The claim that Epic Games Store’s Christmas giveaway pattern pointed to another AAA game was a prediction, not an announcement—and the 2025 result was Disco Elysium: The Final Cut. Epic has given away high-profile games during past holiday promotions, but that history does not guarantee a Christmas-day AAA offer or reveal what Epic will give away in 2026.
What was the Epic Christmas giveaway in 2025?
Disco Elysium: The Final Cut was listed as Epic Games Store’s December 25, 2025 giveaway in a later retrospective by Blizzard Watch. That was the outcome, rather than the high-profile AAA game forecast in the December 25 Notebookcheck article.
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Fortnite eGift Card | $15.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Fortnite eGift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Fortnite eGift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $30.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Notebookcheck’s article described The Callisto Protocol as the eighth mystery giveaway and cited earlier Christmas offers including Control (2024), The Outer Worlds (2023), “Death Standing” (2022, as printed in the article), Prey (2021) and Darkest Dungeon (2020). That is the article’s historical list, not an official Epic chronology. Its examples show that notable games have appeared in holiday giveaways; they do not establish a selection formula.
Does Epic guarantee an AAA game on Christmas?
No. Epic’s official pages confirm a recurring free-game program and seasonal promotions, but they do not promise a particular game, a Christmas-day reveal, or an AAA title. “AAA” is also not a defined category in the cited Epic announcements, so describing a past offer as high-profile does not make it proof of a future AAA giveaway.
#1 Best Overall
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
GameSpot reported in 2023 that Epic “typically reserves its biggest and most high-profile game for Christmas Day.” That is GameSpot’s characterization of past event practice, not a commitment from Epic and not evidence that every Christmas offer will fit that description.
What Epic has officially said about holiday free games
The regular free-game program
Epic’s Free Games page says, “Epic Games Store gives you a free game every week,” and notes that a new free game is available every Thursday on mobile and PC. The offer shown on the page and its claim period can change, so check the live listing for what is currently available.
Rank #2
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Holiday promotions in 2024 and 2025
Epic’s official 2024 Holiday Sale guide announced 16 free games during the sale, which ran from December 12, 2024, to January 9, 2025. The 2025 Holiday Sale guide dated that event from December 11, 2025, to January 8, 2026, and said Hogwarts Legacy was the first game, claimable through December 18, 2025, at 11 a.m. ET. These announcements demonstrate that Epic has used its holiday sales for multiple free offers; neither establishes a Christmas-specific AAA rule.
A reveal tied to The Game Awards
Epic Games Japan said its 2025 sale’s mystery game would be revealed live during The Game Awards. That was a detail of the 2025 event, not a standing schedule for later years.
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Rank #3
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
What is known about the 2026 Christmas offer?
The cited sources do not establish the 2026 Holiday Sale dates or identify a Christmas giveaway. There is no basis here to name a game or say an AAA offer is confirmed. Check Epic’s Free Games page for the active giveaway and Epic’s official sale news for announcements.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Rank #4
- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
