Quake Champions open beta starts May 12th and has new game mode

Publisher Bethesda Softworks has announced that a large-scale technical test will take place for Quake Champions from May 12 to 21. In fact, this is the open beta where anyone can test the game. A new game mode will also be available from May 12.

The closed beta started a few weeks ago, requiring anyone with access to sign a non-disclosure agreement that prevents any images from being released. That will change on May 12. No such agreement is required during this testing period, allowing users to stream, upload, and publicly discuss the game footage from the game sessions. The game can be played every day during the test period. Bethesda has announced that.

During the test period on May 12, a new game mode will be available: Sacrifice. It is a mode where four players can compete against four others. Bethesda doesn’t say much about it yet, but reports that in this mode players have to choose their teams and champions well and work together to dominate in the arena. In April, a Russian vlogger announced that Quake Champions will also have a Duel Mode upon release, where two players will compete against each other.

Quake Champions will be free to play upon release, but enthusiasts will have the option to purchase the game, which will give them immediate access to all characters. Also, with the free version, players can temporarily unlock other characters through in-game purchases. By default, only one character is playable in the free version. There are currently nine playable characters in Quake Champions, all of which have different traits.

When the game will actually be released is not yet clear; Bethesda has only announced that this will happen in 2017.