The rumored 2025 Epic Games Store holiday giveaway list looked questionable, but the clues did not prove it was fake. Notebookcheck pointed to three inconsistencies: Red Dead Redemption 2 was being promoted in Epic’s Holiday Sale, the claimed list had 16 games while Epic had reportedly confirmed 17, and Mortal Kombat 11 was not listed in the Epic Games Store. Epic’s official sale guide confirmed the campaign and its first free game—not the rumored full lineup.
Was Red Dead Redemption 2 on the Epic Games Store mystery free games list?
A list circulating in December 2025 reportedly included Red Dead Redemption 2 as one of Epic Games Store’s holiday mystery free games. Notebookcheck reported on December 17 that the game was being promoted at a discount in Epic’s Holiday Sale, a circumstance that the cited leaker, MeguminShiro, treated as a reason to doubt it would also be given away.
| # | 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 | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
That was an inference, not confirmation. A sale promotion does not establish an Epic policy against giving a discounted game away later, and it cannot by itself prove that the leak was false. The report did not authenticate the source of the complete list.
Why did people think the Epic Games free games leak was fake?
Notebookcheck highlighted several reasons to be skeptical. They are warning signs in a rumor, not conclusive evidence about what Epic would give away.
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#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
- Sale timing: Red Dead Redemption 2 appeared in Epic’s Holiday Sale promotion while the claimed giveaway list was circulating. The overlap made the claim less convincing to the cited leaker, but did not rule out a later giveaway.
- A count discrepancy: The purported list contained 16 games, while Epic had reportedly confirmed 17. Notebookcheck described the mismatch; the count should not be treated as independently verified proof of the list’s authenticity or falsity.
- A store-listing problem: The report said Mortal Kombat 11, also named on the alleged list, was not listed in the Epic Games Store. That was another inconsistency, rather than proof on its own that the rumor was fabricated.
What did Epic officially confirm about the 2025 Holiday Sale?
Epic’s official Holiday Sale guide, published December 11, 2025, said the campaign ran from December 11, 2025, through January 8, 2026. It described discounts, free games, Epic Extras and rewards, and named Hogwarts Legacy as free through December 18, 2025, at 11 a.m. ET.
Those official details verify the sale dates and the initial free-game offer. They do not authenticate the rumored complete giveaway lineup. For the distinction, Epic’s guide is primary evidence about its own promotion; Notebookcheck’s report is secondary coverage of the rumor and the reasons it drew skepticism.
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
Can you still claim the 2025 Holiday Sale offers?
No. The campaign ended on January 8, 2026, and Epic’s Holiday Sale page is now marked ended. The 2025–26 offers are historical, not currently claimable through that promotion.
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
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
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.
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