Quake: Dawn of the Machine — How to Play the Free Expansion and What’s New

Dawn of the Machine is available in the following versions of Quake:

• Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One
• PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4
• PC through Steam, the Microsoft Store, Game Pass, and PC Game Pass
• Nintendo Switch
• Nintendo Switch 2 through backward compatibility

It is not currently available on GOG or the Epic Games Store. Bethesda uses “currently” in its official FAQ, so that may change, but no later release date has been announced.

What is included in Dawn of the Machine?

The headline number is 19 all-new maps across one connected campaign. That total includes the spaces used by the episode’s unusual hub-and-loop design, so it is better to think of this as one large journey than 19 unrelated missions.

The free update also adds a new soundtrack, hidden secrets, a dedicated episode hub, and a new deathmatch map. MachineGames built the campaign around the same fast movement and weapon juggling that make Quake feel sharp even three decades later, but the routes and enemy behavior are less predictable than a straight run from one exit portal to the next.

The campaign changes when you loop back

Ranger is trapped in a repeating dimension and hunting the Nightmare Machine. Runes open paths that were sealed during earlier passes, while health and ammo upgrades persist between loops. Areas you recognize can reveal different routes, encounters, or secrets when you return.

That means backtracking is part of the design, not a sign that you took a wrong turn. If a door or route looks important but will not open, keep moving and remember it for a later loop.

Two new weapon variants

The Super Axe releases lightning after successive strikes. It rewards staying close long enough to build the effect, which is risky in a game where one bad corner can erase a chunk of health.

The Laser Cannon fires projectiles that ricochet around rooms. It is especially useful in tight spaces where a direct line of sight would normally expose Ranger to heavy fire.

Both weapons borrow ideas from earlier Quake expansions without simply copying the old arsenal. They feel familiar, but they change how you approach crowded rooms.

New enemy variants

MachineGames also created stronger twists on recognizable monsters. The official notes name the Rocket Ogre, Demo Dog, and Blood Shambler among them. Some bring heavier firepower, while others turn death itself into a trap.

The safest habit is to give every unfamiliar variant a little extra space the first time you meet it. The silhouette may look familiar, but its attack pattern—or what happens after it dies—may not be.

The id Vault, cheats, and new achievements

The update is not limited to the campaign. The new id Vault collects development material and unused content from Quake’s history, including playable maps from the game’s earliest stages. It is a rare look at levels before they became the clean, brutal spaces players know.

A new Cheats menu is available at any time in single-player games. It can help you explore difficult areas or search for secrets without being punished by every enemy in the room. The official notes do not explain whether individual cheats affect achievements, so make a manual save before using them if you are chasing a clean completion.

Dawn of the Machine adds three new achievements. The update also includes broader fixes for input latency, camera interpolation, weapon bobbing, memory use, menus, and performance in combat-heavy scenes.

Can you play Dawn of the Machine in co-op?

Yes. Bethesda’s official FAQ lists cooperative multiplayer as one way to play the episode. Quake Enhanced supports campaign and expansion co-op for up to four players online or in local split screen, depending on the platform.

The important limitation is storefront compatibility: GOG and Epic builds do not currently contain the episode, so players on those versions cannot join Dawn of the Machine sessions hosted from Steam or consoles.

Is Dawn of the Machine worth returning to Quake for?

If you already own Quake, this is an easy yes. It costs nothing, it is much larger than a ceremonial anniversary map, and its looping campaign gives returning players something genuinely new to learn. The new weapons also create enough surprise without making Quake feel like a different game.

For another modern spin on aggressive id-style combat, see how Doom: The Dark Ages – Revelations makes the Chain Spear the real test.

Dawn of the Machine FAQ

Is Dawn of the Machine a separate game?

No. It is a free episode added to the enhanced version of Quake. Launch Quake, update it, and select the episode from New Game or Level Select.

Do I need Game Pass?

No. Game Pass and PC Game Pass include supported versions, but anyone who owns Quake on another supported storefront or console can get the update without an extra purchase.

How many maps are in the expansion?

Bethesda and MachineGames describe Dawn of the Machine as a 19-map campaign. It also includes a dedicated episode hub and a new deathmatch map.

Is Dawn of the Machine on GOG or Epic?

Not at launch. The official update says the GOG and Epic Games Store versions do not currently include Dawn of the Machine.

Where can I read the full official patch notes?

The complete feature list, fixes, platform details, and FAQ are in the official Quake 30th Anniversary Update notes.