Quake – 30th Anniversary Update
Quake celebrates its 30th anniversary with 'Dawn of the Machine,' a brutal new episode developed by MachineGames and id Software. This free update for owners of the classic FPS brings 19 new maps, enemy variants, and a unique looping structure, satisfying Hacker News's appreciation for expertly crafted retro gaming experiences and substantial content additions to beloved titles.
The Lowdown
Id Software and MachineGames have released the 'Dawn of the Machine' update to celebrate Quake's 30th Anniversary, delivering a substantial free expansion to the classic first-person shooter. This new episode promises to push the legacy of the genre-defining game even further.
- Dawn of the Machine Episode: This new episode by MachineGames (known for Dimension of the Machine) traps Ranger in an illusion, forcing him to seek 'The Nightmare Machine' across 19 new maps to break a cyclical loop.
- Availability: The update is free for Quake owners across Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Microsoft PC Store, Game Pass, Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch.
- New Content: Features 19 all-new maps, a brand-new soundtrack, hidden secrets, a dedicated episode hub, and a new deathmatch map.
- Enemies & Weapons: Introduces new enemy variants like the Rocket Ogre, Demo Dog, and Blood Shambler, alongside new weapon variants such as the Super Axe and Laser Cannon.
- Replayable Loop: Features a unique looping structure where runes unlock new paths, and persistent health/ammo upgrades make each return stronger.
- Dynamic Reality: Reality shifts, dimensions can be traversed to solve puzzles, enemies can revive or transform, and rules change unexpectedly.
- id Vault: A behind-the-scenes gallery featuring development assets, unused content, and playable early development maps.
- Achievements & Cheats: Adds three new achievements and a single-player cheats menu for assistance or exploration.
- Technical Improvements: Includes improved interpolation, camera fixes, re-added weapon bobbing options, performance enhancements for shadows, reduced memory usage, and improved font rendering.
- Modding Changes: Localization strings are now stored in the Quake PAK, and mods can add their own localization.
- Known Issues: Not available on Epic Games Store or GOG versions; a Switch multiplayer bug can cause lobby disconnects on level transitions if the Switch player is hosting.
This extensive anniversary update not only expands the Quake universe with challenging new content but also enhances the overall gameplay experience with technical refinements and a nod to its development history, ensuring its legacy endures for both veterans and new players.