How to find lowest historical prices for all game deals & get alerts?
For avid gamers, the thrill of a new release is only matched by the satisfaction of snagging a fantastic deal. But in a marketplace constantly fluctuating with sales, discounts, and bundles, how do you ensure you’re truly getting the best price? The secret lies in understanding historical pricing – knowing a game’s price trajectory helps you identify genuine bargains and avoid inflated ‘sales’.
Why Track Historical Game Prices?
The gaming industry is notorious for its aggressive sales cycles. A game might be discounted today, but was it cheaper last month? Or will it be even cheaper next week? By tracking historical prices, you gain invaluable insights. You can distinguish between a good deal and a truly exceptional one, saving significant money over time. It also helps manage your backlog, allowing you to patiently wait for your desired games to hit their rock-bottom prices.
Essential Tools for Game Price Tracking
Fortunately, you don’t need to manually monitor every digital storefront. A range of dedicated tools and platforms have emerged to do the heavy lifting for you. These typically fall into a few categories: comprehensive deal aggregators, specific game price comparison sites, and browser extensions.
Deal aggregators collect information from various digital storefronts – including Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Bundle, and console marketplaces – presenting all current deals in one place. Price comparison sites often go a step further, providing detailed price history charts for individual games. Browser extensions can be particularly useful, overlaying price history directly onto product pages as you browse, making it easy to see trends without leaving the store.
How to Use Price Tracking Websites Effectively
Once you’ve chosen your preferred tool, using it is straightforward. Start by searching for the specific game you’re interested in. The tool will usually display its current price across different storefronts, along with a historical price chart. This chart is your most valuable asset. Look for the ‘all-time low’ price point. If the current deal is at or near this all-time low, it’s likely a great time to buy.
Pay attention to the frequency of sales as well. Some games are discounted regularly, while others rarely see significant price drops. Understanding these patterns helps you decide whether to pounce on a deal or wait for a potentially better one in the future. Many sites also allow you to filter by platform, ensuring you only see deals relevant to your gaming setup.
Setting Up Price Alerts for Specific Games
One of the most powerful features of these tracking tools is the ability to set up price alerts. Instead of constantly checking prices yourself, you can instruct the platform to notify you when a game drops to a certain price point, or even when it hits its historical low. This is a game-changer for bargain hunters.
Typically, you’ll add games to a ‘wishlist’ or ‘watchlist’ within the tracking tool and then define your alert preferences. You might choose to receive an email, a push notification through an app, or even a browser notification. This ensures you’re among the first to know when your coveted title becomes available at your desired price, letting you capitalize on fleeting deals before they expire.
Beyond Tools: Smart Game Deal Hunting Habits
While tools are indispensable, smart shopping habits complement them perfectly. Patience is paramount; most games will eventually see deep discounts. Learn about major sale events throughout the year, such as Steam’s seasonal sales (Summer, Autumn, Winter), Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and publisher-specific promotions. These are often the best times to find historical lows.
Also, consider exploring game bundles from sites like Humble Bundle or Fanatical. These often offer multiple games for a fraction of their individual prices, sometimes including titles you’ve been tracking. Don’t forget subscription services like Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus Extra, which provide access to a vast library of games for a monthly fee, potentially satisfying your gaming needs without needing to buy every title individually.
Conclusion
Navigating the complex world of video game deals doesn’t have to be a guessing game. By leveraging historical price tracking websites and tools, setting up intelligent alerts, and adopting smart shopping habits, you can confidently find the lowest prices for your favorite games. Stop overpaying and start building your dream game library one smart purchase at a time. Happy hunting!
