Free to Play Bethesda Arena Shooter Sees Huge Spike in Players

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Free to Play Bethesda Arena Shooter Sees Huge Spike in Players

Key Takeaways

  • Quake Champions experienced a 300% player count increase recently, peaking at nearly 2,000 players over the weekend.
  • The game’s rise in popularity appears to be linked to a recent 2v2 tournament with money prize rewards.
  • A dedicated community can rejuvenate multiplayer games like Quake, proving their resilience and ongoing appeal.

As someone who has been playing Quake since its inception back in the 90s, it’s heartening to see the resurgence of Quake Champions. I remember countless late-night battles against friends on Quake II and III, and the thrill of those arenas is still alive today. The recent surge in player count, peaking at nearly 2,000 players over the weekend, is a testament to the game’s enduring appeal.

Quake Champions, a popular arena shooter in the vein of Quake, has experienced a significant surge in player numbers recently, almost tripling its regular monthly average. Normally, this free-to-play game attracts approximately 500 concurrent players, but over the weekend, that figure skyrocketed to nearly 2,000.

Quake Champions is an action-packed hero shooter set in arenas, blending the quick, intense gameplay from the original Quake series with modern flair through its diverse “champions,” each offering unique skills and playing styles. After spending a considerable amount of time in early access, it was officially launched in August 2022. Despite being free-to-play, the game has struggled to attract many players over time. However, quite unexpectedly, the number of players for this title suddenly surged, reaching a 24-hour peak of 1,943 and currently standing at 1,753 as I write this.

According to PCGamesN, there’s been a surprising surge in player count for the game Quake Champions. Although rumors swirl about a potential new Quake game, this contemporary arcade shooter has been captivating some fans, leaving us puzzled as to why. The significant season 24 update dropped on September 12. Unlike other games, Quake Champions has always been free-to-play, so there was no recent sale attracting players, and it hasn’t gained traction on Twitch or been spotlighted by a popular YouTuber recently. Yet, the game jumped from 508 players to 1,909 within an hour on September 22, with these numbers remaining steady the next day.

Quake Champions Sees a Huge Player Spike

The “Quake” series is known for contributing significantly to the rise of the First-Person Shooter (FPS) genre, but it has taken a backseat as id Software and Bethesda have focused on other projects. However, a surge of 1,500 players might not seem significant, but it’s actually quite notable for “Quake Champions”. After digging deeper into the source of these numbers, a discussion on r/QuakeChampions mentions a 2v2 tournament that took place on September 22, offering prize money. This tournament was open to all players and coincided with when the player count for “Quake Champions” increased. Even though the tournament ended over 24 hours ago, the game has maintained the higher player count since then, implying that the tournament and the ensuing excitement may have drawn some long-time fans out of hiding.

A game can only be as lively as its community, and this is especially true for multiplayer titles such as Quake Champions. This isn’t the first time that a game’s passionate community has helped keep it alive or revitalized its popularity, and is a warming reminder that as long as there are dedicated fans, games can never truly die.

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2024-09-23 20:53