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Xbox Free Play Days runs from Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 11, 2026, with seven games in three access groups. Screamer and Family Man are for Game Pass members, ARC Raiders is free to try for every Xbox member, and four more games are available as timed trials to all Xbox players. ARC Raiders also has a separate, longer offer from its publisher, which runs on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation until Monday, October 12 at 08:00 UTC.
Which games need Game Pass and which do not
The event splits the lineup by what you need to play. Xbox Wire’s October 8 announcement, written by Kyle Ocean, Marketing Manager, Xbox, groups the games this way, and the table below uses the same groups. The announcement’s headline line is “One Weekend. Seven Worlds. Endless Possibilities.”
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| Game | Who can play | Discount listed on Xbox Wire | Trial length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screamer | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential members, October 8–11 | 60% off the Standard or Digital Deluxe Edition | Not applicable; available for the event period |
| Family Man | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential members, October 8–11 | 85% off | Not applicable; available for the event period |
| ARC Raiders | Any Xbox member, October 8–11, no Game Pass needed | 50% off the base game, Deluxe Edition, and Deluxe Edition upgrade through October 15 | Xbox offer ends October 11; the publisher’s cross-platform window is covered below |
| High On Life 2 | Timed trial for all Xbox players | No discount listed in the announcement | Not stated in the announcement |
| S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl | Timed trial for all Xbox players | 30% off the full game | Not stated in the announcement |
| Little Nightmares III | Timed trial for all Xbox players | No discount listed in the announcement | Not stated in the announcement |
| Rogue Waters | Timed trial for all Xbox players | 75% off | Two hours |
The announcement does not give a time limit for the four trials except Rogue Waters, so do not assume the trials are equal in length. Discounts are the ones shown on Xbox Wire when the event was announced; they are time-limited and can vary by title and region.
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Two end times for ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders is the one title where the sources give different windows, and the difference matters if you play on Xbox.
#1 Best Overall
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
- Xbox Wire event listing: ARC Raiders is free to try for Xbox players from October 8 to October 11, 2026.
- Embark Studios notice (published October 2, 2026): free access to the full game on Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation runs from October 8 at 09:00 UTC until October 12 at 08:00 UTC, 2026.
The publisher’s notice also flags a €0.25 fee for PS5 players in Germany. The two notices do not reconcile the Xbox end date, so if you plan to play on Xbox, treat October 11 as the date the Xbox event lists and check the game’s store page for the access that applies to your account before the deadline.
How to start playing
Xbox Wire points players to two routes depending on the device they use.
- Check your membership first. Screamer and Family Man require Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential. Everything else in the lineup can be started without one.
- On the web: sign in at Xbox.com, open the individual game’s details page, and use the install option shown there.
- On Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S: open the Microsoft Store, go to the Subscriptions tab, and find the Free Play Days collection.
- If you buy during the event: the event page says players can buy games or editions at a limited-time discount and keep the Gamerscore and achievements they earned during the event.
Game-by-game notes
These descriptions are Xbox Wire’s own short summaries of each game, not independent reviews.
Rank #2
- Versatile compatibility: supports Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X/S consoles and PC Win10 and above (including the game platform Steam).
- Precise control: features Hall joysticks and Hall triggers for a comfortable feeling, long service life and improved game accuracy.
- Plug and Play Convenience: Wired USB connection (removable) for easy setup and instant play without the need for additional drivers.
- Customizable experience: Includes 2 custom backbuttons that allow users to eliminate false triggers and improve their gaming experience.
- Impressive gameplay: Provides a pulsating vibration trigger and an asymmetric vibration grip motor for intense tactile feedback.
Screamer
Xbox Wire describes Screamer as arcade racing that mixes in fighting mechanics, with an anime aesthetic. It is one of the two titles open only to Game Pass members.
Family Man
Family Man is described as a dark, story-led RPG built around moral decisions and the challenge of providing for a family. Like Screamer, it requires a qualifying Game Pass membership.
ARC Raiders
ARC Raiders is an extraction adventure set in a desolate world. Xbox Wire highlights its Frozen Trail update during the event.
Rank #3
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
High On Life 2
High On Life 2 is a sci-fi action adventure about bounty hunting, a threat to humanity, and talking alien guns.
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S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
This is an open-world survival game set in the Anomalous Zone. Xbox Wire points to Update 2.0 in its description of the game.
Little Nightmares III
Little Nightmares III is a horror adventure built around mysteries, puzzles, and dangerous creatures.
Rank #4
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Rogue Waters
Rogue Waters is a tactical, turn-based pirate rogue-lite. It is the only trial in the lineup with a stated length, two hours.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the event does and does not promise
Free Play Days covers digital trials and storefront purchases. The announcements do not list any physical editions, hardware, or collectibles as part of the promotion. The event also does not publish audience or sales figures, so there is no official measure of how many players are taking part.
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