We're transitioning Quake Champions from a free-to-play model game to a paid title on Steam only. Good news to anyone who's played the game on Steam: you've already been automatically upgraded to this paid version for free! People who played the game on Microsoft Store will be given a path to access the Steam version for free through Bethesda.net account linking. We are also granting a full refund to all players who purchased Platinum virtual currency within the last 60 days. All players get to keep their ranking, regardless of which platform they came from, provided they use the same Bethesda.net account as before. For more information, please consult the FAQ below:

• Read the complete release notes on Steam here. 

❓ FAQ 

I played Quake Champions when it was free-to-play. Do I need to pay for it after the September 2026 update?

• If you ever played the free-to-play version of Quake Champions, you are eligible to play the updated “paid app” version at no additional cost. However, the paid app is only available on Steam. Quake Champions on the Microsoft Store has been retired.

How can I get access to the paid version of Quake Champions on Steam?

(Steam players)

• If you played Quake Champions before September 23rd, 2026, you can continue to access the game from your Steam library at no additional cost.

(Microsoft Store players)

• If you played Quake Champions on the Microsoft Store before September 23rd, 2026 and the Bethesda.net account you played on is linked to a Steam account, you will automatically receive access to the paid version of Quake Champions on Steam. (Please allow up to 48 hours for this to happen.)
  
  For Microsoft Store players who did not previously also have a Steam account linked to the Bethesda.net account you played Quake Champions on, you'll need to first have a Steam account (click here if you don't have one), sign into your Bethesda.net account, then go to this web page to link them. Once the accounts are linked, we will grant Steam app access through your Bethesda.net account. Please allow up to 48 hours after linking your account for the access to be granted.
  
  This service will be available from September 23 through October 7, 2026.
• If you missed the window described above, or if linking accounts did not automatically resolve your issue within 48 hours, Bethesda Customer Support will help review your request and may be able to grant Steam access on a case-by-case basis. Please follow the steps below: 
  
  1. Please create or sign in to your Steam account and link it to the Bethesda.net account you used to play Quake Champions. 
  
  2. Once the accounts are linked, please submit a support ticket to Bethesda Customer Support and request access to the Steam version of Quake Champions. 
  Request Steam Access Form 

When I played Quake Champions previously, it was free-to-play. What changed with the September 2026 update? 

• Quake Champions has moved to a paid ownership model available on Steam. Now, anyone who has Quake Champions in their Steam library can select any of the Champions, weapon skins, and cosmetic options without additional in-game purchases. As part of this update, the Microsoft Store version has been retired, and the game is now available only through Steam. Player skill stats will continue to reflect gameplay progress, so you can keep focusing on your Champion progression and enjoying the cosmetic features included with the game. 

Will the progression I earned by playing in-game carry forward after the update?

• Yes. Your player profile will remain the same, provided you are using the same Bethesda.net account as before. However, all virtual currencies have been removed from the game.

I don’t see Platinum in my account. What happened?  

• Virtual currencies (Platinum and Shards) have been removed from the game system. All Champions, weapon skins, and costumes previously purchasable with these currencies can now be selected from the Customization menu.
  
  Players who purchased a Platinum pack within the 60 days before September 23, 2026, will be refunded. Please allow 5 to 7 business days for your Platinum purchase refund to be processed.
  
  Note: For players who purchased using Japanese currency (yen), purchases made within the 6 months before September 23, 2026, will be eligible for a refund by local law.

What will happen to any Platinum I've earned through gameplay?

• Platinum is no longer used in Quake Champions. Items that previously required Platinum are now available to all players.

What will happen to any Shards I've earned through gameplay?

• Shards are no longer used in Quake Champions. Items that previously required Shards are now available to all players.

How can I change skins for a selected Champion?  

• From the Customization menu, you can select costume, outfit, and weapon skins.

Are all Champions now available for no additional charge?  

• Yes. With this update, currency is no longer required to unlock all Champions.

Does this update affect my Champions’ stats?   

• No. Your earned stats will remain unchanged, and you can continue progressing after this update.