QuakeCon 2026 was a mix of celebrations, looking both to the past and the future of id Games biggest games and franchises, but it was almost overshadowed by the tough layoffs at Bethesda Softworks and Microsoft’s gaming divisions, which also affected id Games as well.
But This month’s Video of the Month comes from YouTube, where Bethesda Softworks posted a QuakeCon 2026 livestream that marked three decades of id Software’s ground-breaking first-person shooter. And it touches on the game development side and skips the controversy.
The video showcases a top-shelf lineup including id Software co-founder John Romero and Co-Studio Director Marty Stratton alongside the award-winning team at MachineGames. The video delivers both a nostalgic retrospective and a significant content drop that reinforced Quake’s pioneering influence in today’s gaming landscape. QuakeCon 2026 took place from August 6 to August 9. The event was held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.
The livestream, which ran nearly two hours, served as a mix of a commemoration, a celebration and a chance for a reveal. At its heart was the announcement of “Dawn of the Machine,” a new episode available now as a free update for Quake owners. MachineGames, adding to their development work with previous expansions “Dimension of the Machine” and “Dimensions of the Past,” created a 19-map campaign that introduced innovative mechanics while remaining connected to the classic gameplay that helped defined the genre in the last 90’s.
Viewers were treated to a conversation between Romero and Stratton about Quake’s development legacy, alongside first-look gameplay footage showcasing the new episode’s time-loop mechanics, persistent upgrade systems, and familiar labyrinth-style level design. The campaign’s narrative hook, in which players navigate a dimension where time folds back onto itself, with each present visit reshaping the future, demonstrates how modern design sensibilities can empower classic formulas without sacrificing authenticity.
The production values appear to extend beyond the campaign itself. A new soundtrack accompanies the expansion’s journey, and a dedicated deathmatch map offers up multiplayer enthusiasts new battlegrounds for competitive play. For event industry professionals and developers, the discussion shows how established franchises can be boosted through strategic collaborations between original creators and contemporary studios.
Whether you’re a first-person shooter veteran who experienced Quake’s original 1996 release or a newcomer curious about gaming history or the new Quake expansion, this Video of the Month offers up plenty to dig through.
Did you attend QuakeCon 2026 or participate in any of the 30th anniversary Quake events? Feel free to share your thoughts!
Whether you are an event coordinator, press, or general attendee, if you have an event video to share with us, please let us know and we’ll be happy to feature it!
