Xbox announced a new selection of Free Play Days for October 8–11, 2026. The promotion includes seven games, but they are not all available to try under the same conditions: Screamer and Family Man require certain Game Pass plans, ARC Raiders does not require that subscription, and four other titles have timed trials.
Which games require a membership
According to Xbox, players with Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential can access Screamer and Family Man over the weekend. The former combines arcade racing, an anime aesthetic, and combat mechanics; the latter is a narrative RPG centered on moral choices and gathering resources to support a family. Both are in the group that requires a membership.
ARC Raiders has different terms: Xbox lets any member of its platform try it from October 8 to 11 without subscribing to those Game Pass plans. The announcement ties the promotion to Frozen Trail, an update that adds new threats to its world of exploration and scavenging. The free-play window ends before its sale does.
Four timed trials
High On Life 2, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Little Nightmares III, and Rogue Waters are available as timed trials for Xbox players. That sets them apart from the all-weekend access announced for other titles. Rogue Waters offers two hours of play; Xbox does not specify the length of the other three trials.
The games in this group offer different experiences: High On Life 2 combines action with talking alien guns; S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 features exploration and survival in a zone filled with anomalies and mutants. Little Nightmares III focuses on puzzles and horror threats, while Rogue Waters offers turn-based tactical combat and procedurally generated encounters in a pirate adventure.
How to access the games and what discounts Xbox announced
To find the selection on console, Xbox says to go to the store’s Subscriptions tab and look for the Free Play Days collection on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S. On the web, start from each game’s individual page and continue to Microsoft Store. You must sign in to see the installation option associated with the membership.
Xbox also announced temporary discounts of 60% on the Standard and Digital Deluxe editions of Screamer, 85% on Family Man, 30% on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, and 75% on Rogue Waters. The percentages and availability may vary by title and region, so these announcements do not confirm prices in pesos or the same terms for the Mexican store.
For ARC Raiders, the announced discount is 50% from October 8 to 15 for the base game, the Deluxe Edition, and the upgrade to that edition. That period is different from the free-access period, which ends on the 11th. Xbox also says that when players buy participating games, they can keep the Gamerscore and achievements earned during the event.
