A free game that stays free forever — but only if you claim it before the developer flips the switch.
The Deal
Independent developer Doom Turtle has confirmed that Legends of Starkadia, its turn-based sci-fi RPG on Steam, is currently 100% free to claim and keep forever — but only until September 14, 2026. On that date the game is scheduled to convert to a paid title at $1.99, and anyone who has already added it to their Steam library keeps it free for good.
The offer was verified directly on the game's official Steam storefront, which currently lists Legends of Starkadia as Free To Play with no purchase required. The developer's own Steam announcement states the September 14 price change and confirms that accounts claiming the game before the transition retain permanent free ownership.
What's Free
The full released base game of Legends of Starkadia (not the demo) — a turn-based RPG combining tactical combat, quick-time events, side missions and 12 unlockable characters
The game currently contains one released planet of a planned 11-planet story (roughly two hours of playtime in its current state)
Permanent ownership for anyone who claims it before September 14 — future content updates, if they materialize, are included for existing owners
No credit card, no subscription, no trial clock — a standard free Steam account is all it takes
How to Get It
Log in to your Steam account (free to create)
Visit the official store page: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2618160/Legends_of_Starkadia/
Confirm the page shows "Free To Play" / "Play Game"
Add the base game to your library — the separate demo app is not the same listing
Claim it any time before September 14, 2026
Fine Print
The developer has not published an exact cutoff hour, so DealHurryUp recommends claiming well before September 14 rather than waiting for the final day
The game is in an unconventional early-release state: the full 11-planet story is written but not yet developed, and future chapters depend on the game's performance after the paid transition
Steam lists Windows 7 as the minimum OS, but the Steam client itself now requires Windows 10 or later
Minimum specs are modest: a dual-core 2.4 GHz CPU, 8 GB RAM and a 6 GB download
Reviews of the current build have been notably positive, with the game drawing attention for its colorful art style and compact adventure format
Bottom Line
This is one of the rare freebie scenarios where the clock is the whole story: a game that costs nothing today is scheduled to start charging money on September 14, and the only thing standing between you and a permanent free copy is a two-minute click. Whether or not you play it this weekend, claim it now — if Doom Turtle's plans hold, you'll own it forever at $0 while latecomers pay $1.99.
