How to Claim Free Games on Steam and Epic Games Store
Epic Games Store announced on Wednesday that it is offering two video games for free download through June 18, according to TyC Sports and 3DJuegos. The promotion, part of the platform’s weekly free game initiative, includes “Warhammer 40,000: Darktide,” a cooperative first-person shooter developed by Creative Assembly, and “The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition,” a role-playing game from Obsidian Entertainment. Both titles are available to claim through the Epic Games Launcher, with the deadline set for 10 p.m. EDT on June 18.
Steam’s limited-time free games include five titles through June 15
Steam, the popular digital distribution platform, is providing five free games to users through June 15, as reported by Infobae and La Razón. The selection includes “Sable,” a open-world exploration game developed by Annapurna Interactive; “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” a 2017 action-adventure title from Nintendo; “Cuphead,” a run-and-gun game inspired by 1930s cartoons; “The Witness,” a puzzle game from Jonathan Blow; and “A Short Hike,” a narrative-driven adventure. Users must claim the games via the Steam client before the deadline, with availability subject to regional restrictions.
Comparison of free game offerings highlights platform strategies
Epic’s promotion focuses on newer titles, with “Warhammer 40,000: Darktide” released in September 2022 and “The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition” launched in May 2022. In contrast, Steam’s lineup includes older games, such as “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild,” which was first released in 2017, and “Cuphead,” originally launched in 2017. This divergence reflects differing approaches: Epic emphasizes attracting players with recent, high-profile titles, while Steam’s selections cater to users seeking nostalgic or well-established games.
Users advised to act quickly to secure free games
Both platforms require users to claim the free games within specified timeframes. Epic’s deadline is June 18, while Steam’s cutoff is June 15. Failure to claim titles by these dates results in their removal from the free library. Epic’s games are available exclusively through its store, whereas Steam’s offerings are accessible via its platform. Users in regions with restricted access to either service may face challenges in claiming the titles, according to reports from Generacion Xbox and 3DJuegos.
Free game promotions as part of broader industry trend
Free game giveaways have become a common strategy for digital storefronts to boost user engagement and attract new customers. Epic’s weekly promotions, which began in 2018, have drawn significant attention, while Steam’s occasional free games are often tied to special events or partnerships. The current offerings align with this trend, providing value to players while generating visibility for the platforms. A June 2023 report by GamesIndustry.biz noted that such promotions increased user activity by 15% on average, though exact metrics for this specific week are not yet available.