It Doesn't Make Sense to Buy Games at Launch

[Signalstar]

Just a topic I have been thinking about a lot lately.

I think the gaming industry has conditioned us (or maybe just me) into not buying new games within the launch window at full price anymore. Obviously that is when sales are most beneficial and profitable for the publisher and developer. If supporting the industry is your goal then it is good to buy games at full price.

However the widespread trend is to quickly discount titles, put them on sale frequently, and release later editions that include more content/dlc at a reduced price.

This is the reason I almost never buy new games anymore. If you have a massive backlog like me it really doesn't matter how old a game is if you haven't played it before. It is still a new experience. A recent example is Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition, which was just announced. I knew this was coming and that is one of the reason I did not buy the base game last year even though RE4 is one of my all time favorites. Game of the Year and Complete Editions are pretty much expected at this point. This is the same reason why I am waiting for complete editions of Street Fighter 6 and Tekken 8.

Typically what I do is add a game to my wishlist on the PS Store. Then I will receive an alert whenever that game is on sale, which happens a lot. In fact just yesterday I bought Deathloop ($12.99) and Dragon Ball FighterZ ($8.99) this way. At checkout the store told me the discount was $99. Insane. Just a few days before both of these games were listed at $59.99.

Now of course there are exceptions. If a game is multiplayer focused and you care about being competitive you may want to buy it early so your not at a skill disadvantage to early adopters. If a game is story based and you really want to avoid spoilers, you may want to play it soon after launch.

Also of course Nintendo games don't drop in price as reliably or deeply as games from other publishers. There is not complete edition on sale for a game like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Buying all that DLC will cost you a lot. Generally I do buy Nintendo games physically because they can become scarce.

Even then it might make sense to wait for a game to be re-relased and ported to a later generation console. Take Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, New Super Bros U Deluxe, and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury for examples. I am much happier I bought those games than their Wii U originals. The same can be said for a game like Last of Us Part II. I didn't by the PS4 version because I expected a PS5 Remaster (with Factions). Now that the PS5 version is here, I have it in my wishlist and will buy it on sale.

So I think the message the industry is sending me is clear. Wait to buy games, get them cheaper, get them more polished, get more content.

What are your thoughts?