What’s the best way to get alerts for desired game price drops & deals?

Never Miss a Deal: The Hunt for Game Price Drops

For avid gamers, few things are more satisfying than snagging that must-have title at a fraction of its original price. Whether you’re a PC master race enthusiast, a console loyalist, or a mobile gaming guru, the digital storefronts are a constantly shifting landscape of sales, discounts, and flash deals. The challenge, however, isn’t finding a deal, but finding the *right* deal on the *right* game at the *right* time. Fortunately, a suite of tools and strategies can transform you from a passive shopper into a savvy deal hunter.

Leverage Platform-Specific Wishlists

The simplest and often most effective first step is to utilize the built-in wishlist features of your preferred gaming platforms. Services like Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Nintendo eShop all offer the ability to add games to a personal wishlist. When a game on your list goes on sale, you’ll typically receive an email notification directly from the platform. This is a hassle-free way to keep an eye on your most anticipated titles.

Dedicated Game Price Tracking Websites & Apps

For a more comprehensive approach, specialized price tracking websites are indispensable. These platforms aggregate pricing data from numerous digital storefronts, allowing you to compare current deals and even view historical price trends. Some of the most popular include:

• IsThereAnyDeal.com: A powerhouse for PC gamers, tracking prices across Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Store, and many more. You can create a synchronized wishlist and set up email alerts for specific price points.
• GG.deals: Similar to IsThereAnyDeal, GG.deals offers a clean interface, price history charts, and alerts for PC games from various retailers. It also includes sections for console games.
• CheapShark.com: Focuses on PC game deals, offering a simple interface to find the lowest prices and set up email alerts.

These sites often allow you to import your Steam wishlist or manually add games, providing a centralized hub for all your desired titles.

Browser Extensions and Mobile Apps

To make price tracking even more seamless, consider browser extensions and dedicated mobile apps. Many of the aforementioned price tracking websites offer browser extensions that can integrate directly into storefronts like Steam, showing you price history and comparing current deals without leaving the page. Mobile apps, on the other hand, provide on-the-go notifications, ensuring you’re alerted to a deal no matter where you are.

Join Gaming Communities and Newsletters

The collective power of the gaming community is a formidable tool in the hunt for deals. Subreddits like r/GameDeals are constantly updated by users sharing newly discovered discounts across all platforms. Similarly, active Discord servers dedicated to gaming deals can provide real-time alerts and discussions. Additionally, signing up for email newsletters from major retailers (Green Man Gaming, Fanatical, Humble Bundle) or curated deal sites will keep your inbox informed of their latest promotions.

Master Your Alerts: Tips for Success

To maximize your chances of success and avoid deal fatigue, refine your alert strategy:

• Set Price Thresholds: Don’t just get alerted for any sale; set a specific percentage off or a maximum price you’re willing to pay.
• Combine Methods: Use a platform wishlist for primary notification, but back it up with a dedicated price tracker for cross-store comparisons and more granular alerts.
• Be Patient: Most popular games go on sale multiple times a year. If you miss a deal, another one is likely just around the corner, especially during major seasonal sales (Summer, Winter, Black Friday).
• Check Reputable Sources: Always verify that a deal is from a legitimate storefront or key reseller.

Conclusion

Gone are the days of manually checking every storefront hoping to stumble upon a deal. With a combination of platform wishlists, powerful price tracking websites, convenient browser extensions, and vibrant gaming communities, you have an arsenal of tools at your disposal. By strategically deploying these methods, you can ensure you’re always in the loop, ready to pounce on the best price drops and deals for your desired games, saving money while expanding your gaming library.