Ethan Crossfield 
Steam has opened two limited-time promotions that give PC players different ways to play for free. Breathedge, an open-world survival-crafting game, can be claimed permanently until August 9 at 12 p.m. CT, while NBA 2K26 is available to play without charge until August 14. Moonlighter is also still free to keep until August 9, giving users a third opportunity to expand their libraries.
What happened on Steam
Breathedge is the main free-to-keep offer. Once claimed, it is added permanently to a player's Steam library and can be downloaded and played later. Developed by RedRuins Softworks and published by HypeTrain Digital, the game launched on February 25, 2021. It combines resource gathering, crafting, exploration, and survival in a setting built around deep space and the wreckage left by a cosmic disaster. Its comedic tone gives the otherwise dangerous survival formula a distinctive identity. Steam currently lists Breathedge as 72% Mostly Positive from more than 5,000 user reviews.
NBA 2K26 is available through a separate free-to-play event rather than a permanent giveaway. The latest entry in 2K's basketball series includes MyCAREER, MyTEAM, MyNBA, and several online multiplayer modes. Its on-court presentation and player movement use ProPLAY technology, which draws on real NBA footage. The game is free to access through August 14, but continued play after the event requires a purchase. Play Now, MyNBA, and The W can be used offline; other features require an internet connection and may require online account registration.
Why it matters for players
The two offers serve different kinds of Steam users. Breathedge is a straightforward library addition: claim it before the deadline and it remains available indefinitely. That makes it the priority for anyone who enjoys survival crafting or wants a single-player game ready for a later session.
NBA 2K26 is better suited to players who want to test the current basketball experience immediately. Its multiple modes provide more to explore than a brief trial, although online-focused features depend on an internet connection and account requirements. Players interested in the series can use the event to see whether the updated gameplay and modes justify a longer-term purchase.
Moonlighter adds another permanent option to the promotion. The roguelike dungeon-crawler and management hybrid asks players to explore dungeons, fight monsters, collect loot, and sell their findings. It can also be claimed until August 9, alongside Breathedge.
What to watch next
The important dates are close together, so players should not treat these promotions as open-ended. Breathedge and Moonlighter must be added to a Steam library by August 9, while NBA 2K26 remains playable for free until August 14. The free-to-keep games offer lasting value, whereas the basketball event is primarily a short-term chance to sample the newest release.
Steam's rotating mix of permanent giveaways and temporary play events continues to reward users who check the platform regularly. For this promotion, the most efficient approach is to claim both permanent games first, then use the remaining time to decide how much of NBA 2K26's broader feature set is worth exploring.
What Steam users should do
- Claim Breathedge by August 9 at 12 p.m. CT to keep it permanently.
- Add Moonlighter to the library before its August 9 free-to-keep deadline.
- Play NBA 2K26 before August 14 if you want to sample its current modes.
- Use offline modes such as Play Now, MyNBA, and The W without an internet connection.
- Remember that most NBA 2K26 features require internet access and may require online account registration.
Steam promotion overview
| Game | Promotion | Deadline | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breathedge | Free to keep | August 9, 12 p.m. CT | Open-world survival crafting |
| NBA 2K26 | Free to play | August 14 | Basketball simulation |
| Moonlighter | Free to keep | August 9 | Roguelike dungeon crawler and management |
Expert View
Breathedge is the strongest value because the offer converts a time-limited promotion into a permanent library addition, while Moonlighter provides another lasting game at the same deadline. NBA 2K26 has a different purpose: its free period is most useful as a low-risk introduction to the latest entry and its wider set of modes. Players should secure the permanent games first, then treat the basketball event as an extended trial rather than assuming every promotion works the same way.
