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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →This was a forecast, not an announcement. In an article published on December 29, 2025, Notebookcheck predicted that Epic Games Store’s 13th holiday mystery game might be another indie or AA release. Its leading candidates were 20XX and The Long Dark, but Epic had not confirmed any of the titles named.
What games did the December 29 prediction name?
Notebookcheck’s Abid Ahsan Shanto argued that the preceding three days of holiday giveaways had featured three well-rated indie games, making another indie or an AA game plausible. He also allowed for the possibility of a repeat giveaway. Those were the writer’s inferences, not clues or confirmations from Epic.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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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 |
| 4 |
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Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $30.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Leading candidates
- 20XX
- The Long Dark
Notebookcheck presented those two as the stronger possibilities. It also named Arcade Paradise, ScourgeBringer, and Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous as alternatives. The article did not establish that any candidate was selected by Epic.
What was the prediction based on?
The forecast drew on two patterns: the perceived indie emphasis in the giveaways immediately before December 29, and the mix of titles previously offered on that calendar date. Notebookcheck’s historical list was:
#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
| Year | December 29 giveaway listed by Notebookcheck |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Orcs Must Die! 3 |
| 2023 | Snakebird Complete |
| 2022 | Dishonored – Definitive Edition and Eximius: Seize the Frontline |
| 2021 | Salt and Sanctuary |
| 2020 | Solitairica |
Notebookcheck characterized three of these offerings as indie, two as AA, and one as AAA, then reasoned that an indie or AA game was more likely. That is one article’s reading of a five-year list—not an Epic policy or a validated forecasting rule. The list can make a genre or scale guess feel plausible, but it cannot identify the next game. The repeat-versus-new possibility is similarly speculative.
What was known about the reveal timing?
The December 29 article said the 12th mystery game, SKALD: Against the Black Priory, was due to remain available until December 29, 2025, at 16:00 UTC, when the 13th title would be officially revealed. That was a dated claim about the offer at the time; it is not a current offer or a reliable schedule for a future giveaway.
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
Epic’s general support guidance says a new weekly free game is available every Thursday at 8 AM PT and can be claimed for seven days. Those general terms do not independently confirm the timing or conditions of this particular past holiday mystery offer. Epic’s Free Games page is the place to check current offers rather than rely on expired dates or titles.
Can Epic support confirm upcoming free games?
No. Epic Games Player Support states: “Player Support doesn’t have advance information about upcoming free games.” That makes the candidate list a forecast, not insider information. Epic’s official 2025 Holiday Sale guide places free games within a sale running from December 11, 2025, at 11 AM ET through January 8, 2026, at 11 AM ET, and names Hogwarts Legacy as the first title, available through December 18 at 11 AM ET. The guide provides sale context; it does not confirm the December 29 game.
Recommended Free Tools
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 should players do with a free-game offer?
For Epic’s general weekly offers, the support guidance says an account with two-factor authentication enabled is required to claim a game. Once claimed, it remains in the player’s library permanently, even if it is not downloaded right away. These are general rules for weekly free games, not separate confirmation of the terms for the December 29, 2025 mystery offer. Check the live store page for the offer currently available.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Was the December 29 prediction right?
The sources available for this article do not establish which title Epic revealed on December 29, 2025, so the forecast’s accuracy remains unverified here. Until an authoritative record of that reveal is available, none of the candidates should be described as the confirmed game.
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.
