Xbox Free Play Days (October 15–18, 2026): NBA 2K27, Crusader Kings III, The Alters and More

Xbox Free Play Days runs Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 18, 2026. Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and Essential members can play Crusader Kings III, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, Soccer Story and Ravenswatch during the event. NBA 2K27 Standard Edition joins the promotion Friday, October 16 at 12 p.m. PDT for those qualifying Game Pass tiers. The Alters is different: every Xbox player can try it for three hours without a Game Pass subscription.

At a glance: access, timing and multiplayer

The event ends Sunday, October 18. Xbox says a purchase lets you continue playing after the promotion and keep your Gamerscore and achievements. Any event discount, percentage reduction and regional availability varies by title and location.

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		$100 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]	$100.00	Buy on Amazon
2		$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]	$10.00	Buy on Amazon
3		$50 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]	$50.00	Buy on Amazon
4		$25 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]	$25.00	Buy on Amazon
5		Xbox Physical Gift Card | $25	$25.00	Buy on Amazon

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How to install the Free Play Days games

1. Open the title’s Xbox.com details page and choose the Free Play Days installation or play option.
2. On an Xbox console, open the Subscriptions tab.
3. Select the Free Play Days collection.
4. Choose a participating game and install it. Check that the signed-in account has the required Game Pass tier, except when launching The Alters’ all-player trial.

Access is tied to the promotion window and the account’s eligibility. If a game is not playable, confirm the event date, membership tier and regional store availability before reinstalling.

What each game offers

NBA 2K27 Standard Edition

NBA 2K27 is the event’s sports-simulation option. You can create a MyPLAYER, develop a career in MyCAREER, visit The City and use Play Now to compete with NBA and WNBA superstars. Access begins later than the other entries—12 p.m. PDT on Friday, October 16—so it will not appear as playable at the start of Thursday’s promotion.

#1 Best Overall

$100 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]

• 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.

$100.00

Buy on Amazon

The Xbox product listing describes the game as optimized for Xbox Series X|S and states that a purchase is required for full ownership. The Xbox Series X standard option listed by the official 2K Store is a physical copy. During Free Play Days, however, eligible members can try the participating edition before deciding whether to buy.

Crusader Kings III

This medieval grand-strategy simulation is about governing a dynasty rather than controlling a single battlefield unit. You manage relationships, marriages, rivalries, conflict and succession while trying to preserve a noble house’s legacy. It rewards long sessions and experimentation: a political decision made early can reshape later generations.

Rank #2

$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]

• 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.

$10.00

Buy on Amazon

Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop

You drive officially licensed buses through two open-world cities while building and operating a bus company. The game combines route driving with management decisions and supports online co-op, making it the clearest choice for players who want a structured multiplayer activity rather than competitive sports.

Soccer Story

Soccer Story is a single-player soccer adventure set after Soccer Inc. closes local stadiums, teams and tournaments. A magical soccer ball chooses the player to help restore the sport. This is an exploration-and-story game with soccer at its center, not a conventional match-focused simulation.

Rank #3

$50 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]

• 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.

$50.00

Buy on Amazon

Ravenswatch

Ravenswatch blends roguelike runs with real-time action. You fight nightmares, improve abilities and assemble builds across repeated attempts. It supports solo play and co-op for up to four players. The event announcement also highlights the Kintaro hero, his bear companion and a reworked hero-talent system, giving returning players specific updates to investigate.

The Alters

The Alters is a hostile-planet survival story built around alternate versions of one person created from branching life choices. You construct and maintain a base, manage resources, look after each Alter’s mental wellbeing and confront the consequences of regret. The Free Play Days offer is a three-hour timed trial for all Xbox players, so no Game Pass membership is needed; the limit applies to total trial time rather than the event’s four-day calendar window.

Rank #4

$25 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]

• 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.

$25.00

Buy on Amazon

Which game should you choose?

• Want a sports simulation? Choose NBA 2K27, but remember its trial starts Friday at noon PDT.
• Prefer deep, long-term strategy? Crusader Kings III focuses on dynasties, succession and political consequences.
• Want co-op? Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop offers online co-op, while Ravenswatch supports up to four players.
• Looking for a compact story? Soccer Story is a single-player adventure with a defined narrative premise.
• Want to sample a new survival narrative without Game Pass? Use the three-hour The Alters trial.

Progress, achievements and buying after the event

Xbox states that purchasing a participating title allows continued play after Free Play Days while retaining progress-related Gamerscore and achievements. The announcement does not guarantee one universal discount: pricing and promotional percentages differ by game and region, and can change during the event. Check the store listing for your country before purchasing.

For NBA 2K27, the official store information identifies an Xbox Series X standard physical-copy option. Confirm the current retailer listing, edition and console compatibility before ordering, especially if you want to continue from the Free Play Days installation.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1

$100 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]

Gift cards are region‑specific (U.S. only) and cannot be transferred once redeemed.

$100.00

Bestseller No. 2

$10 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]

Gift cards are region‑specific (U.S. only) and cannot be transferred once redeemed.

$10.00

Bestseller No. 3

$50 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]

Gift cards are region‑specific (U.S. only) and cannot be transferred once redeemed.

$50.00

Bestseller No. 4

$25 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]

Gift cards are region‑specific (U.S. only) and cannot be transferred once redeemed.

$25.00

Bestseller No. 5

Xbox Physical Gift Card | $25

MOVIES & TV SHOWS: Rent or buy new and popular movies and TV shows from a massive library.

$25.00

Best Value

Xbox Physical Gift Card | $25

• XBOX GIFT CARD: Buy full digital game downloads, game add-ons, in-game currency, memberships, devices, apps, movies, TV shows, and more.
• DIGITAL GAMES: Choose from hundreds of games, from AAA to indie options. Start playing the moment your most anticipated game is available when you pre-order and pre-download it.
• GAME AD-ONS: Extend the experience of your favorite games with add-ons and in-game currency.
• MOVIES & TV SHOWS: Rent or buy new and popular movies and TV shows from a massive library.
• PERFECT GIFT: Great as a gift for a friend or yourself. Xbox Gift Cards are easy to use, never expire, and give the freedom to pick the gift they want. Enjoy more ways to play without a credit card attached to your Microsoft account.

$25.00

Buy on Amazon

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.

Free Play DaysGame PassNBA 2K27RavenswatchThe AltersXbox