Steam free games weekend: How to play ARC Raiders, Core Keeper, and Squad 44 for free

TL;DR: You can play ARC Raiders, Core Keeper, and Squad 44 for free on Steam this weekend, plus claim Pony Island to keep forever before Oct. 12 at 10 a.m. PT.

Steam is back with another stacked free weekend event, giving PC gamers a chance to dive into four different titles without spending a single dime.

The catch? First off, these offers are split into two categories: temporary free-to-play trials that require a purchase once the clock runs out, and a permanent free giveaway that you get to keep in your library forever. Second, the deadlines aren’t identical across the board.

If you’re trying to figure out what’s worth your hard drive space this weekend, here is everything you need to know about the games, when the free periods end, and how long those purchase discounts stick around.

ARC Raiders

If you’ve been sitting on the fence about Embark Studios’ high-stakes extraction shooter, now is your chance to play the full base game for free. ARC Raiders drops you into a hostile surface world — either solo or with up to two teammates — where you scavenge for vital tech while dodging killer machines and rival raiders.

This free trial lands alongside the major Frozen Trail update. While the new Pendola Pass map normally requires progression to unlock, free-trial players can jump straight into the new snowy region as long as they team up with someone who already has access.

Core Keeper

For gamers who prefer cozy subterranean survival over stressful extraction runs, Core Keeper offers a massive pixel-art sandbox designed for 1 to 8 players. You wake up as an explorer trapped in an ancient cavern, tasked with mining resources, building custom bases, farming crops, and battling giant subterranean bosses.

The free trial grants full access to the base game and online multiplayer, plus all post-launch content updates — including the newly dropped Riders of the Underground expansion featuring rideable mounts and a hookshot.

Squad 44

Formerly known as Post Scriptum, Squad 44 is a hardcore, tactical World War II shooter where mindless run-and-gunning will get you killed instantly. Built around massive 50v50 combined-arms battles, success here requires real-time squad communication, tactical positioning, and coordinated logistics.

It offers the longest free-play window in the weekend lineup, making it a great option if you need extra time to get used to its steep learning curve.

Pony Island

Don’t let the sugary name fool you — Pony Island is a deeply unsettling psychological puzzle game created by Daniel Mullins (the mastermind behind Inscryption). You play as a trapped soul trying to escape a possessed arcade machine by hacking into the software’s internal code and fixing intentionally broken game mechanics.

Unlike the other three titles on this list, this isn’t a temporary trial. As long as you claim it before the promotion expires, it stays in your Steam library forever.

Do you get to keep the free weekend games?

To clear up the common confusion: No, free weekend trials do not give you permanent ownership.

When you download ARC Raiders, Core Keeper, or Squad 44 during this event, access will automatically shut off on their respective deadline dates unless you purchase the full game. However, your save files, achievements, and unlocked items are tied to your Steam account, so you won’t lose your progress if you decide to buy them later.

Pony Island is the sole exception here — because it is listed as a free giveaway rather than a trial, claiming it before Oct. 12 means you own it permanently.

Make sure to hit “Add to Account” on Pony Island first, then jump into whichever free trial fits your gaming mood before Monday.