How to Get Ubisoft Games for Free: A Comprehensive Guide
The siren call of “free” resonates with every gamer. Ubisoft, known for franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, occasionally offers opportunities to snag their games without spending a dime. The methods vary, from limited-time promotions to subscription trials and special events. This article will dissect every avenue for acquiring free Ubisoft games, providing you with a comprehensive strategy to bolster your game library.
Unveiling the Methods: Your Guide to Free Ubisoft Games
Here’s a breakdown of the primary ways to legally acquire free Ubisoft games:
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Ubisoft Free Events: Keep a hawk-eye trained on the Ubisoft Free Events website. This is Ubisoft’s official hub for announcing free weekends, trials, and other promotional periods for specific games. These events typically offer full access to the base game for a limited time, allowing you to experience the complete title without purchase.
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Ubisoft+ Free Trials: Ubisoft+ is a subscription service offering access to a vast library of Ubisoft titles. The company occasionally offers free trials of Ubisoft+, granting you a window to play numerous games, including new releases and classic titles, without committing to a paid subscription. These trials are often time-sensitive and linked to specific events, such as Ubisoft Forward.
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Epic Games Store Giveaways: The Epic Games Store regularly gives away games, and Ubisoft titles occasionally feature in these promotions. Signing up for an Epic Games Store account and keeping an eye on their weekly free games is a great way to expand your library with potential Ubisoft freebies.
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Limited-Time Game Giveaways: Ubisoft occasionally celebrates milestones or anniversaries by offering select games for free download. These giveaways are usually announced through their official channels, including social media, their website, and the Ubisoft Connect launcher. Be quick, these offers vanish as swiftly as they appear.
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Bundles and Promotions: Keep an eye out for bundle deals on platforms like Humble Bundle. Sometimes, Ubisoft games are included in these bundles, and even the lowest tier can sometimes net you a free game, or at least a heavily discounted one.
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Exploiting Existing Free-to-Play Titles: While not strictly “free games,” some Ubisoft titles operate on a free-to-play model. Examples include Legends of Valhalla, although it might rely on microtransactions. These games offer a core experience at no cost, with optional purchases to enhance your gameplay.
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Promotional Partnerships: Ubisoft sometimes partners with other companies, such as Xbox, to offer free access to their games. This may involve claiming a game through a specific platform or linking your Ubisoft account to your Xbox account.
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Checking for free Ubisoft events on partner platforms: Other gaming platforms such as Steam or Playstation, may partner with Ubisoft from time to time to offer free limited-time-events, deals and free games. Make sure you check their websites regularly and be quick to redeem them before they expire.
Important Considerations
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Platform Requirements: Before getting too excited, confirm that you can play the game. Most free Ubisoft games for PC require the Ubisoft Connect launcher. Xbox promotions will obviously require an Xbox console or the Xbox app for Windows.
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Time Sensitivity: Free game offers are almost always time-limited. Set reminders to claim the game before the promotion ends.
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Subscription Auto-Renewal: If you opt for a Ubisoft+ free trial, remember to cancel the subscription before the trial period ends to avoid being charged.
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Game Ownership: Remember that games acquired through a Ubisoft+ subscription are not permanently yours. You only have access to them as long as your subscription is active. Games claimed through giveaways or purchased are permanent additions to your library.
Maximizing Your Chances of Getting Free Ubisoft Games
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Follow Ubisoft’s official social media accounts: Be the first to know about free game promotions, trials, and events.
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Subscribe to newsletters: Many gaming websites and platforms, including the Epic Games Store, offer newsletters that announce free game giveaways.
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Regularly check the Ubisoft Connect launcher: The launcher often features banners and announcements about ongoing promotions.
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Join gaming communities and forums: Other gamers often share information about free game opportunities.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Does Ubisoft truly offer free games?
Yes, Ubisoft occasionally offers games for free through various promotions, including limited-time giveaways, free weekends, and trials of their Ubisoft+ subscription service.
2. How often does Ubisoft give away free games?
There’s no set schedule. Free game giveaways are often tied to specific events, anniversaries, or promotions. It’s best to stay vigilant by monitoring their official channels.
3. Do I need Ubisoft Connect to play free Ubisoft games on PC?
Yes, most free Ubisoft games on PC require you to download and install the Ubisoft Connect launcher.
4. What happens to free games I claim if I uninstall Ubisoft Connect?
The games remain associated with your Ubisoft account, but you won’t be able to play them until you reinstall Ubisoft Connect.
5. Can I play free games offline?
It depends on the game. Some free Ubisoft games require an active internet connection, while others can be played offline after the initial download and installation.
6. How long do Ubisoft+ free trials usually last?
Ubisoft+ free trials typically last for a limited time, ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks. Always check the specific terms and conditions of the trial.
7. Do I need a credit card to claim a Ubisoft+ free trial?
Yes, a valid payment method is usually required to start a Ubisoft+ free trial, even though you won’t be charged during the trial period.
8. What happens to my progress in a game I played during a Ubisoft+ free trial if I later purchase the game?
Your progress should be saved to your Ubisoft account and will be available when you purchase the game.
9. Are all Ubisoft games available through Ubisoft+?
While Ubisoft+ offers a vast library, not every single Ubisoft game is included. New releases are typically available, along with many classic titles and Ubisoft exclusives.
10. Can I play Ubisoft+ games on multiple devices?
The PC Access plan allows you to play on Ubisoft Connect PC only. The Multi Access plan allows you to play on multiple platforms, like Xbox.
11. Is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla always free?
No, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is not always free. It has been available for free during limited-time promotions.
12. What Assassin’s Creed games have been offered for free in the past?
Several Assassin’s Creed games have been offered free including Assassin’s Creed II, Revelations, Brotherhood, Black Flag, Syndicate and Valhalla.
13. Is Dawn of Ragnarok free with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla?
No, Dawn of Ragnarok is a paid expansion for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and is not included with the base game.
14. Are there any risks associated with claiming free Ubisoft games?
The only real risk is forgetting to cancel a subscription trial before it renews into a paid subscription. Always set a reminder to avoid unwanted charges.
15. Where can I learn more about the impact of gaming and learning?
You can explore the research and insights at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org studies the intersection of games and education.
Securing free Ubisoft games requires diligence, awareness, and a dash of luck. By following the methods outlined above and staying informed about Ubisoft’s promotions, you can significantly expand your gaming library without breaking the bank. Happy gaming!