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Xbox Free Play Days runs from Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 18, 2026. Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members can play five participating titles: NBA 2K27 Standard Edition, Crusader Kings III, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, Soccer Story, and Ravenswatch. A separate three-hour trial of The Alters is available to every Xbox player, with no Game Pass membership required.
Which Xbox games are free October 15–18?
The event combines a membership-only Free Play Days lineup with an all-player timed trial. The membership games are playable during the event window, while NBA 2K27 Standard Edition starts Friday, October 16 at 12:00 p.m. PDT.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![$100 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vrrAVO+zL._SL160_.jpg)
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$100 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $100.00 | 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 |
![$50 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Y+LDLtBFL._SL160_.jpg)
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$50 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![$25 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Y0U46RO7L._SL160_.jpg)
|
$25 XBOX Gift Card [Digital Code] | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Xbox Physical Gift Card | $25 | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| Game | Genre and highlights | Who can play | Store price and event offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBA 2K27 Standard Edition | Basketball; create a MyPLAYER, enter MyCAREER, or use Play Now | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members; October 16–18 | Price not stated. Qualifying digital purchases October 16–29 include an Xbox Gift Card and a 15,000 Virtual Currency Pack. |
| Crusader Kings III | Grand strategy; guide a dynasty and its noble house | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members; October 15–18 | Listed at $49.99 |
| Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop | Simulation; licensed buses, two open-world cities, solo play, and online co-op | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members; October 15–18 | Listed at $29.99 |
| Soccer Story | Football adventure; use a magical soccer ball to rebuild stadiums, teams, and tournaments | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members | $19.99 list price, reduced to $2.99 (85% off) |
| Ravenswatch | Roguelike action; solo or co-op for up to four players, including the reworked Kintaro hero and talents | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members | $29.99 list price, reduced to $10.49 (65% off) |
| The Alters | Survival and story; create alternate versions of a stranded survivor while managing a base, resources, and conflicting life paths | All players; no Game Pass required; October 15–18 | $34.99 list price, reduced to $15.74; free trial limited to three hours |
Do you need Game Pass?
Yes for the five Free Play Days membership titles. You must be signed in with an account that has Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential. The Alters is the exception: its three-hour timed trial is open to all players, even without a Game Pass plan.
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The free The Alters access lasts three hours of play. The trial is available October 15–18, 2026; the three-hour limit is separate from the event’s end date, so it should not be treated as unlimited access for the whole weekend.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
How to install the Free Play Days games
- Sign in to the Microsoft account you use for Xbox.
- On Xbox.com, open the detail page for the game you want and choose the installation option through the Microsoft Store.
- On an Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S console, open the Xbox Store and select the Subscriptions tab.
- Open the Free Play Days collection, select a participating title, and install it.
- For the five membership titles, confirm that the console is signed in to an account with Ultimate, Premium, or Essential. No membership check is needed for the The Alters trial.
Which game fits your weekend?
For a competitive sports session
NBA 2K27 Standard Edition is the choice for basketball fans who want to build a MyPLAYER, progress through MyCAREER, or jump straight into Play Now. Its Free Play Days access begins later than the other games, at noon PDT on October 16.
For long-form planning
Crusader Kings III focuses on dynasty management and noble-house politics. It is suited to players who prefer strategic decisions that unfold over a campaign rather than short arcade-style rounds.
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.
For driving and co-op
Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop offers two open-world cities, officially licensed buses, and either solo play or online co-op for running a bus company.
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Soccer Story combines exploration and objectives with a magical soccer ball. Its event price is the largest listed percentage reduction: 85%, from $19.99 to $2.99.
Rank #3
- 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.
For roguelike replayability
Ravenswatch supports solo play and teams of up to four. The announcement specifically highlights Kintaro and a talent-system rework; its listed discount is 65%, from $29.99 to $10.49.
For a story-focused trial without a subscription
The Alters is the only no-membership option. Its premise combines alternate versions of one survivor with base construction and resource management, making the three-hour limit useful for deciding whether to buy the full game.
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.
What happens when Free Play Days ends?
After the event, you can purchase a participating game or another edition at a limited-time discount where offered. Xbox says your Gamerscore and achievements carry over when you buy the game. Discount percentages and title availability can vary by game and region, so check the store listing for your account before purchasing. The listed Soccer Story and Ravenswatch prices, and the $15.74 price shown for The Alters, are the figures in the October 2026 announcement and may not apply in every market.
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For NBA 2K27, qualifying digital purchases made October 16–29 include an Xbox Gift Card and a 15,000 Virtual Currency Pack. Review the purchase terms on the specific edition page to confirm eligibility.
Best Value
- 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.
Official event context
Xbox Marketing Manager Kyle Ocean described the lineup this way: “Whether you’re chasing Championships or forging a legacy, there’s a new adventure waiting for this Free Plays Days.” The practical takeaway is to install early, especially for the longer strategy and simulation games, and reserve the three-hour The Alters trial for a focused first session.
Quick Recap
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.
