Steam’s May 8-11 free weekend lets you play FOUNDRY and The Midnight Walkers at no cost. A factory builder meets an extraction shooter: two very different free games this weekend.
Steam’s latest free weekend event runs from May 8 to May 11, 2026, offering two games at zero cost. FOUNDRY, a first-person factory builder published by Paradox Interactive, and The Midnight Walkers, a PvPvE zombie extraction shooter by Oneway Ticket Studio, are both fully playable until Sunday, May 11 at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET. Combined, the two titles would normally cost around $50 at full price.
What’s Free This Weekend on Steam?
| Game | Regular Price | Genre | Developer / Publisher | Steam Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOUNDRY | $29.99 | Factory Simulation / Strategy | Channel 3 Entertainment / Paradox Interactive | Very Positive (3,039 reviews) |
| The Midnight Walkers | $19.99 | PvPvE Extraction Shooter | Oneway Ticket Studio | Mixed (1,340 reviews) |
Both games are in Early Access. All progress earned during the free weekend carries over if you decide to purchase. Once the free period ends, you will need to buy the game to keep playing.
FOUNDRY: A Voxel Factory Builder Between Satisfactory and Minecraft
FOUNDRY launched in Early Access on May 2, 2024, and has built a strong reputation among automation game fans. Developed by Channel 3 Entertainment and published by Paradox Interactive, it places you on a procedurally generated, infinite voxel planet where your goal is to build a massive robot production facility and dominate interstellar trade networks.
The game sits comfortably between Factorio-style automation depth and Minecraft-style building freedom. You start by mining resources manually and progress toward fully automated production lines complete with conveyor belts, pipes, modular buildings, and complex power systems. The voxel world means you can dig underground, build skyward, or reshape the terrain block by block.
Key features that make FOUNDRY stand out:
- Infinite procedurally generated voxel world
- Full progression from manual harvesting to complete automation
- Complex power grid management
- Deep research and technology tree
- Online and LAN co-op multiplayer (best with 2-4 players)
- 81 Steam achievements
- Approximately 40-60 hours of content in its current state
With an 81% positive rating across over 3,000 reviews, FOUNDRY is one of the better-received factory builders on Steam. As one reviewer put it: “It’s got that same ‘just one more thing before I log off’ vibe you get from games like Factorio, but what makes it stand out is the voxel world.”
After the free weekend ends, FOUNDRY is on sale at 30% off ($20.99) until May 14. The Founder’s Edition, which includes a special character skin, unique office decor, and special construction blocks, is available for $24.49.
The Midnight Walkers: Hardcore Zombie Extraction Shooter
The Midnight Walkers entered Early Access on January 29, 2026, offering a hardcore PvPvE first-person shooter experience set in the zombie-infested Liberty Grand Center mega complex. You play solo or in squads of three, scavenging loot, crafting weapons and armour, fighting both zombies and other players, and attempting to extract alive. Die, and you lose everything.
The game features four distinct classes:
- Brick: A heavy-armour tank wielding a massive hammer
- Crow: An agile assassin using daggers for surprise attacks
- Lockdown: A ranged specialist armed with a bow
- Bartender: A support class that crafts cocktails to heal and buff allies
A major update dropped alongside the free weekend, adding Hardcore Mode for experienced players (gear score 1000+ and level 15+), a tutorial and Training Ground for newcomers, a daily mission system, a completely revamped crafting system, and numerous balance adjustments to combat and class mechanics. Game director Ray Song stated that the update’s goal was “to further enhance the experience for both new and existing players, with an emphasis on accessibility and depth.”
The Midnight Walkers currently sits at a Mixed overall rating (55% positive across 1,340 reviews), with recent reviews trending Mostly Negative. Common criticisms include content variety, polish, and balance issues. However, the free weekend paired with the major update is specifically designed to address those concerns and give players a fresh look at the game’s current state. The full 1.0 release is expected within the next 12 months.
The game is currently 30% off at $13.99 during the free weekend event.
How to Download and Play These Free Games
- Open the Steam client and search for FOUNDRY or The Midnight Walkers in the store.
- On the game’s store page, scroll down to the pricing section.
- Click the “Play Game” button to add the game to your library and start downloading.
- Play as much as you want until May 11 at 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET.
When the free weekend expires, the game will be removed from your library. If you want to keep playing, you can purchase it at the current discounted price.
Which Game Should You Try First?
These two games could not be more different, so your pick depends entirely on what you enjoy.
Choose FOUNDRY if: You love automation and factory-building games like Satisfactory, Factorio, or Dyson Sphere Program. The Very Positive Steam rating, solid co-op support, and deep progression system make it a safe bet for a weekend of relaxed building and optimising. Its low system requirements also mean it runs well on most hardware.
Choose The Midnight Walkers if: You enjoy extraction shooters like Escape from Tarkov or Dark and Darker and want a zombie-themed twist. The new Hardcore Mode and fresh tutorial system make this a decent time to test the waters, especially since the game is still actively evolving through Early Access.
System Requirements at a Glance
FOUNDRY (Minimum)
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 / AMD FX 6350
- RAM: 8 GB
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 660 (2 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 460 (2 GB)
The Midnight Walkers (Minimum)
- OS: Windows 11 64-bit
- CPU: Intel i7-4770 / AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
- RAM: 8 GB
- GPU: Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 580
- Storage: 20 GB (SSD required)
FOUNDRY is notably lighter on hardware, running on systems as modest as an Intel Iris Xe or the ASUS ROG Ally. The Midnight Walkers demands a more capable setup and specifically requires an SSD.
Things Players Usually Ask
Does my progress carry over after the free weekend?
Yes. Both FOUNDRY and The Midnight Walkers let you keep all progress earned during the free weekend once you purchase the full game.
How long do the sale discounts last?
FOUNDRY’s 30% discount runs until May 14, bringing the price to $20.99. The Midnight Walkers is also 30% off at $13.99 during the event.
Can I play FOUNDRY with friends during the free weekend?
Absolutely. FOUNDRY supports online and LAN co-op with no hard player limit, though the developers recommend 2-4 players for the best experience. If your friends also grab the free weekend version, you can play together immediately.
When is The Midnight Walkers expected to leave Early Access?
The developers have indicated the full 1.0 release is planned within the next 12 months from their Early Access launch in January 2026, targeting late 2026 or early 2027. Console versions for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S are also planned for the full release window.
Is The Midnight Walkers worth trying despite the Mixed reviews?
The free weekend costs you nothing but download time and disk space. The major update that launched alongside this event addresses several of the criticisms in recent reviews, including adding a proper tutorial, revamping crafting, and introducing Hardcore Mode. It is a good opportunity to judge the game’s current state for yourself.
Steam free weekends remain one of the best ways to try paid games without any risk. Whether you are into building the perfect automated factory or fighting for survival in a zombie-infested extraction zone, this weekend has something for you.
