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Exactly three decades after the release of the original Quake, the developers set out to remind players why that game forever changed the history of first-person shooters. To mark the anniversary, MachineGames, in collaboration with id Software, has produced an entirely new episode available completely free to everyone who owns the game. The new content is not just a token addition. It’s a full-fledged campaign with new maps, enemies and mechanics, designed to evoke the feel of classic Quake while offering fresh challenges for long-time fans of the series.
Free Dawn of the Machine expansion arrives in Quake
The Dawn of the Machine expansion is now available as a free update for all owners of Quake on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. The add‑on offers a brand new campaign consisting of 19 maps, as well as a new map for Deathmatch mode. The developers have also prepared an entirely new soundtrack, kept in the dark and atmospheric style typical of the series. In the campaign we once again take on the role of the Ranger, who is trying to escape a mysterious dimension where time continually loops around him. During play, players will discover further health and ammo upgrades before finally facing the powerful Nightmare Machine. The studio has also prepared new variants of familiar enemies, such as the Rocket Ogre, Demo Dog and Blood Shambler. New versions of weapons have been added to the arsenal as well, including the Laser Cannon, which reflects projectiles, and the Super Axe, which uses electrical energy. All of these elements are intended to preserve the fast-paced gameplay that Quake has been known for since 1996. The update is completely free for those who own the game and does not require purchasing additional DLC. This is one of the biggest surprises prepared to mark the 30th anniversary of the legendary series.
MachineGames opted for new ideas and a classic vibe
The developers emphasise that their main aim was to capture the spirit of the original Quake, retaining its characteristic blend of horror, fast-paced action and a dark atmosphere. Unlike earlier expansions produced by MachineGames, the new campaign does not use the classic hub structure. This time players progress through the entire story continuously, keeping acquired equipment and character progression from the start to the end of the adventure. According to the designers, this approach required significantly more work in level creation and in properly balancing the gameplay. The project was handled by an internal team known as the Quake Club, made up of developers passionate about the cult series. Many team members have been creating their own Quake maps since the late 1990s, while some only joined the community in recent years. Thanks to simpler tools and the openness of the engine, developers who usually specialise in other areas were able to get involved in the project as well. One example is the author of the new soundtrack, who normally works as a level designer. MachineGames believes that this kind of collaboration allowed them to create an expansion faithful to the original while also offering a completely new experience. The studio also highlights the enormous importance of the Quake community, without which the project would never have happened.
Quake celebrates its 30th anniversary in a special way. The free expansion Dawn of the Machine offers a full-fledged campaign with new maps, enemies, weapons and music, while preserving the feel of the original 1996 release. It's an appealing option for long-time fans of the series as well as players trying Quake for the first time and wanting to find out why it remains one of the most important shooters in gaming history.
source: PlayStation
