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Xbox Free Play Days runs October 8–11, 2026, with seven games available through a mix of membership offers and timed trials. Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential members can play Screamer and Family Man; ARC Raiders is offered to all Xbox members; and four more games are listed as timed trials. The publisher’s separate free-play period for ARC Raiders on Xbox, PlayStation, and Steam lasts until October 12 at 08:00 UTC.
Which games are included, and who can play?
Xbox Wire’s October 8 announcement groups the seven games by how players can access them:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![$50 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Y+LDLtBFL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$50 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MEiiMQqmL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $10.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![$100 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vrrAVO+zL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$100 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $100.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![$20 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/4187uRl3ouL._SL160_.jpg)
|
$20 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $20.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Xbox Physical Gift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| Game | Access listed by Xbox Wire | Time limit or date information |
|---|---|---|
| Screamer | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential membership required | October 8–11, 2026 |
| Family Man | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential membership required | October 8–11, 2026 |
| ARC Raiders | Available to all Xbox members; no qualifying Game Pass membership required | Xbox Wire lists October 8–11. The publisher’s wider cross-platform event ends October 12 at 08:00 UTC. |
| High On Life 2 | Timed trial for Xbox players | Individual trial duration not stated by Xbox Wire |
| S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl | Timed trial for Xbox players | Individual trial duration not stated by Xbox Wire |
| Little Nightmares III | Timed trial for Xbox players | Individual trial duration not stated by Xbox Wire |
| Rogue Waters | Timed trial for Xbox players | Two-hour trial, according to Xbox Wire |
Xbox Wire describes the four trials as available to all Xbox players, but does not give a specific playtime for High On Life 2, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, or Little Nightmares III. Only Rogue Waters is explicitly described as a two-hour trial.
When does the ARC Raiders free period end?
The answer depends on which offer you mean. Xbox Wire lists ARC Raiders in its October 8–11 Free Play Days event. Embark Studios separately advertises free access to the full game on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation from October 8 at 09:00 UTC through October 12 at 08:00 UTC, 2026. The two announcements describe different scopes, so the publisher’s October 12 deadline should not be treated as the stated end date for the Xbox Free Play Days listing.
#1 Best Overall
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Embark’s notice says PS5 players in Germany must pay a €0.25 fee. That qualification applies to the publisher’s cross-platform notice; it does not change the dates stated on the Xbox Wire event page.
What are the games?
The following are Xbox Wire’s descriptions of the featured games, not independent assessments.
Rank #2
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
Screamer
An arcade racer with fighting mechanics and an anime aesthetic. Xbox Wire advertises 60% off the Standard or Digital Deluxe Edition during the promotion.
Family Man
A dark, story-led RPG centered on moral choices and providing for a family. Xbox Wire advertises 85% off.
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- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
ARC Raiders
An extraction adventure set in a desolate world. The Xbox article highlights the Frozen Trail update and advertises 50% off the base game, Deluxe Edition, and Deluxe Edition upgrade through October 15.
High On Life 2
A sci-fi action adventure about bounty hunting and a threat to humanity, featuring talking alien guns.
Rank #4
- THE PERFECT GAMING GIFT — Buy an XBOX Gift Card for yourself or a friend and let them choose the games, add‑ons, subscriptions, and accessories they want most.
- USE FOR GAMES & CONTENT — Redeem for thousands of digital XBOX games, from backward compatible classics to the latest new releases, plus DLC and in‑game currency.
- GAME PASS READY — Apply your balance toward XBOX Game Pass Ultimate to play new titles on day one* and access a library of hundreds of high‑quality console games.
- PRE‑ORDER & PRE‑INSTALL GAMES — Use your balance to pre‑order and pre‑download upcoming titles so you’re ready to play the moment they launch.
- NO FEES OR EXPIRATION — XBOX Gift Cards never expire and have no service fees, so your balance is ready whenever you are.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
An open-world survival game set in the Anomalous Zone. Xbox Wire mentions Update 2.0 and advertises 30% off the full game.
Little Nightmares III
A horror adventure involving mysteries, puzzles, and dangerous creatures.
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Rogue Waters
A tactical, turn-based pirate roguelite. Xbox Wire specifies a two-hour trial and advertises 75% off.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do you start playing on Xbox?
- Open the individual game details page on Xbox.com and sign in to see the install option.
- On Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, open the Store, go to the Subscriptions tab, then find the Free Play Days collection.
- Check the game’s listing for its eligibility and trial details before installing. Xbox Wire does not state individual durations for three of the four timed trials.
Xbox Wire says players can buy games or editions at a limited-time discount and keep Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event. Discounts and availability may vary by game and region; the percentages in the announcement are time-limited storefront offers, not guaranteed prices for every player.
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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.
