franchise — one of the oldest and most influential in the history of first-person shooters.
As reported, an announcement about a possible return to the series may take place at an upcoming major event. The most likely venue is the traditional QuakeCon, where the studio often shares news about the franchise. However, if it involves a large-scale project, the presentation might be moved to the Xbox Showcase.
Currently, the latest main game in the series is Quake Champions, released in 2022. This is a free-to-play multiplayer project that did not offer a full story mode. It's been several years since its release, and players haven't seen new narrative parts of the franchise for almost three decades.
According to Windows Central, the situation may change thanks to Microsoft now owning the rights to both Quake and Hexen. This, as noted by the publication, increases the likelihood of reviving both franchises.
It's worth noting that at the last QuakeCon, Nightdive Studios announced remasters of classic games — Quake III Arena, Hexen, and Heretic. These updated versions were later released on PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. However, those announcements weren't related to potential new original projects by id Software.
Meanwhile, neither id Software nor Microsoft has officially confirmed the information. Windows Central urges fans to approach the rumors with skepticism until official statements are made.