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| The upcoming free game could be a well-rated indie title. Pictured: edited cover picture of Cult of the Lamb. |
For days, the gaming community has been buzzing with theories. As part of its massive 2025 holiday giveaway, the Epic Games Store had been building anticipation for its Christmas Eve mystery game, shrouding it in the classic digital wrapping paper and bow. With no official clues, players turned to historical patterns and hopeful guesses to predict what surprise awaited them. The speculation has finally ended, and the gift has been unwrapped: The Callisto Protocol, a polarizing sci-fi survival horror title, is now free to claim.
The Buildup: A Tradition of Mystery and Speculation
The Epic Games Store's holiday event is a cherished year-end tradition, offering a new free game every single day from December 18th through the New Year. Each title is available for only 24 hours, creating a daily ritual for players to check in and claim their gift. Before the big reveal, the mystery fuels intense community discussion.
Leading up to December 24th, fans analyzed past patterns for clues. Looking at the previous years, the eighth free game of the holiday event (which falls on Christmas Eve) has a notable history:
- 2024: Dredge
- 2023: Ghostwire: Tokyo
- 2022: Metro: Last Light Redux
- 2021: Pathfinder: Kingmaker
- 2020: Inside
Observant theorists noted that most of these were either highly-rated indie titles or repeats of previous giveaways, leading to widespread speculation that the 2025 pick would follow suit. Popular guesses from the community included acclaimed indie darlings like Cult of the Lamb, Hollow Knight, Terraria, and Subnautica: Below Zero.
Embedded from the community: For a deep dive into the fan speculation that took place before the reveal, you can read the lively discussions and theories on Reddit.
The Reveal: The Callisto Protocol Takes Center Stage
At 8:00 AM Pacific Time on December 24th, the mystery was solved. Instead of a smaller indie game, Epic unveiled The Callisto Protocol, a AAA survival horror experience from 2022. The game, which normally carries a $59.99 price tag, is free to keep for anyone who adds it to their Epic library before 8:00 AM PT on December 25th.
Directed by Glen Schofield, the co-creator of the legendary Dead Space series, The Callisto Protocol wears its inspiration on its sleeve. Set in a brutal prison on Jupiter's moon, Callisto, the game throws players into a claustrophobic fight for survival against grotesque alien creatures. It features a heavy, visceral combat system and a grim sci-fi narrative.
The choice is intriguing. While the game boasts impressive visuals and a compelling atmosphere, it launched to a mixed reception, with some critics and players finding it fell short of its lofty ambitions. This makes it a perfect candidate for a free giveaway—it gives millions of players a chance to judge the experience for themselves without any financial risk.
A Look at the Holiday Haul So Far
The Callisto Protocol is the latest in an already-impressive lineup of daily freebies. The 2025 holiday event began with a week-long giveaway of the blockbuster Hogwarts Legacy, followed by a rapid-fire series of daily mysteries.
Here’s what players have been able to claim for free in the days leading up to Christmas:
- Dec. 18: Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel (A Norse-inspired horde survivor)
- Dec. 19: Eternights (An action game mixed with dating sim elements)
- Dec. 20: Blood West (A weird-west FPS with stealth)
- Dec. 21: Sorry We're Closed (A story-driven survival horror)
- Dec. 22: Paradise Killer (An open-world murder mystery)
- Dec. 23: Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (A Gothic metroidvania from a Castlevania veteran)
The event has offered a diverse mix of genres, from horror and RPGs to unique adventures, with a total value well over $200 already given away.
What’s Next and How to Claim Your Games
The holiday giveaway is far from over. Another mystery game will replace The Callisto Protocol at 8:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM ET / 4:00 PM GMT on December 25th. This pattern will continue with a new surprise each day until at least January 1st.
If you want to build your PC gaming library, the process is simple:
- Log in to your Epic Games Store account on a browser or through the desktop app.
- Navigate to the "Free Games" section or the store's front page.
- Find The Callisto Protocol (available until Dec. 25, 8:00 AM PT) and click "Get."
- Check back daily after the refresh time to claim the newest mystery title.
Whether you’re brave enough to dive into the horrors of Black Iron Prison or are holding out for tomorrow’s surprise, Epic’s holiday event ensures there’s a new reason for gamers to celebrate every single day.