A New Model for Quake Champions
Bethesda has officially shifted the business model for Quake Champions, moving the title away from its long-standing free-to-play structure. As of September 23, 2026, the game is now a paid application on Steam, requiring a one-time purchase of $9.99 for new players. This change marks the conclusion of the game's seasonal content model, which spanned 30 seasons over the past eight years. Alongside this transition, the developer has confirmed that the Microsoft Store version of the game has been delisted, requiring users on that platform to migrate their accounts to Steam to maintain access.
Impact on Gameplay and Economy
The update, designated as version 1.31, introduces significant changes to the game's internal economy and progression systems. Most notably, Bethesda has removed all microtransactions, including the Battle Pass system, from the game. Players will no longer encounter loot boxes or the previous currency systems that defined the free-to-play experience. For those who have invested in the game recently, Bethesda is providing a refund window for Platinum packs purchased within 60 days prior to the update.
Existing players will not lose their historical data during this transition. The developer has confirmed that all progression, statistics, and competitive rankings remain intact for current users. Furthermore, the game now provides all Champions and the majority of cosmetic items to all players by default, simplifying the unlock process that previously required significant time or financial investment.
- New Entry Price: $9.99 for new Steam players.
- Seasonal Content: The seasonal model has officially ended after 30 seasons.
- Economy Changes: Microtransactions, Battle Passes, and loot boxes are removed.
- Platform Status: The Microsoft Store version is delisted; migration to Steam is required.
- Player Data: Existing progression, stats, and rankings are fully retained.
- Refund Policy: Platinum packs purchased within 60 days of the update are eligible for refunds.
This shift represents a definitive end to the live-service cycle for the title, moving toward a static, paid experience for the remaining community. Players should ensure their accounts are properly linked to Steam to avoid any disruption in access to their existing profiles and competitive history.