After years of near silence outside of remasters and multiplayer experiments, the idea of id Software reviving Quake is once again gaining traction.
Recent rumors surrounding Microsoft’s broader 2026 Xbox roadmap point to a possible revival of the once-iconic shooter series.
Although nothing has been officially announced, the timing of recent anniversaries, evolving Xbox priorities, and renewed focus on Bethesda’s legacy franchises have made a Quake revival seem more realistic than it has in years.
Why Is id Software Suddenly Being Linked to a Quake Revival Again?
id Software reviving Quake is one of those rumors that never fully disappears, but the latest round has a clearer “why now” attached to it because it’s being framed inside Microsoft’s broader Xbox roadmap for 2026.
According to a Windows Central report, the idea isn’t framed as a standalone leak with concrete evidence, but rather as part of a broader strategy in which Xbox is preparing major first-party releases, anniversary plans, and announcements aimed at refocusing attention on games.
That context helps frame why 2026 stands out, with Xbox, Blizzard, and Bethesda all approaching significant anniversary years.
Historically, publishers use these “big tent” calendar moments to roll out attention-grabbing reveals, mainly when they need to reignite momentum, seize headlines, or signal confidence in their portfolio.
Under that framing, id Software’s next title becomes a logical point of speculation.
With Bethesda’s portfolio in focus and Xbox set to host major showcases such as the January Developer_Direct and the summer Xbox Showcase, a legacy comeback would not feel out of place.
Why Do the Rumors Keep Pointing Specifically to Quake or Hexen?
The rumor specifically circles two names (Quake and Hexen) because Microsoft now effectively has all the rights and organizational control to bring either of them back without the old complications that can slow revivals down.
That “rights are under one roof” point is one of the main reasons people keep taking these whispers seriously, even if a project hasn’t been confirmed, the corporate reality makes it far more feasible than it would’ve been years ago.
The last Quake game people usually reference is Quake Champions, a free-to-play title, as recent releases have focused more on upgraded older games than a new mainline entry.
Hexen’s most recent mainline title, Hexen II, released in the late 1990s, leaving a much larger gap than other id franchises.
Where Would a New Quake or Hexen Actually Be Revealed?
The report also suggests two plausible stages: Bethesda’s QuakeCon event (which is thematically perfect for anything Quake-related and tends to attract the core audience that still cares deeply about these older shooters), or the larger June Xbox Showcase (which is where Microsoft usually places the bigger, mass-market reveals that it wants the wider industry to talk about).
Put simply, smaller teasers or fan-focused reveals make sense for QuakeCon, while a full-scale reboot would be better suited for Xbox’s summer showcase. For now, the consistent warning attached to these rumors is that nothing is locked in without official word from Microsoft or id Software.
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