{"id":10933,"date":"2025-12-23T04:05:31","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T04:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/epic-free-sorry-were-closed\/"},"modified":"2025-12-23T04:05:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T04:05:31","slug":"epic-free-sorry-were-closed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/epic-free-sorry-were-closed\/","title":{"rendered":"Epic Games Store Giving Away 2024 Game That Took a Major Award from Clair Obscur &#8211; Game Rant"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<p><strong>Lead:<\/strong> On December 21, 2025, the Epic Games Store revealed Sorry We&#8217;re Closed as its free daily title, making it available to claim for 24 hours. The retro-inspired survival horror game, developed by British studio \u00e0 la mode games and published by Akupara Games, had recently been awarded Debut Game at the 2025 Indie Game Awards after Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was disqualified. Players on Epic have until Monday, December 22 at 8am PT \/ 11am ET \/ 5pm CET to add the game to their libraries. The giveaway is the fifth release in Epic&#8217;s holiday promotion, which began on December 11 with Hogwarts Legacy.<\/p>\n<h2>Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Sorry We&#8217;re Closed is free on Epic Games Store from Dec 21\u2013Dec 22, 2025; the claim window ends at 8am PT \/ 11am ET \/ 5pm CET on Dec 22.<\/li>\n<li>The title won Debut Game at the 2025 Indie Game Awards after Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was disqualified for use of generative AI.<\/li>\n<li>Sorry We&#8217;re Closed launched on PC in late 2024 (Nov 14, 2024) and reached consoles in March 2025; its store price is $24.99.<\/li>\n<li>Critical reception is positive: OpenCritic average ~82 with an 86% reviewer recommendation rate; Steam user rating listed as \u201cOverwhelmingly Positive\u201d; PlayStation and Xbox stores show 4.51 and 4.4 stars respectively.<\/li>\n<li>Epic\u2019s holiday slate began Dec 11 with Hogwarts Legacy and shifted to daily mystery titles Dec 18\u2013Dec 31; five daily titles have been revealed so far.<\/li>\n<li>So far, Epic has given away more than $150 worth of games in this holiday promotion; ten more daily freebies are planned through the end of December 2025.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>Epic Games has run holiday free-game promotions for several years, using the program both to reward users and to spotlight titles that might otherwise struggle for attention. This 2025 season began unusually on December 11 with Hogwarts Legacy offered for a week, then reverted to the platform\u2019s typical format of a rotating mystery game every 24 hours starting December 18. That format creates urgency\u2014each reveal is available for a single day\u2014and has become a predictable driver of spikes in player acquisition and store traffic.<\/p>\n<p>Sorry We&#8217;re Closed arrived amid growing debate around how small studios navigate awards, IP, and new production tools. The game\u2019s developer, \u00e0 la mode games, bills itself as a British studio despite the French-tinged name; publisher Akupara Games handled broader platform releases. The title\u2019s design intentionally references classic survival-horror mechanics\u2014fixed camera angles, puzzle-centric exploration and occasional first-person sequences\u2014while layering a supernatural \u201cThird Eye\u201d mechanic that shifts the player\u2019s perspective between worlds.<\/p>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>Epic disclosed Sorry We&#8217;re Closed as its December 21 free game, the fifth reveal in the holiday rotation. Users had a 24-hour window to add the title to their accounts; the giveaway\u2019s posted end time is Monday, Dec 22 at 8am PT \/ 11am ET \/ 5pm CET. The promotion list preceding this day included Hogwarts Legacy (Dec 11\u201318), then daily reveals Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel (Dec 18\u201319), Eternights (Dec 19\u201320), and Blood West (Dec 20\u201321).<\/p>\n<p>Sorry We&#8217;re Closed first released on PC in November 2024 and arrived on consoles in March 2025. The game drew attention from critics and players alike for its neon-soaked aesthetic, perspective shifts, and the Third Eye mechanic used across combat and puzzles. Aggregated metrics place it in a strong reception bracket and user feedback on digital storefronts has been notably positive.<\/p>\n<p>The title\u2019s recent win at the 2025 Indie Game Awards, however, came with controversy: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was removed from consideration after organizers determined generative AI had been used during development. Reports indicate the contested assets had been placeholder visuals that were replaced before release, but the awards body\u2014Six One Indie\u2014maintained a zero-tolerance policy and elevated Sorry We&#8217;re Closed from runner-up to winner.<\/p>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>Epic\u2019s decision to include Sorry We&#8217;re Closed in its giveaway amplifies the game\u2019s visibility at a moment when broader conversations about AI in games and awards governance are front and center. For an indie studio, appearing in Epic\u2019s free rotation can mean a far-reaching boost in downloads and subsequent ecosystem engagement\u2014streamers, reviews, and community discussion\u2014often translating into long-term sales and brand recognition despite the initial free distribution.<\/p>\n<p>The disqualification of Clair Obscur raises questions about where the industry draws lines around generative AI. Awards bodies that enforce strict non-AI rules prioritize original human authorship, but that stance clashes with studios that use AI tools as part of iterative workflows. The outcome in this case may prompt clearer disclosure practices and tighter adjudication rules for future competitions, affecting both entrants and judges.<\/p>\n<p>From Epic\u2019s perspective, the holiday campaign continues to be a strategic investment: giving away titles collectively worth more than $150 so far deepens user engagement and positions the store as a discovery channel. For publishers, inclusion can be a trade-off between short-term revenue and long-term audience growth; the net effect often depends on inventory, DLC plans, and post-giveaway pricing strategies.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Game<\/th>\n<th>Value<\/th>\n<th>Free From<\/th>\n<th>Free Until<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Hogwarts Legacy<\/td>\n<td>$59.99<\/td>\n<td>Dec 11<\/td>\n<td>Dec 18<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel<\/td>\n<td>$14.99<\/td>\n<td>Dec 18<\/td>\n<td>Dec 19<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Eternights<\/td>\n<td>$29.99<\/td>\n<td>Dec 19<\/td>\n<td>Dec 20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Blood West<\/td>\n<td>$24.99<\/td>\n<td>Dec 20<\/td>\n<td>Dec 21<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Sorry We&#8217;re Closed<\/td>\n<td>$24.99<\/td>\n<td>Dec 21<\/td>\n<td>Dec 22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The table shows the first five entries of Epic\u2019s holiday rollout and their storefront values; combined, these five listings exceed $150 in retail value. Epic&#8217;s model of rotating freebies compresses discoverability into short windows, which can inflate near-term engagement metrics but may also create challenges for sustained player retention unless followed by sequels, updates, or monetized add-ons.<\/p>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;Nominees had confirmed their compliance before the ceremony,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Six One Indie (awards organizer, official statement)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Six One Indie emphasized that its rules prohibit generative AI use and said nominations were vetted prior to the event. Organizers applied the policy consistently according to their statement, resulting in Clair Obscur\u2019s removal and Sorry We&#8217;re Closed being named the winner in the Debut Game category.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;[T]he promotion moves to a new mystery game every 24 hours,&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><cite>Epic Games Store (official promotion page)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Epic\u2019s public-facing description of the holiday program explains the daily mystery format and fixed claim windows, a mechanism designed to create urgency and maintain daily engagement throughout the season.<\/p>\n<h2>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: Third Eye, Indie Awards &#038; AI<\/summary>\n<p>The game\u2019s central mechanic, the Third Eye, is a gameplay device that toggles the protagonist\u2019s perception between overlapping worlds, enabling environment-based puzzles and alternate combat rules. Debut Game at indie awards typically recognizes first major release from a studio and can significantly raise a title\u2019s profile. Generative AI tools (image\/asset synthesis) have grown common as prototyping aids; awards bodies must now decide whether temporary or placeholder AI-generated elements violate originality rules. Clear disclosure and version tracking are emerging best practices when awards or publishers require human-authored assets.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<\/h2>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The full extent of AI use in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33\u2019s development has not been independently audited; public reports say some assets were placeholders but details remain limited.<\/li>\n<li>It is unclear whether the disqualification will trigger formal changes in submission rules across other indie awards beyond Six One Indie.<\/li>\n<li>The precise long-term sales uplift for Sorry We&#8217;re Closed as a result of Epic&#8217;s giveaway is unknown; retrospective sales data will clarify the promotional impact.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>Epic\u2019s December 21 giveaway of Sorry We&#8217;re Closed simultaneously highlights the store\u2019s power as a discovery engine and the shifting governance challenges within the indie scene around AI. For \u00e0 la mode games and Akupara, the immediate payoff is visibility to millions of Epic users; for award organizers, the incident underscores the need for transparent AI policies and clear adjudication processes.<\/p>\n<p>Readers should watch two fronts in the coming months: whether indie awards publish clearer AI guidance or auditing procedures, and how give-away exposure translates into longer-term player engagement and revenue for participating developers. The interaction between platform promotions and quality-control debates over production methods will shape indie funding, recognition, and creative choices going forward.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/gamerant.com\/epic-games-store-free-holiday-2025-games-sorry-were-closed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Game Rant \u2014 Coverage of Epic\u2019s giveaway and award developments (media)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epicgames.com\/store\/en-US\/free-games\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Epic Games Store \u2014 Official free games promotion page (official announcement)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/akuparagames.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Akupara Games \u2014 Publisher information and release notes (publisher site)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead: On December 21, 2025, the Epic Games Store revealed Sorry We&#8217;re Closed as its free daily title, making it available to claim for 24 hours. The retro-inspired survival horror game, developed by British studio \u00e0 la mode games and published by Akupara Games, had recently been awarded Debut Game at the 2025 Indie Game &#8230; <a title=\"Epic Games Store Giving Away 2024 Game That Took a Major Award from Clair Obscur &#8211; Game Rant\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/epic-free-sorry-were-closed\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Epic Games Store Giving Away 2024 Game That Took a Major Award from Clair Obscur &#8211; Game Rant\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10929,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"Epic Games Store gives away Sorry We're Closed | GameBrief","rank_math_description":"Epic Games Store offers Sorry We're Closed free for 24 hours after it won Debut Game at the 2025 Indie Game Awards following Clair Obscur's disqualification; claim by Dec 22.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"Epic Games Store, Sorry We're Closed, Indie Game Awards, Clair Obscur","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10933"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10933\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}