Steam Officially Makes 2 Hit Games 100% Free Until October 19

Steam has a busy couple of days lined up for PC gamers, with two very different and popular games available to play for free until October 19. Whether you want to try surviving on a deserted island or jump into large-scale military battles, you’re pretty much sorted for the weekend.

With Steam, PC gamers frequently get chances to try titles without spending money upfront. Its limited-time free-play promotions are particularly useful for those who want to test a game’s mechanics, see how it performs on their system, or decide whether it’s worth buying before committing to the full price.

Test Your Survival Skills In Stranded Deep, Free For Limited Time

Stranded Deep drops you in the middle of the Pacific Ocean after a mysterious plane crash and has you tackle the worst from there. With no immediate way to call for help, players must find supplies, craft tools, gather food, and build shelter while trying to stay alive.

The challenges extend beyond finding somewhere to sleep. Players must manage hunger, thirst, and exposure while exploring islands and searching underwater locations for useful resources. Dangerous wildlife and the possibility of running out of essential supplies make every expedition a potential risk. You can play Stranded Deep alone or with a friend, so you can always choose to share your challenges with someone if flying solo is too much.

According to the official Steam store page, Stranded Deep is free to play until October 19 at 10 a.m. PT. It’s also discounted during the promotion, so you have an opportunity to purchase it at a lower price (60% off, at $7.99) if you enjoy their time during the free trial. The timing also coincides with renewed attention around the franchise, with a developer update published on October 15 discussing Stranded Deep 2 and introducing details about its desert environment and wildlife. Players interested in the sequel can add it to their Steam wishlist.

Battlefield 6 Is Also Free To Play on Steam Until October 19

Players who would rather trade survival crafting for firefights can check out Battlefield 6. Released back in 2025, the military shooter features battles involving infantry, tanks, fighter jets, and a range of modern weapons.

Unlike Stranded Deep, Battlefield 6 focuses on fast-paced combat across large and unique battlefields. Its multiplayer experience offers several ways to fight in different modes, while Battlefield Portal gives players additional ways to engage with the game’s maps and gameplay.

The Battlefield 6 free trial runs from October 15 through October 19. According to the publisher’s official access guide, players can access the full game during the trial, including all its available game modes, events, and Battlefield Portal. Needless to say, this is a great offer for anyone who has Battlefield 6 wishlisted for a long time but hasn’t wanted to pay for it without trying it first. The game is also on discount on Steam during the promotion. Players who decide to buy it after the trial can get it at a whopping 60% off, taking the price down to $27.99.

To download Stranded Deep and Battlefield 6 during the free event, open the official Steam store page for either, sign in to your Steam account, and select the option to play for free to install it. Both promotions (free play period) end on October 19, so you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to begin downloading—or they won’t get the time to play at all. Battlefield 6 also requires an EA account linked to Steam, along with a persistent internet connection.

Remember that these are free-play offers on Steam, not free-to-keep deals. Access to the full versions ends when the promotions expire unless you purchase them. Battlefield REDSEC, however, remains a separate free-to-play experience.