Latest Steam Free-to-Keep: 2023 Multiplayer + Updates

Steam’s free-to-keep lineup is back in rotation after a brief pause during the Summer Sale, and PC players can grab a 2023 multiplayer action title plus extra bonuses at no cost right now. While all of the items are available through Steam, two are specifically part of the Free-to-Keep promotion, and the remaining one is being offered for free before it switches to a paid release.

For anyone new to the program, Steam’s Free-to-Keep Promotion lets you claim a limited set of games and keep them permanently, as long as you grab them before the deadline listed on the store page. The trade-off is timing—miss the window and the offer is gone. At the moment, that timing lines up with a common developer move: taking a free or limited release and later converting it into a paid product.

From remasters and remakes to brand-new arrivals, 2026 is already shaping up to be a major year for players who like staying ahead of what’s next.

Steam’s Free-to-Keep Promotion Makes Catch Me Completely Free of Charge

Quick facts

Save 100% on Catch Me on Steam
Promotion ends July 17 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET

Steam is offering Catch Me—an indie release made and published by ByteRockers Games—free to claim if you do it before July 17 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET. The game is built around a chaotic 4-player tag format, where you’re racing against friends while traps, power-ups, and exaggerated antics keep matches unpredictable.

Expect fast movement through bright stages, window vaults, electrified takedowns, and plenty of goofy distractions like throwing cats. The core loop is simple to learn, but the multiplayer focus is all about turning the environment into an advantage—staying just one step ahead in a party-style competition.

Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as possible.

Steam’s Free-to-Keep Bonus for Mound Players

Alongside Catch Me, Steam players can also claim the Lost Explorers’ Swords Pack for The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu. The catch is that the base game is paid, so you’ll need to own The Mound first. Once you do, the swords pack itself is free and includes two sword skins for anyone who wants extra cosmetic variety.

It’s not the same as getting the full game for free, but for players already invested in The Mound, this bonus is a straightforward win.

Quick facts

Claim free DLC for The Mound on Steam
DLC offer ends July 29

Steam Users Can Also Grab Escape Line for Free

Quick facts

Claim Escape Line for Free on Steam
It will become a paid title in early August

Escape Line is a choice-driven psychological horror visual novel on Steam that mixes mystery, sci-fi elements, and romance. The story begins with you waking up on an unfamiliar island with no memories, then working to uncover what’s really going on alongside three enigmatic sirens.

Your decisions matter throughout the experience and lead to multiple possible endings. Instead of leaning on action, the game prioritizes atmosphere, character connections, and bigger philosophical ideas, and it has earned a “Very Positive” overall reception from Steam players who prefer narrative-first experiences.

That said, the free offer won’t last forever. Developer Mo-Ring says Escape Line is scheduled to move to a $2 paid release in early August, and they framed the change as a boundary-setting decision rather than a direct money grab.

In the developer’s explanation, the free period attracted an unexpected amount of bad-faith criticism, including accusations that the game was AI-generated, calls for new features in exchange for adjusting negative reviews, and harassment tied to how the story unfolds. Players who claim the game before the switch will keep it permanently, and they’ll also continue receiving future updates and DLC for free. Meanwhile, the itch.io version will remain free for everyone.