November 23rd 2024.
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion around what it means to be a hardcore gamer. Some argue that those who devote their time and energy to popular mainstream games like Call of Duty and EA Sports FC can be considered hardcore, while others believe that true hardcore gamers are those who have been playing for decades and have a vast collection of games.
As someone who has been gaming for over 30 years and has a collection spanning multiple consoles and generations, I would consider myself a hardcore gamer. However, I have a confession to make - I have not bought a brand new game on its release day in over a decade. In fact, I rarely pay full price for a game.
To many, this may seem strange or even sacrilegious. But for me, it just makes sense. With the ever-increasing prices of games, I find it more important than ever to save money wherever I can. And the truth is, I have never felt like I am missing out on anything by waiting for sales or buying second-hand.
My strategy includes purchasing physical copies whenever possible, even for digital-only indie games which often go on sale just as frequently as their physical counterparts. The idea of spending over £100 on a digital deluxe version of a game seems absurd to me, just as paying £60 or £70 for a new release does. In fact, I can't remember the last time I spent more than £50 on a game.
But it's not just about the savings. By waiting to buy games, I also ensure that I am getting a fully functional product. With the rise of day-one patches and games being released in unfinished states, it's become almost expected that a game will have bugs and issues on its release day. By waiting a few months or even a year, I can be sure that I am getting a game that has been fully patched and improved upon. Not to mention, by then there is often substantial DLC available as well.
Some may argue that by waiting, I am missing out on the excitement and hype surrounding a new release. But for me, the benefits far outweigh any sense of FOMO. And let's not forget the potential for spoilers - although I have never had any major plot points ruined for me by waiting to play a game.
Of course, I am not suggesting that everyone should adopt my approach. For those who enjoy multiplayer games, waiting may not be an option as they want to be part of the community from the start. But for me, as someone who mainly plays single-player games, it just doesn't make sense to buy games at full price.
Plus, by waiting, I have the freedom to take risks and try out games that I may not have otherwise. If I end up not liking it, I can easily sell it on eBay without feeling like I wasted a lot of money. And as a bonus, I can also maintain my hardcore gamer status while saving some cash.
In the end, I believe that there is no right or wrong way to buy and enjoy games. Every gamer has their own preferences and strategies, and that's what makes this community so diverse and interesting. Whether you buy games on day one or wait for sales, the most important thing is that you are having fun and supporting the industry in your own way.
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