Have you been itching to try out the newest Assassin‘s Creed or Far Cry, but don‘t want to fork over $60 for the privilege? As a budget-conscious gamer myself, I‘ve explored all the sneakiest ways to access Ubisoft‘s catalog of AAA titles 100% free.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll share the clever tricks and loopholes I‘ve discovered to play Ubisoft‘s most popular franchises on the house. Whether you‘re looking to sample the latest open world hit or catch up on games from years past, I‘ve got you covered. Keep reading to unlock the full Ubisoft library without emptying your wallet!
Take the Free Ubisoft Connect Route
The best place to start your free Ubisoft journey is their Ubisoft Connect platform on PC. This centralized hub grants free access to a rotating selection of games.
Simply open the Ubisoft Connect app, hit the "Games" tab, and look for the "Free Games" section near the bottom. As a fellow cheapskate gamer, I check this list religiously to grab any new freebies.
According to the eagle-eyed deal hunters at gg.deals, some titles currently up for grabs include:
- Trackmania (2020 remake) – access to this creative racing/stunt driving game permanently free
- Might & Magic: Chess Royale – 100-player fantasy-themed version of auto chess/battle royale
- Rabbids Coding – educational programming game starring Ubisoft‘s wacky Rabbids
The selection varies over time as old games get cycled out and new ones added. For instance, Hyper Scape, Ubisoft‘s sci-fi battle royale shooter, was free for over a year but got removed in October 2022.
So be sure to act fast if you see a game that interests you, as you never know when it might get yanked.
I also make a point to watch for limited-time free promotions run by Ubisoft for major new releases. Just this November, they made Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla totally free to play for a whole weekend.
Getting hands-on time with a massive recent open world like Valhalla for free was an incredible value. Ubisoft seems to be doing these free weekends more frequently, so keep an eye out by wishlisting any games that intrigue you.
Dive Into Ubisoft‘s Generous Free Trials
Beyond permanently free games, Ubisoft Connect also grants access to extensive free trials of many premium titles. I‘m talking 10 hours or more of full gameplay before hitting the paywall.
These lengthy trials let you experience the beginning chapters of huge Ubisoft worlds without paying a cent. Your progress carries over if you eventually buy the full version too.
Some of the juiciest free trials available as of late 2022 include:
- Assassin‘s Creed Odyssey – 10 hours of gameplay in ancient Greece
- Riders Republic – 10 hours of extreme sports action
- Roller Champions – 6 hours of future sports mayhem
- Rainbow Six Extraction – 10 hours of tactical alien-blasting
Check the full list of Ubisoft‘s free trials here, as new ones get added periodically.
Getting 10 hours with a game like Far Cry 6 for zero dollars provides tremendous value. You can easily complete many major story moments and get a great feel for the gameplay before deciding on purchasing the full thing.
As an avid deal seeker myself, I almost never buy games at launch. But I can satisfy my urge to play early by binging the lengthy free trial when it first releases.
Consider Ubisoft‘s Netflix-Style Subscription
If you want unlimited access to Ubisoft‘s game vault, look into their Ubisoft+ subscription. For a reasonable $14.99 a month, you gain instant play across a library of 100+ titles.
This Netflix style pass lets you binge acclaimed franchises like Assassin‘s Creed, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy without buying them individually. New releases get added day one with all DLC included.
I recently used a 1 month subscription to polish off games from my backlog like Watch Dogs 2 and test upcoming titles like Skull and Bones for cheap.
Compared to purchasing just one or two new Ubisoft releases at full retail price, the subscription provided way more bang for my buck. If you plan out your months strategically, Ubisoft+ lets you marathon a ton of AAA games on a budget.
Hop Aboard the Hype Train Free
As an obsessive deal expert, I‘ve noticed Ubisoft+ subscribers on PC get 3-day early access to brand new titles. This perk allows experiencing the hype of a massive sequel like Assassin‘s Creed Mirage right at launch without purchasing!
Even non-subscribers can play new Ubisoft releases free for 3-6 hours when they first drop. The publisher offers a special "Free Weekend" preview period before requiring purchase.
I love using these early free access periods to ride the wave of launch excitement. Nothing beats watching my Twitch streamer pals enjoy a hot new title while I play alongside them for free!
Monitoring forums and social media feeds pays off to catch these free hype train opportunities right as major Ubisoft games go live.
Embrace the Future With F2P
Recently Ubisoft has begun dipping its toes into the "games as a service" model with free-to-play (F2P) titles like Hyper Scape.
These freebies allow accessing the full core game without an upfront cost. Optional microtransactions provide revenue down the line.
I‘m personally not a huge spender on microtransactions in F2P games. But I still appreciate having another route to enjoy AAA production values and gameplay for zero dollars.
Industry rumors indicate Ubisoft plans to expand into the F2P space much more heavily in coming years. Forward-thinking budget gamers like myself will happily take advantage!
Watch for Free Weekend Deals
The Ubisoft Store on PC frequently runs "Free Weekend" promotions where you can access full premium games for a limited time.
For instance, they might make Rainbow Six Siege or Ghost Recon Wildlands available from Friday through Sunday at no cost. This provides a nice chunk of time to try out titles that have piqued your interest.
I advise Wishlisting any promising looking Ubisoft games and keeping an eye out for Free Weekend announcements. Sometimes they coincide with events like new DLC releases too.
Following the Ubisoft Store Twitter account and checking their website/launcher weekend banners helps uncover these temporary freebies. You don‘t want to miss the window of opportunity once they go live.
Pounce on Giveaways When Possible
I never say no to free games, so I stay vigilant about giveaways and contests across the web. Though rare, Ubisoft does provide full free game offers as promotions occasionally.
For example, in 2021 Ubisoft gave away the entire futuristic space exploration game Starlink: Battle for Atlas. All I had to do was log into the Ubisoft Connect mobile app during a certain timeframe to claim it.
They‘ve also awarded free games like Steep through their Ubisoft Forward digital events and partnered with Amazon Prime Gaming for monthly giveaways.
It pays to keep tabs on the latest news and happenings in the gaming space. You never know when you might luck into a chance to add another free Ubisoft title to your backlog!
Is Ubisoft Connect Avoidable?
Now you might be wondering – is it possible to sidestep Ubisoft Connect altogether and play their games DRM-free? Unfortunately, the answer is pretty much no.
Ubisoft requires their Connect platform even for games purchased through Steam or Epic. This provides key authentication, achievements, multiplayer access, and cloud save integration.
Some workarounds like offline mode mods exist, but often have big drawbacks for updates, DLC, and online play.
Your best bet is to embrace Connect. The good news is Ubisoft provides tons of Avenue‘s for free gameplay directly through their launcher!
Wrap Up
As a fellow gaming enthusiast on a budget, I hope these tips help unlock Ubisoft‘s impressive catalog of titles 100% free. Here are some key takeaways:
- Keep tabs on the "Free Games" section of Ubisoft Connect for permanent grabs like Trackmania
- Use Ubisoft‘s 10+ hour premium game trials to maximize free playtime
- Consider a budget-friendly 1 month Ubisoft+ subscription to access 100+ titles
- Wishlist new releases and watch for free weekends promos
- Look forward to more F2P and giveaway opportunities
- Ubisoft Connect is mandatory, but grants awesome free avenues
What franchise are you most excited to dive into first – Assassin‘s Creed? Far Cry? Let me know how your free Ubisoft journey goes! Here‘s to keeping your wallet full and your backlog stacked in the new year. Game on!
