Gaming can be a pricey hobby. Especially now that gaming companies have seemingly unanimously locked the price for AAA games in at $70. Thankfully, gaming still doesn’t need to break the bank. There are a few tricks you can use to get the most bang for your buck and save that hard-earned money, without giving up your beloved hobby.
Play free games
Probably the easiest way to save money on games is by playing free games. There are a ton of free-to-play titles out there you don’t have to spend a single dime on. Many of them are major AAA titles with huge communities around the world, including Fortnite, League of Legends, Dota 2, Rocket League, Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, to name a few. There are a lot more free games out there, with all the online storefronts for different platforms usually featuring a category specifically for free games. And browsing through the app store on your smartphone will also reveal a large variety of free games you can play on the go. Just be aware that most of these games have in-game purchases for things like battle passes, cosmetics, levels, items, etc. Make sure to not get tempted by these if you want to keep those games truly for free.
Use sales and promotions
If you intend to play premium games with a price tag, keep your eyes peeled for sales, deals, and promotions to save. Digital storefronts for all platforms regularly offer large discounts on both new and old games that can save you a lot of money. Especially in summer, for Black Friday, and during Christmastime, you can find big discounts. To help you find the best deals, platforms have emerged that aggregate promotions from across the web. Websites such as IsThereAnyDeal and GG.deals scour the internet in search of sales and promotions, so you can save on games. These sites that showcase promotions are available for different kinds of games and genres. For instance, experts have specialized in finding the best platforms offering classic casino games and bonus offers to players. This helps players find providers that offer free spins to new players, allowing them to play the games on offer for free before placing money. Thanks to these kinds of platforms, you can make sure to always find the best promotions out there to stretch your dollar.
Take advantage of your subscriptions
Just like Netflix lets you watch tons of movies and TV shows for a monthly flat fee, gaming subscriptions let you access large game libraries. Especially if you are the kind of gamer who likes to dabble with many different titles and try a number of games each month, a subscription might be the best strategy. Instead of buying each game individually, you can take advantage of one of the game subscription services out there. From Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus to Nintendo Switch Online and Apple Arcade, there are many options available featuring various advantages and goodies. Choose the one that fits your platform and play style and play without limits for a flat monthly fee. And did you know your Netflix and Amazon Prime subscription include games as well? If you’re already a member of one of these services, browse through their game libraries to get more free games. Netflix has a growing list of free mobile games, while Amazon Prime Gaming adds new in-game content and full games for members to claim for free each month. And don’t forget: If you’re not using a certain service, cancel that subscription straight away.
Play games you already own
We are all guilty of it: We buy games on sale and download them through subscriptions, and never end up playing them. Before you click that buy button for a new title, how about you scan through your existing game library to see if you find any games you haven’t played yet? You may even find a gem you genuinely enjoyed and might want to revisit. If you’re a trophy hunter, maybe now is the time to get that Platinum. Reminding yourself to play games you already own before buying something new can help you save a lot of money and potentially find hidden gems in your library.
Gaming doesn’t need to break the bank, and there is no need to give up gaming altogether. You can still play games and save money. Just make sure to use these simple tricks to stretch your gaming budget.