Three decades after it changed the FPS genre forever, Quake is still receiving brand-new content.

It’s hard to believe, but Quake officially turns 30 years old in 2026. Originally released in 1996, id Software’s groundbreaking first-person shooter helped define the modern 3D FPS and became one of the most influential PC games of all time.

Thirty years later, Quake is still getting new content.

To celebrate the anniversary, id Software has teamed up with MachineGames to release Dawn of the Machine, an entirely new Quake episode that is available as a free update for owners of the game.

And honestly, there’s something pretty incredible about seeing a game that originally launched during the Windows 95 era still receiving substantial new content in 2026.

A Brand-New Quake Campaign 30 Years Later

Dawn of the Machine isn’t simply a handful of bonus levels.

The new episode contains 19 all-new maps woven together into a cohesive campaign, along with a dedicated episode hub, hidden secrets, a new soundtrack and a new Deathmatch map.

MachineGames is no stranger to Quake. The studio previously created Dimension of the Past and Dimension of the Machine, making it a particularly fitting developer to return for Quake’s 30th anniversary.

This time, the team is taking Quake’s familiar formula and pushing it into some decidedly strange territory.

Ranger Is Trapped in a Nightmare

Dawn of the Machine puts players back in the role of Ranger, who finds himself trapped inside a seemingly endless dimension of illusion.

The nightmare has become a vicious loop. Ranger has died countless times, repeatedly experiencing the same violent cycles as he searches for a way out.

Eventually, he hears about something called the Nightmare Machine.

According to the legend, destroying the Machine could finally shatter the illusion and allow Ranger to escape.

Of course, getting there means fighting through hordes of monsters twisted by their endless existence within the Elder realms.

And this isn’t quite the traditional Quake campaign structure.

Quake Gets a Roguelike-Inspired Twist

One of the most interesting ideas in Dawn of the Machine is its looping level structure.

Time folds back on itself, allowing players to revisit areas they’ve already explored. But those locations aren’t necessarily the same the second time around.

Collecting runes opens previously inaccessible paths, while new routes, encounters and secrets become available as you progress. Persistent health and ammunition upgrades also carry through the loops, giving the campaign an additional layer of progression.

It’s an unusual concept for Quake, but it sounds perfectly suited to the game’s bizarre, nightmare-like atmosphere.

And because this is Quake, the new gameplay ideas are backed up by plenty of additional firepower.

New Enemies and Weapons

Dawn of the Machine introduces new variations of familiar Quake enemies, including the Rocket Ogre, Demo Dog and Blood Shambler.

There are also new weapon variants designed to make Ranger’s arsenal even more destructive.

The Super Axe can unleash lightning with successive strikes, while the new Laser Cannon fires projectiles capable of ricocheting around environments and hitting enemies from unexpected angles.

These additions are a nice reminder that MachineGames isn’t simply recreating 1996 Quake. It’s trying to expand upon the game’s original ideas while keeping the brutal combat and labyrinthine level design intact.

How to Get Dawn of the Machine for Free

The best part is that you don’t have to buy Dawn of the Machine separately.

If you already own Quake, Bethesda says the new episode is delivered as a free game update. Depending on your platform and update settings, it may already be installed. Once updated, you can access Dawn of the Machine through the game and begin a new game, select levels or play the episode cooperatively.

On Steam, simply make sure your copy of Quake is updated to the latest version. You don’t need to purchase a separate DLC package.

The expansion is currently available with Quake on:

• Steam
• Microsoft PC Store
• Xbox One
• Xbox Series X|S
• Game Pass
• PC Game Pass
• PlayStation 4
• PlayStation 5
• Nintendo Switch
• Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility

There is one important catch for PC players: Dawn of the Machine is currently not available in the GOG or Epic Games Store versions of Quake. Bethesda says those versions do not yet include the new content.

So if you’re a PC player looking to jump into the new episode right now, the Steam version is one of the supported options.

Thirty Years Later, Quake Still Matters

What’s perhaps most remarkable about Dawn of the Machine isn’t simply that Quake received another expansion.

It’s that Quake is still relevant enough for its creators to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a substantial new campaign.

When Quake arrived in 1996, its fully 3D environments, fast-paced combat, online multiplayer and dark gothic science-fiction aesthetic helped establish a blueprint that countless shooters would follow.

Three decades later, that formula is still inspiring developers.

And now MachineGames is adding another chapter to it.

From the original campaign to the expansions that followed, the countless fan-made mods and maps, the enhanced modern release and now Dawn of the Machine, Quake has somehow managed to remain a living game rather than simply a piece of gaming history.

Thirty years after Ranger first stepped into the darkness, there are still new nightmares waiting for him.

And the best part?

If you already own Quake on a supported platform, you can play this one for free.

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