Epic's free games, explained: how to claim and keep them forever
Every week the Epic Games Store gives away at least one PC game for free, and sometimes two or three. These are not demos or trials. Once you claim a free game, it is added to your library permanently, exactly like a game you paid for. Here is how to make the most of it.
How the weekly giveaway works
Epic rotates its free titles on a weekly schedule, usually swapping them on Thursday. When a new game goes live, the previous one disappears, so there is a fixed window to claim each one. The lineup ranges from small indies to, occasionally, huge blockbusters that would normally cost full price.
The key thing to understand is that claiming and playing are separate. You do not have to play the game during the free window. You just have to claim it while it is free, and it stays in your account forever.
How to claim, step by step
Claiming takes less than a minute. Open the game’s page on the Epic Games Store, sign in (or create a free account), and press “Get”. You confirm the order at a price of $0.00 and the game lands in your library. From then on you can install and uninstall it whenever you like, on any PC where you sign in.
Are the games really yours?
Yes, with one honest caveat: like almost every digital game, a claimed Epic game lives in your Epic account and is tied to their launcher. As long as your account exists and the store operates, the game is yours to download and play. It is not a DRM-free copy you can archive offline, but for practical purposes it is a permanent addition to your library at no cost.
Do not miss the good weeks
Because the lineup changes weekly and big titles show up without much warning, the trick is simply to check regularly. That is where a free-games tracker helps: DropGamer lists what is free right now and what is coming next, with the exact claim deadline, so a great giveaway never slips past you.
Claim everything that looks even mildly interesting. It costs nothing, it takes a minute, and future you will be glad the game is already sitting in the library when you finally feel like playing it.