Online gaming has taken the world by storm, Many anticipated its rise in the entertainment industry but no one could have predicted the humongous stature that it has achieved in today’s time. It has already become a trillion-dollar industry, and it not showing any signs of stopping. The temptation of online gaming is undeniable, but the cost that has to be paid cannot be neglected. While the cost of these high-end consoles and the latest tiles might be alluring, it is still possible to enter and enjoy the virtual world of online gaming without being broke. In this article, we are going to explore ways to make the most out of the gaming experience while being within the budget.
Free to Play Game:
It should be kept in mind that the online gaming landscape is not all pay-to-play games. In recent times it has seen a significant rise in free-to-play (F2P) games. Even Though these games are free, this does not mean that they have made any compromises in the overall gaming experience. Some free-to-play games’ quality sometimes surpass that of a paid one. These games cover various genres, like action and strategy, battle royale, and even role-playing games. Here are some of the most famous F2P games worth playing:
- Fortnite: One of the most played games in the world, Fortnite is a battle royale game that is said to be the pioneer in the said genre. Gamers have made careers by playing this game.
- Players Unknown Battle Ground (PUBG): Just like Fortnite PUBG is also a Battle Royale game where the player is dropped onto an island with other 99 players and the rules are simple, the last one standing wins the game.
- Warframe: Advanced weaponry in the hands of an ancient race of warriors called Tenno, full of fast-paced action, if that description does not give you an adrenaline rush then nothing will.
- Dota 2 and League of Legends: Both are immensely popular MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas) that offer strategic gameplay and a competitive scene.
- Apex Legends: Another battle royale sensation, Apex Legends stands out with its unique characters, each possessing distinct abilities.
- Path of Exile: For those who love action RPGs like Diablo, Path of Exile provides a deep and engaging experience without the price tag.
Uses Coupons to Save Money on Online Gaming
One of the best ways to save some bucks and remain within the budget while going on an expedition of online gaming is by using Promo Codes and Coupons. This misconception needs to be eradicated that coupons are just for groceries, they are more than that, they act as one of the most powerful weapons in your arsenal. Here’s how to make the most of them:
- Coupon website: The best place to find online gaming Promo Codes and Coupons is by visiting websites that focus on offering codes and coupons relating to games. The discounts and deals that these websites aggregate from various gaming platforms will help to lower the prices of your purchase.
- Newsletter Subscription: This does not necessarily mean a physical newsletter, but a subscription to online newsletters of your favorite gaming store will help you get the best deals as these stores often put out various offers and coupons that you can use while purchasing the games.
- Holiday Sales: The best time to buy your favorite game is during the holiday season, as these stores and platforms offer sustainable discounts. To save some extra bucks you can also combine the discounts given by these stores with the coupons acquired by different means.
- Games Bundle: One more thing that you can look out for while hunting for online games on a budget is game bundles. Various platforms offer multiple titles together at a discounted price. In these scenarios, you might be able to get hands-on multiple games at a very reasonable rate.
- Platform-specific Coupons: The online gaming world has a humongous and strong fanbase. Every game has its own loyal fans who are ready for each and every new release. In these cases looking for coupons that can be used specifically on the platform where your favorite games are to be released will help to save huge bucks.
Optimizing Hardware
It is not necessary that one needs to get rid of the old setup and make room for a new and updated one just to enjoy the high-end game that might not run with the specs of the old setup. Instead of spending exponential bucks on a new gaming setup, optimizing the hardware of the old one can also be taken into consideration.
The first and foremost thing that needs to be checked is the system requirements of the game that you are downloading If the specs of your system are lower than that of the game’s requirement, then this might lead to poor performance and bad gaming experience.
If the system you play is outdated, then instead of replacing the whole thing consider upgrading specific components that affect the gameplay. You can start with the graphic cards, or install more RAM. These upgrades might seem little but will have a significant impact on the system as well as the game’s performance.
It’s not always that the joy of playing a game will be achieved by keeping the monitor setting to high resolution and frame rate. What you need to do is find that sweet spot that is not only compatible with the hardware of your system but also allows you to enjoy the gameplay to the fullest.
Some online gaming providers often consider this problem of high-end gaming requirements, therefore they often come up with different versions of the same games where the system requirement is lowered so that the players who cannot afford to play of high-end set-up are also able to enjoy the game.
In-Game Purchases
The case of F2P games or even the paid ones is that they might come for free or at a cheaper price but they often have in-game purchases. These purchases could be cosmetic items, weaponry, character skins, or some kind of attachment. These expenses may seem small individually but when accumulated have the power to burn multiple holes in your budget. Here’s how to manage these purchases.
- Setting up a Budget: Determine what and how much you have to spend while playing the game. When restricted by a budget, unwanted and extra expenses can be tackled easily.
- Wait for sales: The sales in the online gaming world are not just limited to the purchasing of the games, they are also active within the game. It could be an anniversary sale, or a holiday sale, wherever it is, keep an eye out and you will benefit.
- Prioritize Value: Not all in-app purchases will add value to your gaming experience. What you need to consider is the value that purchase is going to bring to the game. Items that give only cosmetic values might not enhance the gameplay therefore these purchases are to be avoided.
- Earn Rewards: Instead of spending real money, try finding a way to earn in-game currency, as many games offer them. You also have the option to acquire the items by completing a specific mission. This method will help you to save your money and enjoy your in-app purchases at the same time.
Second-Hand Games
If someone is a fan of physical copies and is looking for specific titles, exploring the second-hand market could turn out to be beneficial:
Visit the local gaming store or a pawn shop, as these places often indulge in purchasing and selling used games, browsing through these places might land you with the game that you are looking to acquire.
Instead of going from place to place the other option that is available is to visit an online marketplace. There are several online spaces that sell used games, the only catch of buying used games from such online marketplaces is to make sure that you are purchasing from an authentic and reputable seller so that there are no issues or scams.
Subscription Services:
Just like the OTT model many of the gaming platforms have also jumped to the subscription model. These platforms offer a curated library of games for a monthly or yearly subscription.
Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Now, and EA Play are some examples of subscription models. All these platforms charge a subscription fee to their users on a monthly or annual basis and against it, they provide the users with access to a library of games which they can play for free.
This model is considered by many as one of the best cost-saving methods as with a single subscription fee you get access to a multitude of games and that too of different genres.
Conclusion
Gaming on a budget does not have to mean losing the quality of your experience; it simply means making informed decisions and keeping track of your expenditures. There are ways using which you may enjoy the world of online gaming while keeping your cash intact, all thanks to a myriad of free-to-play games, deals, discounts, and clever techniques. You may optimize both enjoyment and savings in your gaming trip by following these strategies and putting your resourcefulness to work. So go ahead and start your virtual excursions without fear of overpaying!