Epic Games Store Is Giving Away 2023’s Best-Selling Game

Hogwarts Legacy is the Epic Games Store‘s free game for December 11. The newly started week-long period to claim was previously framed as the Epic Games Store’s first official The Game Awards giveaway, which many fans assumed meant the freebie would be a TGA nominee.

Since 2018, Epic’s digital storefront has frequently hosted themed sales spotlighting The Game Awards nominees and winners. On occasion, it has also given away past TGA winners, including Control, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Celeste, Inside, Death Stranding, and Borderlands 3. However, last week, Epic teased its December 11 giveaway with a mystery game banner featuring official TGA branding. That mystery game has now been revealed as Hogwarts Legacy.

Related

How to Get All Epic Games Winter Freebies

Epic Games is giving players 13 gaming rewards, but they’ll only be available for a limited time.

Epic Games Store’s First TGA-Themed Giveaway Is Now Live

Developed by Avalanche Software, Hogwarts Legacy was snubbed at The Game Awards 2023, receiving zero nominations, making its inclusion notable, particularly given that Epic positioned the giveaway as TGA-themed and adjusted its usual timing to align with the December 11 ceremony. Instead of the typical 8am PT / 11am ET release, the freebie went live just after 6:20pm PT / 9:20pm ET. The only connection between Hogwarts Legacy and TGA 2025 appears to be a brief trailer advertising the freebie and Epic’s holiday season trailer, which was shown about two hours into the event.

Epic Games Store Free Games Right Now

As far as commercial success goes, Epic Games Store freebies don’t get any bigger than Hogwarts Legacy. The open-world RPG set in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was the best-selling game in the U.S. in 2023, with estimated global first-year sales reaching 22 million. In September 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed that a sequel was among its top priorities, but without sharing further details. The December 11 giveaway marks the first time that Hogwarts Legacy is free on the Epic Games Store.

Epic Games Store’s December 18 Freebie Is Another Mystery Game

Separately, the Epic Games Store’s Christmas giveaway appears to be returning for yet another year, though it is starting later than usual. Instead of the traditional “12 Days of Christmas” format, the 2025 edition appears set to run for about a week, beginning with a mystery game that will go live on December 18. Unlike standard EGS promotions, each freebie in this event will be available for only 24 hours before being replaced by the next title. Data from the EGS client reviewed by Game Rant suggests that Epic has internally labeled the December 18 freebie as “Mystery Game 2,” with Hogwarts Legacy being “Mystery Game 1.” However, the absence of any other confirmed giveaways between December 12 and 17 suggests Hogwarts Legacy is not part of the usual Christmas giveaway in practical terms, especially since it’s free for a full week rather than following the typical 24-hour format.

Epic Games Store’s 2025 Holiday Season Is Now Live As Well

Epic Games Store

The December 11 giveaway arrives mere hours after Epic launched its annual Holiday Sale, offering discounts of up to 75% on a wide variety of PC titles. The Epic Rewards cashback program has also been boosted and is now temporarily offering 20% back on eligible purchases made using Epic’s payment system. The rate applies store-wide through the end of the sale on January 8, except for Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League, for which it applies permanently. Additional freebies in the form of cosmetic items, in-game currency, and trial content are also available throughout the promotional period. These include the Hollypaw Wrap for Fortnite, Fashionably Frosty cosmetic for Fall Guys, and TriTrim Crimson & Forest Green Wheels for Rocket League.

Released

February 10, 2023

ESRB

T For Teen Due To Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol