Wolfenstein 3 seems to be the priority at MachineGames, and not the previously rumoured Quake reboot.
While there’s no telling when to expect a formal announcement from Microsoft and/or Bethesda, all signs point to MachineGames’ next project being Wolfenstein 3, following the well received Indiana Jones And The Great Circle.
There was already a desire to continue the series even after Wolfenstein 2’s less than stellar commercial performance, but it wasn’t until last month when reliable sources alleged that work had begun on a sequel.
Now, it seems MachineGames has put out a casting call for a new character who will appear in the game, which also provides some hints about the story.
This is according to MP1st, which has previously and accurately shared details on the likes of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered and the Horizon multiplayer game.
It reports that the casting call is for a character named Sofiya, in something codenamed Valkyrie, and it involves performance director Tom Keegan and casting director Emily Schweber; both of whom have worked on the Wolfenstein series before.
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
The casting call’s description of Sofiya makes mention of Wolfenstein series protagonist William ‘B.J.’ Blazkowicz, effectively confirming he will return in the starring role – although there was no reason to assume he wouldn’t.
As for Sofiya herself, she’s described as a young Ukrainian orphan accompanied by a dog named Ralph. ‘While initially suspicious and traumatised by war, she blooms under the care of the resistance as a strong-willed survivor,’ the casting call reads, adding that she bonds with B.J. on his journey.
Whether this means Wolfenstein 3’s pulling a Last Of Us, and making Sofiya a companion character, is unclear but she seems important to the story. She’s presumably not to be confused with Zofia, one of B.J.’s twin daughters in spin-off Wolfenstein: Youngblood.
Performance capture is scheduled to begin this April and last into 2027, so don’t expect Wolfenstein 3 to be a surprise 2026 launch or anything. Given that time frame, 2028 seems the earliest you could really expect it.
Is Quake still getting a reboot?
Although a third Wolfenstein game would be great, it begs the question of whatever happened to MachineGames’ Quake plans. The studio never officially announced it would be helming a new entry, but has expressed an interest in reviving the series on multiple occasions.
On top of that, it contributed new expansions to the Quake 1 and 2 remasters, and even seemed to explicitly tease Quake 6 during a behind the scenes look at Indiana Jones And The Great Circle.
Previously, it seemed this would be MachineGames’ next project, but with the rumours pointing to Wolfenstein 3, perhaps plans changed or MachineGames’ Quake aspirations were just its own wishful thinking.
That said, the studio is also rumoured to be working on a multiplayer game, which could be Quake related. If so, MachineGames would be taking the series in a new direction, since the project is described as something akin to tactical shooter Rainbow Six Siege.
Still, it’d make sense for MachineGames’ multiplayer project to be based on an established IP that already has a built-in fanbase rather than something wholly original, especially in an age where original multiplayer games, like Highguard, are struggling to gain a foothold in the market.
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
