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The patient gamer's buying calendar

You do not need to predict the next sale. You need a repeatable habit that stops you from paying full price for a game you will not start this month.

The rhythm

PC storefronts run large seasonal sales and smaller themed events throughout the year. Publishers also discount on anniversaries, DLC launches and platform promotions. The exact dates change; the pattern does not: the deepest cuts usually arrive after a game has been out for a while and before a sequel or expansion resets attention.

A simple rule

• If you will start the game within 30 days and the price is at/near the all-time low: buy.
• If the price is 30–50% above the low: set an alert and wait.
• If you are buying “for the backlog”: wait; a backlog is not a reason to pay full price.
• If a patch is coming and the current build has known issues: wait for reports.

Set alerts, not reminders

Use store wishlists and price-tracking alerts (Steam, IsThereAnyDeal, CheapShark) instead of checking every day. When the alert fires, use our Buy/Wait page to check the historical low, patch state and version before you click.

The exception

If a game is at its historical low and you are ready to play it now, waiting for another 5% is not worth another six months of not playing. Buy it and enjoy it.