How to Beat the High Cost of Gaming

Recently, reader Ryan W, wrote:

I really like Tech-Gaming. Your reviews of the latest games
and technologies are almost always great, and I really appreciate your lists of
the week’s upcoming releases. However I do have one problem. After reading
about all these wonderful things, I don’t have the money to buy everything I’m
interested in, or sometimes even your “Pick of the Week”. Just buying one $60
game a week would cost me nearly $300 a month. Can you give any tips for married
gamers on a budget?

Ryan, we completely understand your situation and have come up with four simple solutions for you:


1) Join cheapassgamer.
In the ‘video game deals forum’ you’ll find a number of ways to save your
hard-earned money on a variety of titles. Never pay full price for any title,
when there are plenty of coupons, deals, and bargains discussed on the site.

2) Wait. Although there may be some first week sales when a
title releases, truly frugal gamers will wait for the inevitable price drop. Depending
on its popularity, a game may drop significantly in price between a month and
six months after its release. The general rule is the longer you wait, the more
you’ll save.


3) Check out Game Giveaway of the Day. This site gives away
free copies of popular shareware titles. The games come without ads, trial
periods, and are the complete versions. There is one caveat- you have to
download and install the game the same day. Bookmark the site and enjoy.


4) Try free flash-based games. Currently, we are addicted to
Gemcraft. If you haven’t played a browser based-game in some time, try it again-
some of the best titles rival Xbox Marketplace releases.  You don’t have to sorry about silly PC/Mac
alliances, video card RAM, and most other hardware requirements. One final advantage-
you can play at work (just delete your cookies).

Have a freeware PC game you’re enjoying, or just want to drop a line, like Ryan? Email us.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

45 comments

  1. Sound advice. Although you might spend more $ on a site like CAG as you see more deals. Still, if you can resist buying everything in sight, it’s a great place.

  2. Gemcraft is great, but a little easy.

  3. Listen to the CAGcast, too. It’s funny and you’ll hear some deals.

  4. A much needed article.

  5. I don’t like the direction Cheapassgamer has gone. It’s no longer really about game deals, but instead flame wars with trolls and little kids.

    Its getting tired.

  6. What the catch on the Game Giveaway of the Day? There’s got to be something- adware, trojans.

    No one gives way free games like that…

  7. Some useful ideas. Might have to try those freeware games.

    Additionally, I know site that offer emulation via java.

  8. I beat the high cost of gaming by going in the store with a long trenchcoat.

  9. I’d like to know how to beat the high price of gas.

  10. Find a better shopping site on the ‘net. I dare ya.

  11. Good read. I sent a letter just now for a future article.

  12. Um, what about E-bay to buy games? I’ve saved a lot. I won a game on this site, so I’d also say contests can help.

  13. Cool, this might save me some money.

    I beleive that waiting is one of the best bets. Except for Nintendo games they remain sky high in price.

  14. Some decent ideas, there. I agree with another commenter about ebay.

  15. Gemcraft is the shit!

  16. I like this game even better than DTD. I could see Microsoft buying this for the arcade.

  17. Great, thanks T-G. Ill play gemcraft at work today.

  18. No adware, or any other mal-ware. Like the article said you must install the game within 24 hours.

    The site makes money from ads. I’m sure it will change over time. It’s still in beta.

  19. Gencraft is virtual crack. Watch out!!!

  20. Man, I missed Jets and Guns on the site. I really enjoyed that game. Free would have been nice!

  21. So if the game giveaway site hasn’t been updated in two days, do you have two days to install the game?

    How often do they update?

  22. Wow, gemcraft is awesome. So much to do.

  23. Gemcraft is better than most of microsoft’s weak arcade junk that they charge $10 for. Thanks!

  24. Gemcraft is great, but it slows down a lot when about 10-12 monsters are on the level. Is it like this for everyone?

  25. Slingo, Baby, Slingo. Best free game on the internets.

  26. Is this some evil pot? I just played Gemcraft for an hour straight. No more or I’m going to lose my job 😉

  27. Thanks, hopefully I wont spend as much moola.

  28. Uh, check CAg for the deals, pass on the Cagcast; its just talk about Cheapy and Wombats lives that pretty boring. Lately, it seems like they dont do any research for the show, which makes is sad.

  29. Find a bigger ego on the net. I dare YOU!

  30. Post more free game sites, please.

  31. I love Gemcraft. Thanks Tech-Gaming for the tipp.

  32. Check your mail for my letter.

  33. I cant believe one guy developed GemCraft. Someone hire him!

  34. Never pay retail -UKJ

  35. I really think waiting is a great idea. There are plenty of great Ps2 games to be had for next to nothing.

    Also, the best games come out at the end of a console’s lifespan.

  36. Great idea. Keep this coming.

  37. Yes, Gemcast slows for me too. I think it’s the java code. Still very good game, with a lot to do.

  38. Great article; save me some money, please!

  39. Hey Tech-Gaming, thanks for taking the time to answer my letter! Id almost be surprised if you didn’t ask me to use my letter first!!!!

  40. Helpful article.

  41. Gemcraft would be perfect for the Iphone! Someone needs to make this happen!

  42. Second on the iPhone idea!!!

  43. To be a true cheapassgamer you have to print out game coupons off the net go down to your local Target/BestBuy/CircuitCity and argue with the idiot employees for hours on whether said coupon is valid.

    When they attempt to reject you make sure you have corporate on your speed dial to get them quickly involved.

    Even though you win 4 out of 10 times you continue because that’s the cheapassgamer way of life.

  44. That’s my sad life in 75 words 😉

    You forgot about bitching about the whole affair in the forums!

  45. Thanks for the tips 🙂 My brother will love this