Quake Gets Free 30th Anniversary Campaign on PS5 from MachineGames
Dawn of the Machine adds a 19-level campaign, new music, and a fresh deathmatch map at no charge for existing owners of the PS5 and PS4 versions.
Ranger Is Back, and the Price Is Right
Thirty years is a long time to keep fraggers happy, but id Software and MachineGames are giving it a genuine shot. As reported by Push Square, Quake has just received a free update on PS5 and PS4 called Dawn of the Machine, a full 19-level campaign developed by MachineGames to mark the iconic first-person shooter’s 30th anniversary. The update is live now, timed just ahead of this weekend’s Quakecon.
For players who already own either the PS5 or PS4 version of the game, there is nothing to buy. The new content drops straight into your library. Along with the campaign, the update brings all-new music and a fresh deathmatch map, making it a fairly substantial addition rather than a token anniversary gesture.
What Dawn of the Machine Is Actually About
According to the PS Blog, as cited by Push Square, the campaign puts players back in the boots of Ranger, Quake’s battle-hardened protagonist. He is trapped in an illusory dimension where time folds back on itself. As the looping cycle progresses, players find ways to break the loop, uncover upgrades to health and ammunition, and ultimately take down something called The Nightmare Machine, described as the source of Ranger’s planar prison.
It is a premise that sounds very much at home in the Quake universe, leaning into the series’ signature mixture of gothic horror and interdimensional weirdness. MachineGames, the studio best known for its work on the modern Wolfenstein series, seems like a natural fit for a project like this. They know id’s DNA.
Push Square editor Sammy Barker also noted in the comments that Dawn of the Machine adds three new Trophies for those who like a completion incentive, nothing overwhelming, but a small added reason to work through all 19 levels.
Good Timing to Pick Up the Game
If you missed Quake during its 2021 remaster release or simply never got around to grabbing it, Push Square points out that both Quake and Quake II are currently heavily discounted on the PS Store, available for a few bucks each. A bundle covering both games is also available for not much more. Given that the 30th anniversary campaign is free for owners, buying in right now means getting a classic FPS library and a brand-new expansion for the price of a coffee.
The remaster itself originally launched around the game’s 25th anniversary, according to a comment from Barker in the Push Square discussion. That version brought modern rendering options and network play to an already legendary title, and this latest campaign layers fresh content on top of that foundation.
Quakecon Buzz and What Might Be Next
The timing is deliberate. Quakecon kicks off this weekend, and Bethesda clearly wanted something tangible to drop alongside the celebration. Push Square notes that some fans are speculating additional announcements could follow, with Raven Software’s 2009 Wolfenstein reboot also rumored to be getting a re-release, though nothing has been confirmed.
For now, a free 19-level campaign from MachineGames is a genuinely strong way to mark three decades of one of PC and console gaming’s most influential shooters. Whether or not more surprises are coming at Quakecon, PS5 owners with a copy of Quake already have something worth loading up tonight.
What is Dawn of the Machine in Quake?
Dawn of the Machine is a free 19-level campaign added to Quake on PS5 and PS4, developed by MachineGames to celebrate the series' 30th anniversary. It also includes new music and a new deathmatch map.
Do I need to pay for the Quake 30th anniversary campaign on PS5?
No. Dawn of the Machine is free for anyone who already owns the PS5 or PS4 version of Quake.
Are there new Trophies in the Dawn of the Machine campaign?
Yes. According to Push Square editor Sammy Barker, Dawn of the Machine includes three new Trophies tied to the new campaign.
Where can I buy Quake on PS5 if I don't already own it?
As reported by Push Square, both Quake and Quake II are heavily discounted on the PS Store right now and can be picked up for a few dollars, with a bundle option available for both games.