Xbox Games with Gold in December lets gamers steal Thief for free

If you're into spending your holidays on grand adventures without spending a dime of your hard-earned cash, then Games with Gold has your back! In 2015 alone, Xbox Live Gold members have saved over $1000 with Games with Gold on Xbox One and Xbox 360. It's only getting better in 2016 now that Xbox One members get double the free games every month with Backward Compatibility. With Xbox One Backward Compatibility play multiplayer with your friends no matter which console they're on and enjoy Xbox 360 games with the advanced features of your Xbox One, including Game DVR, Screenshots, and in-home streaming to Windows 10. Xbox One owners can download their free Xbox 360 Games with Gold from Xbox.com/GameswithGold or from their Xbox 360 console.

In December on Xbox One, we kick things off with epic action-role-playing game The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing. There's plenty of gameplay at your fingertips from the get-go here, combining combat, character development, a deep story, and plenty of deadly action in a single package. Then we move on to Thief, the blockbuster reboot of the beloved action-stealth series - and it challenges your mind as much as your nerves as you take on tough traps and merciless guards.

On Xbox 360 and Xbox One with Backward Compatibility, Games with Gold offers up CastleStorm to start the holiday season. A tower defense title with a twist, CastleStorm's colorful graphics and charming aesthetic will keep any player engaged for hours on end. And when those hours are finished, Xbox 360 gamers still get another free title in Sacred 3, an exciting hack-and-slash medieval fantasy title with four-player cooperative modes both online and off - so you can, you know, chop bad guys up with your friends. And as an extra gift for the holidays Gold members can get Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising free the second half of the month. What's not to like!

As usual, all games are available only for a limited time, as part of the ongoing Games with Gold program - so don't let the holiday festivities slow you down. Get playing!

* The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing ($14.99 ERP): Available from December 1-31 on Xbox One

* Thief ($29.99 ERP): Available from December 16-January 15 on Xbox One

* CastleStorm ($9.99 ERP): Available from December 1-15 on Xbox 360

* Sacred 3 ($19.99 ERP): Available from December 16-31 on Xbox 360

* Bonus: Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising ($9.99 ERP): Available from December 16-31 on Xbox 360