How do I track upcoming game sales & get notified for specific game discounts?

For avid gamers, few things are more satisfying than snagging a long-awaited title at a steep discount. However, keeping tabs on the ever-changing landscape of game sales across numerous platforms can feel like a full-time job. Whether you’re hunting for deals on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or PC storefronts, knowing how to effectively track upcoming sales and get instant notifications for specific game price drops is key to building your library without breaking the bank.

Leveraging Platform-Specific Wishlists & Features

Most major digital storefronts offer built-in tools to help you track games you’re interested in. Utilizing these is your first and most straightforward step.

• Steam Wishlist: The quintessential tool for PC gamers. Add any game to your Steam Wishlist, and you’ll receive an email notification when it goes on sale. You can also browse your wishlist directly to see current discounts.
• Console Store Wishlists: PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Nintendo eShop all provide similar wishlist functionalities. Add games to your list, and the respective platform will often send you an email or console notification when prices drop or a sale begins.
• Epic Games Store: While not as robust as Steam, Epic also allows you to wishlist games and receive notifications for sales.

Beyond wishlists, many platforms run seasonal sales (e.g., Steam Summer Sale, Black Friday sales) which are often announced in advance. Following their official social media channels or newsletters can provide early heads-up on these major events.

Advanced Price Tracking Websites & Tools

To go beyond individual store wishlists and track prices across multiple platforms and third-party keysellers, specialized websites and browser extensions are indispensable.

• IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD): This is arguably the most comprehensive price tracker. It aggregates deals from dozens of digital storefronts (Steam, Epic, GOG, Humble Store, Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, etc.). You can create an account, import your wishlists from various platforms, and set up price alerts for specific games, receiving email notifications when they hit your desired price point.
• GG.deals: Similar to ITAD, GG.deals tracks prices from numerous stores and bundles. It features a clean interface, historical price charts, and allows you to set price alerts. It’s particularly good for comparing prices between official stores and authorized keysellers.

These sites not only show current sales but also historical low prices, giving you an idea of whether a current “deal” is truly a good one or if the game tends to go even lower. They are excellent for identifying sales on games you might not have on a specific platform’s wishlist yet.

Browser Extensions & Mobile Apps for On-the-Go Deals

For instant checks and mobile convenience, consider these tools.

• Enhanced Steam / Augmented Steam (Browser Extensions): These extensions overlay Steam store pages with valuable information, including historical low prices from ITAD, current prices from other stores, and whether a game is part of a bundle. While they don’t send notifications directly, they provide crucial context when browsing Steam.
• CheapShark (Mobile App & Website): CheapShark aggregates deals from a wide range of storefronts. Their mobile app (available on iOS and Android) allows you to set up price alerts and receive push notifications when a game you’re tracking goes on sale at your desired price. Their website is also a quick way to check current deals.
• DealABS / HotUKDeals (and local equivalents): These community-driven deal aggregation websites often have dedicated gaming sections where users post exceptional sales as they happen. Setting up keyword alerts on these sites can catch flash sales.

Tapping into Gaming Communities & Social Media

Sometimes, the best deals are shared by fellow gamers in online communities.

• Reddit Communities: Subreddits like r/GameDeals, r/buildapcsales, and platform-specific subreddits (e.g., r/PS4Deals, r/XboxDeals) are goldmines for discovering flash sales, bundle announcements, and discount codes. Following these can give you early access to deals, often before official news.
• Discord Servers: Many gaming communities, news outlets, and even specific deal-tracking services run Discord servers. Joining these can provide real-time alerts and discussions about ongoing and upcoming sales.
• Gaming News Sites & Influencers: Major gaming news websites often report on significant sales events. Following your favorite gaming journalists or influencers on social media can also keep you informed about promotional periods.

Maximizing Your Savings Strategy

Beyond tracking, a smart approach to buying games can save you even more.

• Patience is a Virtue: Unless it’s a brand-new release you absolutely can’t wait for, most games will eventually go on sale, often hitting significant discounts within 6-12 months of release.
• Utilize Historical Data: Always check a game’s price history on sites like ITAD or GG.deals. If a game routinely goes 75% off, a 50% discount might not be its best price.
• Bundle Sites: Keep an eye on sites like Humble Bundle and Fanatical for game bundles, where you can often get several games for the price of one. Many of these bundles include desirable titles that haven’t hit significant individual discounts yet.

By combining these strategies—utilizing platform wishlists, advanced price trackers, community insights, and a patient approach—you’ll be well-equipped to track upcoming game sales and receive timely notifications for specific game discounts, ensuring your gaming library grows efficiently and affordably.