MachineGames Waving a Mystery Wand: What's Hiding in That Sixth Slot?
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
MachineGames, the studio behind `Wolfenstein` and `Indiana Jones and the Great Circle`, is teasing its next game with a mysterious sixth slot on an anniversary poster, sparking rampant speculation about whether `Wolfenstein 3` or another `Indy` adventure is on the horizon, with strong hints pointing to a new `Wolfenstein` potentially tying into an upcoming Amazon TV series.
Right, so you know that feeling when you've just polished off a truly epic adventure, and you're left wondering, 'What's next for our heroes?' Well, it seems MachineGames, those digital wizards behind the recent `Indiana Jones and the Great Circle` and, of course, the utterly brutal `Wolfenstein` revival series, are currently dangling that very question mark over our heads like a particularly enticing carrot on a stick. They've just dropped a rather cheeky little tease, and frankly, my inner digital detective is absolutely buzzing.
It all kicked off as part of a message commemorating the studio's fifteen glorious years under the ZeniMax Media banner (which, let's not forget, is now part of the Microsoft empire – another layer to this digital onion, eh?). Now, when a studio celebrates an anniversary, you usually get a nice retrospective, maybe some developer anecdotes, a heartfelt thank you. And MachineGames certainly gave us a bit of that. But being the clever lot they are, they also threw a magical curveball into the mix: a poster featuring covers of five of their past titles, including fan-favourites like `Wolfenstein: The Old Blood` and the aforementioned `Indiana Jones and the Great Circle`. All well and good, a lovely trip down memory lane.
But then, mate, there it was: a sixth, gloriously empty slot, adorned with a single, tantalising question mark. Bloody hell, if that's not an invitation for rampant speculation, I don't know what is! It's like finding a mysterious, unmarked scroll in an ancient dungeon – you just *have* to know what's written on it.
MachineGames, for those who haven't been following their digital odyssey since day dot, started out in 2009. A plucky band of seven former Starbreeze Studios folks decided to forge their own path, and a year later, ZeniMax scooped them up. Since then, they've consistently delivered some truly visceral, narrative-driven FPS experiences. From their incredible work breathing new life into `Wolfenstein` (seriously, those games are proper good, aren't they?) to taking on the monumental task of bringing Indiana Jones to the gaming world, they've proven they've got the chops. So, when these maestros of mayhem hint at something new, you pay attention.
Adding a bit more fuel to the speculative fire, MachineGames Lead Prop Artist Pontus Wåhlin (a man who knows a thing or two about crafting intriguing details, I reckon) let slip his excitement about the studio's *"upcoming projects"* – plural. Two new titles? Or perhaps one main project and a smaller, experimental venture? This is where my brain starts doing interpretive dances, trying to read the digital tea leaves. It’s like a wizard discovering a new, previously unknown incantation – the possibilities are truly infinite.
Naturally, the internet did what the internet does best: went absolutely wild. The comments sections lit up faster than a wizard's fireball spell. The most realistic theories swirling around? A shiny new `Wolfenstein` title, or perhaps another cracking `Indy` game. Let's dig into those, shall we?
An `Indiana Jones` sequel isn't entirely out of the question, mind. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer – a bloke who rarely speaks without a fair bit of corporate strategy behind it – actually hinted at the possibility back in April 2025. He suggested that `The Great Circle's` success proved the long-running franchise still had "life left." Now, 'life left' is a bit of a vague term, isn't it? Like saying a potion has 'some fizz left' – could be a lot, could be just enough for a tiny burp. While `Indy` was a big deal and undoubtedly a commercial success, it's perhaps not the front-runner for *this* particular mystery slot, especially considering some other strong hints flying about.
No, my money, and the bulk of the smarter speculation, is leaning heavily towards another `Wolfenstein` game. And there's some pretty compelling evidence, too. Back in an early September 2025 documentary by YouTuber Noclip, MachineGames boss Jerk Gustafsson dropped a rather significant crumb. He didn't just hint at a third `Wolfenstein` game being on the cards; he outright stated that the Swedish studio has always imagined its revival series as a trilogy, and crucially, that they are "not done" with the franchise yet. That's not a 'maybe,' mate, that's a 'when.'
These comments aren't just new musings either; they echo the now-retired Bethesda VP Pete Hines, who, way back in 2018, declared `Wolfenstein 3` was "absolutely" happening, but MachineGames was simply "taking a break" at the time. A break, huh? Sounds like a wizard's sabbatical, doesn't it? Off to brew some new spells, gather rare components, perhaps fight a few digital dragons. And now, it seems the sabbatical might be over.
But here's where it gets really interesting, where the clever observation of our digital wizard really kicks in: the likelihood of `Wolfenstein 3` being next seems to be skyrocketing in light of the recently announced live-action `Wolfenstein` series, currently in development at Amazon MGM Studios. Sound familiar? It should.
Think about the seismic impact of Amazon's `Fallout` TV adaptation. That show reignited global interest in the franchise throughout 2024 to an absolutely bonkers degree, sending player counts soaring for the existing games. But crucially, it left fans absolutely ravenous for a *new* game, a hunger that couldn't be immediately sated. ZeniMax, being part of Microsoft, certainly wouldn't have missed that lesson.
So, it makes perfect, strategic sense that the company could be looking to synchronise the `Wolfenstein` show's debut with the release of a major new entry in the game series. Imagine the cross-media momentum! A new game, fresh off the back of a hit TV show, capitalising on all that renewed hype. It's a marketing spell so potent, it'd make even the most seasoned wizard blush. They'd be maximizing global interest, bringing in new players from the show, and thrilling long-time fans with a fresh dose of digital Nazi-slaying. That, my friends, is a masterclass in leveraging IP, and it feels like the kind of calculated, yet optimistically chaotic, move a big publisher would make after learning from experience.
So, while a new Indy game is a fun thought, and definitely on the horizon at some point, `Wolfenstein 3` feels like the most probable occupant of that mysterious sixth slot. It's got the historical hints, the direct developer quotes, and the absolutely perfect, synergy-laden timing with the Amazon TV series. It's almost too neat, isn't it? But sometimes, mate, the stars align, the runes glow, and the digital future becomes surprisingly clear. What say you? Ready to blast some more digital baddies, or are you hoping for another archaeological dig?
Tags: MachineGames, Wolfenstein, IndianaJones, GameTeaser, GamingNews
Original article: Game Rant