Bethesda Softworks and id Software have released patch 1.31 for Quake Champions, signaling the final planned content update for the arena shooter and marking a permanent shift away from the free-to-play model the game adopted in 2018, according to official patch notes and reporting by Polygon.
The End of Free-to-Play and Patch 1.31 Changes
Quake Champions has officially transitioned from a free-to-play title to a $9.99 paid game on Steam, as detailed in the official Steam update released by id Software. Alongside this pricing model shift, patch 1.31 introduces major structural overhauls to the game’s economy and progression systems. Bethesda confirmed that all microtransactions, in-app purchases, battle passes, weekly challenges, and loot boxes have been completely removed from the client.
To compensate for the removal of the in-game store, most vanity content, weapon skins, and all Champions are now unlocked by default for all players. Players who purchased the premium Platinum in-game currency within 60 days before the announcement are eligible for a full refund, according to a Bethesda news post.
Retirement of the Microsoft Store Version and Account Linking
The latest update permanently retires the Microsoft Store version of Quake Champions, consolidating the active player base exclusively onto Steam. Players who previously accessed the arena shooter via the Microsoft Store must manually link their Bethesda.net and Steam accounts to maintain access to their libraries. Bethesda has set a strict deadline of October 7, 2026, for users to complete this account-linking process.
Polygon reports that data centers have also been reduced in this final update to consolidate remaining players and improve matchmaking speeds, while simultaneously lowering ongoing operational costs for Bethesda.
Internal Fallout and id Software Restructuring
This final content update arrives in the wake of severe workforce reductions across id Software’s parent company. ZeniMax Media was acquired by Microsoft in 2021 and now operates inside the Xbox division. Following a July announcement detailing plans by Xbox to cut 3,200 employees throughout the fiscal year, reports indicated that id Software’s staff was slashed in half, with the studio’s VFX team notably left with a single artist and no lead or producer.
Additional layoffs struck Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem, heavily impacting Halo Studios.
Did You Know? Quake Champions originally launched in early access back in 2017 before its official 1.0 release in 2022, eventually adopting a free-to-play model in 2018 that lasted for six years before this final transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Quake Champions cost now?
The game is priced at $9.99 exclusively on Steam. Players who already owned the game on Steam retain access at no additional cost.
Can I still play the game through the Microsoft Store?
No. The Microsoft Store version has been retired. Users must link their Bethesda and Steam accounts by October 7, 2026, to play on Steam.
What happened to microtransactions and the battle pass?
All microtransactions, battle passes, weekly challenges, loot boxes, and the in-game store have been entirely removed. Most cosmetics are now unlocked for everyone.
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