According to Neowin, Microsoft has launched a new Free Play Days promotion for Xbox players running from December 4 until Sunday, December 7 at 11:59 PM PT. The offer includes five games and three major Destiny 2 expansion packs—The Witch Queen, Lightfall, and The Final Shape—for subscribers. Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members get access to all of that, plus Everspace 2, Bassmaster Fishing, Astria Ascending, and Way of the Hunter. The only game not requiring a subscription is Descenders, which is free for all Xbox players to try this weekend. Any progress made during the trial period carries over if you purchase the game later. The Destiny 2 expansion access, however, runs a bit longer, ending on December 9.
The subscription play
Here’s the thing about these Free Play Days: they’re a brilliant bit of marketing for Game Pass. By locking five of the six titles behind the subscription wall—even the cheaper Game Pass Essential tier—Microsoft is essentially running a continuous, rotating demo reel for its service. It’s a low-risk way for you to sample a game like Everspace 2 or Way of the Hunter. And if you get hooked over the weekend? Well, you’re already a subscriber, so the path to purchasing is frictionless, or you might just decide the game is worth keeping via Game Pass itself. It turns a simple trial into a powerful retention tool.
The Destiny 2 gambit
The inclusion of the three Destiny 2 expansions is particularly savvy. The Final Shape just came out earlier this year, so this is a pretty fresh piece of content to offer for free. Bungie’s shooter is free-to-play at its core, but the real story—the campaigns, the newest raids and gear—is locked behind these expansions. Giving players a full, unrestricted taste of that premium content is a proven way to convert free users into paying ones. It’s basically a massive, time-limited sale where the entry price is just your existing Game Pass subscription. For lapsed players or the curious, it’s a compelling hook to jump back into the grind.
Finding the games and what’s next
So, how do you actually get these games? On your Xbox, you need to navigate to the Store, find the Home section, and then look for the Subscriptions tab. The Free Play Days collection will be sitting right there. It’s not the most intuitive path, but it works. And remember, this is a weekly rhythm. As this batch ends on December 7 (and 9 for Destiny 2), Microsoft announces that another round of games will enter the program on December 11. It’s a constant cycle, designed to keep you checking in every Thursday or Friday to see what’s new. For a platform that needs to demonstrate constant value, it’s a simple, effective strategy. Just don’t blame me when your weekend disappears.
