Xbox has officially confirmed that Wolfenstein 3 is in production at MachineGames, bringing back one of gaming’s best-known first-person shooter franchises nearly a decade after the release of Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. The announcement was made on November 12, 2026, as part of Xbox’s 25th-anniversary celebrations, ending years of speculation about the future of the series.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed the project through a social media post featuring a photograph of a script page. MachineGames subsequently confirmed that it was working on the next instalment and shared an image from a motion-capture session. Actors Brian Bloom and Debra Wilson are also returning as William “B.J.” Blazkowicz and Grace Walker, respectively. However, Xbox has not announced a release date, gameplay footage or supported platforms.
Wolfenstein 3 Is Officially in Production at MachineGames
The announcement confirms that MachineGames is returning to the franchise that helped establish its reputation for story-driven first-person shooters.
Sharma announced the project during Xbox’s 25th-anniversary event, describing Wolfenstein as one of gaming’s most important franchises. She also praised MachineGames for its work bringing the series forward and said she looked forward to sharing more details.
The studio followed with its own announcement, confirming that Wolfenstein 3 was in production.
The reveal included two early production images. One showed a page from the game’s script, while the other captured performers during a motion-capture session.
Although the announcement was brief, it confirms that the next mainline entry is actively being developed rather than remaining at the rumour or planning stage.
B.J. Blazkowicz and Grace Walker Return
One of the most important details from the announcement is the return of two familiar characters.
Brian Bloom will reprise his role as William “B.J.” Blazkowicz, the central protagonist of MachineGames’ modern Wolfenstein series. Debra Wilson will also return as Grace Walker, the resistance leader introduced in Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus.
Their return suggests that the new game will continue the narrative established in the previous mainline instalment.
B.J. Blazkowicz has been at the centre of the modern series, which explores an alternate history in which Nazi Germany won the Second World War. The games combine fictional historical settings, resistance movements and fast-paced combat.
Grace Walker became an important character in the resistance storyline in The New Colossus. Her return could help connect the upcoming game with the events of the previous instalment.
However, MachineGames has not yet explained how the characters will fit into the new story or whether additional returning characters will appear.
What the Script Image Reveals About the New Game
The script photograph shared alongside the announcement provides a small glimpse into the opening of the game.
The visible page identifies the first chapter as “Nazitraz” and places the scene inside an interrogation cell. It features B.J. approaching a character named Otto, whose reaction suggests that the protagonist’s reputation precedes him. Another familiar character, Fergus, is also mentioned.
The short excerpt hints at the series’ established combination of dark humour, dramatic dialogue and violent resistance against Nazi forces.
However, a single script page does not reveal the overall plot, setting or central conflict. MachineGames has not confirmed whether the story will continue immediately after The New Colossus or introduce a significant time jump.
The studio is also yet to reveal whether the game will revisit the alternate-history United States setting or explore other parts of its fictional world.
A Long Wait Since Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
The gap between the last mainline game and the new announcement has been unusually long for the franchise.
| Game | Release year | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Wolfenstein: The New Order | 2014 | Reintroduced the franchise under MachineGames |
| Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus | 2017 | Continued B.J. Blazkowicz’s story |
| Wolfenstein: Youngblood | 2019 | Cooperative spin-off featuring B.J.’s daughters |
| Wolfenstein 3 | In production | Upcoming mainline sequel |
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus launched in 2017 and received praise for its narrative, characters and action gameplay.
MachineGames subsequently released Wolfenstein: Youngblood in 2019, a cooperative spin-off starring B.J. Blazkowicz’s twin daughters, Jess and Soph.
Although the studio continued working on other projects, including Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, fans had been waiting for a direct continuation of B.J.’s story.
MachineGames had previously discussed its ambition to complete the modern Wolfenstein narrative as a trilogy. The confirmation of a third mainline game now gives the studio an opportunity to pursue that plan.
MachineGames Returns to Its Most Recognised Franchise
MachineGames has worked on several major projects since the release of The New Colossus. Its most recent major release was Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which brought the studio’s experience with cinematic storytelling and first-person action to another established franchise.
The studio’s return to Wolfenstein is significant because the series helped define its identity within Bethesda’s development organisation.
The upcoming game also arrives at a time when Xbox is highlighting its major franchises as part of its anniversary celebrations.
Alongside the Wolfenstein announcement, Xbox confirmed updates involving id Software, including development of the studio’s next project. Bethesda also announced new content for DOOM: The Dark Ages.
These announcements show that Xbox is using its anniversary event to highlight both upcoming projects and the long-term future of its established gaming properties.
Wolfenstein 3 Release Date and Platforms: What We Know
Despite confirming production, Xbox has not disclosed when Wolfenstein 3 will be released.
The company has also not confirmed whether the game will launch on Xbox Series X|S, PC or other platforms. Its availability on PlayStation has not been announced either.
MachineGames has not shared a gameplay trailer, screenshots or technical details about the project.
Since the game is officially described as being in production, players should not assume that a release is imminent. Development timelines can change, and the studio has not provided a target launch window.
The announcement confirms the project’s existence and returning cast, but most details remain under wraps.
The Bigger Picture
The return of Wolfenstein is another example of Xbox investing in established gaming franchises while developing new entries for long-running series. For MachineGames, the project offers an opportunity to complete the modern trilogy and continue a story that has remained unresolved since 2017.
It also reflects the commercial and creative importance of recognisable intellectual property in the gaming industry. Established franchises can attract returning players while introducing new audiences to familiar characters and fictional worlds. The challenge will be delivering a sequel that builds on the previous games without losing what made the series distinctive.
Looking Ahead
The next major milestone for Wolfenstein 3 will be its first official gameplay reveal, which should provide a clearer picture of its combat systems, setting and narrative direction. Fans will also be watching for confirmation of platforms and a release window as development progresses.
For now, the return of B.J. Blazkowicz and Grace Walker provides a strong indication that MachineGames intends to continue the story of its modern Wolfenstein universe. After nearly a decade without a mainline sequel, the announcement gives fans a confirmed new chapter to look forward to.
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