The developer behind the iconic Doom franchise, id Software, may finally have a new update for one of its other legendary series, Quake. The Quake series first debuted in 1996 and is a first-person shooter franchise in which players battle monstrous enemies. The original title is regarded as one of the most influential titles in gaming history thanks to its groundbreaking 3D gameplay, advanced physics, innovative features, and scary atmosphere.
Over the decades, id Software has expanded the Quake franchise with several new entries, including Quake 2, Quake 3 Arena, and Quake 4. However, since the release of the arena shooter Quake Champions in 2017, the series has been largely absent, largely due to the fact that id Software has been focused on the Doom series. Players believe that the franchise should make a return with new titles or reboots that return to its roots, and rumors have long suggested that id Software may revisit the franchise in the future, with a recent finding indicating that such a return might be in the works.
30 Years Later, You Can STILL Hop Into The Most Iconic FPS Multiplayer Of All Time And Slaughter Your Friends With A Nailgun
It might be old, but one seminal 1996 first-person shooter is still well worth your time all of these years later, especially with new upgrades.
id Software Might Be Planning Something for the Quake Series
As spotted by Timur222 on Twitter, Zenimax Media, the parent company of id Software, registered the Quake trademark on March 3, 2026. The trademark listing does not reveal many specifics about what the developer might be working on. However, it’s been pointed out that this is a completely new trademark. This discovery has led many in the community to believe that id Software might be planning to reveal something soon, as trademarks like these often appear when a developer is planning a new release.
Another fact that’s fueling the speculation is that the trademark filing lines up in the same year as Quake is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Many players have long hoped to see the Quake series get a reboot similar to the Doom franchise from id Software. The Doom reboot proved to be particularly successful for the series because it introduced millions of new players to a classic franchise in a modern setting. It managed to preserve the elements of the original games that were memorable while still bringing new things to the table.
Fans believe that the Quake series could also benefit from a similar approach while still continuing to maintain the franchise’s Lovecraftian horror tone, a single-player campaign, and mechanics like rocket jumping. With QuakeCon scheduled for August 2026, some players believe it would be the perfect opportunity for the developers to announce a reboot, as Quake is considered to be one of the greatest FPS games ever. However, there’s always a possibility that this trademark doesn’t lead to anything new. Trademark regulations require companies to renew filings roughly every ten years. It could be a simple move from ZeniMax Media to hold the rights to the franchise, as the company naturally does not want anyone else using the Quake name for their own project.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
However, with the new leadership at Microsoft Gaming, some players are still hopeful of seeing a new Quake project, especially since the new head acknowledged the expectations of Xbox fans, who want major franchises to be closely connected to the brand’s hardware. Fans on social media believe that revisiting some of the classic IPs owned by Microsoft with the next-generation Xbox console could help the brand regain momentum. Even so, it’s important to keep expectations in check. Only time will tell what Microsoft has planned for the future of the Quake series. For now, fans should just wait and watch the developments closely.
- Released
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May 22, 1996
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Violence
