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- Gaming can be expensive today, but careful planning can help you make it affordable.
- Relying on subscriptions and sales is important to save as much money as possible.
- Waiting for AAA pricing to go down and playing indie games is also a solid option.
There’s no denying that gaming today is considered an expensive hobby. Whether it be a $700 hardware investment like the PS5 Pro or the rise of $70 AAA titles, expenses can quickly add up if gamers fail to be mindful of their spending.
As someone who typically tries to make the most of the hobby without breaking the bank, I can say that there are multiple ways to counter the rising costs of gaming while enjoying the medium all the same.
Between discounts, used games, and subscription services, you need only look out for the many opportunities on hand to save a few dollars on each game purchased.
Why it matters: Not everyone can afford to buy hundreds of dollars worth of AAA games each year, which can be particularly problematic when the industry teases hit after hit for the rest of 2025.
Patience Is A Virtue
Pricing has been a major talking point since publishers normalized the $70 AAA title, but this is only ever a problem if you buy games on day one.
Personally, I avoid purchasing games at release in most cases. Sure, I’ll probably end up making an exception for cases like GTA 6 and Doom: The Dark Ages this year, but most games can be comfortably skipped on day one.
Doing so not only gives you a more polished experience later on, but it can also save you a large chunk of the original price. Moreover, if you must buy the game at launch, it’s always wise to look out for reviews and previews to ensure your hard-earned money does not go to waste on a bad purchase.
Making The Most of Discounts And Deals
Discounts are practically everywhere in the industry, and finding the right deals doesn’t take much. Platforms like Latest Deals offer discount codes for a variety of games. On the other hand, online storefronts like Amazon run their own discount promotions across both games and hardware.
You can also rely on seasonal discounts on the digital Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo stores. Steam, in particular, is quite famous for its historical discounts, allowing PC players to snag older AAA titles at prices as low as $2.
Buying Used Games On Consoles
While physical media is quickly dying out, there is still a dedicated community that enjoys collecting discs of their favorite releases.
Fans of physical games can, therefore, make use of used discs to save a few dollars when needed, with the option to sell these games later on also available. This is particularly useful when dealing with games that offer little replayability.
Online social media platforms come in handy here since various established communities exist for this specific purpose.
Relying on Subscriptions
Subscription services like Xbox Game Pass offer a lot of value, especially if, like me, you can find them discounted during a particular sale.
These services unlock access to hundreds of high-quality games, with more added each month. Only recently did Xbox add titles like Ninja Gaiden 2 Black to the services, while PlayStation introduced last year’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard to PS Plus.
Discovering Indie Gaming
It’s no secret that today’s indie games are every bit as entertaining and creative as the AAA experiences offered by the industry. The best part about indie titles is that they often come without the burden of the AAA price tag.
You can easily find renowned gems like Hollow Knight, Celeste, Dead Cells, and Stardew Valley for dirt cheap today. All these games are incredible in their own right, giving many AAA releases a run for their money.
Ultimately, how you save money when shopping for games is a matter of choice. There’s no shortage of choices, and you need only do a little research to make the most of your hard-earned money in the gaming industry.
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[News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than three years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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