Quake Champions becomes a £9 paid game on Steam


After nearly a decade as a free-to-play experience, Quake Champions is making a significant pivot. The game is transitioning away from the free-to-play model and is dropping in favour of a straightforward premium release available on Steam.

This shift represents a major overhaul of the monetization structure. The developers are eliminating systems that players had become accustomed to, specifically removing battle passes, loot boxes, and premium currencies. Furthermore, the traditional in-game store has also been removed.

For players who participated in previous free events on Steam, the transition should be smooth. You will be automatically upgraded to the full version of the game.

To ensure a fair transition for those who invested in the older systems, a refund will be issued for any premium currencies purchased within the last two months.

While this move is certainly a welcome change for many, it is essential to view it within the larger context of the gaming industry. This decision comes alongside ongoing industry shifts, including the intense focus on developer reductions across major platforms, such as Xbox’s mission to fire thousands of developers.

The change signals a broader trend where developers are redefining how they engage with the player base, moving toward more direct, upfront monetization models. For fans of the competitive shooter, the future of Quake Champions will now be about the core gameplay experience, free from the complexities of microtransactions.

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