Epic Games Store's December 11 Free Game Faces Big Hype

The Epic Games Store's December 11 Free Game is a Unique Offering

Every week since December 2018, the Epic Games Store has been giving away a free game. This tradition has become a highlight for many gamers, but this week’s offering stands out. On December 11, the Epic Games Store will present users with a mysterious free game titled "Mystery Game," accompanied by a placeholder image that hints at a connection to The Game Awards on the same day at 8pm ET.

This approach is unusual for the Epic Games Store, as it typically announces its next week’s free games when the current week’s offerings go live. However, this time, the store has opted for an enigmatic reveal, which has already sparked considerable excitement and speculation among fans.

The Game Awards Hype and Expectations

The Game Awards has grown into one of the most anticipated events in the gaming industry. It celebrates the year's best video games while also serving as a platform for major announcements, updates, and surprises. Over the years, the event has become more exciting, drawing higher expectations from fans each year.

By linking its free game to The Game Awards 2025, the Epic Games Store is leveraging the hype surrounding the event. This connection sets a high bar for what players expect from the mystery game. Since the announcement last Thursday, fans have been speculating about what the game might be. Some theories suggest it could be a nominee from The Game Awards, with several PC titles being considered:

• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Nominated in 12 categories)
• Hades 2 (Nominated in 6 categories)
• Hollow Knight: Silksong (Nominated in 5 categories)
• Split Fiction (Nominated in 4 categories)
• Silent Hill f (Nominated in 3 categories)
• Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (Nominated in 3 categories)
• Battlefield 6 (Nominated in 3 categories)
• Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Nominated in 2 categories)

Alternatively, some fans believe the game could be a title that will be revealed during The Game Awards 2025. For example, the recent ESRB rating leak for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach has led to speculation that a PC port might be announced soon. While this remains unconfirmed, it adds to the intrigue around the December 11 giveaway.

The Pressure of Past Mystery Giveaways

Beyond the hype of The Game Awards, the Epic Games Store's free game for December 11 must also meet the standards set by previous mystery giveaways. Starting in December 2019, the store has had a tradition of offering around 12 free mystery games daily in the lead-up to the new year. Although December 11 is too early for the full holiday celebrations, the December 11 game still falls within the December timeframe, setting expectations for a title that aligns with past offerings.

Some of the notable games included in previous mystery giveaways include:

• Wolfenstein: The New Order – December 20, 2022
• Metro: Last Light Redux – December 24, 2022
• Death Stranding – December 25, 2022
• The Outer Worlds: Spacer's Choice Edition – December 25, 2023
• Ghostrunner – December 31, 2023
• Control – December 25, 2024
• Ghostrunner 2 – December 26, 2024
• Sifu – December 31, 2024

These titles have often been well-received, and fans are hoping that the December 11 game will be just as impressive. With the added pressure of being tied to The Game Awards, the Epic Games Store faces a challenging task in meeting the high expectations set by both the event and its own history.