PC gaming is experiencing strong sales, with discounts influencing purchasing decisions. Games often see price drops of up to 50% within seven months of release. For example, Avowed is currently priced at .89 after a 33% discount during the Steam Summer Sale. Notable discounts include Assassin's Creed Shadows, reduced by .50 since March, and Oblivion Remastered, which has also dropped in price since its April launch. The Patient Gamers subreddit, with over 750,000 subscribers, focuses on games at least a year old, allowing discussions on titles like Cyberpunk 2077 without the urgency of new releases.
The gaming industry employs FOMO tactics, encouraging pre-orders for special editions, as early sales are crucial for a game's long-term success. Some suggest launching games at lower prices instead of relying on pre-order bonuses, as seen with Titanfall 2, which dropped in price shortly after release. Titles like Helldivers 2 and other recent releases have successfully launched at lower price points, indicating a shift towards value in the market.
As competition grows, particularly with remastered classics and indie games like Peak, the pricing landscape is changing. Recommendation algorithms on social media are promoting personalized discovery of games. Steam sales provide newcomers with access to established titles at low prices, such as Civilization 6, demonstrating the ongoing appeal of older games amidst new releases.