QuakeCon 2020, held as a virtual event due to pandemic restrictions, offered a variety of digital freebies and promotional incentives for gamers. The event, celebrating the 25th annual convention, featured a "Super Stream" of live content and provided several ways for participants to acquire free games, in-game items, and unlockable content through the Bethesda.net launcher, Steam, and Twitch integration. The offers were time-sensitive, primarily available during the weekend of August 7-9, 2020, though some charitable donation goals extended the availability of specific items.
The primary free offers centered on the original Quake, Quake Champions unlockables, and conditional offers for Quake II, alongside cosmetic items for The Elder Scrolls Online, DOOM Eternal, and Fallout 76.
Claiming the Original Quake for Free
The headline offer for the event was a free digital copy of the original Quake. This promotion was designed to celebrate the game's legacy during the 25th anniversary of QuakeCon.
To claim the game, participants were required to: * Visit the Bethesda.net website or access the Bethesda Launcher. * Log in to an existing Bethesda.net account or create a new account. * Claim the game through the launcher interface.
Once claimed, the game was added to the user's library permanently. Multiple sources confirm that the offer was active during the event weekend, specifically requiring users to log in to their Bethesda.net accounts to secure the title. The offer was valid through the end of the event on Saturday night at 11:00 PM EST.
Quake Champions Unlockables
For players of Quake Champions, the event offered a way to permanently unlock all champions (playable characters) within the game. This was distinct from the original Quake offer and required active participation in the game itself.
Unlock Requirements: * Platform: Steam. * Action: Users had to download Quake Champions (which is free-to-play) and play at least one match during the event weekend. * Reward: Upon completing a match, all champions were unlocked and added to the player's account "to keep forever."
Additionally, an exclusive cosmetic item was available for Quake Champions participants. A free "QuakeCon 2020 Railgun" skin for the Railgun Pistol was offered. Unlike the character unlocks, the method for claiming this specific skin is not detailed in the source material, though it is listed among the event's freebies.
Quake II Donation Goal
Bethesda structured a charitable component to the event's freebies. A donation drive was initiated for organizations including Direct Relief, UNICEF, and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
The Offer: * Goal: If donations reached $10,000. * Reward: A free digital copy of Quake II in the Bethesda launcher. * Status: According to reports, the $10,000 goal was surpassed during the event. * Availability: The game was scheduled to be available "shortly after the event."
In-Game Cosmetics and Twitch Drops
Several offers required linking external accounts to receive digital items in specific games.
The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO): * Requirement: Link ESO and Twitch accounts. * Action: Watch official ESO broadcasts during QuakeCon. * Rewards: A unique "Flame Atronach Pony" mascot and Ouroboros Crown boxes.
DOOM Eternal: * Reward: QuakeCon Slayer Skin, icon, and player badge. * Availability: Available on all platforms until August 11. * Method: Specific claim instructions were not detailed in the source material, but the items were accessible to players.
Fallout 76: * Reward: Demonic variants of the Sheepsquatch outfit and Mr. Fuzzy mascot suit. * Status: Mentioned as a freebie, though specific claim mechanics were not detailed in the available sources.
Event Context and Additional Promotions
QuakeCon 2020 was an entirely online event. Beyond the free digital content, the event featured a "Super Stream" lasting 60 hours. It is important to note that while some sources mentioned giveaways of physical hardware (such as a Ryzen 7700X) and community challenges on Discord, specific details on how to enter these contests or eligibility requirements were not provided in the source material.
Additionally, sales on various Bethesda titles were active during the event, including discounts on Fallout 76, DOOM Eternal, The Elder Scrolls Online, and Wolfenstein titles. However, these were purchase-based discounts rather than free offers.
Conclusion
The QuakeCon 2020 event provided significant value to digital gamers through free game ownership and exclusive cosmetic items. The primary actionable offers for U.S. consumers were the permanent claim of the original Quake via the Bethesda Launcher and the unlocking of all Quake Champions characters via Steam gameplay. While the event has concluded, the sources indicate that Quake remains in the libraries of those who claimed it, and Quake II was unlocked for those who participated in the donation drive.