How to track game price drops across Steam, Epic, & GOG for max savings?
Unlock Massive Savings on Your Favorite PC Games
For PC gamers, the thrill of a new release is only matched by the satisfaction of snagging a coveted title at a significant discount. With major digital storefronts like Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG constantly rotating their sales, keeping an eye on price drops can feel like a full-time job. But what if there was an easier way to track these fluctuating prices across all platforms and ensure you always get the best deal? Fortunately, powerful tools and strategies exist to help you maximize your savings and grow your game library without breaking the bank.
The Challenge: Navigating Multiple Storefronts and Shifting Sales
Each digital storefront operates on its own sales schedule. Steam is famous for its seasonal sales (Summer, Winter, Halloween), but also hosts publisher sales and daily deals. Epic Games Store frequently gives away free titles and runs massive sales, often with additional coupons. GOG.com, known for its DRM-free approach, also has regular sales events. Manually checking each store daily is impractical and inefficient, leading many gamers to miss out on prime opportunities.
Essential Tools for Comprehensive Price Tracking
The key to mastering game price drops lies in utilizing dedicated price tracking websites. These platforms aggregate data from various storefronts, provide historical price charts, and offer robust alert systems.
- IsThereAnyDeal.com (ITAD): This is arguably the most comprehensive and popular tool for tracking PC game prices. ITAD monitors dozens of legitimate digital stores (including Steam, Epic, GOG, Humble Store, Fanatical, etc.), allows you to create a personalized wishlist, and sends email notifications when a game hits a desired price point or a new historical low. Its historical price charts are invaluable for understanding typical discounts and patience.
- PCGameDeal.com: Similar to ITAD, PCGameDeal also aggregates deals from multiple retailers and allows for wishlist tracking and email alerts. It’s a solid alternative if you prefer its interface or want a second opinion.
Beyond these aggregators, don’t forget the built-in features of the storefronts themselves:
- Steam Wishlist: Add games to your Steam Wishlist, and you’ll receive an email notification when they go on sale.
- Epic Games Store Wishlist: Similar to Steam, Epic will notify you when wished-for games are discounted.
- GOG Wishlist: GOG also offers email notifications for games on your wishlist.
Setting Up Your Ultimate Price Tracking System
Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming a deal-finding maestro:
- Choose Your Primary Tracker: Start with IsThereAnyDeal.com. Create an account.
- Import Your Wishlists: ITAD allows you to import your wishlists directly from Steam, Epic Games, and GOG, saving you significant time.
- Configure Alerts: For each game on your wishlist, set up custom alerts. You can specify a target price, a percentage discount, or simply request a notification for any sale.
- Utilize Historical Data: Before buying, check the historical price chart on ITAD. Has the game been cheaper before? Is the current discount typical or exceptional? This helps you determine if you should buy now or wait.
- Subscribe to Newsletters: While not a replacement for dedicated trackers, signing up for newsletters from your favorite stores (Steam, Epic, GOG) and bundle sites (Humble Bundle, Fanatical) can provide early heads-up on major sales events.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Savings
- Patience is a Virtue: Most games, especially older titles, will eventually see significant discounts. If you’re not in a hurry, waiting for a historical low can save you even more.
- Stack Coupons (Epic Games): Epic Games Store frequently offers coupons during major sales, which can be applied on top of existing discounts for truly incredible savings. Always check for these!
- Consider Bundles: Sites like Humble Bundle and Fanatical regularly offer game bundles where you can get multiple games for a fraction of their individual prices. ITAD also tracks games included in bundles.
- Claim Free Games: Epic Games Store famously gives away free games weekly. Amazon Prime Gaming also offers a rotating selection of free PC games. These are excellent ways to expand your library at no cost.
- Regional Pricing Awareness: Be aware that game prices can vary significantly by region. While it’s generally against store terms of service to bypass regional locks for cheaper prices, understanding this can explain why some deals appear better elsewhere.
Conclusion: Play Smart, Save More
Tracking game price drops across Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG doesn’t have to be a chore. By leveraging powerful tools like IsThereAnyDeal.com and understanding the rhythm of sales cycles, you can transform from a reactive buyer to a proactive deal hunter. Start setting up your tracking system today, and watch your game library grow while your wallet stays fuller, allowing you to enjoy more games for less money.
