Quake Champions’ Final Patch Abandons Free-To-Play Model, Ends an Era for Bethesda’s FPS

Bethesda Softworks and id Software have released patch 1.31 for Quake Champions, but the update signals the end of the game’s development rather than a fresh start. The official patch notes confirm that “no additional content updates are planned at this time” as the title moves into what Bethesda describes as a “new chapter.” This marks the conclusion of an era for Quake Champions, which entered early access in 2017 before earning its 1.0 release in 2022, and it also abandons the game’s long-standing free-to-play status.

The most significant shift concerns the game’s monetization. Since 2018, Quake Champions has operated as a free-to-play title, allowing anyone to download and play at no cost. Going forward, the game will become a paid product available exclusively on Steam for $9.99. Players who previously accessed Quake Champions through Steam will receive the new paid version at no additional charge. Those who played via the Microsoft Store, however, will need to link their Bethesda.net account to their Steam account to gain access, though Bethesda warns this linking service will only remain available until October 7.

A Paid Farewell and a Content Windfall

As part of the transition to a paid model, Bethesda has unlocked 30 seasons’ worth of past content and every champion for existing players, alongside most vanity items. In a notable move, all battle passes, microtransactions, and in-app purchases have been completely removed from the game. The patch also bundles numerous general fixes aimed at improving stability before the title stops receiving support entirely.

Perhaps the most player-facing addition is a new callvote system that lets participants vote to kick cheaters or abusive players mid-match, with each player permitted to cast three votes per game. On the infrastructure side, Bethesda has reduced the number of data centers to consolidate the player base and speed up matchmaking, a change that is also expected to lower ongoing support costs for the publisher.

Image: id Software/Bethesda Softworks via Polygon

“No additional content updates are planned at this time” as the game moves into a “new chapter.”

Bethesda Softworks / id Software

The decision to convert a beloved competitive shooter into a one-time purchase reflects a broader industry trend toward monetizing mature titles after their live-service phase winds down. For longtime players, the trade-off is clear: they gain permanent access to the full roster and a cleaner, transaction-free experience, but they also lose the ability to try the game without committing financially, and the community will no longer receive balance patches or new content.

The Studio Behind the Farewell

The context surrounding this shutdown is complicated by the turbulent state of id Software. The studio is a subsidiary of ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2021 and now operates within the Xbox division. In recent months, Xbox has endured several rounds of layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations, and id Software did not escape unscathed.

Following the July announcement that Xbox would cut 3,200 employees throughout the fiscal year, reports indicated that the studio had been slashed in half, with most of its coders eliminated. That reduction was particularly jarring given id’s foundational role in video-game technology, most notably the id Tech engine that has powered countless titles. Just this week, Xbox conducted even more layoffs, largely affecting Halo Studios, signaling that the restructuring is far from over.

The timing of Quake Champions’ final update against this backdrop raises questions about whether the decision to end the game was driven by budget constraints, shifting corporate priorities, or a combination of both. For a studio historically celebrated for pioneering first-person shooters, the departure of a significant portion of its workforce adds a layer of poignancy to the game’s retirement.

Looking Ahead

With patch 1.31 standing as the last update, players who wish to continue enjoying Quake Champions will need to purchase the $9.99 Steam version before the Microsoft Store linking service closes on October 7. After that date, Bethesda has indicated that the game will no longer receive support, though the existing player base retains full access to the game’s content.

For those interested in the competitive scene, the transition to a paid model and the removal of battle passes may reshape the game’s ecosystem, potentially drawing in players who were previously hesitant to invest in a free-to-play title. Meanwhile, the broader fate of id Software remains uncertain as Microsoft continues to restructure its Xbox operations, leaving fans to wonder what the future holds for one of gaming’s most influential studios.