More than 20 years after it was first released, the Quake franchise still plays a big part in Bethesda’s annual QuakeCon event. This year, Quake Champions was in the spotlight once again, as id Software announced that the multiplayer shooter is now available as a free-to-play download on the PC.
The Launch Trailer for Quake Champions also introduced players to a brand new character, the Death Knight:
Death Knight
When the blood rage abates, his desiccated mind asks again: Who were you? How many battles? When will it end? The answers mattered once, before the blessing of the seethe-monks relieved him of mortality, long before the Trespasser debased his master and took her Dire Orb for himself. The tungsten “heart” that pumps molten lead through his veins serves as a constant reminder of his plea to the Great Black Goat a dozen centuries ago—the only plea he has ever made: “Let me be forever at war.”
While the free-to-play version of Quake Champions is ready for primetime, the game will remain in Early Access as there is still “additional polish, improvements, and new content” that id would like to add to the game. They discussed their rationale for this decision in a new post on Bethesda.net:
Is This the Full Release of Quake Champions?
With several new Champions, modes and features that we’ve built upon throughout Early Access with community feedback, we feel like now is the perfect time to open the doors to Quake Champions. However, there is still additional polish, improvements, and new content – like the upcoming Capture the Flag mode – that we want to get into the game before we declare it “fully released.”Quake Champions will remain in Early Access for the time being, but now we’re opening up feedback and input to everyone. Play the game, tell us what you think, and help shape Quake Champions into the best FPS it can be!
What Do I Get With F2P Access?
Free-to-play players get access to all Quickplay, Ranked, and Arcade game modes and maps currently available in Early Access, plus two free Champions: Ranger and Scalebearer. New players can unlock more Champions by completing the in-game tutorial and by earning Favor — in-game currency used to unlock Champions and Backpacks — just by playing matches!Additionally, there’s one free Champion on rotation every week. Try them all out and see which ones fit your playstyle. Once you’ve found a new favorite, you can purchase Champions to own using Platinum, Quake Champions’ premium currency.
For players interested in getting more out of Quake Champions, the Champions Pack is currently being discounted for the rest of QuakeCon. If you purchase the add-on pack during the convention, you’ll receive to all current and future Champions for just $19.79. The Champions Pack is regularly priced at $39.99, but if you miss out on it during QuakeCon, you’ll still be able to pick it up for $29.99 between August 13 and September 4.
