Are Epic Games Holiday Free Game Rumours Ever True?

What Epic Actually Gives Away (And Why RDR2 Is Always Fake)

Every December, Epic Games holiday free game rumours take over the internet.
Leaked lists start floating around on X, Reddit, and Discord, promising insane free games like Red Dead Redemption 2 and other AAA titles.

But if you’ve been around for more than one holiday sale, you already know the question that actually matters: are Epic Games holiday free game rumours ever true, or are we just falling for the same hype every year?

Let’s slow down, look at what Epic has actually given away in previous holiday sales, compare it with the rumours, and figure out what you should realistically expect—without killing the fun.

First Things First: Epic Games Does Give Real, Good Free Games

Before we roast rumours, credit where it’s due.

In real life, Epic Games actually gave away these games recently:

• Hogwarts Legacy
• Eternights
• Blood West
• Sorry We’re Closed
• Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
• Disco Elysium
• We Were Here Together
• Cassette Beasts

Let’s be honest — this is a very solid list.

Not shovelware.
Not random junk.
Actual games people recommend.

This is important, because it tells us something about Epic’s mindset.

Now Compare That With What the Rumours Promised (This Year)

The viral rumour list for the holiday sale was… ambitious.

It claimed Epic would give away things like:

• Red Dead Redemption 2
• Detroit: Become Human
• Mortal Kombat 11
• Multiple other heavy AAA titles back-to-back

On paper?
Crazy value.

In reality?
That’s not how Epic has ever operated.

This Isn’t New: The Exact Same Thing Happened in 2024

If you think this is a one-time thing, nope.
Let’s rewind to Epic Games Holiday Sale 2024.

What the Rumours Claimed in 2024

People were hyping:

• RDR2 (again)
• Alan Wake 2
• Hogwarts Legacy (which, funny enough, came a year later)

What Epic Actually Gave Away in 2024

Here’s the real list:

• Vampire Survivors
• Astrea: Six Sided Oracles
• TerraTech
• Wizard of Legend
• Dark and Darker (Legendary Status)
• Dredge
• Control
• Ghostrunner 2
• Hot Wheels Unleashed
• Kill Knight
• Orcs Must Die! 3
• Sifu

Look at that list closely.

That is classic Epic Games energy:

• Critically loved games
• Indie darlings
• AA and older AAA titles
• Stuff that benefits from a second life

No Rockstar nukes.
No “internet-breaking finales”.

So Why Is RDR2 Always in These Rumours?

This is the part nobody wants to say out loud.

RDR2 appears every year because:

• Students want it badly
• It’s still expensive
• Waiting feels smarter than buying

But Rockstar doesn’t care about vibes.

RDR2 still sells.
RDR2 still streams.
RDR2 still prints money.

If it ever goes free, it won’t be through a leaked JPEG.
It’ll be a loud, official announcement you can’t miss.

What You Can REALISTICALLY Expect Every Holiday Season

Here’s the senior advice — save this for next December.

You can expect:

• One or two big attention-grabber games
• Several excellent indie or AA titles
• Stuff that reviewers love but casual gamers skipped

You should not expect:

• Multiple AAA blockbusters in one run
• Rockstar games as freebies
• Perfectly accurate leaked schedules

Epic plays the long game, not the hype game.

Who This Post Is For

This is for:

• Students planning purchases around holiday sales
• Gamers tired of getting emotionally baited
• Anyone who wants free games without false hope

Who Should Skip This

Skip if:

• You believe every leak on X
• You enjoy waiting forever “just in case”
• You already own everything anyway (lucky you)

Final Verdict: Dope or Nope?

Epic Games holiday free games as a concept?
✅ DOPE

Believing leaked schedules blindly?
❌ NOPE

Epic will give you good games.
Just not the ones rumours promise.

Once you understand that, every December becomes way more fun.

One Last Friendly Reminder

If Epic ever does drop something insane like RDR2, make sure your PC can actually run it.
Free doesn’t help if your laptop turns into a slideshow.

If you’re still gaming on a potato, maybe plan an upgrade instead of waiting for miracles. We’ve already covered that in our Best Laptops for Students guide — worth a look if you’re serious about gaming.

What’s the best free game you’ve claimed from Epic so far?
And which rumour fooled you the hardest?

Drop it in the comments — no judgment here 😄