MachineGames has started the development of Wolfenstein 3, according to multiple reports from specialized gaming outlets released this week. The Swedish studio, responsible for revitalizing the franchise since 2014, returns to the main series after the launch of Indiana Jones and Grande Círculo in 2024. The project aims to coincide with the live-action series of Wolfenstein announced by Amazon for
Sources close to the studio indicate that the game is progressing in its initial phase, with a focus on concluding the trilogy planned since Wolfenstein: The New Order. Jerk Gustafsson, director of MachineGames, reinforced in September 2025 that the narrative of B.J. Blazkowicz was always conceived in three chapters, and the team remains committed to this vision. Production takes place at Uppsala, at Suécia, where the studio operates as a subsidiary of Bethesda Softworks.
The last main title, Wolfenstein II: Youngblood, a 2019 co-op spin-off with the daughters of Blazkowicz, did not meet sales expectations, but did not interrupt plans for a direct sequel. Agora, with the acquisition of Bethesda by Microsoft in 2021, the game is part of the Xbox Game Studios catalog.
- Major recent MachineGames milestones: Indiana Jones in 2024, DOOM campaign: Legacy of Rust in 2025.
- Statement by Gustafsson: “We always saw it as a trilogy, with a story to tell.”
- Alignment with TV: Série Amazon in pre-production, no confirmed date.
Origins of the pioneering franchise
Wolfenstein appeared in 1981 with Castle Wolfenstein for Apple II, a stealth game where the player escaped a Nazi castle. The series gained iconic status in 1992 with Wolfenstein 3D, by id Software, considered one of the first modern FPS for introducing first-person shooter mechanics and mazes full of enemies. The title sold millions and paved the way for Doom in 1993.
Bethesda took over the franchise in 2009 with a reboot by Raven Software, but it was MachineGames that transformed it in 2014 with The New Order, praised for its mature narrative and fluid mechanics. The New Colossus expanded the lore with the Nazi invasion of the USA in the 1960s, including duality of young and old Blazkowicz. Esses games have accumulated scores above 80 on Metacritic and have sold over 10 million copies combined.
Gustafsson highlighted that the team planned the entire narrative arc from the beginning, mapping events from The New Order to the potential third game during visits to id Hoje, with Bethesda celebrating 40 years in June 2026, Wolfenstein 3 emerges as a candidate for announcement at Xbox events.
Bethesda’s cross-platform strategy
Bethesda Softworks publishes Wolfenstein 3 under the Xbox Game Studios umbrella, ensuring simultaneous release on Xbox Series X/S, PC via Steam and possibly PS5, following a day-one model on Game Pass. MachineGames contributed to single-player campaigns on reissues like DOOM + DOOM 2, demonstrating its ability for multiple projects. The studio has expanded to around 300 employees since 2010.
The timing with the Amazon series aims to replicate the success of Fallout in Prime Video, which boosted sales by 7.5 million copies in 2024. Relatos points to a possible reveal at January’s Xbox Developer Direct or summer showcase at Los Angeles.
Microsoft prioritizes narrative shooters after acquisitions, with id Software focused on Doom and Quake. Wolfenstein 3 should maintain rapid-fire mechanics, optional stealth and epic bosses, like 2017’s Colossus.
Production takes place in parallel with another tactical multiplayer project similar to Rainbow Six Siege, according to Windows Central sources. Isso indicates team splitting, with single-player focus preserved for Wolfenstein. Lançamento estimated for 2027 or 2028 aligns with the studio’s four-year development cycle.
Jerk Gustafsson Declarations
Jerk Gustafsson, co-founder and director of MachineGames, emphasized in a Noclip documentary that the trilogy was outlined in the first weeks of planning for Ele visited id Software in Mesquite, Texas, to discuss the future of Blazkowicz, a Polish-American character obsessed with eliminating Nazis. “We have a story to tell,” he said, referring to the arc of resistance in the occupied US.
In September 2025, Gustafsson reiterated: “BJ’s journey has been mapped out for three games, from the first to the third.” The executive, formerly of Starbreeze Studios, led MachineGames’ transition to Bethesda in 2010 after a successful pitch. Sua vision mixes visceral action with personal drama, like the temporal duality in The New Colossus, which won narrative awards.
Gustafsson also oversees the Amazon series, ensuring consistency between games and TV. Ele highlighted that Youngblood tested co-op, but the focus returns to linear single-player with impactful choices. The studio avoids live-service for Wolfenstein, prioritizing a 15-20 hour campaign with replayability via difficulties and dual-wield.
Side projects in the studio
MachineGames manages multiple initiatives beyond Wolfenstein 3, including tactical multiplayer compared to Rainbow Six Siege. Fontes indicate separate teams, with the single-player shooter as the flagship priority. Após DOOM: Legacy of Rust in 2025, the studio collaborates with id Software on classic content, but focuses on its own IPs.
Indiana Jones and Grande Círculo sold well in 2024, with DLC The Order of Giants expanding puzzle and combat mechanics. Relatórios financial statements for 2025 show a profit margin of 6%, allowing for expansion. Multiplayer may debut earlier, testing servers for 10-16 players with destruction and single operators.
The studio maintains a tradition of innovation: The New Order introduced time travel, The New Colossus added a wheelchair for Blazkowicz. Wolfenstein 3 should evolve with Unreal Engine 5 graphics, ray tracing and improved AI for Nazi hordes. Equipe includes veterans from Starbreeze, with 70% of initial hires from there.
Sales and reception history
Wolfenstein: The New Order sold 1 million in 2014, with 87/100 on Metacritic for narrative and shooting. The New Colossus achieved 82/100, praised for political satire and Brian Bloom’s performance as Blazkowicz. Youngblood was 72/100 due to bugs and co-op grind, but updates have improved it.
The franchise has sold 20+ million copies since 1981, with Wolfenstein 3D boosting the FPS genre to 100 million annually in 1993. MachineGames elevated the series with mature dialogue and dual-wield mechanics, differentiating it from competitors like Call of Duty. Expectativa for 2026 includes playable demo at showcases.
The Amazon series could attract new fans, similar to Fallout with 7.5 million post-Q1. Bethesda plans to cross-promote via Game Pass Ultimate. Past Críticas focused on censorship on Alemanha, but global editions keep gore intact.