The gaming community was blessed with a long list of fantastic games that came out in 2023, including award-winning RPG Baldur’s Gate 3, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Millions of players worldwide became immersed in the Baldur’s Gate lore, explored the depths with Link, and swung around as Miles and Peter.
Perhaps you’ve wanted to join in on the fun but realized, “Wait, those big titles can come at $60 to $70 a pop.” Especially in this economy, purchasing new video games doesn’t come cheap. If gaming is your hobby and you don’t want to miss out on your favorite releases, there are a few ways to save money on video games – potentially even some you’ve never considered. Let’s check them out.
Wait for Sales
The most common way to save money is to wait for sales to drop. Whether it’s on Steam, the EA app, or a console store, these platforms often have sale periods dotted around the year. Look out for them during major holidays like Black Friday, Thanksgiving, or Christmas or at the start of seasons like Spring and Summer. Even though a sale on the titles you’re seeking out isn’t guaranteed unless explicitly stated, you might find games in similar genres that catch your eye.
Most of the time, the games that go on sale are from certain publishers or have been around for a while, but sometimes great deals come out of left field. During the 2023 Christmas season, Hogwarts Legacy went on sale and ended up pushing its total lifetime sales numbers to 24 million.
Buy Used or Pre-Owned Games
Especially if you’re seeking out older titles, rummaging around second-hand game stores or browsing online marketplaces can be a good way to find pre-owned ones at a cheap price. Purchasing used games is no different than buying clothes at a thrift store or used books – it gives the item new life, and you’re likely supporting a local business or seller. A lot of video game collectors enjoy looking for hidden gems in these places, digging up vintage finds or valuable copies that can be resold for hundreds of dollars. Sometimes, you’ll even find differing prices based on whether or not the game comes with a manual or box.
Look for Deals
Deals are different from sales in that they don’t just mean a temporary reduction in price – they cover a wider variety of ways to save money. Some game series might come in a bundle offer, there might be a temporary promotion with a code, a pre-owned game discount might apply, or there could even be a special offer if you’re part of a certain loyalty program. Deals can be time-bound, like discounts, or specific to a certain gaming console or platform.
When The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered came out on PS5, the developers allowed existing owners of the base game to upgrade their copy for just $10. This is similar to online casinos, like those on casinos.com, that frequently operate on a “deals” model through which they entice players through no-deposit bonuses or new player promotions.
Follow Online Creators on Social Media
Certain game franchises are proud to have a creators’ network where streamers, content creators, and creatives can garner their own engagement while benefiting the company by increasing sales. The Sims 4 is a perfect example of how online creators foster enthusiasm and reignited passion for the game. Under the EA Creator Network, members share custom content and mods to enrich the gameplay experience and often host free giveaways for expansion packs, game packs, and stuff packs. By following these creators on Instagram, Twitter (X), and other social media platforms, you can enter these competitions or claim discounts and access codes you wouldn’t have otherwise known about.
Join a Subscription Service
Just about every major gaming platform offers a monthly game subscription plan that allows gamers to access a plethora of games under just one monthly payment. PS+ gives PlayStation owners the opportunity to get exclusive discounts and content and play an extensive library of changing monthly games – even blockbusters like EA SPORTS FC 24. Its console counterpart, Xbox, also has its own version called Game Pass, boasting iconic franchises and indie games alike. Nintendo, with Nintendo Switch Online, offers online multiplayer access for countless video games, as well as access to 100+ old-school NES, Super NES, and Game Boy games like Donkey Kong Country.
Take Advantage of Reward Programs
The three biggest consoles we mentioned having subscription services also boast reward schemes that let players redeem their points for exclusive game content, discounts, and more. Whenever you purchase a game on the Nintendo Switch eShop, for example, you’ll earn a specific number of gold points based on its selling price. You can then apply the gold you’ve earned for discounts when you buy games in the future. There’s also the platinum points feature that lets you redeem things like profile picture frames and exclusive merchandise. PlayStation and Xbox’s loyalty programs work similarly, with points that can contribute to future purchases and that can be redeemed for fun knick-knacks on the store.
Consider Buying an Indie Game
Smaller creators often sell their video games at cheaper costs due to the lower cost of production and the fact that they don’t necessarily have the player base that giants like EA or Ubisoft do. For a lot of indie developers, making money from the games they’ve worked so hard on is more of a perk than a given. Sometimes, they’re willing to risk their livelihoods to become successful in the sphere. Supporting indie game developers means spending less money and handing over money to creators who need it. A lot of these titles are also extremely well-made and entertaining, some even going on to become mainstream games, such as Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Undertale.
