# Free PC game and free weekend notification thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** video-games-e-games\ **Created:** [November 13, 2014, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513 "2014-11-13T08:16:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 71
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2022, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1405 "2022-06-12T18:23:26Z")
[ARK: Survival Evolved](https://store.steampowered.com/app/346110/ARK_Survival_Evolved/) is free on Steam for the next week. Go get your dino on. Or, rather, go get on a dino and ride it around. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2022, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1406 "2022-06-12T23:09:41Z")
Not just the base game (in case you have it on, say, Epic), but 4-5 expansions/maps are also available for free as well (I’m unsure if they were free on the Epic giveaway). ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2022, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1407 "2022-06-12T23:17:15Z")
Holy crap, the description on Steam is practically a novel, and every paragraph just got better and better. That sounds like exactly the kind of game I need to play. Just to clarify, it’s not an MMO, right? It can be played as a single player game? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2022, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1408 "2022-06-12T23:25:50Z")
It can be played single-player solo hosted on your own PC. If you play it that way, you’ll practically need to go into the settings and ramp down the time for things like dino taming and resource respawn. When playing solo, it only counts time that you’re actually playing so if it takes trees three hours to respawn, you can’t chop down trees and come back later after dinner to find new trees, you need the game running for three hours. On a live server, it would be counting the time while you’re gone. Likewise, the original game is based around you being part of a tribe to tame some big dino. So the several hour taming time for a brontosaurus is based on the idea that you’d be working in concert with other people to keep feeding the sedated dinosaur berries. Solo, you’re going to want to ramp that way the hell down unless spending two hours force feeding a dinosaur until it loves you is your idea of a good time. Fortunately, all these things are editable. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2022, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1409 "2022-06-12T23:44:40Z")
My son wanted to use some of his dog walking money to get Gamepass a couple months ago. He convinced to me try it this month, and he chose to play Ark. I am usually not a fan of survival crafting games (Subnautica being pretty much the sole exception), but we have had a lot of fun with it. We have our co-op map, and I have my own solo game for when he’s not here. I just f\*\*ed up hard on my solo game, though. I built a raft and put all my stuff on it to get to another site. On the way I decided to try to tranq a triceratops from the boat, and he ended up on it. By the time I escaped, he destroyed the lockers that I had ALL of the resources I had been saving. I have found it a very satisfying time-sink-type game, though. The reward system makes sure you level up pretty fast and get the ability to build/use new stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1410 "2022-06-13T00:19:03Z")
> [@Raza](#): > > Not just the base game (in case you have it on, say, Epic), but 4-5 expansions/maps are also available for free as well (I’m unsure if they were free on the Epic giveaway). Speaking of, all the DLC adds a lot of GB heft to an already large and unoptimized download. If you don’t feel like you need multiple maps, etc to start with you can de-select them before installing and save yourself some bandwidth. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1411 "2022-06-13T03:44:35Z")
> [@Raza](#): > > Not just the base game (in case you have it on, say, Epic), but 4-5 expansions/maps are also available for free as well (I’m unsure if they were free on the Epic giveaway). I got the base game, but when I right-click it in Steam to go to properties, there is no DLC tab to click on like there is for Cities Skylines, where I own many DLCs and can enable/disable them individually. I don’t see a DLC tab at all so I feel like I didn’t get the DLC yet. Unfortunately, on the individual DLC pages, I don’t see a “claim” or “add to account” or anything, only that I can download it for free. I just want to claim it, not download it. Steam says the base game is a whopping 125 GB. I definitely don’t want to have to a download all that so I can then download the DLC in order to claim it. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1412 "2022-06-13T05:23:07Z")
You can add the Ark DLC to your account without downloading the base game by copy/pasting the following (one at a time) into your web browser. It will ask to open your Steam client, click yes, then cancel the install window. If you click on the DLC from the store page after that, it will show as being in your library: steam://run/642250 steam://run/1100810 steam://run/1691800 steam://run/508150 steam://run/473850 steam://run/1270830 steam://run/1887560 There’s no weird magic to this or shady behavior – it just forces Steam to “run” that App ID and, in doing so, connects it to your account. Trying this on a product you don’t own or have permission to own (i.e., free) just opens the Steam Store via the client so you can’t “steal” anything you shouldn’t own this way. The App ID is the same number found in the URL for its Steam store page. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1413 "2022-06-13T05:28:28Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > copy/pasting the following (one at a time) into your web browser. It will ask to open your Steam client, click yes, then cancel the install window Dude, you rock, thank you so much! That worked a treat, and I would never have figured it out on my own. All six DLC now appear in the Ark properties window on steam so I’m good to go. It now says a full install would take a whopping 266 GB. Oh my. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1414 "2022-06-13T13:08:01Z")
[Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse](https://www.gog.com/en/game/shantae_and_the_pirates_curse) is free on GOG. You’ll have to click a banner but you won’t have to enter client command lines through your browser window, so there’s that. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2022, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1415 "2022-06-13T13:51:04Z")
Regarding Maneater: > [@Atamasama](#): > > It was solid fun, I really loved the little stories when you found landmarks. They were hilarious, really sick humor. And the action was great, and the powerups very impactful. The game is pretty short, though. It didn’t take me long to completely max out everything for my shark, defeat every enemy, and complete every single achievement. I agree with everything here. It’s just a dumb little game, but it’s brilliantly narrated by Chris Parnell, (aka Dr. Spaceman, Cyril Figgis, Jerry Smith) and the landmarks are excellent. So far I’ve found references to Lord of the Flies, Arrested Development, Rick & Morty (of course), Cast Away, the Fyre Festival, Cthulhu, etc, and I’m not even half way through. Highly recommend picking it up. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2022, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1416 "2022-06-15T01:43:12Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Holy crap, the description on Steam is practically a novel, and every paragraph just got better and better. That sounds like exactly the kind of game I need to play. > > Just to clarify, it’s not an MMO, right? It can be played as a single player game? I have nearly 1,000 hours, only played solo or with family and friends. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1417 "2022-06-16T15:49:47Z")
[Supraland](https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/supraland) free on Epic this week. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2022, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1418 "2022-06-16T21:18:40Z")
> **[Daggerfall Unity - GOG Cut](https://www.gog.com/en/game/daggerfall_unity_gog_cut)** > > Play a reimagined version of the all-time RPG classic from The Elder Scrolls series. Dagg ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2022, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1419 "2022-06-17T13:04:32Z")
I had a lot of fun with this game. The aesthetic is super childish, but the puzzle mechanics are really good. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2022, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1420 "2022-06-17T15:58:53Z")
[Beautiful Desolation](https://www.gog.com/en/game/beautiful_desolation) is free on GOG for the next 72hrs. Click through to find giveaway banner on front page. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1421 "2022-06-19T17:33:39Z")
[Epic: Rogue Company](https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/rogue-company) Don’t know anything about it, but it looks like a shoot & scoot MMO. Nice graphics. [Saints Row Boss Factory](https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/saints-row--boss-factory) Just a demo, but worth a look if you’re a fan of the Saints Row franchise. Seriously, who doesn’t love beating someone to death with a 4 foot purple dildo? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2022, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1422 "2022-06-19T17:38:55Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Don’t know anything about it, but it looks like a shoot & scoot MMO. Nice graphics. One thing to know about it is that it’s free to play, always. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2022, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1423 "2022-06-20T22:59:40Z")
GOG is giving away the classic game Flashback for a limited time. I remember having a lot of fun with this back in the day. > **[GOG.com](https://www.gog.com/?link_id=main_CTA&track_click=1&utm_campaign=20220620_nl_summer_sale_giveaway_EN&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_term=EN&r=true)** > > Download the best classic and new games on Windows, Mac & Linux. A vast selection of titles, DRM-free, with free goodies and 30-day money-back guarantee. Scroll down for the giveaway. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2022, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1424 "2022-06-23T16:00:37Z")
[Game of thrones - The board game](https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/a-game-of-thrones-5858a3) and [Car mechanic simulator 2018 (these are yearly?)](https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/car-mechanic-simulator-2018) are free on epic this week. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513.md?page=70) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513.md?page=72)