Quake got a major anniversary gift today. According to the PlayStation Blog, MachineGames in collaboration with id Software launched Dawn of the Machine, a brand-new episode available free to all players across every version of the 2021 remaster.
The episode features 19 original maps forming a cohesive campaign, with players once again taking the role of Ranger trapped in a dimension of endless illusion. The update introduces new weapon variants including the Super Axe that unleashes lightning on successive strikes and the Laser Cannon firing ricocheting projectiles, plus an original soundtrack and a new Deathmatch map for multiplayer battles.
As PC Gamer reported, the content also includes an archival gallery from Quake's development, featuring prototype levels that were created early in production but never completed. Test map names such as Tim, Tim10A, and Tim14 reveal the behind-the-scenes creative process that shaped the 1996 classic.
The release marks 30 years since Quake pioneered 3D first-person shooters in 1996 and became a driving force in competitive esports. QuakeCon, North America's largest LAN party, is celebrating its own 30th anniversary this year.
