Game prices keep climbing these days. New AAA titles now launch at $70, and even indie games usually cost between $30 and $40.

For those of us who love gaming, this adds up fast! But here’s some good news – you can play great games without paying full price or even anything at all.

Let’s check out some smart, legit ways to get free games!

Don’t Miss Epic Games’ Weekly Freebies

Epic Games has given away free titles weekly since 2018, and they’re still going strong. Every Thursday, they release one or two new free games. Just create a free Epic account, claim the games, and they’re yours forever.

In 2023 alone, Epic gave away 86 different games worth over $2,000 in total. These weren’t just small indie titles – there were some big names such as “Death Stranding Director’s Cut,” “The Evil Within 2,” and “Control.”

The trick is to check in weekly. Some weeks feature indie gems, while others offer blockbusters worth $50+. Epic also runs “mystery game” promotions occasionally, which have included titles like “GTA V,” “NBA 2K21,” and “Borderlands: The Handsome Collection.”

Set a reminder on your phone for Thursdays so you never miss out on these valuable giveaways.

Check Out Social Gaming Sites

One overlooked option, especially in the US and Canada, is social casino platforms such as SweepSlots. Unlike regular online casinos, they have two currencies – Gold Coins for fun and Sweepstakes Coins that can get you some real rewards.

You’ll get free coins just for logging in daily, and new users usually receive a welcome bonus with thousands of Gold Coins and several Sweepstakes Coins – no purchase needed.

You can use these to play slots, table games, and join promotions without spending anything.

In 2024, they reported over 500,000 monthly active users, with more than 70% never making a real purchase. Since it works directly in your browser, you won’t need to download anything either.

Already Have Amazon Prime? You’re Missing Out

Many Amazon Prime subscribers don’t realize they already have access to Prime Gaming, which includes free PC games every month and bonus content for popular titles.

In March 2024, Prime Gaming had games such as “Scarf,” “Adios,” and “I Am Fish.” Once claimed, these games remain yours forever – even if you cancel Prime later.

Prime Gaming also provides exclusive in-game content for popular games such as “League of Legends,” “Valorant,” and “Overwatch 2.” This usually includes character skins, boosters, and other cosmetics that would otherwise cost real money.

Amazon’s data from late 2023 showed that over 80% of Prime members weren’t claiming these gaming rewards. That’s a lot of free games just sitting there unclaimed! If you’re already paying for Prime for shipping or streaming, make sure you’re getting these gaming perks as well.

Share Games Through Steam’s Family Feature

Steam lets you share your game library with up to five other accounts. While traditionally only one person could access a shared library at a time, Steam began testing a feature in 2024 that allows simultaneous access, as long as users aren’t playing the same game.

Both accounts need to be in the same country, and you’ll need to authorize each other’s devices. Once set up, you can play your friend’s copy of “Hogwarts Legacy” or “Baldur’s Gate 3” without buying it yourself.

This is particularly useful for friend groups or families with more gamers. You can pool your game libraries together, giving everyone access to a much wider selection of titles without unnecessary purchases.

Track Giveaways with IsThereAnyDeal

The website isthereanydeal.com finds hidden promotions and freebies by monitoring trusted game stores such as Fanatical, GOG, Epic, Humble Bundle, and Green Man Gaming.

Check their “Giveaways” tab for current offers from developers, limited-time bundles, and free keys. During one 48-hour period in February, users found over 30 free game keys, including titles like “Cris Tales” and “Call of Juarez: Gunslinger.”

What makes this site particularly useful is its alert system – you can get notifications when specific games go on sale or become free.

You can customize these alerts based on price thresholds or specific titles you’ve been wanting to play, making it easy to grab games exactly when they hit your target price or become completely free.

Try Quality Free-to-Play Games

Current free-to-play games aren’t all ad-filled cash grabs. Many have good gameplay with no upfront cost.

“Genshin Impact” generates over $1 billion annually but lets you enjoy dozens of hours without paying a cent – some other great examples are:

  • Path of Exile – a deep action RPG similar to Diablo with regular updates and expansions
  • Dauntless – a co-op monster-hunting game that feels like a free version of Monster Hunter
  • Valorant – Riot’s tactical shooter combining Counter-Strike gameplay with special character abilities
  • Warframe – a sci-fi action game with years of content updates

Make the Most of Free Trials

Gaming subscription services frequently offer free trials. Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass regularly provide 14-day or 30-day trial periods for new users.

Earlier this year, Microsoft offered 3 months of PC Game Pass for just $1, giving access to more than 300 games with major titles like “Starfield” and “Persona 5 Royal.”

PlayStation Plus and Apple Arcade also occasionally offer 7-day trials. If you time these right, you can check out exclusive games without committing long-term.

During these trial periods, you can download and play as many games as you want, making it perfect for trying out titles you’ve been curious about.

Final Thoughts

These days, some truly excellent games are completely free or nearly free. With resources like Epic giving away weekly titles and platforms such as Steam and Prime Gaming that have dozens of free games, you can build an impressive game collection without spending money.

The key is being consistent – check these sources regularly, stay informed about promotions, and take advantage of what’s already available to you.

Free games aren’t going anywhere, and if you know where to look, your next favorite title might already be waiting for you to download.