Tips On When To Buy A Game

Do you have an idea as to when is the perfect time to buy a game? Do you pre-order it, or wait a while after the release and check out the reviews for it? We aim to answer that question with the different factors that we will discuss below.

By    Daniel  |  Veena

Games could get really expensive nowadays. Is pre-ordering a game more cost-effective rather than purchasing it after it has been released?

Pre-ordering games is much more cost-effective especially if you purchase CD keys like on Cheapdigitaldownload.com.

Here’s a comparison of prices on official stores as well as on online CD key stores.

Cyberpunk 2077

Pre-Release Price:

• Official Stores: $49.99
• Key Sellers:  $33.16

Post-Launch Price:

• Official Stores: $37.99
• Key Sellers:  $16.49

F1 2020

Pre-Release Price

• Official Stores: $54.99
• Key Sellers:  $39.93

Post-Launch Price:

• Official Stores: $13.74
• Key Sellers:  $9.34

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Pre-Release Price:

• Official Stores: $69.99
• Key Sellers:  $49.00

Post-Launch Price:

• Official Stores: $62.99
• Key Sellers:  $43.46

Half-Life: Alyx

Pre-Release Price:

• Official Stores: $49.99
• Key Sellers:  $32.97

Post-Launch Price:

• Official Stores: $29.99
• Key Sellers:  $24.17

Crusader Kings III

Pre-Release Price:

• Official Stores: $49.99
• Key Sellers:  $29.73

Post-Launch Price:

• Official Stores: $18.86
• Key Sellers:  $15.55

FIFA 21

Pre-Release Price:

• Official Stores: $59.99
• Key Sellers:  $28.49

Post-Launch Price:

• Official Stores: $9.59
• Key Sellers:  $10.21

Hades

Pre-Release Price:

• Official Stores: $19.99
• Key Sellers:  $15.32

Post-Launch Price:

• Official Stores: $6.79
• Key Sellers:  $14.14

Star Wars: Squadrons

Pre-Release Price:

• Official Stores: $39.99
• Key Sellers:  $21.59

Post-Launch Price:

• Official Stores: $14.79
• Key Sellers:  $8.19

Rust

Pre-Release Price:

• Official Stores: $18.99
• Key Sellers:  $9.99

Post-Launch Price:

• Official Stores: $16.99
• Key Sellers:  $15.99

Among Us

Pre-Release Price:

• Official Stores: $3.99
• Key Sellers:  $2.81

Post-Launch Price:

• Official Stores: $0:00
• Key Sellers:  $3.00

Based on the numbers above, pre-ordering games from CD key stores could give you a better deal than buying a game when it officially launches.

Naturally, the same game’s price will go down as time passes. But you would then be missing out on all the hype of the moment.

WHY ARE NEW GAMES EXPENSIVE?

Video games are quite expensive and it seems like they are getting more and more expensive as time goes on.

The base price of a game usually stays the same so what makes the game expensive over time?

There are a few factors to consider, and here are four of them:

• New console generation
• Different available game editions
• Microtransactions
• DLC

New Console Generation

At this time, we are now on the ninth generation of consoles. The newest being the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

These newer consoles are more powerful with higher quality hardware, improved graphics and innovative mechanics.

The improvements are the reason for the hike in prices. Some AAA games launch to $70 and up.

Different Game Editions

Another thing to think about when purchasing games is the editions available for the game.

Games launch in different editions like standard, deluxe, and collector. Each one a different price range.

The editions usually have a $10 to $20 addition to the base game price. Those who go for the more expensive editions are usually the ones who are afraid of missing out.

Some of the editions come with season passes which makes them appealing to gamers. So it isn’t true that only those who are hardcore fans of the game are those who purchase these.

Games like FIFA or Madden NFL come with weekly or seasonal bonuses depending on the edition that you purchase.

You may think that these are better deals, but the fact is it ultimately raises the price of the game.

Microtransactions

Another thing that makes games expensive is the controversial microtransactions. Here are the numbers that microtransactions bring to the game.

Last August 2020, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone were able to bring in $500 million in just three months because of microtransactions. This had been according to Activision Blizzard.

These were through battle passes, bundles, COD points and skins.

Another game from Blizzard that earns big through microtransactions is Hearthstone which brings in about $500 million per year. This is through in-game cosmetics, content and digital card packs.

Free-to-Play games are free to play with the option to make small purchases for skins, cosmetics and the like. Making those small purchases does add up.

Take Fortnite for example. It transitioned to a Free-to-Play game but was able to bring in $2.5 billion in 2020.

AAA games also come with microtransactions offering additional character slots, skins and in-game cosmetics.

DLC

DLC in general is the extra content released after a game has launched which includes microtransactions. But we will be using the term for the bigger content releases like expansions.

AAA games rarely launch expansions for free. Other games would even offer special editions to make you pay more for your game.

Since players would want more out of their game they are willing to spend the extra bucks for it.

An example is Train Simulator 2020 with its DLCs amounting to $10,000.

With everything that has been said, the point is new games are expensive to purchase and they even cost more when played.

Buy Games That Are Still in Pre-Order Phases

To summarize everything, buying games that are still in the Pre-Order phase is a less costly way of buying video games.

This is because of pre-order deals, the hype of the game plus a good investment before a game launches.

When a game is a big hit upon launch, discounts tend to be smaller for it.

Investment had been mentioned above because playing video games is an investment of your time.

A good game means you will invest hundreds or even thousands of hours playing.

A video game’s price will do down over time however the experience it gives you, the enjoyment that you get that is priceless.

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