Highlights
- Quake 2 Remastered may be released on Xbox Game Pass next week as part of QuakeCon 2023.
- QuakeCon has a history of surprise announcements, and the rumored Quake 2 remaster aligns with this tradition.
- QuakeCon 2023 takes place from August 10 to August 13.
A fresh leak has potentially revealed that Quake 2 Remastered will be shadow dropping on Xbox Game Pass next week as part of QuakeCon 2023. Microsoft has said that one of the main reasons why it purchased ZeniMax Media and its subsidiaries was to acquire games for Xbox Game Pass, and since Quake 2 falls under the id Software/Bethesda/ZeniMax Media umbrella, it stands to reason that a remastered version of the game would be a day one Game Pass release.
QuakeCon is an annual convention primarily dedicated to Quake that also gives love to other Bethesda games. QuakeCon is traditionally home to some surprise announcements, like a couple of years ago when a remastered version of the first Quake was surprise-dropped at the show. Now it seems like history will repeat itself with the rumored Quake 2 remaster. QuakeCon 2023 takes place from August 10 to August 13, so fans will definitely keep an eye out for a potential announcement week.
This isn't the first time that we've heard word of a potential Quake 2 remaster, and so at this point it would be more surprising if the game wasn't announced at QuakeCon next week. It would also be incredibly surprising if the game was shadow dropped but skipped Xbox Game Pass for some reason. And considering that this latest leak comes from reputable insider billbil-kun, it's much more legitimate than other gaming "leaks" out there. Barring any unforeseen hiccups or change of plans, it seems safe to say that Xbox Game Pass subscribers can most likely expect to play Quake 2 Remastered at some point next week.
If Quake 2 Remastered does exist as rumored, one has to wonder how it will compare to Quake 2 RTX, which was released a few years ago. A remaster itself, Quake 2 RTX's big draw is its ray-tracing. It's possible that Quake 2 Remastered will support ray-tracing graphics as well, but fans will definitely want to wait for an official announcement before getting too excited about that possibility.
Quake 2 is often hailed as one of the best first-person shooter games ever made, so it will be great to see it make a comeback, especially on Xbox Game Pass where it can reach an even wider audience. This way, those who normally wouldn't give an older game like Quake 2 a chance may be more tempted to try it out. Anyone planning on playing the game through Xbox Game Pass should note that Quake 2's campaign has co-op support and the game also includes a variety of multiplayer modes, so assuming all that is included in the remaster, Game Pass subscribers looking for something to play with their friends should be in for a treat.
Source: Dealabs