Quake Champions Goes Paid
Quake Champions ends its free-to-play model and removes microtransactions in a new update.
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Some server regions were shut down as part of the transition, reflecting the game’s declining player population and potentially affecting matchmaking for parts of its remaining community.
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The game’s history includes a paid Champions Pack during Early Access in August 2017, a permanent free-to-play launch in August 2018, and a full release in 2022 before the latest reversal to a paid model.
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Not every item is being broadly unlocked: certain promotional cosmetics and competitive rewards remain exclusive to the players who originally obtained them.
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Microsoft Store players who had not previously linked a Steam account can still migrate by linking their Bethesda.net and Steam accounts; Bethesda said this migration service will be available from Sept. 23 through Oct. 7, 2026, with access granted after the accounts are connected.
Quake Champions has abandoned its free-to-play model after eight years, shifting to a $9.99 paid game exclusively on Steam with Update 1.31 as of September 23, 2026. Gamereactor reports the change removes all microtransactions, Battle Passes, loot boxes, and virtual currencies while unlocking all Champions and nearly all cosmetics for new buyers. Existing Steam players retain free access with all their progression intact, but the Microsoft Store version is being retired.
GamingBolt notes that id Software has made 30 seasons' worth of cosmetic content available to purchasers while Bethesda will refund Platinum currency spent in the past 60 days. The shift marks a dramatic reversal from the game's 2018 free-to-play launch, though the company has not disclosed the financial reasoning or plans for future content.
From Free-to-Play Launch to Paid Model
Quake Champions debuted with a paid Champions Pack during Early Access in August 2017, then went free-to-play in August 2018 and received full release status in 2022. Eurogamer reports the game maintained its live-service structure with seasonal updates for eight years before this sudden pivot. The shift eliminates the entire monetization ecosystem that sustained the game's ongoing development.
New players now pay £8.99 (approximately $9.99) for permanent access to all Champions and most cosmetics. KitGuru explains that certain promotional cosmetics and competitive rewards remain exclusive to players who originally earned them, preserving some progression value for longtime participants.
Existing Players Keep Free Access, But Servers Close
Anyone who played Quake Champions on Steam before the transition continues playing for free with all statistics, rankings, and progression preserved, according to Gamereactor. However, some server regions have shut down as part of the change, potentially affecting matchmaking for the remaining community in those areas. The closures reflect the game's declining player population over recent years.
Microsoft Store players can migrate to Steam by linking their accounts until October 7, 2026. Eurogamer reports the Microsoft Store version is being discontinued entirely, forcing players to either migrate or lose access. Bethesda said players who had not previously linked a Steam account must connect their Bethesda.net and Steam accounts between September 23 and October 7, 2026 to retain access.
Online Play Continues Despite End of New Content
Gamereactor confirms the game will remain playable online despite Bethesda halting planned seasonal updates. The company has not announced any roadmap for additional content or explained what prompted the shift from live-service to a single paid purchase model. The decision has created uncertainty about the game's long-term viability.
The community response has been mixed, with some players appreciating the removal of monetization systems and immediate access to all cosmetics. Others worry about server stability and matchmaking quality as the player base shrinks further. Without new seasonal content to drive engagement, retention may decline significantly.
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