Rumor: id Software Making An Unannounced idTech FPS

We now know that idTech is working on a new AAA – but what?

id Software has posted a job opening for a Lead Gameplay Designer. The job listing says this:

id Software is looking for an experienced Lead Gameplay Features Programmer to join our team to work on some of the industries most celebrated and popular AAA titles.

You will work closely with programmers, game designers, and artists to implement and improve fun game features for rewarding customer experiences.  

The Plot Thickens

There are also these lines in the listing:

• 6+ years in the games industry or demonstrable work in a first-person shooter game 
• Experience with any version of idTech 
• Console experience 

What Could This Next Game Be?

There isn’t necessarily a set pattern for what games id Software releases nowadays. They have mostly been releasing Doom games for the last decade, between two Rage games and two attempts to revive Quake.

So there’s no way to even make an intelligent guess on what this new game could possibly be. It would make sense if it was just for the next Doom game.

For a position this important, they would not want to hire for the position in the middle of development. So they could be starting work on this game. That does line up with Doom: The Dark Ages releasing earlier this year.

Unless…

Why The Fans Are Hoping id Returns To Quake

When the first Quake released, it was id Software’s proper transition to a fully 3D shooter. It had a strong story campaign but would also compete with the likes of Unreal for the crown of 90s arena shooter.

2022’s Quake Champions was a particularly heartbreaking release for id. They involved the fans closely in development.

id hoped the fans could help find a way to make arena shooters viable in the battle royale era. Unfortunately, they concluded that it was not shaping up to a game fans would play.

But maybe in 2025 they could approach it with the trend of retro video game revivals in mind. They could, of course, work with Digital Foundry to do a proper remaster of the first Quake games (and maybe they’re already doing that).

But a completely new Quake game that focuses on the story campaign and recreates that feeling would have appeal to the older segment of the video game crowd too.

We’re looking forward to finding out what this game will be. But don’t hold your breath on id announcing it this year, or even the next four years.