Budget Gaming: How to Keep Costs Down as an Avid Gamer

Inflation has been a hot-button topic in the news of late. In fact, it’s been the economic story of the last few years. As you might expect, it has been hitting more than just the price of eggs and orange juice. Video gaming is certainly not exempt. To give you an example, the cost of a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription went from $119.99 to $159.99 in late 2023 – a hefty hike of about 33%. In fact, most gaming subscription services have had significant hikes in the last few years. Moreover, we have seen the standardized cost of AAA games go from $59.99 to $69.99 in the 2020s. 

And yet, it is somewhat interesting to view studies on the true cost of gaming. A recent study by Activate found that the average gamer spent $19.65 per month on games, whereas a different study by All Home Connections put the cost at $76 per month. That’s a huge difference, but why the disparity? Essentially, it’s down to the fact that all gamers are different. Many gamers have top-tier experiences on a budget, and there are even ways to game for free online. Let’s look at some of the ways you can keep expenses down and play on a budget:

A Plethora of Demos and Free Games 

Some of the world’s most popular video games – Fortnite, Apex Legends, Warframe, Genshin Impact, just to name a few – are free at the point of entry. You can play them for free or at least up to a point. The games will push in-game purchases to unlock new levels, etc., yet you are not required to make them. 

All the biggest names in gaming, including Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, and Ubisoft Connect, will offer free games. You might even come across less well-known platforms, such as itch.io, which has a huge number of free-to-play titles and daily deals for cheap gaming. Slots players can head to platforms like McLuck to experience top slots from various providers like Pragmatic Play in demo mode. In short, there’s something for everyone when you look around. 

Saying No to In-Game Purchases 

We mentioned in-game purchases above, and that is the business model for many game publishers these days. The key is to be disciplined. You might be really enjoying a game, so go ahead and pay a few bucks to unlock those new levels. If not, then move on to something else. A good rule of thumb is to avoid buying cosmetic items unless you are really into the game. 

There are thriving communities dedicated to cheap and free gaming on platforms like Reddit (r/GameDeals) and Discord. The community will have loads of advice on getting free access, deals, and discounts on top games. 

Hit the Sales 

If you aren’t interested in subscription services (see below) and prefer to own games, then know that timing is key to keeping costs down. Steam, Epic, PlayStation, and other official stores will have sales at various points of the year. Often, these sales will be for older (relatively speaking) games, but you can get real bargains. Similarly, platforms like Facebook Marketplace will sell physical used copies of older games at knockdown prices. 

Subscriptions Can Be Worth It

We talked about the rising price of a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription earlier, but that is just one example. And even if you are paying full price for a subscription, it may be cheaper than buying individual games. Arguably, we’d say a subscription is a good choice if you play – or intend to play – regularly. Another tip is to explore options away from the big names like PlayStation and Xbox. Subscription platforms like Humble may offer better deals, and you might be surprised at what you can get from providers like Amazon using your existing Prime account.