Games writer Chris Mumola has launched an ongoing retrospective series on the Quake franchise, published through his Substack blog Game Sense. The project takes a close look at how Quake evolved across its early years — from its groundbreaking 1996 debut to the rise of arena shooters and the competitive scene that followed.

The series mixes storytelling with game analysis, reflecting on level design, technology, expansions, and the legacy of id Software’s classic titles. Each article focuses on a specific chapter in Quake’s timeline, offering insights for both longtime fans and readers new to the franchise.

Episodes released so far:


New chapters are being added regularly, with each one offering a fresh take on what made Quake unique in both design and community influence.