Xbox CEO Asha Sharma Confirms Wolfenstein 3 and New DOOM Project in Production

Key points

• Asha Sharma confirmed Wolfenstein 3 is in production at MachineGames, sharing a script excerpt and motion-capture photos on social media.
• id Software announced a new project led by Hugo Martin, involving teams in Texas and Frankfurt; The Verge identifies this as a new DOOM game.
• A new 'Slaughter Mode' update for DOOM: The Dark Ages is scheduled for release next week.
• Wolfenstein 3 is the first game in the series developed by MachineGames under Xbox ownership following Microsoft's 2021 acquisition of ZeniMax Media.
• No release dates, platforms, or detailed gameplay information were provided for either project.

Background

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus was released in 2017, making the new entry nearly a decade in the making. The franchise, originally launched in 1981, follows Captain B.J. Blazkowicz in an alternate history where Nazi Germany won World War II. Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda and its studios, in March 2021. Recent archive coverage notes that The Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel was also recently named, highlighting a period of major announcements for Bethesda studios.

How outlets are covering it

Pure Xbox and PC Gamer emphasize the long wait since the previous mainline entry and the excitement surrounding the return of the franchise. The Verge focuses on the confirmation of a new DOOM game by id Software, citing earlier reports from July 2026. Variety highlights the historical significance of the franchise and the fact that this is the first Wolfenstein game developed under Xbox ownership. While all sources confirm the production status, they differ in emphasis: some focus on the Wolfenstein announcement, while others highlight the simultaneous id Software news. No sources disagree on the core facts, but they vary in the level of detail provided regarding the id Software project.

Why it matters

The confirmation of Wolfenstein 3 and a new DOOM game signals a renewed focus on major first-party titles for Xbox and Bethesda. These announcements, made during Xbox's 25th anniversary, suggest a strategic push to leverage established franchises. The involvement of key studios like MachineGames and id Software, along with returning actors and directors, indicates a commitment to continuing these popular series. The lack of release dates, however, suggests these projects are in early stages, potentially affecting the release schedule for other anticipated titles like The Elder Scrolls VI: Sentinel.

What to watch

A new 'Slaughter Mode' update for DOOM: The Dark Ages is expected next week. More details on Wolfenstein 3 and the new id Software game are anticipated, but no specific timelines have been given. The Verge notes that it will be 'some time' before more information is shared on the id Software project. Fans may look for further announcements during future Xbox or Bethesda events.