How to set up deal alerts for specific PC game titles on Steam or Epic Games Store?

Never Miss a Discount: Your Guide to PC Game Deal Alerts

For PC gamers, the thrill of a new release is only matched by the satisfaction of snagging a highly anticipated title at a bargain. With hundreds of games constantly going on sale across platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store, manually checking for price drops is a Herculean task. Thankfully, various tools and methods exist to automatically notify you when your desired games hit a specific price. This guide will walk you through setting up deal alerts, ensuring you maximize your gaming budget and expand your library intelligently.

Official Store Wishlists: The Basic Approach

Both Steam and the Epic Games Store offer built-in wishlist functionalities that can provide basic notifications for sales. While convenient, their alerting capabilities are often less granular than dedicated deal-tracking services.

Steam Wishlist

Steam’s wishlist is perhaps the most widely used basic alert system. When a game on your wishlist goes on sale, Steam typically sends an email notification. It’s a straightforward process:

1. Log In: Access your Steam account.
2. Find Your Game: Navigate to the store page of the game you’re interested in.
3. Add to Wishlist: Click the “Add to your Wishlist” button, usually located below the game’s purchase options.

You can manage your wishlist and notification preferences from your Steam profile. Steam usually sends a summary email when multiple wishlist items are discounted, or a specific email for significant sales on individual titles.

Epic Games Store Wishlist

The Epic Games Store also features a wishlist function that sends email alerts when games on your list go on sale.

1. Log In: Log into your Epic Games account via the launcher or website.
2. Browse Games: Find the game you want to track.
3. Add to Wishlist: Click the “Add to Wishlist” heart icon on the game’s store page.

Epic Games sends email notifications for sales and major price drops for items on your wishlist. While functional, it doesn’t offer specific price thresholds like third-party tools.

Third-Party Deal Trackers: The Power User’s Choice

For the most comprehensive and customizable deal alerts, third-party websites are indispensable. These services track prices across numerous digital storefronts, including Steam, Epic Games, GOG, Humble Store, and more, often providing historical price data and allowing you to set specific price thresholds.

IsThereAnyDeal (Highly Recommended)

IsThereAnyDeal.com (ITAD) is widely regarded as one of the best tools for PC game deal tracking. It aggregates prices from most reputable digital stores and allows for highly specific alerts.

Setting Up Alerts on IsThereAnyDeal:

1. Create an Account: Register for a free account on IsThereAnyDeal.com. This allows you to save your preferences and wishlists.
2. Import Your Wishlists: ITAD can import your Steam and GOG wishlists directly. Go to your “Waitlist” (their term for wishlist) and look for the “Sync Your Libraries” option. This is a massive time-saver.
3. Add Games Manually: If a game isn’t on Steam or GOG, or you prefer to add it directly, search for the game on ITAD and click the “Add to Waitlist” button on its dedicated page.
4. Customize Alerts: Once a game is on your Waitlist, you can customize its alert settings. Click on the game, then select “Waitlist settings.” Here, you can choose to be notified for:
   • Any new low price.
   • New historical low (the lowest price ever recorded for that game).
   • Price below a specific amount you define.
   • When available at specific stores only.

   You can also opt for email or browser push notifications.

ITAD also provides historical price charts, helping you decide if a current discount is truly a good deal or if it’s likely to drop further.

Other Notable Deal Trackers:

• GG.deals: Similar to ITAD, GG.deals tracks prices across many stores, offers historical data, and has a clean interface for setting up alerts. It also integrates with Steam and supports custom price alerts.
• Fanatical/Green Man Gaming: While primarily storefronts, these sites often have their own email newsletters that announce sales, and sometimes offer better deals than the main platforms, particularly for specific publishers.
• Humble Bundle: Known for its game bundles, Humble also has a store with individual titles. Signing up for their newsletter can alert you to new bundles and sales.

Tips for Maximizing Your Savings

• Be Patient: Most games will eventually go on sale. Waiting for a good discount can save you significant money.
• Check Historical Prices: Use sites like IsThereAnyDeal to see if a current “deal” is truly a low price or if the game has been cheaper before.
• Consider Bundles: Humble Bundle and Fanatical regularly offer bundles that include multiple games for a fraction of their individual price.
• Utilize Store Credit/Coupons: Keep an eye out for store-specific promotions like Epic Games’ recurring coupon events.

Conclusion

Setting up deal alerts for your desired PC game titles is a smart strategy for any budget-conscious gamer. While official wishlists provide a basic service, third-party trackers like IsThereAnyDeal offer unparalleled control and comprehensive coverage, ensuring you’re always informed about the best discounts. By leveraging these tools, you can build an impressive game library without breaking the bank.