How to avoid buying a game right before a big sale or price drop?

Few things in gaming are more frustrating than purchasing a highly anticipated title at full price, only to watch it go on sale or receive a significant price drop just days or weeks later. It’s a common scenario that can leave gamers feeling cheated and out of pocket. Fortunately, with a bit of foresight and the right tools, you can significantly reduce the chances of falling victim to this timing trap.

Understanding Sale Cycles and Patterns

The gaming industry operates on predictable sale cycles, especially on digital storefronts like Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Nintendo eShop. Key periods for major sales include the Summer Sale, Winter/Holiday Sale, Black Friday/Cyber Monday, and Halloween sales. Publishers also frequently host their own dedicated sales (e.g., PlayStation’s ‘Days of Play’, EA Publisher Sale) or participate in themed events. Knowing these general timelines can help you anticipate when discounts are likely to occur. New releases typically hold their price for a few months, while older titles are more prone to frequent and deeper discounts.

Leverage Price Tracking Tools and Websites

One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is a price tracking website. Sites like IsThereAnyDeal.com are invaluable for PC gamers, allowing you to track prices across multiple digital storefronts and view historical low prices. For console gamers, resources like PS Deals, Xbox Deals, or DekuDeals (for Nintendo Switch) offer similar functionalities, often displaying price history graphs. By checking a game’s price history, you can often discern patterns and identify what constitutes a good deal, helping you decide whether to wait.

Utilize Wishlists and Price Alerts

Almost every digital storefront offers a wishlist feature. Make liberal use of it! Adding games you’re interested in to your wishlist not only organizes your potential purchases but also often triggers email notifications when those games go on sale. Beyond platform-specific wishlists, many third-party price tracking sites (like those mentioned above) allow you to set up custom price alerts. You can specify a target price, and the service will email you as soon as the game drops to or below that threshold, ensuring you don’t miss a good deal.

Follow Gaming News and Developer Announcements

Stay informed. Gaming news outlets, developer social media channels, and official publisher websites are prime sources for upcoming sales events or permanent price drops. Major announcements, such as a game joining a subscription service (like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus Extra), a Definitive Edition being released, or a sequel being announced, often precede a significant price reduction for the original title. A quick search for ‘[Game Title] sale history’ or ‘[Developer Name] upcoming sales’ can also yield useful speculative information.

Consider the Game’s Age and Platform

The older a game gets, the more likely it is to be discounted, often more frequently and deeply. If a game has been out for several years, it’s almost guaranteed to see significant sales multiple times a year. Also, consider the platform: PC games, due to the competitive nature of various storefronts (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Bundle), often see faster and steeper discounts than console titles, especially Nintendo first-party games, which notoriously hold their value for a long time.

Practice Patience and Self-Control

Ultimately, the most effective strategy is patience. The fear of missing out (FOMO) is a powerful driver for impulse purchases. Remind yourself that unless it’s a brand new release you absolutely cannot wait for, almost every game will eventually go on sale. With a massive backlog of games for most players, there’s rarely an urgent need to buy a specific title immediately. Waiting even a few weeks can often save you money and ensure you’re making a more informed purchasing decision.

By combining these strategies – understanding sale patterns, utilizing price tracking tools, setting up alerts, staying informed, and exercising patience – you can transform yourself into a savvier game shopper. No more buyer’s remorse from seeing a game discounted days after your full-price purchase. Happy gaming, and even happier saving!