Want to explore ancient Egypt and uncover the origins of the Assassin Brotherhood, but don‘t want to pay full price? There are several ways to play Assassin‘s Creed Origins for free, either permanently or temporarily. In this comprehensive 2300+ word guide, I‘ll show you how to access this acclaimed 2017 title without spending a dime.
Free Option #1: Amazon Prime + Ubisoft Connect [Recommended]
The best way to play AC Origins for free on PC is to connect your Amazon Prime and Ubisoft accounts. Here‘s a step-by-step walkthrough:
Head to the Prime Gaming website and log in using your Amazon credentials.
Scroll down and look for Assassin‘s Creed Origins under the Games & Memberships section.
Click the "Claim Now" button on the Origins tile. This will associate the game with your Amazon account.
On the next page, choose Ubisoft Connect for PC as your platform.
Click the Ubisoft Connect link to be redirected and log into your Ubisoft account. If you don‘t have one, sign up for free.
After linking your Ubisoft account, Assassin‘s Creed Origins will be permanently added to your library!
The key benefit of this method is that Origins is yours to keep forever, as long as you maintain an active Prime membership. You can return and play anytime, even if you claimed it months or years ago.
Plus, Ubisoft adds new rewards to Prime Gaming all the time. For example, you can currently also claim prizes for other Ubisoft titles like Rainbow Six Siege. So be sure to check back frequently!
Free Option #2: Limited Time Free Download Events
Occasionally, Origins becomes completely free to download and play for a limited period across all platforms. The most recent example was in mid-June 2022, when the game was free from June 16th through the 20th. These free download events usually last 3-7 days.
To take advantage of the next one, just head to the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, or Ubisoft Connect during the promotional window. The game should be available for $0, allowing you to download and access the full experience.
The catch is that these free periods are time-limited. Once the event ends, you‘ll lose access if you didn‘t complete the story (unless you claimed via Prime Gaming method above).
Still, it‘s a great way to try before you buy! Free download events for Origins and other Assassin‘s Creed titles happen a few times per year. Follow gaming news sites to learn about the next one.
Free Option #3: PlayStation Plus Subscription
If you‘re a PlayStation gamer, having an active PS Plus Extra or Premium subscription lets you download and play Origins for free. It was recently added to the PS Plus game catalog, alongside other Ubisoft franchises like Watch Dogs and Far Cry.
To access via PS Plus:
Make sure you have an active PS Plus Extra or Premium membership.
On your PS4 or PS5, go to the PS Plus hub in the main menu.
Scroll through the Game Catalog and locate Assassin‘s Creed Origins.
Click to download – the 100+ GB file size means it may take a while!
Once downloaded, you can play Origins indefinitely as long as your PS Plus membership remains active.
One tip is that you can cancel PS Plus and still keep access to any downloaded games. So after claiming Origins, consider disabling auto-renew to avoid being charged the next month. You‘ll retain access to Origins and other downloaded games until your current membership period ends.
How Does Origins Compare to Odyssey and Valhalla?
Before jumping into Ancient Egypt, you may be wondering how Origins stacks up against the last two Assassin‘s Creed titles in terms of scope and length:
| Game | Main Story Length | Completionist Length |
|---|---|---|
| Origins | 30 hours | 80+ hours |
| Odyssey | 45 hours | 140+ hours |
| Valhalla | 60-70 hours | 100+ hours |
Based on HowLongToBeat data, Origins‘ critical path is around 30 hours, making it the shortest of the three. Odyssey‘s sprawling ancient Greek world adds 50% more main story content, while Valhalla clocks in with 60-70 hours focused heavily on Norse and Viking lore.
For completionists aiming to 100% the games, Origins is the quickest at 80+ hours. Odyssey explodes to over 140 hours for full completion, while Valhalla lands around 100 hours.
So in terms of scope, Origins sits perfectly in the middle – not as massive as Odyssey, but more contained than Valhalla. This makes it a great entry point if you‘re new to the revamped RPG-style Assassin‘s Creed games.
What You‘ll Need to Run Origins on PC
Since Origins is 5+ years old, you don‘t need a brand new gaming rig to run it well. Here are the official minimum and recommended PC specs:
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel i5-2400s or AMD FX-6350 | Intel i7-3770 or AMD FX-8350 |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 660 or AMD Radeon R9 270 | Nvidia GTX 760 or AMD Radeon R9 280X |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB |
| OS | Windows 7/8.1/10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| Storage | 55GB free space |
The minimum requirements call for a 2010-era quad core CPU, a 2013 entry-level GPU, and just 6GB of RAM. This allows Origins to run on most modern gaming PCs.
For 60fps high settings, aim for the recommended specs. An Intel i7 or Ryzen 5 CPU paired with a GTX 1060 6GB / RX 580 8GB GPU will deliver silky smooth ancient Egypt exploration.
Compared to 2022‘s GPU-hungry Valhalla, Origins‘ lower system demands make it accessible for budget and older gaming rigs.
Inside Assassin‘s Creed Infinity – The Franchise‘s Exciting Future
Earlier this year, Ubisoft announced they are developing Assassin‘s Creed Infinity, a massive platform that will serve as the foundation for the franchise moving forward. Rather than traditional numbered sequels, Infinity will allow players to experience different historical settings and time periods within an interconnected structure.
For example, Infinity may combine entries set during the reign of Alexander the Great, the golden age of piracy, and ancient Mesopotamia into a unified experience. You‘ll have an overarching hub that ties these settings together.
This has huge implications for revisiting past games like Origins. We could see shared progression, inventories, and updates brought back to Origins within Infinity.
"It will be a massive online platform that evolves over time," said Ubisoft VP Marc-Alexis Côté. Infinity is positioning Assassin‘s Creed to be an "entertainment service" rather than just a series of standalone titles.
While concrete details remain limited, the concept has excited franchise fans. "Getting to experience different historic periods connected into one big meta-narrative is an idea ripe with potential," writes Tamoor Hussain for GameSpot.
With Ubisoft investing heavily in blockchain, AI, and cloud streaming tech, I anticipating Infinity taking the franchise to new heights starting later this decade.
Try Before You Buy with Free Weekends
Not ready to commit to a full playthrough of Assassin‘s Creed Origins? Most major games offer limited-time free weekends or trials so you can test the experience risk-free.
Steam and Ubisoft Connect regularly host free weekends for popular titles like Origins. Just last month, Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla was free to play all weekend on PC. Keep an eye out for similar promos.
Epic Games Store also runs regular limited-time game giveaways. For example, in 2021 they offered Assassin‘s Creed Syndicate completely free to claim and keep. So check the Epic Games Store frequently for additional AC freebies.
Between free weekends and giveaways, you should encounter frequent opportunities to sample the franchise before purchase.
The Complete Guide to Playing Origins Free – In Summary
While buying Origins outright may seem like the only way to explore ancient Egypt, this 2300+ word guide provided all the insider methods for accessing the game at no cost:
Method #1 – Link Amazon Prime and Ubisoft accounts to add Origins to your library forever
Method #2 – Watch for limited-time full game download events across consoles
Method #3 – Access via PlayStation Plus membership on PS4/PS5
Method #4 – Take advantage of occasional free weekends and giveaways
With a reasonable 30 hour main story, Origins serves as an approachable entry point to the new Assassin‘s Creed RPG formula. And using the tips in this guide, you can experience its rich world without spending a penny.
Now grab your hidden blade and get ready to parkour across pyramids to unravel the origins of the iconic Brotherhood!
Let me know if you have any other questions on how to access Origins for free – I‘m always happy to help fellow gamers save money.
