Quake Champions moves from free-to-play to $10 paid release on Steam

Quake Champions is no longer free-to-play. As of its September 23, 2026 update, id Software and Bethesda have moved the arena shooter to a $10 paid model on Steam, while retiring the Microsoft Store version.

Players who already tried Quake Champions before the switch won’t have to buy it again. Anyone who played through Steam before September 23 keeps access automatically. Microsoft Store players can also get the Steam version for free, but they’ll need to use the same Bethesda.net account and link it to Steam.

That account-linking path is available from September 23 through October 7, 2026. Bethesda says access may take up to 48 hours after linking. If that doesn’t work, or if players miss the window, Bethesda Customer Support may still grant Steam access on a case-by-case basis.

The business model change also removes Quake Champions’ virtual currencies. Platinum and Shards are gone, and items that previously required those currencies are now available through the Customization menu. That includes Champions, weapon skins, costumes, outfits, and other cosmetic options.

Progression is staying intact as long as players use the same Bethesda.net account. Player profiles, rankings, skill stats, and Champion stats should carry over after the update.

Bethesda is refunding Platinum purchases made within 60 days before September 23, 2026, with refunds expected to take 5 to 7 business days. For purchases made in Japanese yen, the refund window is six months due to local law.

Further reading: Official Quake Champions 1.31 FAQ