News · Updated October 16, 2026
Xbox Free Play Days is offering six games through Sunday, October 18, but the access rules are not the same for every title. Crusader Kings III, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, Soccer Story, and Ravenswatch are available to Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members. NBA 2K27 joins later today, October 16, at 12 p.m. Pacific. The Alters is available to everyone as a three-hour timed trial with no Game Pass membership required.
Progress, achievements, and Gamerscore earned during the event carry forward if you buy the same game and edition, according to Xbox. The free access ends with the event, so installing a game does not add it permanently to your library.
Xbox Free Play Days games for October 15–18
| Game | Access | Availability | Special limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBA 2K27 Standard Edition | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential | October 16 at 12 p.m. PDT through October 18 | Weekend access |
| Crusader Kings III | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential | October 15–18 | Weekend access |
| Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential | October 15–18 | Weekend access |
| Soccer Story | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential | October 15–18 | Weekend access |
| Ravenswatch | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential | October 15–18 | Weekend access |
| The Alters | All Xbox players; no Game Pass required | October 15–18 | Three gameplay hours |
The schedule and eligibility come from the official Xbox Wire announcement. Xbox did not publish a universal end-time in that announcement, so finish important sessions before Sunday ends rather than relying on an assumed cutoff.
When does NBA 2K27 become free to play?
NBA 2K27 Standard Edition enters Free Play Days at 12 p.m. Pacific on Friday, October 16. That is 3 p.m. Eastern. It remains available through Sunday, October 18, for Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members.
The later start is important because the other membership-required games became available on Thursday. If NBA 2K27 still shows its normal purchase price early Friday morning, that does not necessarily mean the promotion is broken.
The Free Play Days version includes the Standard Edition. Xbox highlights MyPLAYER and The City, MyCAREER, Play Now, and NBA and WNBA players in its announcement. Exact modes and online features can still be subject to platform, account, server, and age requirements.
NBA 2K27 purchase promotion
Xbox also says that buying any digital edition of NBA 2K27 between October 16 and October 29 includes an Xbox Gift Card and a 15,000 Virtual Currency Pack. The announcement does not state the gift card’s value, so verify the offer page and regional terms before buying.
This purchase promotion is separate from the free weekend. Playing during Free Play Days does not mean the game, Virtual Currency, or gift card remains free after October 18.
The Alters trial is free for everyone—but only for three hours
The Alters has the broadest eligibility and the tightest time restriction. Xbox says all players can access its free trial without Game Pass, but playtime is capped at three hours.
That is a timed trial, not unrestricted weekend access. Download time should not normally count as gameplay, but once the game records active trial time, treat the timer as limited. Close the game fully rather than leaving it suspended when you are finished with a session.
The Alters is a narrative survival game from 11 bit studios. You control Jan Dolski, who creates alternate versions of himself based on different life choices to operate a mobile base on a hostile planet. The trial is a practical way to test its resource management, story structure, and base systems before buying.
Xbox lists The Alters at $15.74 during the event, down from $34.99 in the US store when the announcement was published. Regional pricing can differ.
Crusader Kings III is the biggest time commitment
Crusader Kings III is a medieval grand-strategy game centered on dynasties rather than a single permanent character. You manage rulers, heirs, alliances, marriages, wars, secrets, and succession across generations.
It is available on Xbox Series X|S during the event for Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members. Xbox lists a promotional US price of $20, reduced from $49.99.
A single weekend is not enough to exhaust Crusader Kings III, but it is enough to learn whether its menus, pausable real-time structure, and character-driven strategy fit you. New players should use the tutorial instead of immediately starting a huge realm.
Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop supports solo and co-op play
Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop lets players drive licensed buses, build routes, and manage a transit company across two open-world cities. It supports solo play and online co-op.
Xbox marks the game as Xbox Play Anywhere. For a qualifying digital license, Play Anywhere support can allow play across Xbox console and Windows PC with shared progress, but Free Play Days availability and device access should still be checked through the signed-in Microsoft Store listing.
The official article lists a regular US price of $29.99 and does not show a specific promotional price in its embedded listing.
Soccer Story has the deepest advertised discount
Soccer Story is an adventure RPG built around restoring soccer after a fictional corporation closes stadiums, teams, and tournaments. It is different from a licensed sports simulation: expect exploration, quests, puzzles, and matches rather than a realistic league package.
Xbox advertises an 85% discount during the event, lowering the US price from $19.99 to $2.99. The game is also marked Xbox Play Anywhere.
If you plan to continue after Sunday, make sure you buy the same product attached to the Free Play Days listing so the license recognizes your existing save.
Ravenswatch is the co-op action pick
Ravenswatch is a roguelike action game inspired by folklore and fairy tales. It supports solo play and cooperative runs for up to four players.
Xbox notes that Kintaro, a hero inspired by Japanese folklore who fights with a bear companion, recently joined the roster alongside a broader hero-talent rework. The game is 65% off during the promotion, with the US price shown as $10.49 instead of $29.99.
Ravenswatch is the easiest recommendation for a group that wants repeatable runs rather than a long campaign. Everyone who needs access should confirm their account has an eligible Game Pass membership before organizing a co-op session.
Which Game Pass plans qualify?
For NBA 2K27, Crusader Kings III, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, Soccer Story, and Ravenswatch, Xbox lists these qualifying plans:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
- Xbox Game Pass Premium
- Xbox Game Pass Essential
The Alters’ three-hour trial does not require Game Pass. If you are unsure what your plan includes outside this promotion, our Game Pass Ultimate vs Premium vs Essential comparison breaks down the regular benefits.
How to download Xbox Free Play Days games
- Sign in on Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One with the account that has the qualifying membership.
- Open the Microsoft Store.
- Select the Subscriptions tab.
- Find the Free Play Days collection.
- Open the game’s store page and select the included install option.
You can also open the individual game link from Xbox Wire or the official Free Play Days collection. Stay signed in so the store can verify your membership or the membership-free Alters trial.
If the store shows only a price, check the date and start time first. Then confirm that the signed-in account owns Ultimate, Premium, or Essential, restart the Store or console, and open the listing from the Free Play Days collection rather than a different edition.
Do saves and achievements carry over?
Yes. Xbox says Gamerscore and achievements earned during Free Play Days remain on your account, and you can continue your progress after purchasing the game.
The safest approach is to buy the same edition and platform family you tested. Deluxe editions, separate Xbox One and Series X|S products, bundles, regional versions, or PC editions can use different store identities or save behavior.
Cloud synchronization also requires the correct account and a completed sync. Do not delete local data just because the free license ended.
What happens after October 18?
Your temporary license stops working after the promotion. The installed files may remain on the console, but launching the game will require another valid license—such as a purchase or an active subscription that includes the title.
Your save data, achievements, and Gamerscore do not disappear merely because Free Play Days ends. If you buy later, the game should resume from the same compatible save.
Best game to try first
- Want a current sports game? Start NBA 2K27 after its Friday launch time.
- Want deep strategy? Try Crusader Kings III and begin with its tutorial.
- Want a story-driven survival game? Use The Alters’ three-hour trial carefully.
- Want relaxed management or co-op? Choose Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop.
- Want a short adventure with a steep discount? Try Soccer Story.
- Want four-player action? Pick Ravenswatch.
The bottom line
Xbox Free Play Days for October 15–18 includes six games, but only five use the normal membership-based weekend license. NBA 2K27 starts October 16 at noon Pacific. Crusader Kings III, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, Soccer Story, and Ravenswatch are available through Sunday for Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members. The Alters is open to everyone but limited to three hours.
Prioritize The Alters if you want to use its timer thoughtfully, and do not wait until Sunday to begin a large download. For more releases happening now, see our Xbox games calendar for October 12–16.
Promotion details, prices, and availability were checked against Xbox Wire and Xbox Support on October 16, 2026. Discounts and regional availability can vary.
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