A Comprehensive Guide on How to Download Free Games from the Epic Games Store

Have you heard about the Epic Games Store offering free games every week? If you‘re a budget-conscious gamer looking to expand your library, the Epic Games Store free games program is an excellent opportunity you don‘t want to miss. In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to download free games from the Epic Games Store.

What is the Epic Games Store Free Games Program?

The Epic Games Store Free Games program gives users the chance to claim and download a rotating selection of free games each week. Epic Games launched this program as a way to attract gamers to their new digital storefront when it debuted in 2018.

Some key things to know about the free games program:

• Each Thursday at 11AM Eastern Time a new free game is made available.
• Claimed free games are yours to keep forever.
• Offerings include both Epic Games original titles and games from other developers/publishers.
• Genres are varied, from indie games to AAA blockbusters.
• DRM-free versions of some games are included.

According to Epic Games‘ 2022 year in review, over 765 million Epic Games Store users have claimed at least one free game. That‘s a staggering amount of downloads, showing just how popular this promotion has become in the gaming community.

Step-by-Step Guide to Downloading Free Games

Downloading free games from the Epic Games Store is simple if you follow these steps:

Step 1: Create an Epic Games Account

First things first, you‘ll need an Epic Games account. This is free to set up and easy to do:

• Go to the Epic Games website and click "Sign Up" at the top right corner.
• Enter your email address and choose a display name, username, and password.
• Click "Create Account".
• You may need to verify your email address before the account is active.

Step 2: Install the Epic Games Launcher

The Epic Games Launcher app is required to download and play games.

• On the Epic Games website, click "Get Epic Games" at the top right.
• Download the Epic Games Launcher installer file.
• Open the installer and follow the prompts to install the Launcher.

Step 3: Claim Your Free Game

Each Thursday, a new free game will appear on the Epic Games Store. Here‘s how to claim it:

• Open the Epic Games Launcher app on your computer.
• The currently free game(s) will be advertised on the main Store page.
• You can also check the dedicated Free Games page.
• Click the "Get" button on the free game you want.
• A window will pop up to confirm you want to claim the game for free. Click confirm.

Once claimed, the free game is permanently added to your Epic Games library.

Step 4: Download Your Game

Now you can download your new free game directly through the Launcher:

• In the Epic Games Launcher, click the "Library" tab.
• Find the game in your library and hit the "Install" button.
• The download will now begin automatically. Progress will be displayed.
• When the download is complete, the game is ready to play!

Step 5: Don‘t Forget Your Weekly Check-ins

New games are made free each and every Thursday at 11AM Eastern Time. So be sure to check the Store in the Launcher or Epic Games‘ social media on a weekly basis so you never miss out on the latest offerings.

Tips for Success in Downloading Free Epic Games

• Claim games quickly, as offers are only available for 1 week.
• Use Epic coupons on game purchases to save extra money.
• Check the minimum and recommended system requirements before downloading games.
• Follow Epic Games on Twitter or turn on email notifications for instant free game alerts.
• If you have trouble downloading, disable VPN and firewalls temporarily.
• Download free DRM-free versions of games when available for convenience.

The Value of the Epic Games Free Games Program

There are over 100 free games available during 2022 alone, according to Epic Games. With brand new AAA and indie games frequently available for $0, this program provides immense value.

To quantify just how much value can be had, here‘s a table showing the normal cost of some popular free games from 2022:

Based on normal costs, claiming just 5 or 6 free AAA games could provide over $200 in savings. Not to mention, there are also many high-quality indie titles featured that normally cost $10-$20.

For gamers trying to maximize their budgets or parents looking for entertainment for their kids, the availability of premium games for free is an unparalleled opportunity.

Who is the Epic Games Store Good For?

The free games available from the Epic Games Store appeal most to the following types of gamers:

• Budget-conscious gamers – The huge savings are extremely valuable for gamers on a tight budget. The variety of genres means there‘s something for all interests.

• Casual gamers – For gamers who only play occasionally or are new to gaming, the free games library gives them plenty of top titles to try without needing to buy anything.

• Completionists – Gamers who want to build out an extensive personal gaming library will love being able to pad their collection through free weekly games.

• Parents of young gamers – Kids and teens tend to have lots of free time but limited funds. Free games from Epic provide plenty of entertainment options.

• Anyone with an old or low-powered PC – Since games are sometimes a few years old, even those with older computers can often still play them.

So while the free games appeal most to these groups, ultimately anyone who plays games on a PC can benefit from keeping up with the weekly offerings from Epic.

Risks and Drawbacks to Be Aware Of

Despite the many benefits, there are a few risks and drawbacks of downloading free games from Epic Games to keep in mind:

• You‘re required to install Epic Games Launcher, which some view as unnecessary software bloat.
• Some games require you to link an Epic Games account, which involves sharing additional personal data.
• Technical issues like downloads getting stuck or games not launching can occasionally happen.
• You‘re dependent on the Epic Games servers and client to play games. If the service ever shuts down in the future, you could lose access to all your free games.
• Some free games have in-app purchases which could tempt you into spending more.
• There‘s a risk of wasting hard drive space on games you download but never play.

For most gamers, however, the enormous value of free games far outweighs these minor risks and inconveniences.

Get Your Free Games Now!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Epic Games Store free games program, you can enjoy awesome PC games without having to pay a penny. From AAA blockbusters to quirky indies, a new free game is just a few clicks away each week.

Follow this guide, create an Epic account, and start growing your backlog today. Remember to check for the latest free game each Thursday morning.

Happy free gaming! Let us know which free Epic titles end up being your favorites.