Quake Champions

Quake Champions is a game in the Quake series. Quake Champions is an multiplayer-focused first-person shooter released into Steam Early Access on August 23, 2017.

Story
The game features its own lore for each character and different dimensions. Lore scrolls are available as progression unlocks.

Gameplay
Quake Champions is a PC-exclusive, multiplayer-only game, described as a "competitive arena-style, character-based shooter." Based on the gameplay of Quake III Arena and Quake Live, it takes inspiration from the original Quake for its visual design. The selectable characters (referred to as "champions") all have passive abilities (e.g. extra speed), and active abilities (e.g. ghost walking) but otherwise the core style of gameplay remains the same.

Active abilities can be activated with a button press, and have a cooldown between use that lasts roughly 30-45 seconds; the specific length varies by champion,, although items can be collected to reduce this cooldown time. The abilities are based on a rock-paper-scissors system, where certain abilities have natural counters; It's up to players to discover which champions work best together. It's intended that, abilities aside, a player's skill is the determining feature in loss or victory.

Loadouts do not feature. The game features leagues and ranks, and its modes include duels and deathmatch, but also team-based play. The game is intended to have an e-sports presence, and to become an event at QuakeCon. Because of the presence of abilities, QC will have more of an emphasis on team-based modes rather than 1v1 or free-for-all gameplay, when compared to Quake III Arena.

Game Types
Quickplay Modes: Arcade Modes: Ranked Modes:
 * Free-for-all
 * Team Deathmatch
 * Capture the Flag
 * Slipgate
 * TDM vs Bots
 * Instagib (Team and FFA)
 * Unholy Trinity (Team and FFA)
 * Sacrifice
 * Hot Rockets
 * Mystery Champion
 * Swinger Party
 * Lead the Way
 * Duel
 * 2v2 Team Deathmatch

Custom games are also implemented, But can only be created by those who own the Champions Pack.

Payment Model
The game uses a free-to-play model. All players will have access to Ranger for free, and to Scalebearer after completing the tutorial. Otherwise, players can purchase the Champions Pack, which will give them access to all champions for an unlimited point of time, or they can spend in-game currency called "favor" to 'rent' champions for a timed period. Those who purchase the Champions Pack and those who use the free-to-play model won't be divided between matches. The Champions Pack is considered the de facto pay-to-play option; the equivalent of purchasing a full game from the outset. It has been indicated that the pack may be limited in its availability.

Starter packs can also be purchased separately, which will allow players to purchase champions and other enhancements incrementally.

The game features a loot box system, where cosmetics can be purchased through in-game currency or real-world money. There are two in-game currencies: Platinum and Shards. Both can be earned in small amounts from daily challenges (such as winning 3 matches or getting an Excellent medal), or purchased with real-world money in the in-game shop. Cosmetics and lore scrolls can also be unlocked via the in-game progression system, with a paid "Battle Pass" tier offering improved unlockables over the base "free" tier.

For QuakeCon's 25th anniversary, all champions could be unlocked for free by playing a match during QuakeCon 2020.

Characters
Currently 16 characters are featured in the Early Access. More champions, maps and realms have been datamined, but have not yet been released.

Weapon List
All players spawn with the Gauntlet and one starting weapon (which can be selected by the player pre-spawn). Other weapons are collected around the maps, unless playing the Instagib or Unholy Trinity game mode. Weapon Skins and paint colors are available for purchase in the in-game store.

Maps

 * Awoken
 * Blood Covenant
 * Blood Run
 * Burial Chamber
 * Church of Azathoth
 * Citadel
 * Corrupted Keep
 * Deep Embrace
 * Lockbox
 * Ruins of Sarnath
 * Tempest Shrine
 * The Longest Yard
 * The Molten Falls
 * Tower of Koth
 * Vale of Pnath

Elder Gods / Domains

 * Azathoth
 * Goroth
 * Cthalha
 * Ithagnal
 * Volkerh

Realms

 * Dimension of the Doomed
 * The Elder World
 * The Netherworld
 * The Realm of Black Magic

Development
The game went under the codename of "Lovecraft" during development. The concept of the game existed as early as 2013, as the developers looked at what could be done to build off Quake Live. As they started to play around with some prototyping with the Quake Live engine and the game, the developers took note of the development of Doom. Saber Interactive was brought on to work on the game, as the project became separate from Quake Live.

QC was revealed to the public by Bethesda at E3 2016. The game entered closed beta on April 6th 2017, with the developers aiming for final release in the same year. As of 2021, the game is still marked as Early Access.

The game runs on a hybrid engine designed by both id and Saber. However, both developers have not revealed the title of the engine yet.

The Beta launched with over a dozen champions playable.

By August 2016, the game's payment model was still being determined. In March 2017, it was announced that the game would use a free-to-play model. On August 10, 2018, QC became a free-to-play game.

The "Sacrifice" game mode has gone through four iterations as of 2017.