5 Things to Check Before Buying a New Video Game
As public figures and health experts continue to warn of a potential second wave of mortalities from the ongoing global pandemic, the only thing people can do to stay safe is to stay indoors. Fortunately, people can do various entertaining activities at home thanks to technological advancements. The release of new game consoles and gaming content is one of the typical attractions keeping people enthused during this period.
Many gamers are excited to get their hands on the new Xbox and PlayStation consoles. But what are you supposed to do since there are so many games you can choose from? How do you decide which titles are worth purchasing right now and which ones you could perhaps pass on for the time being? Many determining factors come into play, and it is up to your preferences to select which games to purchase.
Cryptocurrency In The Gaming Industry
Blockchains, the decentralized database systems that support cryptocurrencies, and also NFTs and other “digital assets,” are increasingly being incorporated into video games. New games are being developed specifically to support blockchain technology, while existing games are being updated to operate on blockchains. Virtual economies in video games have a long history.
World of Warcraft and EVE Online, in which items are traded for virtual currencies, became popular test cases for such cryptocurrency features recently. The act of seeking valuable tokens becomes the act of play in the crypto gaming vision, extending the game into a 24/7 market that drives players to continue seeking profit.
What Should You Consider Before Purchasing A New Video game?
Price
Price is probably at the top of most people’s priorities when thinking about buying a game, especially during the holiday season sales. As most retailers offer attractive discounts on select titles, it’s always worth scouring the internet to determine which store has the best deal. If you usually buy digital titles from first-party stores, it is a good idea to keep an eye on price-tracking websites like SteamDB, PlayStation Games Price Tracker, and so on, depending on the platform you play on. This is especially useful if you want to buy a game that is expensive at the current time to wait rather than buy it right away to get the best deal. Also, you can find cheap digital codes for PS and Xbox games at ApeCodes without overpaying for them.
Reviews
Reviews, whether from the general public or critics, are totally subjective. Some reviewers may give a game glowing reviews while the general public does not, and neither would be incorrect because, at the end of the day, your opinions might differ greatly from another gamer. That is why it is recommended to check feedback after a game is released, as long as it is spoiler-free, to determine whether the game is worth spending time on.
Specifications
People with mid-range PCs and consoles or that gaming on a budget should definitely keep an eye on a title’s technical requirements. Most PC game storefronts have a “requirements” section that highlights the game’s technical specifications, allowing you to see what the minimum and recommended requirements are for that title. This is an excellent indicator of whether you should spend your money now or save up for a better rig later. Some websites also provide metrics for games, such as the FPS you’ll get on different settings and specifications.
Platform
If you have access to different platforms such as PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox, you should be aware that one platform may be better than the other in terms of features, exclusivity, or performance. While this is not always the case, a multi-platform game will almost always perform better and have higher graphical fidelity on a PC. Similarly, if you prefer the versatility provided by PC peripherals, it is best to purchase multi-platform PC games rather than console games. However, the story is quite different when it comes to games exclusive to a certain platform.
Game Publisher
This is an intriguing factor to consider, particularly in this day and age of microtransaction-heavy gaming. While a skilled developer may create a game, things can quickly go wrong if its publisher is known for using negative tactics such as loot boxes and microtransactions. Simply put, publishers known for using such tactics make it worth waiting a few months after a game’s release to check public and critical feedback to see if such notorious tactics will be an issue. While some authorities have called for the inclusion of labels to warn users about the content behind subscription services, the system is far from perfect.
Parting Thoughts
Using the tips above, you’ll be able to determine the best way to buy a game or whether you should buy the game at all in terms of digital distribution. The most important thing is to do your homework and compare prices. With advancements in digitization and the inclusion of microtransactions in games, now is an excellent time to begin investing in digital assets such as cryptocurrency. For your convenience, Coingate has gaming gift cards you can buy using your cryptocurrencies.