Bethesda Softworks, id Software, and Nightdive Studios today, August 6, 2026, released a free update for the 2021 Quake remaster. The update is timed to coincide with two events: the 30th anniversary of the iconic shooter and QuakeCon 2026, where a livestream featuring the expansion’s creators will take place at 8:30 PM Moscow time.
MachineGames, already familiar to fans from the episodes Dimension of the Past and Dimension of the Machine, has prepared a third episode, Dawn of the Machine. In it, the Ranger finds himself trapped once again: a dimension of endless illusions forces him to relive the same cruel cycle over and over again. Thousands of deaths, thousands of attempts to escape. The only hope lies in rumors of the Nightmare Machine, whose destruction is said to break this hellish cycle. Sound grim? Of course, it’s Quake.
What exactly have they added? 19 new maps, a new soundtrack (written by MachineGames lead level designer Christian Plogfors—yes, the same guy who designs the levels and also composes the music), a separate deathmatch map, hidden secrets, and a shared hub for selecting episodes. Unlike previous MachineGames expansions, the campaign here is continuous—progress doesn’t reset between levels. A small, but nice touch.
New enemies are also a welcome addition: Rocket Ogre, Demo Dog, and Blood Shambler will now make your life miserable. In return, the Laser Cannon and Super Axe, which, according to the description, turn enemies into mincemeat, are a nice addition. Not a bad addition for a free update, you’ll agree.
Incidentally, this is MachineGames’ third expansion for Quake—following Dimension of the Past (20th Anniversary) and Dimension of the Machine (25th Anniversary). The studio has clearly made it a tradition to celebrate each game anniversary with new content. And by all accounts, the tradition has been a success.
The update is now available automatically for all owners of Quake Remaster on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam, Microsoft Store). Download it—it’s worth it. And if you missed the remaster, now’s the perfect time to catch up.
Also, you might find references to “Daybreak of the Machine” online—don’t be fooled. The correct name is Dawn of the Machine.
What’s next? MachineGames hinted that this isn’t the last surprise for Quake fans. Coincidence? Unlikely. Keep an eye on QuakeCon.
