Update, Aug. 19, 2021 (12:50 p.m. CT): Quake is heading to Xbox Game Pass for consoles and PC, while Quake II and Quake III Arena are heading to Xbox Game Pass for PC
Update, Aug. 19, 2021 (12:25 p.m. CT): Quake is suddenly now available for Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch consoles
What you need to know
- QuakeCon 2021 begins on Thursday, August 19.
- One of the segment descriptions previously mentioned a new version of Quake, a first-person shooter developed by id Software.
- Quake has been rated by the ESRB for Xbox, PC, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch platforms.
Classic id Software first-person shooter Quake has been rated for Xbox consoles and other platforms by the ESRB. This news comes just ahead of QuakeCon 2021, where the description of one segment previously mentioned a "revitalized edition" of Quake, as noticed by XboxEra.
This segment, dubbed "Let's Talk Quake," is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. PT on Friday, with developers Jerk Gustaffson from MachineGames discussing the history of the original quake with John Linneman from Digital Foundry. This could indicate that this remaster project is a collaboration between id Software and MachineGames. The two studios are both part of the Bethesda Softworks umbrella and have worked together in the past, especially on technology like the id Tech engine.
Quake originally launched back in 1996 and has been available on PC for a long time. The ESRB listing indicates that the game is now coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4 and Nintendo Switch.
Back in March 2021, Microsoft finalized its acquisition of Bethesda Softworks parent comapny ZeniMax Media, adding its developers to the Xbox first-party family. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer stated that there would be titles with "legacy" on other platforms but that moving forward, the deal was about bringing exclusive games to platforms where Xbox Game Pass exists.
This is already being seen in titles like Bethesda Game Studio's Starfield and Arkane Austin's Redfall, both of which are exclusive to Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC.
Update, Aug. 19, 2021 (12:25 p.m. CT) — The updated Quake is now available for all consoles
In a surprise launch, the remastered and visually enhanced Quake is suddenly available for Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch consoles. With the release, Quake appears to support the whole slate of modern gaming features, including upgraded visuals at up to 4K resolution (up to 1080p on Switch) and up to 120 FPS, cross-play and cloud saves, online multiplayer and co-op, Achievements and Trophies, and much more. It looks like Quake may also come to Xbox Game Pass, as the game advertises support for Xbox Cloud Gaming.
It looks like further enhancements may be planned for the Quake re-release through a current-gen update for Xbox Series X|S and PS5, although it's unclear what such an update would entail. Regardless, with all these enhancements, this classic shooter is launching back up the list of best Xbox games
Update, Aug. 19, 2021 (12:50 p.m. CT) — Quake, Quake II, and Quake III are heading to Xbox Game Pass
We can now confirm that the remastered and enhanced Quake is heading to Xbox Game Pass for both Xbox and PC. Additionally, Quake II and Quake III Arena have also been released in the Microsoft Store, and are available through Xbox Game Pass for PC. It doesn't seem like Quake II and III are available on Xbox consoles at this time, and are restricted to PC. The first Quake is also the only game in the trilogy that seems to have received enhancements or upgrades over the original, although Quake II and Quake III Arena do have online multiplayer capabilities.
The original Quake has returned with a series of modern gaming features and visual enhancements, and it's suddenly now available for Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch consoles. Quake is also available through Xbox Game Pass for consoles and PC.
Quake II and Quake III Arena have both made their debut on the Microsoft Store, albeit in their original form, with restore multiplayer capabilities and Xbox Game Pass availability. Quake II and III are only available for PC, however, with no console release at the moment.
Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold in one
Xbox Game Pass gives you access to over 200 games for one monthly fee. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also adds Xbox Live Gold to the package so you can play online with your friends. You also get access to EA Play.
