For over 25 years, QuakeCon has been one of gaming‘s most beloved events. Started in 1996 by a group of Quake enthusiasts in Dallas, Texas, the annual BYOC (bring-your-own-computer) LAN party has exploded into a giant showcase for all things Bethesda.
In 2022, QuakeCon will be held August 18-20, with tens of thousands of attendees and even more virtual participants across live streams and social media. It‘s a can‘t-miss celebration for hardcore Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and DOOM fans.
And for PC gamers on Steam, QuakeCon comes with a special added bonus – exclusive themed items and profile customization drops just for watching the live Twitch broadcast online.
Why Do Steam Drops Matter?
For most Steam users, their profile page is a point of personal expression and a badge of honor in PC gaming. Customization through avatars, animated backgrounds, badges, and more offers a way to showcase your favorite games and interests.
Limited-time drops tied to events like QuakeCon give users on Steam access to exclusive cosmetics that even money can‘t necessarily buy after the event is over. It‘s a mark of true fandom and dedication to the games and franchises we love.
Over 34 million daily active Steam users makes competition fierce when it comes to standing out. Steam drops are the rare chance to get coveted items that most folks won‘t have access too.
Step-By-Step: How To Get Your 2022 QuakeCon Steam Drops
Collecting your 2022 QuakeCon Steam drops takes just a few quick steps if you follow this handy guide:
Step 1: Navigate To The QuakeCon 2022 Steam Sale Page
Start by heading to the QuakeCon 2022 page within the Steam store to see featured deals as well as info about active Twitch drops. This is the central hub for everything QuakeCon across Steam.
Step 2: Make Sure You‘re Logged Into Steam
Double check that you are logged into your Steam account before attempting to connect your Twitch or watch any streams. Trying to earn drops while logged out is a common mistake.
Step 3: Connect Your Twitch Account
In order to properly track your QuakeCon viewership, your Twitch account needs to be linked to Steam. Luckily, connecting accounts only takes seconds.
Go to Steam > Settings > Connections > Twitch and click Connect. A new tab will open where you sign into Twitch using your account credentials, then authorize linking that Twitch profile officially to your Steam ID.
Step 4: Tune Into The QuakeCon 2022 Broadcast
Once linked, you can head to the official QuakeCon 2022 Twitch channel and start watching the live event. Prizes and Steam drops will be available across all three days:
Active Twitch Drop Days/Times:
- Thursday, August 18: 11AM CT – 7PM CT
- Friday, August 19: 11AM CT – 7PM CT
- Saturday, August 20: 11AM CT – 7PM CT
The Twitch stream will feature developer panels, esports tournaments, cosplay contests, charity fundraisers, musical acts, and more – all packed with exclusive event access that fans won‘t want to miss!
Step 5: Watch the Broadcast for 10+ Minutes
Be sure to watch the QuakeCon 2022 Twitch stream actively for at least 10 minutes to become eligible for drops. Keep the tab open and tuned in as you go about your day.
"I missed drops so many times by opening a stream and not actually watching. Set a timer for 15 minutes or something while you watch to guarantee you hit the 10 minute minimum!" – Steam User MadMatt
Step 6: Wait Up to 8 Hours for Delivery of Your Drop
Once you‘ve watched for over 10 minutes, you simply have to wait up to 8 hours for the drop delivery from Steam.
The full expected timeline is:
- Watch 10+ minutes of QuakeCon 2022 live stream
- Wait up to 8 hours
- Receive notification from Steam that new items have been delivered to your account!
So don‘t panic if you don‘t see new items immediately. Delivery can take the better part of a day.
What Are The Potential QuakeCon 2022 Steam Drops?
While the exact drop contents vary slightly each year, here are some of the themed items Steam users have received from past QuakeCon events just for watching on Twitch:
- QuakeCon 2022 Profile Frame
- Animated Steam Profile Background
- Exclusive Emoticons and Chat Avatars
- Badge Upgrades (Foil/Platinum/Diamond)
- Misc Account Upgrades
After signing in on August 18-20 and catching some of the broadcasts, most Steam users will unlock 3-5 limited-edition collectibles to show off their QuakeCon fandom!
QuakeCon 2022 Steam Drops FAQ: Troubleshooting and Common Issues
Q: I watched for over 10 minutes but still have no drop after 6+ hours. What should I do?
First, double check that your Twitch account is definitely connected properly under Steam Connections. Watching without that connection won‘t count.
If connected, try watching for 5-10 MORE minutes to re-verify your eligibility. Very occasionally records of view time can get lost.
Q: Does soundtrack music qualify or only the main Twitch stream?
Only the primary https://www.twitch.tv/bethesda stream counts towards Steam drops. Other related channels won‘t deliver eligibility.
Q: Can I still earn rewards if I mostly listen but keep the stream open?
Yes! You don‘t necessarily have to be actively watching every second. having the stream visibly open while doing other tasks is fine.
Q: Are Steam drops only for one day or the whole event?
Drops should be available each day of QuakeCon 2022 from August 18-20 during peak hours. But rewards do change day to day.
See the full schedule above for exact Steam drop windows!
Tips To Maximize Your QuakeCon Experience (And Drops!)
While collecting Steam rewards is awesome, QuakeCon 2022 offers 3 jam-packed days of programming not to be missed! Here are some tips to get the most out of your virtual participation:
- Shop the sales – Alongside drops, keep an eye out for big discounts across Bethesda‘s catalog all weekend
- Learn about upcoming releases – QuakeCon panels preview games like Starfield, Elder Scrolls VI, Overwatch 2 and more
- Watch the tournaments – Tune in for high-level esports across Quake, DOOM, Fallout 76, and others with cash prizes over $100k
- Enter giveaways for swag – chat and community giveaways dish out tons of bonus loot all weekend!
Stand Out With This Year‘s Steam Drops
As you can see, earning these year‘s exclusive QuakeCon profile items only requires a few minutes of your time – making it more than worthwhile for hardcore Bethesda and Steam fans.
The limited-time availability makes these STEAM drops especially coveted long after the live event ends. So be sure to follow our guide above and unlock this unique piece of QuakeCon history! We‘ll see you in the Twitch chat.
