# 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:** 8
**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:** [December 12, 2016, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/141 "2016-12-12T00:49:36Z")
I’m about ready to murder either Windows 10 or Uplay. I downloaded and installed AC3 using Ubisoft’s Uplay. It won’t load, giving my some error about not f inding the Ubisoft game launcher. I unstalled Uplay or the Ubisoft game launcher, and now it gives me some freaking weird error when I install it. About some .dll it can not gain permission to write. I have now installed Uplay and am installing AC3 in a new folder, one that isn’t “important”. Ugh. This is why people pirate games. Well, probably to avoid paying, too. But if AC3, which I have received legitimately from the company will not load, I am just about ready to bootleg a game I own!!! I prefer Steam. Steam loads things…pretty much normally for me. I only own a couple Uplay games and this is a total mess. If it doesn’t work this time, I will screenshot my errors and post a GQ thread. Ugh! ---
**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:** [December 12, 2016, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/142 "2016-12-12T01:31:18Z")
So, the game just loaded up since I installed Uplay and the game in my own personal C:\Games folder. On Windows 10, should I be avoiding Program Files(x86) now? I am the only user of my computer and I am the administrator, and I believe owner of all folders. I still could not install this game to that folder. Annoying. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2016, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/143 "2016-12-12T15:06:37Z")
The Program Files directories have some special permissions tagged to them that can make things run unpredictably if they aren’t run as an administrator in some cases. ---
**Author:** ![Unpronounceable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9de0a6/32.png) [@Unpronounceable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unpronounceable)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2016, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/144 "2016-12-12T19:33:26Z")
Starting with Windows 7, IIRC, the program files directory was virtualized, which changes how programs can be accessed. Even with administrator rights. ---
**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:** [December 13, 2016, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/145 "2016-12-13T14:09:06Z")
> [@Unpronounceable](#): > > Starting with Windows 7, IIRC, the program files directory was virtualized, which changes how programs can be accessed. Even with administrator rights. I did get the game up and running by installing both it and the Uplay program into my own C:\games folder. How odd, though. Never had this issue and have had the computer since 2012. I did load up the game and play the opening, up to being on a boat heading to America. It’s neat. Far, far too early to judge, but neat. Hoping it is fun enough to encourage me to buy AC2. I assume Steam has a holiday sale/Xmas sale coming? Or someone does? I might even grab AC4 if AC3 is good enough. ---
**Author:** ![Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrogance_ex_machina/32/192_2.png) [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrogance_Ex_Machina)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/146 "2016-12-13T14:57:49Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Hoping it is fun enough to encourage me to buy AC2. I assume Steam has a holiday sale/Xmas sale coming? Or someone does? I might even grab AC4 if AC3 is good enough. Steam’s Winter Sale should start around 22nd of December (though the date is unconfirmed). ---
**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:** [December 13, 2016, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/147 "2016-12-13T18:26:52Z")
> [@Arrogance\_Ex\_Machina](#): > > Steam’s Winter Sale should start around 22nd of December (though the date is unconfirmed). This is what I’m hearing as well. I’ll being paying attention closely. ---
**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:** [December 15, 2016, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/148 "2016-12-15T03:48:26Z")
The Division has a free weekend on uplay. ---
**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:** [December 15, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/149 "2016-12-15T16:53:15Z")
From the 15th to the 18th, Ubi has its previous [give-away games](https://club.ubisoft.com/en-US/ubi30) packaged into one free bundle in case you missed any. Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Splinter Cell Rayman Origins Crew Beyond Good & Evil Far Cry: Blood Dragon Assassin’s Creed III ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/150 "2016-12-15T17:18:15Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > From the 15th to the 18th, Ubi has its previous [give-away games](https://club.ubisoft.com/en-US/ubi30) packaged into one free bundle in case you missed any. > > Prince of Persia: Sands of Time > Splinter Cell > Rayman Origins > Crew > Beyond Good & Evil > Far Cry: Blood Dragon > Assassin’s Creed III Today is a good day. ---
**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:** [December 15, 2016, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/151 "2016-12-15T20:47:34Z")
I know my laptop is 4 years old, but wow, Assassin’s Creed 3 runs slow. Not totally clunky, but very draggy. I’m kind of surprised. I have settings set to “Normal”, which appears to be their “low”. I also went into the .ini file and set Vsync to “0”. What a clunky PC port this game seems to be, at least to me. I’ve played finer looking games in full speed. Skyrim, Darksiders 2, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Kinthalis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kinthalis/32/16084_2.png) [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/152 "2016-12-15T21:19:56Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I know my laptop is 4 years old, but wow, Assassin’s Creed 3 runs slow. Not totally clunky, but very draggy. I’m kind of surprised. I have settings set to “Normal”, which appears to be their “low”. > > I also went into the .ini file and set Vsync to “0”. > > What a clunky PC port this game seems to be, at least to me. I’ve played finer looking games in full speed. Skyrim, Darksiders 2, etc. Make sure you’ve got AA set to off. I think this is one of those games that defaulted to MSAA even at lower presets. ---
**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:** [December 16, 2016, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/153 "2016-12-16T01:05:20Z")
Dead by Daylight is currently doing another free weekend in case you want to play a fun game with one of the whiniest communities in gaming. ---
**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:** [December 16, 2016, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/154 "2016-12-16T02:03:40Z")
> [@Kinthalis](#): > > Make sure you’ve got AA set to off. I think this is one of those games that defaulted to MSAA even at lower presets. How do I do this? And thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Teuton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teuton/32/3864_2.png) [@Teuton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teuton)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2016, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/155 "2016-12-17T10:09:43Z")
This weekend (15th - 18th December), Ubisoft are making all the previous free games available to claim again, if you’ve missed any. They are: Prince of Persia Sands of Time Splinter Cell Rayman Origins The Crew Beyond Good And Evil Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon Assassin’s Creed 3. So if you’ve missed any, snap 'em up! ---
**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:** [December 20, 2016, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/156 "2016-12-20T01:51:49Z")
[Mass Effect 2](https://www.origin.com/usa/en-us/store/mass-effect/mass-effect-2/standard-edition) (Standard Edition) is available for free from Origin ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/157 "2016-12-20T04:30:17Z")
> [@Teuton](#): > > This weekend (15th - 18th December), Ubisoft are making all the previous free games available to claim again, if you’ve missed any. They are: > > Prince of Persia Sands of Time > Splinter Cell > Rayman Origins > The Crew > Beyond Good And Evil > Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon > Assassin’s Creed 3. > > So if you’ve missed any, snap 'em up! Sorry for being such a newb, but I’ve never done this before. I went to ubisoft and created an account and it says my game (Assassin’s Creed 3) is now mine. It now says to download uplay PC. What is that? If I don’t want to dl the game and play it now, will it still be there in the future on a different computer? My laptop probably can’t play these games right now, but I’d like to grab them for playing at a later date. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2016, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/158 "2016-12-20T06:31:17Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Sorry for being such a newb, but I’ve never done this before. I went to ubisoft and created an account and it says my game (Assassin’s Creed 3) is now mine. It now says to download uplay PC. What is that? If I don’t want to dl the game and play it now, will it still be there in the future on a different computer? My laptop probably can’t play these games right now, but I’d like to grab them for playing at a later date. Uplay is a digital game client. Basically a library of your games from that service (Uplay) and you need to log into it to download and play your games. The game or games (not sure if you only activated AC3 or the whole bundle by your post) are permanently attached now to your Uplay account. Whenever you want, you can install the Uplay client and the games will show in your library. If you get a different computer, just install the client again, log in and they’ll be available to download. There’s three major game clients: Steam is by far the largest, then Uplay and Origin (not sure which of those is bigger). They all work the same basic way though – if you grab the free Mass Effect 2 I linked earlier, you will need the Origin client to download it but, again, it’s yours forever and on whichever computer you’re using. Uplay is mainly games published by Ubisoft and Origin games published by Electronic Arts. Steam is owned by Valve but is the big box store of game clients, having a ton of games from hundreds of major & minor publishers. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/159 "2016-12-20T08:30:21Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Uplay is a digital game client. Basically a library of your games from that service (Uplay) and you need to log into it to download and play your games. > > The game or games (not sure if you only activated AC3 or the whole bundle by your post) are permanently attached now to your Uplay account. Whenever you want, you can install the Uplay client and the games will show in your library. If you get a different computer, just install the client again, log in and they’ll be available to download. > > There’s three major game clients: Steam is by far the largest, then Uplay and Origin (not sure which of those is bigger). They all work the same basic way though – if you grab the free Mass Effect 2 I linked earlier, you will need the Origin client to download it but, again, it’s yours forever and on whichever computer you’re using. Uplay is mainly games published by Ubisoft and Origin games published by Electronic Arts. Steam is owned by Valve but is the big box store of game clients, having a ton of games from hundreds of major & minor publishers. Great, thanks! Appreciate the info. I’ll start paying more attention to this free games thread. Sooner or later I’ll be on a better gaming computer hopefully. ---
**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:** [December 20, 2016, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513/160 "2016-12-20T15:36:32Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > There’s three major game clients: Steam is by far the largest, then Uplay and Origin Four with GOG offering recent releases and in-development (their version of Steam’s Early Access) games. They recently established a quasi-partnership with Steam: if one purchases a game from GOG that’s also available on Steam, or vice-versa, one can link Steam and GOG Galaxy accounts to have that game listed in both libraries. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-pc-game-and-free-weekend-notification-thread/704513.md?page=9)