Wolfenstein 3 in production as id Software starts new game

Wolfenstein 3 is officially in production at MachineGames. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma confirmed the sequel during Xbox's 25th anniversary celebration, and Xbox Wire's 25th anniversary news recap backs up the news.

id Software also revealed that it is working on a new game. Both announcements landed on the evening of November 12 at Xbox FanFest in Seattle. The timing matters, because id recently confirmed that about half of the studio was laid off, so a new project is a welcome sign.

What do we know about Wolfenstein 3?

Official details are thin. Sharma called Wolfenstein a franchise with an important place in gaming history and said she is excited to see the team continue its story. MachineGames added a short line of its own: "His reputation precedes him. Wolfenstein 3 is in production."

Bethesda's 25th anniversary post on Xbox Wire confirms two familiar names. Brian Bloom returns as BJ Blazkowicz and Debra Wilson returns as resistance leader Grace Walker. Both played the same roles in 2017's Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus.

PC Gamer's Wolfenstein 3 report says MachineGames attached a photo of a script page to its post, along with a shot of Wilson in a motion capture session. So recording has started. There is still no date, no platform list and no trailer.

Xbox 25 Bethesda news at a glance

• Wolfenstein 3: officially in production at MachineGames, no date yet
• Returning cast: Brian Bloom (BJ Blazkowicz) and Debra Wilson (Grace Walker)
• id Software: new game from its Texas and Frankfurt teams, directed by Hugo Martin
• DOOM: The Dark Ages: Slaughter Mode launches November 16
• Event: Xbox FanFest, Seattle, November 12, 2026

What is id Software making next?

Nobody knows yet. IGN's report on id Software's announcement quotes the studio saying the project is a new game from its teams in Texas and Frankfurt, with game direction once again by Hugo Martin. Martin has led the series since the 2016 DOOM reboot.

The studio also said it will be some time before it shares more. Is it another DOOM, a new Quake or something else? There is no answer for now. IGN notes that Bethesda recently said it will focus its plans on its strongest franchises.

Sharma's own post was short. She wrote that few studios have shaped the first-person shooter as much as id Software, and that the team is already working on its next game.

How does DOOM: The Dark Ages Slaughter Mode work?

Before moving on, id is adding one more mode to DOOM: The Dark Ages. Slaughter Mode arrives on November 16. It is built on escalating rounds, with randomised enemies, bosses and arenas each time you play.

Rewards stack and grow the longer you survive. The mode is free for anyone who owns the Revelations DLC, the Premium Edition or the Premium Upgrade. Owners of the standard edition will need the expansion to play it.

What else was announced on Xbox's 25th anniversary?

The Bethesda news was only part of the night. Halo: Campaign Evolved is getting Firefight in a free update this winter. The four-player co-op mode is all about surviving wave after wave of enemies.

PC players got a big moment too. The number of original Xbox games playable on PC through backward compatibility has grown to 25. The list includes classics such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, and some games now have achievements for the first time.

Playground Games showed new quest gameplay from Fable. Candy Crush Saga launched a season themed around Halo, Fallout and DOOM. Players can also look back at their own history with Xbox Playback. We are covering each of these announcements in separate stories.

What does it mean for players?

Wolfenstein fans have waited a long time. The New Colossus left BJ's story open, and 2019's Youngblood was a spin-off that did not continue the main plot. In the meantime, MachineGames released Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in 2024.

The news also shows how busy Microsoft's first-party slate is. On the Bethesda side, The Elder Scrolls 6's official name, Sentinel was revealed earlier this month. The same week brought Skyrim's 15th anniversary bundle and sale.

The celebrations run until November 15. If you play on a subscription, check the Xbox Game Pass anniversary week lineup. We will update this story when Wolfenstein 3 gets a trailer or a date.

Frequently asked questions

When does Wolfenstein 3 come out?

There is no release date or release year yet. Xbox and MachineGames have only confirmed that the game is in production. Platforms have not been announced either.

Is BJ Blazkowicz back in Wolfenstein 3?

Yes. According to Xbox Wire, Brian Bloom returns as BJ Blazkowicz and Debra Wilson returns as Grace Walker, which points to a follow-up to The New Colossus.

Is DOOM: The Dark Ages Slaughter Mode free?

It costs nothing extra if you own the Revelations DLC, the Premium Edition or the Premium Upgrade. The mode arrives on November 16.

Sources

• Xbox Wire: Thanks for 25 Years, XBOX Players — Everything Announced Today
• Xbox Wire: Bethesda Celebrates XBOX 25 with id Software & MachineGames News
• Xbox Wire: Slaughter Mode Arrives to DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations on November 16
• IGN: Doom Developer id Software Confirms Work on New Game, Will Be Directed by Hugo Martin
• PC Gamer: Wolfenstein 3 is in production at MachineGames