Updated to include a timestamp during Xbox Developer Direct 2024 Full Presentation which included Indiana Jones and the Great Circle gameplay reveal.
Fans of id Software’s famous 1996 FPS have spotted a Quake 6 easter egg in the trailer for MachineGames’ other recently revealed project. Quake was originally made by id Software which has produced multiple follow-up games in the series over the years, including a remaster of the first game in 2021. More recently, last summer an enhanced version of the second game was released that was developed by NightDive Studios. While there has never officially been a Quake 5, MachineGames has contributed content to both the remastered and enhanced versions along with having shared in making Wolfenstein games, another famous id Software-created franchise.
Per IGN:
“In addition to bringing id’s other-other-classic-shooter-franchise-not-named-DOOM to modern audiences with their take on Wolfenstein, MachineGames also has a history of working on Quake. The studio made two expansions for the original Quake – Dimension of the Past and Dimension of the Machine – which were included in the 2021 remaster. Machinegames also developed 28 new campaign levels and a new Deathmatch level for last year’s remaster of Quake 2.”
Redditor Acrymonia spotted the easter egg in the new Indiana Jones and the Great Circle gameplay reveal where it can be seen at 43:39 on the whiteboard towards the top left. While there has been no official word yet, as IGN has reached out to MachineGames and is awaiting a response, there are multiple theories as to what this could mean.
It could simply be a joke intended to rile fans or see if anyone is paying attention. It could mean that a new game is in development but then that raises the question about a fifth installment or if some other game already out, such as Quake Champions, is being counted in the series as number five. In any case, the idea of a Quake 6 has some wondering about the possibilities of a new game, and given the ongoing interest in classic IPs, be it remasters or new stories, it definitely could be in the works.