Bethesda revealed at QuakeCon 2018 that Quake Champions, currently in Steam's Early Access, is becoming a permanently free-to-play game.
Quake Champions features a roster of characters that each have special abilities similar to the massively popular Overwatch. It was actually first announced as a free-to-play title in March 2017.
However, players have been paying $30 for the Early Access version. Now, Bethesda has announced that Quake Champions is free-to-play forever.
Quake Champions: Free-To-Play Forever
Bethesda unveiled Quake Champions at E3 2016, relaunching the iconic shooter franchise with an iteration that will focus on fast-paced multiplayer. The game will aim to cash in on the burgeoning eSports market in which Quake was one of the pioneers.
Quake Champions moved out of beta and into the Early Access program of Steam last year. Bethesda said that the game will become free-to-play once it was fully launched. At QuakeCon 2018, however, Quake Champions was unveiled as a free-to-play game, now and forever.
The question now is whether Quake Champions, banking on its historic name, will have what it takes to challenge the likes of the Overwatch League.
What Will Free-To-Play Players Get From 'Quake Champions?'
Free-to-play players will be able to access all the Quickplay, Ranked, and Arcade game modes, as well as maps of Quake Champions along with two free characters, Ranger and Scalebearer.
Players will be able to unlock more champions by finishing the in-game tutorial and gaining Favor, the in-game currency used to buy more characters. Favor is earned by participating in matches, so Quake Champions players will be able to fill out their roster faster the more they play.
Also, one free champion is rotating every week to give players a chance to try out other characters before purchasing them. Players, of course, will have the option of buying characters using the real-world money by acquiring the game's premium currency, Platinum.
Dedicated Quake fans who want to unlock all the characters in one go will have the option to purchase the Champions Pack that not only grants access to the current champions but also to all the future ones.
The Champions Pack used to carry a $39.99 price tag, but until QuakeCon 2018 ends on Aug. 14, it will only cost $19.79. After the event, the Champions Pack will still be on sale until Sept. 4 at $29.99.
Quake Champions also offers Starter Packs that offer access to certain characters and enhancements. The game also has loot boxes that can be acquired by playing the game or by using the real-world money, containing cosmetic items that will not have an effect on gameplay.
