What’s the best way to track daily free PC games & console discounts?

Introduction: The Hunt for Free & Discounted Games

For avid gamers, few things are as satisfying as snagging a coveted title for free or at a steep discount. The gaming landscape is constantly evolving, with new deals, giveaways, and sales popping up across various platforms daily. Keeping track of all these opportunities can feel like a full-time job, but with the right strategies and tools, you can ensure your gaming library grows without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re a PC master race enthusiast or a console loyalist, there are numerous ways to stay ahead of the curve. This guide will walk you through the most effective methods to track daily free PC games and console discounts, ensuring you never miss out on a fantastic deal again.

Dedicated Deal Websites & Aggregators

One of the most efficient ways to track deals is by utilizing dedicated websites that aggregate sales from various storefronts. These platforms are often updated hourly by a community of deal hunters and algorithms, making them invaluable resources.

• IsThereAnyDeal: This site is a must-have for PC gamers. It tracks prices across dozens of digital storefronts (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Humble Store, etc.) and allows you to create wishlists, set price alerts, and see historical low prices.
• CheapShark: Similar to IsThereAnyDeal but with a broader focus, CheapShark also aggregates PC game deals and offers price history and alerts.
• GG.deals: Another robust aggregator, GG.deals, provides comprehensive price comparisons, historical data, and often includes information on console deals as well.
• HotUKDeals / Slickdeals (US): These broader deal communities often have dedicated gaming sections where users post exceptional finds, including free games and console bundles.

Official Digital Storefronts & Their Offers

The primary digital storefronts are often the source of the best deals and freebies directly. Knowing when and where to look within these ecosystems is crucial.

• Epic Games Store: Renowned for its weekly free PC games. Checking their store page every Thursday is essential for PC gamers.
• Steam: Offers daily deals, weekly sales, and massive seasonal sales (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring). Utilizing the Steam wishlist feature with email notifications is highly effective.
• GOG: Frequently hosts sales with classic PC titles and DRM-free modern games, often accompanied by free game giveaways.
• PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Nintendo eShop: All console platforms have dedicated ‘Deals’ or ‘Sales’ sections that are updated weekly. Subscribing to their official newsletters or using their wishlist features (which often notify you of discounts) is recommended.

Community Hubs: Forums, Subreddits & Social Media

The gaming community itself is a powerful engine for deal discovery. Enthusiastic gamers often share deals faster than any automated system.

• Reddit: Subreddits like r/GameDeals, r/FreeGameFindings, and platform-specific subs (e.g., r/PlayStationDeals, r/XboxDeals) are constantly updated with new offers.
• Gaming Forums: Larger gaming communities like ResetEra, NeoGAF, or even platform-specific forums often have dedicated threads for deals and free games.
• Twitter: Follow accounts dedicated to gaming deals (e.g., Wario64, CheapAssGamer) and official storefront accounts. Many free games and flash sales are announced here first.

Leveraging Newsletters & Price Trackers

For a more passive approach, letting the deals come to you can be incredibly convenient.

• Store Newsletters: Sign up for newsletters from Steam, Epic, GOG, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo. They regularly highlight ongoing sales and upcoming free titles.
• Deal Site Newsletters/Alerts: Many of the aggregator sites mentioned earlier (IsThereAnyDeal, CheapShark, GG.deals) offer email alerts for games on your wishlist, notifying you when they hit a certain price point.
• Browser Extensions: Tools like Augmented Steam (for Steam) or similar extensions can integrate price history and comparisons directly into storefront pages, making it easier to spot genuine deals.

Conclusion: Your Ultimate Game Deal Strategy

The best way to track daily free PC games and console discounts is to adopt a multi-faceted approach. Combine the proactive browsing of dedicated deal aggregators and community forums with the passive convenience of wishlists, newsletters, and social media alerts. Start by signing up for email alerts on IsThereAnyDeal or CheapShark for your PC wishlist, and enable notifications on your console’s digital store for titles you’re eyeing. Regularly check the Epic Games Store for weekly freebies and follow prominent deal accounts on social media.

By integrating these methods into your routine, you’ll significantly increase your chances of expanding your game library with minimal cost. Happy hunting, and may your backlog grow with fantastic deals!