Epic Games Weekly Free Games: How It Works
Epic Games Store gives away one or more free games every Thursday at 11 AM ET, and each title is yours to keep forever once you claim it during its one-week window. You just need a free Epic Games account and the Epic Games Launcher (or the website) to add the games to your library before the offer expires. The program has run continuously since December 2018, making it one of the longest-running free game promotions in the industry.
How the Weekly Free Games Program Started
Epic launched its store in December 2018 as a direct competitor to Steam, and the free game giveaway was a key part of its strategy to attract users. The first free game was Subnautica, followed by Super Meat Boy the next week. The company said it planned to offer one free game every two weeks, but quickly moved to a weekly schedule. In 2019, Epic committed to giving away a free game every week for all of 2019, and the program has continued ever since. Over the years, Epic has given away hundreds of titles, including major AAA games like Grand Theft Auto V, Civilization VI, Control, and Borderlands 3.
How to Claim the Free Games
Claiming the weekly free game takes less than two minutes, but you must do it before the offer ends. Here are the steps:
- Create a free Epic Games account at epicgames.com or through the Epic Games Launcher.
- Visit the Epic Games Store website or open the Launcher on your PC or Mac.
- Go to the “Free Games” section (usually a banner on the home page).
- Click the “Get” button on the game you want. If there are multiple free games, each has its own button.
- Confirm the order—it will show a $0.00 total. The game is now permanently added to your library.
You do not need to install the game to keep it. Just claiming it is enough. The game stays in your library forever, and you can download it at any time.
When the Free Games Refresh
The free games rotate every Thursday at 11:00 AM ET (8:00 AM PT, 4:00 PM GMT). The new game becomes available at that exact time, and the previous week’s game becomes unavailable at the same moment. So if you see a game you want, claim it before Thursday morning. Epic usually announces the upcoming free game a few days in advance, often on social media or on the store page itself. You can also check third-party sites that track the schedule, but the official store page is the most reliable source.
What Kind of Games Are Offered?
The selection varies widely. You might see a small indie gem one week and a blockbuster AAA title the next. Epic has given away everything from Rocket League (before it went free-to-play) to Death Stranding, Alien: Isolation, and Dishonored. Some weeks feature two or even three games, especially around holidays like Christmas, when Epic has given away a new game every day for 15 days. The games are always full versions, not demos or trials, and they include all the content that a paying customer would get.
Common Issues and How to Solve Them
Most people have no trouble claiming the free games, but a few issues pop up regularly:
- “Get” button not working: Refresh the page, clear your browser cache, or try the Epic Games Launcher instead of the website.
- Game not showing as free: Make sure you are logged in and that the offer is still active (it may have just expired at 11 AM ET on Thursday).
- Account region restrictions: Some games are not available in certain countries due to licensing. If a game is not free in your region, you cannot claim it.
- Already own the game: If you already own a game, the “Get” button will be replaced by “In Library” or “Owned.” You cannot claim it again, but you also do not need to.
If you encounter a technical error, Epic’s support site has a help center, but the most common fix is simply waiting a few minutes and trying again, as the server load peaks right at the refresh time.
Is It Really Free? Costs and Requirements
Yes, the games are genuinely free. You do not need a credit card, and Epic never charges you anything for the weekly giveaway. There is no subscription required, unlike PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass, where you need an active subscription to keep the free games. The only requirement is an Epic Games account, which is free to create. Some games may have in-game purchases (like cosmetics or DLC), but the base game is yours at no cost. You also need a PC or Mac that meets the game’s system requirements, but that is true of any game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I keep the free Epic games forever? Yes, once you claim a free game, it is permanently added to your library. You can download and play it at any time, even if Epic ends the promotion.
Can I claim the free games on my phone? Yes, you can claim them through the Epic Games website on a mobile browser. You just need to log in to your account and click “Get.” The game will then be in your library when you log in on your PC or Mac.
What happens if I miss a week? If you miss the window, the game is gone. Epic does not offer retroactive claims, and the game may not come back in the future. However, Epic has repeated some games (like Grand Theft Auto V was given twice), but you should not count on it.
Are the free games the same in all countries? Not always. Some games are region-locked due to licensing agreements, so a game offered in the US might not be available in Europe or Asia. The store page will show what is available in your region.
Can I get the free games without installing the Epic Games Launcher? Yes, you can claim them through the website. However, to actually play the game, you will need to install the Launcher on your PC or Mac, as it is the platform that runs Epic games.
Why does Epic give away free games? Epic uses the free games to attract users to its store, build a large user base, and encourage people to try its exclusive titles and features. It is a marketing strategy that has proven very successful, with millions of users claiming games each week.
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