Paradox Interactive is marking the tenth anniversary of its 4X space strategy game Stellaris with a free weekend on Steam. This event gives players a chance to test the full experience without any financial commitment before the base game price increases permanently. The free access window runs until Monday, June 22 at 10am PT, offering a limited opportunity to explore the game's complex mechanics. Buyers who enjoy the gameplay can take advantage of a 70% discount on the base title through Thursday, June 25.
Paradox Interactive marks a decade with limited-time access and deep discounts
The base game package now includes the Utopia, Synthetic Dawn, and Humanoid Species expansion packs as standard content. This bundling reflects recent major updates, specifically the 4.4 'Pegasus update' featuring the Nomads expansion and the 4.0 'Phoenix update'. The developer states that the current moment is ideal for introducing new players to the series. Existing fans can use this period to revisit the game with the latest features fully integrated.
Stellaris costs 14.99 USD (around $14.99) at the standard global retail price. During the promotional period, the base game drops to approximately $4.50 after the 70% discount is applied. The British pound price is listed at 12.59 GBP (around $16.65) for the standard edition. Players seeking immediate access to all downloadable content can subscribe to Paradox's monthly service for 9.99 USD (around $9.99).
The subscription model provides access to the complete DLC catalogue for a recurring fee. A six-month subscription option is available for 29.99 USD (around $29.99), which reduces the monthly cost to roughly $5.00. The UK equivalent for the six-month plan is 24.99 GBP (around $33.05). These pricing tiers allow players to choose between a one-time purchase of the base game or ongoing access to all expansions.
The free weekend concludes on June 22, and the deep discount on the base game ends on June 25. Players must purchase the game to retain their progress after the free trial period expires. The anniversary event highlights the game's longevity and the developer's strategy to lower the barrier to entry for new audiences.
Source: PCGAMESN
