Steam Free-to-Keep Returns: July 17 Deadline for 2023 Multiplayer Game + Bonuses
Steam’s Free-to-Keep promotion is live again after the Summer Sale pause, letting PC players claim one full game for keeps plus two additional freebies. The catch: each free offer has its own deadline, and one of the items is also set to become a paid release shortly after.
Release timing and availability windows
| Offer | Platform | Status | Date/window to claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catch Me | Steam | Free-to-keep full game | Until July 17, 10:00am PT / 1:00pm ET |
| Lost Explorers’ Swords Pack (DLC) | Steam | Free DLC (requires owning The Mound) | Until July 29 |
| Escape Line | Steam | Free-to-keep (then paid) | Becomes paid in early August |
Catch Me is the next Steam Free-to-Keep full game
Steam is letting users claim Catch Me for free as a Free-to-Keep title, as long as it’s added to their library before July 17 at 10:00am PT (1:00pm ET). The game is a four-player tag-style party experience built around chaotic races through colorful maps, with traps and power-ups to disrupt opponents. It also includes over-the-top antics and environmental tactics such as window vaults and electricity-based interference, plus a gameplay loop designed for unpredictable multiplayer moments.
Bonus free DLC for The Mound owners
If you already own The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu, Steam is also offering the Lost Explorers’ Swords Pack at no cost. It’s a DLC pack rather than a standalone game, and the promotion requires ownership of the base title. The pack includes two sword skins, and it can be claimed for free until July 29.
Escape Line is free now, but it’s turning into a paid game
Escape Line, a choice-driven psychological horror visual novel on Steam, is currently available to claim for free before it transitions to a paid release in early August. The developer, Mo-Ring, stated that the price change is intended to create “healthier boundaries” rather than to chase additional revenue.
In the game, players wake on a mysterious island without memories and uncover the truth alongside three sirens. Story decisions are meant to influence multiple endings, and the title leans heavily on atmosphere, character relationships, and philosophical themes rather than action.
Mo-Ring also explained that the free period triggered an unexpected wave of negative, bad-faith criticism. The developer cited accusations that the game was AI-generated, requests to add new features in exchange for improved reviews, and harassment tied to the story’s direction. Importantly for players, anyone who claims Escape Line before the switch will keep the game permanently and continue receiving future updates and DLC for free. The itch.io version remains free for everyone.
What this means for players
For most PC players, the practical takeaway is simple: claim Catch Me before July 17 to lock in a full game forever, and grab Escape Line before early August if you want to avoid paying later. Lost Explorers’ Swords Pack is only relevant if you already own The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu, but it’s an easy way to add two sword skins before the July 29 deadline.
One remaining uncertainty for players is the exact day in “early August” when Escape Line becomes paid; Steam users will need to watch for the precise storefront change once the transition approaches.
