How GOG Giveaways Work

GOG giveaways are limited-time offers where GOG lets you add a game to your account for free, and once you claim it while signed in, it stays in your GOG library for good. There is no fixed weekly schedule like Epic's, so the main trick is spotting the giveaway before it ends. Because GOG games are DRM-free, you can also download the installer and keep a backup copy on your own drive.

What a GOG Giveaway Is

GOG is a PC game store known for DRM-free games, which means the games do not need an online check or a launcher to run after you install them. Every so often, GOG offers a game for free for a short time. If you claim it during that window, it is added to your GOG library permanently, just like a game you paid for.

These are free-to-keep giveaways, not free weekends. You do not lose the game when the promotion ends. If you are not sure how the different kinds of free offers compare, our guide "Free to Keep vs Free Weekend vs Free to Play: What's the Difference?" explains them side by side.

How to Spot a GOG Giveaway

GOG does not run giveaways on a regular weekly or monthly cycle. They show up from time to time, often during big sales or special events, and they only last a limited time.

When a giveaway is running, it is usually shown as a banner or highlighted section on the GOG.com home page, often with a countdown showing how much time is left. That countdown is the deadline that matters, so claim the game as soon as you see it rather than waiting.

Check the GOG.com home page, especially when a big sale starts
Look for a banner or section that mentions a free game and shows a countdown
Follow GOG's official social media or newsletter if you want alerts
Check our site, where we post GOG freebies when they appear

How to Claim a GOG Giveaway

Claiming is quick once you are signed in. The giveaway is claimed with its own button in the giveaway banner, not by buying the game through the normal checkout.

Go to GOG.com in your web browser and sign in to your GOG account, or create a free account if you do not have one.
Complete any sign-in security check. If you have two-step verification turned on, GOG will ask for a code, usually sent to your email.
Open the GOG.com home page and find the giveaway banner.
Click the claim button in the banner. If a mature game asks for your age, confirm it to continue.
Look for a confirmation message, then open your library from your account menu to make sure the game is there.

Downloading and Playing Your Free Game

Once the game is in your library, you can download it two ways. You can use GOG Galaxy, GOG's optional desktop app, which installs and updates games for you. Or you can download offline installers straight from your library on the GOG website.

Because GOG games are DRM-free, the offline installers keep working without logging in. Many players save these installer files to an external drive so they always have a copy, even without internet access. You do not have to download the game right away, though. Claimed games stay in your library, so you can install them whenever you like.

Common Problems and Fixes

Most claiming problems come down to not being signed in, missing the banner, or clicking on the wrong page. Here are the usual fixes.

Claim button does nothing: refresh the page, make sure you are signed in, and try turning off ad blockers or browser extensions for GOG.com, since they can block the banner from working [CHECK]
You see a price instead of $0: you are probably on the game's normal store page. Go back to the giveaway banner on the home page and claim it from there. Do not pay for it.
Cannot find the banner: scroll down the home page, or the giveaway may have ended or not started yet
Two-step code not arriving: check your spam folder and wait a minute before asking for a new code
Game not in your library: sign out and back in, then check again; if it is still missing, contact GOG support

How GOG Compares to Epic's Free Games

Epic Games Store gives away free games on a regular weekly schedule, while GOG's giveaways are occasional. Epic's free games usually change every Thursday at 11:00 AM ET. Our guide "What Time Do Epic Free Games Change Each Week?" covers that timing in your time zone, and "How to Claim Free Games on the Epic Games Store" walks you through claiming there.

If you want as many free games as possible, it helps to have accounts on several stores. Claiming on GOG does not affect anything on Epic or Steam, and each store keeps its own library.

FAQ

Do I really get to keep a GOG giveaway game forever?

Yes. As long as you claim it while the giveaway is running, the game stays in your GOG library after the offer ends. Because GOG games are DRM-free, you can also keep your own backup of the installer.

Do I need GOG Galaxy to claim or play the game?

No. You can claim the game on the GOG website and download offline installers from your library. GOG Galaxy is optional and just makes installing and updating easier.

How often does GOG give away free games?

There is no fixed schedule. Giveaways appear now and then, often during sales or special events, and each one lasts a limited time shown by the countdown on the banner.

Do I need to add a credit card or payment method to claim a giveaway?

You should not have to pay anything to claim a GOG giveaway. A free GOG account is all you need. If you are being asked to pay, you are most likely on the regular store page rather than using the claim button in the giveaway banner.

What happens if I miss the giveaway?

Once the countdown ends, the free offer is over and the game goes back to its normal price. You can buy it, add it to your wishlist, or wait and see if it shows up in a future sale.

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