Bethesda Job Listing Teases Wolfenstein 3
With gamers calling for a Blazkowicz from the pastkowicz, those rumours of Wolfenstein 3 are finally rearing their head like a flamethrowing Panzerhund. While the Wolfenstein name helms all the way back to 1981's Castle Wolfenstein, it's 1992's Wolfenstein 3D that really packed a punch and has the honour of popularising the first-person shooter genre.
Remembering that Wolfenstein 3D released before the lauded DOOM, it means B.J. Blazkowicz has a history unlike any other. With a reinvigorated franchise thanks to 2014's Wolfenstein: The New Order, there was also Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus in 2017, and a whole host of spinoffs. Still, we've been left waiting for an official update on Wolfenstein 3.
What's the Wolfenstein 3 rumour?
Job listings can be a great indication of what's to come - thanks Grand Theft Auto - but up there with Rockstar Games, Bethesda's recruitment drive is probably the best for spoiling upcoming announcements. Over on the ZeniMax Media site, MachineGames is looking for an AI programmer.
Although there's no specific mention of the Fourth Reich or kicking Nazi butt, eXputer thinks we're on the money with Wolfy. Notably, MachineGames is known for both Wolfenstein and Quake. There's plenty of buzz right now thanks to the remastered Quake and this weekend's QuakeCon, but Wolfenstein 3 fits the bill a little more neatly.
The site goes on to mention the job's preferred skillset of "understanding of multiplayer bots as human replacements". It could refer to either Quake or Wolfenstein, but the addition of someone needing "knowledge and experience designing player companions" definitely screams the latter.
When will we see Wolfenstein 3?
Although Bethesda has (sort of) given Wolfenstein 3 the nod, there's been no update on where it's up to. MachineGames has had a good run of releasing a new Wolfenstein game every couple of years, but after the disappointing reception of 2019's Wolfenstein: Youngblood and a move to B.J.'s daughters, many feel it's a time to return to daddy dearest.
In June, Bethesda's Pete Hines hinted that while there's no official word on Wolfenstein 3, he's a big fan of the franchise. Speaking to GameSpot, Hines explained, "Where we are for Wolfenstein or quite honestly any other franchise that we don't have announced plans on, we'll have to wait until we get to the point of wanting to talk about it".
Amping up his own hopes of a return, Hines concluded, "You can put me at the head of the list of people who want to see another Wolfenstein game, so no worries there". Unfortunately, Bethesda has a lot on its plate right now, as well as the launch of Starfield as an Xbox exclusive next year, we've been warned The Elder Scrolls 6 is a long way off. Sadly, the likes of Wolfenstein 3 and hopes of Fallout 5 seem to be way down the list.
Still, the announcement of Wolfenstein 3 is seemingly perfect for QuakeCon. Sadly, we just don't see it happening yet. If only B.J. Blazkowicz were real - he'd have already busted into Bethesda HQ under cover of darkness and fashioned Wolfenstein 3 out of some old code.
