The game-buying commitment thread

[Parksey]

I forgot to sign up for this. I'm going for 12 purchases this year, and only five that are allowed to be over £20.

I am being slightly cheaty as I pre-ordered Elden Ring last year so that's been paid for already, but apart from that, I'm only really looking at Splatoon 3, BOTW2 and maybe Pokémon Legends Arceus as my full price launch games.

[jawa_]

Three days in and I'm doing fine! Just ignored a couple of decent PS5 prices on Amazon, have returned two (still sealed and likely to remain so for sometime if they stay in my house) games bought in the pre-Xmas sales, and have started two of the backlog - Last of Us II and the PS5 version of Assassins Creed Valhalla...

Well done, Tony - a great start! Yeah, I suspect that TLOU II and Valhalla will keep you occupied for quite some time!

I nearly faltered today with the chat in the Disco Elysium thread making me hot for a purchase... but two folk made good points and I've held off.

Bravo, guys - let's keep going!

[jawa_]

I forgot to sign up for this. I'm going for 12 purchases this year, and only five that are allowed to be over £20...

Excellent, Parksey, and I've added your details to the opening post!

...I am being slightly cheaty as I pre-ordered Elden Ring last year so that's been paid for already...

Haha, yeah - I have a pre-order in for Elden Ring and I suspect I will get it, so that'll be one of my purchases, too.

[jawa_]

I was chatting with Parksey in the Disco Elysium thread and some of that chat is worth repeating here, just in case it helps other folk.

...Searching Hot UK Deals, Deku Deals or even the Bargain thread here can kick it off. Often, it's an addiction/reaction to the feeling of purchasing a title that stirs the brain juices. It's not a longing to actually play something, just to have it bought and sitting in the collection...

Absolutely spot-on, dude. I think I get a buzz from making the purchase and knowing that I have the game in my collection. It's crazy as I often don't then play the purchased game for years; or literally not at all.

So far through the "gaming commitment" thread, I've learnt that having "cool-down" periods can help. Just holding off from a potential purchase for a few hours can make me then think "hang on, when am I gonna play that? And I have (say) fifteen other games already that I'd rather play first".

[Parksey]

The good thing about checking Deku Deals though, if you can resist the urge to splash out on loads of stuff, is that it tells you if it's the lowest a game has ever been. More importantly, however, it tells you how often it goes on sale and its price over time. A lot of stuff we buy because it's cheap and we need to get it before it goes up in price, actually goes down in price pretty regularly. I've been tempted by Steamworld Heist and Quest quite often, as well as the Darkest Dungeon DLC, but they are on sale basically every other month. They can wait until I've finished the stuff I'm playing (or in DD's case, finished the last few stages of the main game).

[Abacus]

Still at zero.

I've found that I mainly just quite like browsing the sales - there are some decent ones right now, and I'm always egged on by various YouTubers recommending the best deals online.

I was scrolling through the Stadia app the other day, thinking, "Ah right, I can buy X game right now for a couple of quid. That's such a bargain, all those hours for less than the price of a pint!"

But then, at that point I stopped, having realised that's exactly how I've built up a backlog in the first place. And yes, there's a buzz to buying a game. But right now, feeling a slight buzz when I don't. So, feeling pretty good about it probably thanks to this thread.

The only thing I'd be tempted by this year is Mario & Rabbids 2 on the Switch - except I haven't fully finished the first game or the dlc yet. So really, why?

I think there is a weird thing with the change to digital games. It used to be that only a physical game came out, so there was a race to buy it (what if it sold out???).

But now, they aren't ever selling out as there will always be a digital version. So, really, what's the rush? It'll be there when you're ready

[jawa_]

...at that point I stopped, having realised that's exactly how I've built up a backlog in the first place. And yes, there's a buzz to buying a game. But right now, feeling a slight buzz when I don't. So, feeling pretty good about it probably thanks to this thread...

Good on ya, Abacus! I, too, love the feel of buying a game but, yeah, at the moment I'm getting a rush if I stop myself from purchasing.

...I think there is a weird thing with the change to digital games. It used to be that only a physical game came out, so there was a race to buy it (what if it sold out???).

But now, they aren't ever selling out as there will always be a digital version. So, really, what's the rush? It'll be there when you're ready

True! In the past I have bought download versions of games at launch on PS4 and - embarrassing as it is to admit - some of them I've not even loaded up. Much like yourself, I'm in a place now where I finally realise that, too often, some of these games are now launched unfinished and at too high a price... so why bother? Sit back, wait for the bugs to be ironed out and then get the game at a cheaper price!

[jawa_]

...Searching Hot UK Deals, Deku Deals or even the Bargain thread here can kick it off. Often, it's an addiction/reaction to the feeling of purchasing a title that stirs the brain juices. It's not a longing to actually play something, just to have it bought and sitting in the collection...

Absolutely spot-on, dude. I think I get a buzz from making the purchase and knowing that I have the game in my collection. It's crazy as I often don't then play the purchased game for years; or literally not at all.

So far through the "gaming commitment" thread, I've learnt that having "cool-down" periods can help. Just holding off from a potential purchase for a few hours can make me then think "hang on, when am I gonna play that? And I have (say) fifteen other games already that I'd rather play first".

I've done this several times with games on my eShop watchlist - games like Nino Kuni has repeatedly been down to £10 which is my biting point, but as my fingers hover over the purchase button I always find myself hesitating. I know deep down that I'm just not going to play it as much as I would and it'll soon slide down my playlist as I return to the usual suspects, and I'll likely never return to it.

I've done it countless times already with great games that just dont get played and it's a shame for them and me. They don't get played and I don't get to enjoy them because I'm always chasing the next shiny shiny.

Stupid poorly evolved brain

You know what really helps me? When there's loads of hype or discussion around a game I just play something similar I already own.

For example when the demon souls remake came out I played Bloodborne

Or when Far Cry 5 came out I went back and finished far cry 4

When Resi 8 came out I went and played an hour or so of Resi 4

This maybe worthy of its own thread but I am always surprised when people here saying they get side-tracked by other games. I just stick to one game at a time, play until completion and move onto the next one. I don't find this difficult to stick to at all.

There are lots of possible reasons for moving between games though right? Maybe you want to play some multiplayer with friends, maybe you don't have much time and need something playable in short bursts, maybe you need something easily interruptible so switch to a turn based game - those are all practical reasons, but also maybe you just fancy playing a racing game or a puzzle game or whatever other genre rather than the open world action-adventure you're in the middle of. Seems more than likely that sometimes you'll then find your interest waning on one game and you being drawn in to another. Sometimes I get really into one release and just play it exclusively until it's finished, other times I have several games on the go at once and sometimes one will drop off in interest.

I get though that's different to not playing games to your satisfaction because you are getting caught up in new release hype. I just mean there are plenty of other reasons you might switch focus and they aren't necessarily bad!

You know what really helps me? When there's loads of hype or discussion around a game I just play something similar I already own.

This is a good system - I basically did the same with Metroid Dread/Super Metroid

Brilliant stuff! I've copied all of this from the Disco Elysium thread because the chat has moved beyond that game and sits better here; some really good ideas about how we choose to buy - or not buy! - and play games .

[ITSMILNER]

Yeah, I don't really get the FOMO from playing a game at launch, like mentioned above, most games these days are so buggy and unfinished that when I wait and pick up a game at a price I am happy paying (Usually £20-25) they are a much better product that the one people experience at launch. This is why I also don't bother with reviews as by the time I play a game issues that might be mentioned could have already been addressed.

With the other point of playing 1 game at a time, I tend to do that if its a shorter game (10-15 hours say) but anything longer i'll have a side game as well, usually an indie title. I don't have a ton of time to play games so if I pick up beast of a game I might get bored of it if its the only thing I playing.

[OrangeRKN]

FOMO of playing a launch game is the negative way of framing it - the positive way is that the shared experience can elevate a game. Not just playing it as soon as possible, but being able to immerse yourself in discourse around it.

[Balladeer]

FOMO of playing a launch game is the negative way of framing it - the positive way is that the shared experience can elevate a game. Not just playing it as soon as possible, but being able to immerse yourself in discourse around it.

I don't feel like I should be completely agreeing with this in this thread, where people are trying to avoid buying new games and will therefore miss out on this exact experience... but yes. Yes, I get this. I love the new game release buzz, talking about the game with a bunch of people who have also just started it. It's great.

Doesn't apply to Parksey's Ni No Kuni bargain buy though.

[jawa_]

I'm torn between agreeing with the idea that many "AAA" games are now released incomplete, bugged and at stupid prices so you may as well hold off... and agreeing that the initial launch buzz is an exciting thing to be part of! I am truly on the fence here . Both angles are right!

[OrangeRKN]

The key point is probably that you only benefit from the initial launch buzz and discourse if you actually play the game after buying it

If you find you've bought a game because of the release hype but haven't played it, then yeah, that's reason to not do that again!

[Drumstick]

This is why I also don't bother with reviews as by the time I play a game issues that might be mentioned could have already been addressed.

Reviews are still worth keeping an eye on to make yourself aware of what a particular game's (of version or) issues are so you can keep yourself in the loop when/if they get patched out.

I must say - and this is likely to be unpopular - I genuinely don't understand "launch buzz" or FOMO. If others are really enjoying a game that's just released, that's great, but it doesn't affect my enjoyment positively or negatively.

[jawa_]

How's everyone getting on these past couple of weeks? I've avoided game purchases although there have been two close calls!

The first one was Red Faction Guerrilla Re-mars-tered which was only £1.59 or something on the Switch eShop. Fantastic price... but I already have the game on cart and I haven't played it. Old me would have still bought the download version but I held off - even though it was super cheap.

The second one was Ratchet & Clank for PS5 which is currently £39.99 at Amazon. It looks good although - after I cooled down - I wondered if most reviews were perhaps a little too lavish with their praise; it seems to be more-of-the-same with a nice lick of paint. I resisted it.

I think I am gonna make a purchase or two in the next couple of months. I placed a pre-order for Elden Ring as I'd love to experience a new Souls-type game (albeit I haven't yet started Demon's ) and Elex II is a wee temptation... will think about that one.

[ITSMILNER]

Although I haven’t formally set a limit on how many purchases I will make this year, I am making an effort to reduce my spending/amount of games I buy. The last couple of years I bought way too many, the lockdowns played a part in that but now I have such a collection I don’t need to overbuy.

For me, the only games I plan to buy Day One this year are some of the Nintendo first party releases coming this year. The next few months that consists of Kirby and Advance Wars. The other games I am interested in (Horizon, Oli Oli World etc) can wait until they get deep discounts in a year or so

[jawa_]

...I am making an effort to reduce my spending/amount of games I buy. The last couple of years I bought way too many... For me, the only games I plan to buy Day One this year are some of the Nintendo first party releases coming this year. The next few months that consists of Kirby and Advance Wars...

Hey, Milner, I can add you to the log in the opening post if you wanted to have a goal to aim for? Just let me know your personal target for the maximum number of game purchases for this year!

[ITSMILNER]

...I am making an effort to reduce my spending/amount of games I buy. The last couple of years I bought way too many... For me, the only games I plan to buy Day One this year are some of the Nintendo first party releases coming this year. The next few months that consists of Kirby and Advance Wars...

Hey, Milner, I can add you to the log in the opening post if you wanted to have a goal to aim for? Just let me know your personal target for the maximum number of game purchases for this year!

Hmmm put me down for 24, that’s a maximum of 2 a month, Considering the last few years I have bought over 50 per year, aiming to buy half that is a good start

I have made zero purchases this year so far

[jawa_]

...put me down for 24, that’s a maximum of 2 a month... I have made zero purchases this year so far

Welcome aboard and good luck, Milner! Your goal info is now in the OP :-).

[Rubix]

No commitment from me, I'm relatively organised with my buying and playing of games. Just here to stare at Jawa unnervingly and make sure he meets his commitment.

This.

Same for me, Ive got much better at buying games when i need rather than just because of FOMO. Im also happy to wait for offers rather than pay £70 for exclusives.