Ethan Crossfield 
Steam users have approximately 48 hours to claim two games at no cost and keep them in their digital libraries forever. Space Menace and Deadshot are currently part of the storefront’s Free-to-Keep promotion, but both offers expire on September 23 at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET. Players who are interested should add them before the deadline passes.
What happened
Steam’s Free-to-Keep promotions give publishers a way to make selected games free for a limited period. Once a player claims an eligible title during the promotion, it remains available in that player’s digital library after the offer ends. The timing varies by game, although promotions often begin around Steam’s regular daily update at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET and last less than a week.
The current pair is Space Menace and Deadshot. Both promotions are scheduled to end at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET on September 23, leaving players a narrow window to claim them. Neither title is presented as a major blockbuster, but both offer distinct genres and enough content to make a free permanent addition worthwhile.
Why it matters
Space Menace is a top-down science-fiction strategy game built around fleet growth and survival. Players begin with one ship, accept freelance missions, pursue salvage, manage resources, customize vessels with weapons and utilities, and make choices that influence relationships with different factions. Friendly ships and space stations can also support players during combat.
The game currently holds a Mixed Steam rating, with 58% of 39 user reviews positive. That is a limited sample, so the score should be treated as an early signal rather than a definitive verdict.
Deadshot takes a different approach as a retro-style first-person shooter inspired by Half-Life, Doom, and Quake. Its campaign spans three chapters with six levels per chapter, while the arsenal includes seven weapons and five attachments. The setting follows a soldier fighting through a mutant apocalypse across tunnels, laboratories, buildings, and storage areas.
Deadshot has a Positive Steam rating from all 12 user reviews, though that extremely small sample provides limited context. Players should consider the review count alongside the rating.
What to watch next
Steam’s schedule for the next Free-to-Keep additions is not confirmed in the source information. Tuesday and Wednesday may bring more promotions, while Thursday is typically associated with Steam Free Weekend offers. Those events usually launch on Thursday, but the schedule can shift, skip a week, or arrive slightly early or late.
There is also a separate promotion for owners of Dying Light: The Beast. Eligible players can claim free DLC through Steam’s Free-to-Keep promotion until September 24, one day after the two standalone games expire. Players checking their libraries should look for that offer as well.
What Steam users should do
- Claim Space Menace before September 23 at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET.
- Claim Deadshot before the same deadline.
- Treat Steam review scores cautiously because both games have limited review samples.
- Check for the Dying Light: The Beast DLC promotion before it ends on September 24.
- Watch Steam later in the week for possible Free Weekend announcements.
Expert View
This is the kind of Steam promotion that rewards quick decisions rather than extensive research. Space Menace offers the deeper strategic hook, while Deadshot is the cleaner choice for players seeking a compact retro shooter. The review samples are too small to guarantee either game’s quality, but the permanent claim costs nothing, making both offers easy recommendations for players willing to experiment.
