Steam's Free Weekend promotion for October 8 to October 12, 2026, features three games for PC players: ARC Raiders, Core Keeper, and Squad 44. Each title can be played for free during its designated promotional period, though the end dates and times differ. Core Keeper's free access ends on October 12 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET, while ARC Raiders is listed as available until 1 a.m. PT / 4 a.m. ET on October 12. Squad 44's offer ends on October 13 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.

Steam's Free Weekend promotion typically begins on Thursday, although the schedule can vary. It gives players temporary access to selected paid games without requiring a purchase during the offer period. The featured titles are often discounted after or during the promotion, allowing players to purchase them at a reduced price if they want to keep playing.

Developed and published by Embark Studios, ARC Raiders is an extraction shooter released on October 30, 2025. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been driven underground by dangerous machines. Players venture to the surface alone or in squads to gather weapons, resources, and loot, while avoiding or fighting the machines and other players. Successful extraction is essential to keeping the supplies collected during each expedition.

The game has an 81% "Very Positive" rating on Steam, based on more than 200,000 user reviews, according to the source. Players cannot complete the game before the promotion ends. The game is listed at a 50% discount until October 15, reducing its price from $39.99 to $19.99.

Core Keeper, developed by Pugstorm and published by Fireshine Games, launched on August 27, 2024. This open-world survival and crafting game sends players into underground caverns to investigate an ancient civilization. Mining provides materials for crafting equipment, building and expanding a base, growing crops, fishing, and preparing to face creatures and bosses. Players can explore alone or with friends as they discover new biomes and progress deeper into the underground world.

The game has a 94% "Very Positive" Steam rating, based on more than 20,000 user reviews, according to the source. With an estimated completion time of around 30 hours, finishing it before the promotion ends is unlikely. Core Keeper is discounted by 40% until October 22, bringing its price from $19.99 to $11.99. Its free access ends on October 12 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.

Developed and published by Offworld, Squad 44 is a military simulation game released on August 9, 2018. It focuses on large-scale World War II battles that require teamwork and communication. Players can take on roles such as infantry, medics, machine gunners, engineers, and tank crews. Battles feature historically inspired environments, including trenches, villages, forests, and open fields, alongside vehicles, artillery, logistics, and defensive positions.

According to the source, Squad 44 has a 79% "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam, based on 11,000 user reviews. The game has no traditional campaign to complete before the free period ends. It is available at a 70% discount until October 15, reducing the price from $19.99 to $5.99. The free offer ends on October 13 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET.