If you’re an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, this Christmas brings an extra treat, thanks to a collaboration between Microsoft and EA. Together, they are offering one of the best first-person shooters of the past decade for free—plus Battlefield 1, for good measure.
As detailed on the Xbox Wire blog, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers are being gifted daily surprises leading up to Christmas, starting immediately.
“In the spirit of giving this month, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members will earn even more with EA Play’s holiday countdown,” said Charlie Fortescue, EA’s Global Corporate Communications Director. The event runs from December 17 through December 26.
For those unfamiliar, an active EA Play membership is required to claim these gifts. While this might initially sound like an extra expense, it’s worth noting that EA Play is included as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
However, subscribers must still sign up for an EA Play account, so arguably, the real cost is the consumer data you’ll be sharing with EA.
The gifts on offer include a mix of in-game items and full games. While some, like skins for Apex Legends and Battlefield 2042 or team packs for EA Sports College Football 25 and EA Sports FC 25, might not pique everyone’s interest, there are notable freebies worth grabbing.
First on the list is the “Home Chef Hustle Stuff Pack” for The Sims 4, valued at nearly ten dollars. It’s a solid addition if you own the base game. Then there’s Battlefield 1: Revolution, the ultimate edition of Battlefield 1, which includes the Premium Pass and four expansion packs.
Finally, there’s Titanfall 2: Ultimate Edition. If you haven’t played this gem yet, now’s the perfect opportunity. It’s a phenomenal game, both in its single-player campaign and online multiplayer modes.
Now, if EA would just announce Titanfall 3, it would truly make this holiday season unforgettable.
Meanwhile, at The Game Awards, a new free-to-play mech shooter called Steel Hunters was revealed, much to the delight of Halo and Titanfall fans. Created by Wargaming, known for their “World Of” series like World of Tanks, Steel Hunters promises a “free-to-play, PvPvE shooter with futuristic mech battles.”
The game debuted with a cinematic trailer, followed by a gameplay-focused trailer on YouTube. The good news? Steel Hunters is already available—in beta form.
Interested players can visit its Steam page to join the “Steel Hunters Beta Playtest,” with most applicants reportedly gaining access within an hour, according to social media buzz.
The closed beta runs from December 12 to December 22, giving players nine days to go into the action.
While currently a PC exclusive, Wargaming’s track record suggests a console release might follow. There’s no official release date yet, but more details will likely emerge after the beta concludes next week.
