Chris Mumola is back with Episode 7 of his deep-dive Game Sense retrospective, this time focusing on the turbulent history of Quake Champions. Subtitled “Championship Bout”, the episode traces the roots of the modern “boomer shooter” revival, how Quake tried to reclaim its throne in a changing FPS landscape, and why its comeback didn’t stick the landing. From the glory of Doom (2016) to the awkward champion mechanics and monetization pitfalls, Mumola offers a detailed yet grounded look at id Software’s most ambitious — and misunderstood — multiplayer shooter.

Article Summary:

  • The article begins by framing the return of fast-paced shooters in the mid-2010s, led by Doom (2016) and Wolfenstein: The New Order.

  • Quake Champions aimed to follow suit with a modern take on arena shooters, mixing classic gameplay with hero shooter elements like unique champions and abilities.

  • Despite promising gameplay, the game stumbled on key fronts: poor onboarding for new players, technical issues from its hybrid engine, and awkward monetization strategies.

  • Champions themselves ended up dividing the community rather than uniting it.

  • A failed launch event with streamers cemented the game’s poor first impression.

  • Still, Mumola argues Quake Champions plays well today, with excellent maps, music, and core mechanics — but it was let down by a lack of long-term vision.

  • The series teases its conclusion in the upcoming final episode: “Dimension of the Future”

Source: Chris Mumola's Substack