How to track PC game deals across Steam, Epic, GOG for best price drops?
Navigating the Digital Storefront Labyrinth
For PC gamers, the joy of discovering a new game is often matched only by the thrill of snagging it at a fantastic discount. However, with the proliferation of digital storefronts – Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and many others – keeping tabs on the best price drops can feel like a full-time job. This guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to efficiently track PC game deals across all major platforms, ensuring your gaming library grows without emptying your wallet.
Why Smart Deal Tracking is Essential
Gone are the days when a single store dictated game prices. Today, competition among platforms often leads to aggressive sales and promotions. By strategically tracking these deals, you can:
- Save Money: Pay significantly less for games you want.
- Discover New Games: Explore titles you might have overlooked at full price.
- Budget Effectively: Plan your game purchases around major sales events.
- Avoid Buyer’s Remorse: Ensure you’re getting the absolute best price available.
The Power of Aggregators and Deal Websites
The most effective way to track deals across multiple stores simultaneously is to use dedicated deal aggregation websites. These platforms scour various storefronts and key resellers, presenting all available prices in one convenient location.
Top Deal Aggregators:
- IsThereAnyDeal (ITAD): Often considered the gold standard, ITAD tracks prices from dozens of reputable stores, offers price history charts, and allows you to set custom price alerts for your wishlist.
- SteamDB (for Steam primarily): While focused on Steam, SteamDB provides invaluable price history, package information, and sales data for Valve’s platform.
- Other Resellers/Bundlers: Keep an eye on sites like Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, Humble Bundle, and Indiegala, which frequently have their own sales and exclusive bundles that can offer incredible value.
Leveraging Store-Specific Features
While aggregators are powerful, the individual storefronts also offer excellent tools to help you save.
Steam: The Juggernaut of Sales
- Wishlist: Add games to your Steam Wishlist. You’ll receive email notifications when items on your list go on sale.
- Major Sales Events: Plan your purchases around seasonal sales (Summer, Winter, Autumn, Halloween) and publisher-specific promotions.
- Browser Extensions: Extensions like Enhanced Steam or Augmented Steam add price history and regional price comparison directly to Steam store pages.
Epic Games Store: Free Games and Big Discounts
- Weekly Free Games: Don’t miss Epic’s commitment to giving away one or more free games every week. These often include major titles.
- Mega Sales & Coupons: Epic frequently runs massive sales (e.g., Epic Mega Sale) where they offer additional discount coupons on top of existing sale prices, leading to unprecedented lows.
- Wishlist & Notifications: Like Steam, Epic allows you to wishlist games and receive email alerts for sales.
GOG: DRM-Free Goodness
- DRM-Free Sales: GOG regularly hosts sales focused on specific genres or publishers, always emphasizing their DRM-free philosophy.
- GOG Connect: Occasionally, GOG Connect allows you to claim DRM-free copies of games you already own on Steam.
- Wishlist: Use GOG’s wishlist to get notified about price drops.
Beyond the Storefronts: Community and Subscriptions
Gaming Communities
Active gaming communities on platforms like Reddit (e.g., r/gamedeals, r/buildapcsales) are excellent sources for real-time deal alerts. Users are quick to share newly discovered discounts, price errors, and bundle information.
Email Newsletters
Sign up for newsletters from your favorite stores and aggregators. They often highlight upcoming sales, flash deals, and exclusive offers.
Maximizing Your Savings: Pro Tips
- Check Price History: Always verify a “deal” by checking its price history. Is it a genuinely good price, or has it been cheaper before?
- Bundle Up: Humble Bundle and Fanatical regularly offer bundles that include multiple games for a fraction of their individual cost.
- Be Patient: Most games will eventually go on sale. If you’re not in a hurry, waiting for a deeper discount is often rewarded.
- Compare Editions: Sometimes, a “Deluxe” or “Ultimate” edition might be on sale for less than the standard edition.
Conclusion: Become a Savvy Game Shopper
Tracking PC game deals across multiple platforms doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By utilizing a combination of dedicated deal aggregators, store-specific wishlists, community insights, and a bit of patience, you can consistently snag your desired titles at their lowest historical prices. Happy hunting, and may your gaming library flourish with incredible deals!
