If it's a game that I'm really anticipating, then I will buy it near launch and pay full price. There aren't too many games like that anymore, so I usually wait for a discount. I also pay full price if there is a physical copy of a game I want with a low print run (e.g. from Limited Run Games). This year I paid full price for Age of Calamity and bought Animal Crossing for my daughter at full price. Everything else was at a discount/used.
Bonus: I spent about $300-$400 on games alone this year.
curl-6 bet me that PS5 + X|S sales would reach 56m before year end 2023 and he was right.
My Bet With curl-6
My Threads:
Master Thread, Game of the Year/Decade
Switch Will Be #1 All Time
Zelda Will Outsell Mario (Achieved)
How Much Will MH Rise sell?
My Bet With Metallox