Another weekend, another excuse to try something different on XBOX. This week’s Free Play Days lineup includes NBA 2K27, Crusader Kings III, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, Soccer Story, and Ravenswatch, plus a limited trial of The Alters that doesn’t require a Game Pass subscription.
According to the October 15 announcement from XBOX Marketing Manager Kyle Ocean, most of this week’s games are available from Thursday, October 15, through Sunday, October 18, for XBOX Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and Essential members. NBA 2K27 joins a little later, starting Friday, October 16, at noon PDT, or 3 p.m. EDT.
The big exception is The Alters: everyone can try its three-hour trial during the event, whether they subscribe to Game Pass or not.
This weekend’s XBOX Free Play Days lineup
There’s a pretty wide spread this time, from basketball and medieval scheming to running a bus company. Here’s what’s available and when:
| Game | Free play dates | Membership requirement |
|---|---|---|
| NBA 2K27 Standard Edition | October 16 at noon PDT through October 18 | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential |
| Crusader Kings III | October 15–18 | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential |
| Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop | October 15–18 | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential |
| Soccer Story | October 15–18 | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential |
| Ravenswatch | October 15–18 | Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, or Essential |
| The Alters | October 15–18; three-hour trial | No Game Pass membership required |
For more recent weekend lineups, check out our XBOX Free Play Days coverage.
NBA 2K27 tips off Friday
NBA 2K27 Standard Edition is the headliner, but don’t expect it to be available alongside the Thursday games. Its free play window starts Friday, October 16, at noon PDT.
Once it opens, you can create a MyPLAYER, explore The City, work on your MyCAREER, or jump into Play Now with NBA and WNBA stars.
There’s also a separate purchase promotion running October 16–29. The announcement says buying any digital edition during that period includes an XBOX Gift Card and a 15,000 Virtual Currency Pack. Check the store offer for the gift card value and full terms before buying.
Crusader Kings III puts your dynasty on the line
If basketball isn’t your thing, Crusader Kings III offers a completely different kind of competition on XBOX Series X|S.
Instead of chasing a championship, you’re building a medieval dynasty through marriages, warfare, alliances, and the occasional scheme. Your ruler’s death doesn’t necessarily end the story, either. The focus is on keeping the family’s legacy going across generations.
Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop lets you take the wheel
Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop trades battles and basketball courts for bus routes.
You can drive officially licensed buses across two open-world cities while building your own transport company. Play solo or bring friends along in online co-op if running the operation sounds better with company.
Soccer Story is down to $2.99
Soccer Story takes the sport in a very different direction from a traditional soccer simulation.
Soccer Inc. has shut down local stadiums, teams, and tournaments, and a magical soccer ball has picked you to help bring the game back. It’s a sports-themed adventure with a much stranger setup than simply winning the next match.
If the free weekend wins you over, the announced sale price is $2.99, an 85% discount from $19.99.
Ravenswatch brings four-player co-op and a 65% discount
For something with more action, Ravenswatch turns fairy-tale characters into nightmare-fighting heroes.
You can play solo or team up with up to three other players, collecting items and upgrading abilities to put together a build that can survive the run.
The announcement also highlights Kintaro, a new DLC hero inspired by Japanese folklore who fights alongside a bear companion. His arrival comes with a talent rework for all heroes. Don’t confuse that DLC announcement with what’s included in the base-game trial, though.
Ravenswatch is also listed at $10.49 during the promotion, down 65% from $29.99.
The Alters gets a free trial without Game Pass
The Alters is this weekend’s option for players without a subscription, but there’s an important limit: you get three hours, not unrestricted access for the entire weekend.
The survival game strands you on a hostile planet, where you create alternate versions of yourself to help keep things running. Each one comes from a different life path, which means they bring their own personalities, regrets, and opinions about your decisions.
Alongside building your base and managing resources, you’ll need to look after your Alters’ mental well-being. Keeping everyone alive is only part of the job; keeping them working together is another problem entirely.
The announced sale price is $15.74, down from $34.99, if you decide to continue after the trial.
How to download this week’s Free Play Days games
On your console:
- Open the XBOX Store.
- Select the Subscriptions tab.
- Scroll to the Free Play Days collection.
- Choose an eligible game and install it.
You can also use the individual game links above. Sign in with the Microsoft account connected to your eligible Game Pass subscription to see the available install option. This is the same process outlined in our previous Free Play Days download guide.
Remember that finding the collection on XBOX One doesn’t mean every game supports that console. Crusader Kings III, for example, is specifically listed for XBOX Series X|S in this week’s announcement.
Your progress stays if you buy
These are temporary play opportunities, not permanent additions to your library. Once the event ends—or you use up The Alters’ three-hour allowance—you’ll need to buy the game or have another valid way to access it to keep playing.
You won’t have to start from scratch if you purchase afterward. XBOX’s Free Play Days FAQ confirms that earned points and purchased DLC carry over when you buy the game.
Discounts and availability can vary by region and title, so double-check the price shown in your local store before checking out. For more news beyond this weekend’s trials, visit our XBOX and Gaming section.
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