The Epic Games Store operates a long-term promotional programme where users can claim paid PC games for free during limited time windows. This initiative, active since 2018, is designed to help users build a game library without spending money. The programme is divided into three main categories: weekly free games, holiday mystery giveaways, and always-free titles. According to the source material, Epic Games has given away hundreds of games since the programme's inception, including major releases that originally retailed for between £40 and £70.
How the Programme Works
To participate in the Epic Games Store free games programme, users must create a free Epic account and enable two-factor authentication. Once a game is claimed, it remains in the user's library permanently. The primary schedule for free games is weekly, with new offers typically released every Thursday at 11 AM ET (which is 4 PM in the UK).
Current and Upcoming Weekly Offers For the week beginning January 8, 2026, the free game available to claim is Bloons TD 6. This is a co-op tower defence game developed by Ninja Kiwi. The game features story-driven content, multiplayer modes, and single-player modes that can be played offline. It offers 25 towers with three upgrade paths, 17 heroes, and various gameplay modes such as Quests, Odysseys, and Contested Territory.
Looking ahead to the following week, users will be able to claim two titles: Styx: Master of Shadows and its sequel Styx: Shards of Darkness. These are described as stealth-action games where players assume the role of a centuries-old goblin. The gameplay involves infiltrating strongholds, stealing loot, and performing assassinations within a dark fantasy setting.
Holiday and Special Event Giveaways
In addition to the standard weekly schedule, Epic Games holds special events, particularly during the holiday season. These events often feature daily free game giveaways in an advent calendar style.
During the Holiday Sale running from December 11, 2025, through January 8, 2026, the store offered daily free games. Confirmed giveaways during this period included: * December 11 – 18: Hogwarts Legacy. Claiming this game included a bonus free Fortnite cosmetic item (a Harry Potter x Fortnite back bling). * December 18 – 19: Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel.
The source material also lists a leaked schedule for the remainder of December 2025, although users should note that leaked information requires verification against official announcements: * December 19: Desperados III (Strategy/Tactical) * December 20: Total War: WARHAMMER (Turn-Based Strategy) * December 21: Tropico 5 (City-Building/Simulation) * December 22: Chicken Police: Paint It Red
Historical Free Game Listings
The Epic Games Store maintains a record of previous free game offers, allowing users to see the variety of titles included in the programme. The following list details free games offered between September and December 2025:
September 2025 * September 11 – 18: Monument * September 18 – 25: Project Winter, Samorost 2 * September 25 – October 2: Eastern Exorcist, Jorel’s Brother and The Most Important Game of the Galaxy
October 2025 * October 2 – 9: Nightingale * October 9 – 16: Gravity Circuit * October 16 – 23: Amnesia: The Bunker, Samorost 3 * Amnesia: The Bunker is a first-person survival horror game set in a WWI bunker, featuring semi-open design and randomised elements. * Samorost 3 is a puzzle and adventure game from Amanita Design. * October 23 – 30: Fear the Spotlight * October 30 – November 6: Bendy and the Ink Machine, Five Nights at Freddy's: Into the Pit
November 2025 * November 6 – 13: Felix The Reaper * November 13 – 20: Scourgebringer, Songs of Silence, Zero Hour * November 20 – 27: Zoeti, Godzilla Voxel Wars * November 27 – December 4: Universe for Sale
December 2025 * December 4 – 11: The Darkside Detective, Jackbox Party Pack 4 * December 31: Chivalry 2 * December 30: Trine Classic Collection * December 29: Viewfinder * December 28: Skald: Against the Black Priory * December 27: Cassette Beasts * December 26: We Were Here Together * December 25: Disco Elysium * December 24: The Callisto Protocol * December 23: Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night * December 22: Paradise Killer * December 21: Sorry We're Closed * December 20: Blood West * December 19: Eternights
January 2026 * January 1 – 8: Total War: Three Kingdoms, Wildgate
Mobile and Offline Accessibility
The Epic Games Store has extended its free game programme to Android devices, allowing users to claim free games on mobile as well as PC. Furthermore, for games like Bloons TD 6, the single-player mode can be played offline, meaning an internet connection is not required once the game has been downloaded and installed.
Conclusion
The Epic Games Store free games programme is a consistent and valuable offering for UK consumers looking to expand their digital game library at no cost. By maintaining a weekly release schedule and supplementing it with daily giveaways during major holiday events, the platform provides a steady stream of diverse gaming genres. To participate, users simply need a free account with two-factor authentication enabled. Once claimed, games are kept permanently in the user's library.