Quake Champions Is No Longer Free: It's Now Paid and Exclusive to Steam

A plot twist for one of the purest arena shooters out there. As reported by Gamereactor España, id Software has published the official FAQ for Quake Champions update 1.31. In it, the studio confirms that as of September 23, 2026, the game is no longer free-to-play. It is now a paid product sold exclusively on Steam. The good news for the current player base is that anyone who was already playing the free version can keep doing so without paying anything extra, as long as they complete the access process required by the platform.

Why does it matter? Because switching business models at this stage is no small thing. A competitive shooter lives on its player count, on how easy it is to jump in, and on a steady stream of new blood in the community. Closing the free door and funneling everything through a single store changes the rules of the game for veterans, for newcomers, and for those of us who create content around the title.

What You Need to Know

• As of September 23, 2026, Quake Champions is a paid game sold only on Steam.
• Players who already had the free version keep their access at no extra cost if they complete the official process.
• On Steam, there is nothing to do: libraries have been updated automatically.
• Microsoft Store users need to link their Bethesda.net account to Steam. The window runs from September 23 to October 7, 2026.
• Requests received outside that window will be reviewed by Bethesda support on a case-by-case basis.

What Changes Depending on Where You Played

The transition does not affect everyone equally. If you were already playing on Steam, you don't need to do anything: the game stays in your library. Things get trickier for players coming from the Microsoft Store, who depend on having their Bethesda.net account linked to Steam. If that link already existed, access should be enabled within 48 hours at most. If not, you will have to do it manually from Bethesda's account linking page, and the window is short.

Progression and the Fine Print

The source states that progression carries over for players who use the same account, although the full details of that condition are not included in the available information. Our advice is simple: if you have hours invested, unlocked champions, or cosmetics, check id Software's official FAQ before touching anything. Also make sure you do it with the right account. In a change like this, a linking mistake could cost you far more than a quick chat with tech support.

Our Take

Here in the Underworld Lordz newsroom, we have mixed feelings. On the one hand, we appreciate that id Software is respecting those who were already in: nobody who was playing for free gets forcibly locked out. Moving to a paid model can also bring competitive benefits. Creating new accounts costs money, which tends to discourage smurfs and repeat cheaters. For an arena shooter where matchmaking is everything, cleaner lobbies are a real improvement.

On the other hand, the risk is obvious. A demanding, niche game needs new blood, and putting a price on entry holds back exactly the curious players who discover Quake by watching a stream or a clip. The equation changes for content creators too: you can no longer tell your audience to try it for free tonight. We are also not convinced by how the Microsoft Store side is being handled. A two-week window to link accounts, right as many games are kicking off new seasons, leaves very little margin. Some players will find out too late and end up in the limbo of case-by-case support.

Our read: id Software seems to be prioritizing a more controlled ecosystem over mass growth. If that translates into better support, more stability, and a healthier competitive scene, all the better. If it only serves to keep a shrinking community on life support, it will be a missed opportunity for a classic that deserves much more.

What Do You Think?

Have you been racking up frags in Quake Champions for years, or was it on your list for whenever you got around to it? Let us know if you have already linked your accounts and how it went. And the big question: would you pay for a competitive arena shooter if it guaranteed cleaner lobbies, or do you think closing off free access dooms it? Catch you in the team chat and on our Discord.