# 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:** 79
**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:** [September 18, 2022, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1565 "2022-09-18T01:14:53Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Do you have any examples of games with a different model? Because that is the one I’ve encountered over and over again in every free-to-play game I’ve ever seen. They never just hope you’ll decide on your own to buy stuff. A bunch of games rely on cosmetic/content purchases for their F2P model. Fortnite and PUBG are completely playable without spending a dime but the intent is that you’ll eventually want cool new costumes or gun skins or effects. Team Fortress 2 was doing this ages ago – free to play the whole game but you need to spend money to unlock the crates and see what neat stuff is inside. My kid used to play something called Toca World which was essentially a giant dollhouse like town: dress characters up, visit locations and tap on things. The base was free to play but the intent was that your kid would want you to unlock the School (with ten new characters and 50 new items!) or you could pay an annual sub to unlock all of it. But there was no progression to be locked out of, the only frustration was that you wanted to play in the Zoo area. Sims 4 is basically the same thing as the Toca game. You don’t need progression, you just need players attached enough to their little computer people to buy them the home office pack or a pretty pink cat-ears headband. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2022, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1566 "2022-09-18T06:17:38Z")
supposed;y there is a sims 5 in the early stages … ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2022, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1567 "2022-09-18T06:43:31Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Do you have any examples of games with a different model? So there are differences between a F2P game that’s designed to be F2P at the start, and a developer deciding to make the base game free late in the cycle when sales have slowed down. The game is 8 years old. They probably don’t have a lot of sales for the base game. But they probably do have a decent amount of sales every time an expansion comes out. So by making the base game free - without any redesign to monetize it with typical f2p mechanisms - they get some publicity and maybe some people who wouldn’t ordinarily buy it will play it, get hooked, and buy some of the $1000 worth of downloadable content. If a few people buying an expansion offsets the loss of a very small trickle of sales, it’s a net positive for them, no redesign needed. > [@BigT](#): > > And clearly they’re not going to be working on a Sims 5 after making Sims 4 free, so they’d need to be in this for the long haul. I have no idea why you would conclude that. I think you’re making a much bigger deal of this than it is. It’s an 8 year old game. Everyone who was ever going to buy it has already bought it. There’s not much harm in throwing it out there for free and maybe selling a few expansions or getting more people interested in The Sims 5 when it comes out. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1568 "2022-09-18T18:06:03Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > So by making the base game free - without any redesign to monetize it with typical f2p mechanisms - they get some publicity and maybe some people who wouldn’t ordinarily buy it will play it, get hooked, and buy some of the $1000 worth of downloadable content. If a few people buying an expansion offsets the loss of a very small trickle of sales, it’s a net positive for them, no redesign needed. They’re milking it for everything they can get. > [@SenorBeef](#): > > I have no idea why you would conclude that. In fact, it’s very common to make a game free as a way to raise interest in a sequel. Players get a game because it’s free, enjoy playing it, then when they see a sequel coming out they anticipate it because of how much they enjoyed the previous one. ---
**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:** [October 1, 2022, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1569 "2022-10-01T20:43:42Z")
This week’s offerings seem uninspired, but here they are anyway. Epic: [Runbow](https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/runbow-fc9fa4) > Runbow is the party platformer you’ve been waiting for! With tons of characters, costumes, and crazy game modes, Runbow is full of colourful chaos that you just have to experience for yourself. Epic: [Drone Racing League Simulator](https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/the-drone-racing-league-simulator) > The DRL Simulator is the premier FPV racing game and simulator. The DRL Sim offers a robust, evolving feature set, including high-intensity drone racing. It packs tracks that DRL’s real world pilots compete on, with more added every season. Might be okay if you’re into drone racing. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2022, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1570 "2022-10-02T03:34:52Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > This week’s offerings seem uninspired, but here they are anyway. The Epic weekly freebies seem to be going waaay down in quality. ---
**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:** [October 3, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1571 "2022-10-03T17:18:41Z")
This month on [Amazon Prime Gaming.](https://gaming.amazon.com/home) Loom Hero’s Hour Glass Masquerade: Origins (Legacy Games) Horace Total War: Warhammer II (Epic) Fallout 76 (Steam) I already have Fallout 76, so PM me for the code if you want to play but don’t have Prime. FCFS. ---
**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:** [October 3, 2022, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1572 "2022-10-03T17:36:51Z")
Code has been collected. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2022, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1573 "2022-10-03T17:50:35Z")
Hrmph. There’s no plugin to integrate Legacy Games to the GOG Galaxy. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2022, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1574 "2022-10-03T17:56:14Z")
wow, runbow was on the 360… ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2022, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1575 "2022-10-04T11:40:14Z")
> [@Projammer](#): > > Fallout 76 (Steam) FO76 is on the Microsoft store, not Steam. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2022, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1576 "2022-10-04T12:02:59Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > FO76 is on the Microsoft store, not Steam. I grabbed it. 1. Does it have decent single player storyline and gameplay? 2. Is it free? Meaning, is there a monthly fee? I get microtransactions, but is the game free to play? ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2022, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1577 "2022-10-04T12:18:46Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Does it have decent single player storyline and gameplay? You can play solo, but there’s no single player. So no, the single player storyline and gameplay isn’t decent. It’s non-existent. IMHO the game desperately needs a single player offline mode that allows mods. They seem determined to keep it online-only though. I just downloaded the game yesterday. Haven’t played it yet. We’ll see how it goes. I refused to buy it at any price, but I’ll give it a shot for free. > [@Mahaloth](#): > > Is it free? Meaning, is there a monthly fee? There’s no monthly fee. There is the optional Fallout 1st which is something like $13 per month. Doesn’t seem worth it to me but you can look at the benefits of it on Bethesda’s site. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2022, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1578 "2022-10-04T15:36:11Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > There is the optional Fallout 1st which is something like $13 per month. Doesn’t seem worth it to me but you can look at the benefits of it on Bethesda’s site. [Did they ever get that working properly?](https://www.polygon.com/fallout/2019/10/24/20930729/fallout-1st-private-servers-glitches-bugs-problems-scrap-box-pc-ps4-xbox-one) ---
**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:** [October 4, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1579 "2022-10-04T17:18:35Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Does it have decent single player storyline and gameplay? It has a pseudo-campaign mode where you have quests and missions to complete up to a final mission. The campaign is repeatable by creating a new player character back in the starting vault and you can have up to 5 characters in your stable. As far as quality, it’s alright. I’ve played worse single player games. ---
**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:** [October 4, 2022, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1580 "2022-10-04T17:20:48Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > FO76 is on the Microsoft store, not Steam. Yeah. I wasn’t paying attention. Sorry about the misinformation. That said, my code is back up for grabs for X-Box. The original member doesn’t game on PC. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2022, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1581 "2022-10-06T15:49:41Z")
Another couple of low end games I’d probably never play on Epic this week: [Rising Hell](https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/rising-hell-253707) and [Slain: back from hell](https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/slain-aea303), a bit weirdly hell based too. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2022, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1582 "2022-10-06T23:35:32Z")
wow if there of the same series they don’t look it ---
**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:** [October 6, 2022, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1583 "2022-10-06T23:45:46Z")
I don’t think they are, they were made by completely different developers and publishers. I don’t think they have anything in common except the name “Hell” in their names, and the fact that they are both being offered for free by Epic this week. They’re not even the same kind of game; one is a side-scrolling combat game with puzzle aspects, the other is a platformer with rogue-lite features. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2022, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/1584 "2022-10-16T01:24:41Z")
This week’s free offering on Epic is Darkwood, a survival horror game from 2017. Looks pretty good to me; I picked it up but haven’t tried it yet. [https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/darkwood-fa73bd](https://store.epicgames.com/en-US/p/darkwood-fa73bd) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513.md?page=78) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513.md?page=80)