Adapt or abandon? How young gamers are changing their habits to survive in the era of $80 games
With the world of video games getting more and more expensive, players are finding new and creative ways to keep their passion alive. These are effective solutions depending on your budget, but are they really able to deliver the experience that gamers deserve?
In our last article, we saw how inflation and the rising price of video games have hit young gamers hard. But one thing gamers have in common is their resilience in the face of challenges, leading them to create and adopt new solutions to these modern problems.
So, what are these new strategies? Let’s find out together how the options for young gamers on a budget have evolved.
Part 1: Strategy #1 – The Subscription Savior (Xbox Game Pass & PlayStation Plus)
One of the most popular solutions in recent years is subscription services, a formula mainly popularized by streaming services. With PlayStation Plus and especially Xbox Game Pass being considered the “Netflix of gaming,” thanks to a low price that gives access to a vast catalog of games.
The Pros:
This type of solution gives you access to a huge catalog of games that includes AAA classics, indies, and true hidden gems. All for a fixed monthly price and with continuous new additions, significantly cutting down the overall cost of the included games. This is an especially ideal solution for those with a limited library, or even those who often jump from one game to another after completing them.
The Cons and Frustration #1:
However, there’s a big downside to this solution. Not all games are available with the subscription; in fact, we only have a curated and constantly changing limited selection of games. We see new additions, but also removals to make room for new releases. Plus, we’ll never see titles of the caliber of GTA 6, for example, landing on Xbox Game Pass. As Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick reiterated in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz.
The Nuance with Doom: The Dark Ages
Although we’ve had more recent examples to the contrary. Among the latest news, we have Doom: The Dark Ages. The new techno-medieval themed chapter of the famous Doom by id Software, available from Day One on Xbox Game Pass. A premium game that certainly makes this solution attractive for fans of the series, as you can see in the action-packed trailer below. But not for those looking for GTA 6 at launch.
Part 2: Strategy #2 – The Patience Game (Wait for the Sales)
A classic but still very effective strategy is to wait. With events like Black Friday and seasonal sales, but also smaller sales, being ideal opportunities to save. Waiting for those long-awaited discounts of up to 70% that make the wait quite tempting.
The Pros:
Waiting for one of the seasonal sales or promotions allows you to save significantly on the purchase of games. Allowing you not only to buy the long-awaited game with a price cut, but also to buy more games at a fraction of the original total cost.
The Cons and Frustration #2:
The most obvious downside is the wait itself. How long do you have to wait to finally see it on sale? Often waiting over 6 months for a meager 20% off, by which time your interest may have already waned. Or worse, in the case of online games, the community is much smaller than at launch. Or you’ll even find yourself as a newbie facing a host of expert opponents in multiplayer.
Part 3: Strategy #3 – The Free-to-Play Refuge
Free-to-Play (F2P) games have always been the ideal refuge for young gamers. Having access to a game, usually multiplayer but not exclusively, for free. Often including titles considered true premium AAA experiences, like Fortnite, Apex Legends, or Warzone.
The Pros:
The advantage of F2P is precisely that you can play without spending a dime. Having access to a gaming experience that can often rival and surpass AAA games. Offering various multiplayer genres including Shooters, MMORPGs, and MOBAs. But also single-player RPG offerings with a co-op/online component. And also very low system requirements, so you can play on an older PC or even the last generation of consoles.
The Cons and Frustration #3:
While the initial cost is zero, the F2P business model is often one of the most egregious examples of monetization. With content like Battle Passes, characters, skins, and paid upgrades. Also leading to a concrete advantage between paying vs non-paying players. Which often also results in real social pressure to spend exaggerated amounts of money. Which, when accumulated, exceed the $80 threshold of AAA games.
Conclusion: Compromises Everywhere, or Not?
In short, from what we’ve analyzed together, young gamers are adapting to this new climate of economic crisis. Choosing various approaches, between those who wait for sales, those who find refuge in F2P experiences, and those who use subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. But each with its own disadvantage:
- The limited selection of subscription services
- Having to wait months for a sale, losing the social experience at launch
- Limited experience as a non-paying player in F2P and pressing monetization
What if there was a method without compromises? What if it were possible to play all the biggest hits of 2025 without having to pay that $80?
It’s not a pipe dream! In our next article, we’ll address how gamers can reclaim their passion by being able to play new releases without breaking the bank. Stay tuned for our next article on Friday!
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
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