Blog Entry 3: "How to Save During Self-Isolation": A Guide to Budget-Friendly Games In A Bear Economy (Part 2)

Michelle Kasaboski with Elizabeth Baxter, Dr. Stephanie Lind, and Brooke Spencer I April 9th, 2020 I 2 minute read

Last week we shared a list of websites offering some great deals on video games. We know that this is a challenging time for people on multiple levels, including mentally and financially. This week’s blog post shares an updated list of deals happening right now!

Video games can be a great source of stress relief, fun, and community, all from the comfort of your own home as you practice social distancing. We hope that this list will help to encourage gameplay even if you’re on a tight budget! From our team to you, we wish everyone safety and good health at this time. Happy Gaming!

Steam:

            Free:

-       Steam has an entire category in their store called “Free to Play” featuring games from all genres that are free to play or download:

o  https://store.steampowered.com/search/?genre=Free+to+Play

o Ex. Drawful 2

-       There’s also an area for free demos of games if you’re looking to try some out before making an investment:

o  https://store.steampowered.com/demos/

o  Ex. GOCCO OF WAR

            Cheap:

-       This is the area you’ll find all of the currently discounted games on Steam (examples below):

o  https://store.steampowered.com/specials#tab=TopSellers

o  Civ VI is $23.99 instead of $79.99 (70% off)

o  ARK: Survival Evolved is $12.00 instead of $59.99 (80% off)

o  The Elder Scrolls Online is $9.99 instead of $24.99 (60% off)

o  The Elder Scrolls Online: Elsweyr is $11.99 instead of $39.99 (70% off)

o  Goat Simulator is $2.87 instead of $11.49 (75%)

 

Origin:

            Cheap:

-       Sale Section (examples below): 

o  https://www.origin.com/can/en-us/store/browse?fq=price:on-sale&sort=rank%20desc

o  The Sims 4 (base game) is $4.99

o  Star Wars: Jedi Knight Dark Forces II is $7.99

-       Origin also has Origin Access, which offers lots of games “free” with the subscription. The subscription can be monthly or yearly, with 2 tiers of fees and levels of access:

o  https://www.origin.com/can/en-us/store/origin-access

 GOG

            Cheap:

-       Sale Section (examples below): 

o  https://www.gog.com/games?price=discounted&sort=popularity&page=1

o  Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition is $13.99

o  Grim Fandango Remastered is $4.29

o  Syberia 1 and Syberia 2 is $2.79 each

o  Fallout 2 is $6.99

o  Morrowind is $10.49

Nintendo:

            Cheap:

-       Current sales and deals (below details copied directly from Nintendo site):

o  https://www.nintendo.com/games/sales-and-deals/

o  SEGA SPRING SALE

  • 4/06 at 9:00 am PT to 4/13 at 08:59 am PT

  • Save big with up to 50% off your favorite SEGA & ATLUS games this spring!

  • Including: 

SEGA Genesis Classics ($11.99 off of $29.99)

SEGA AGES Sonic The Hedgehog ($3.99 off of $7.99)

Valkyria Chronicles ($9.99 off of $19.99)

o  WB GAMES SPRING SALE

  • 4/2 at 9:00 am PT to 4/16 at 9:00 am PT

  • Save up to 75% on some “eggcellent” favorites from WB Games! 

  • Including: 

LEGO Worlds ($11.99 off of $29.99)

Cars 3: Driven to Win ($9.99 off of $39.99)

o  UBISOFT EGGTASTIC SALE

  • 4/7 at 9:00 am PT to 4/20 at 11:59 pm PT

  • Save up to 75% off select Ubisoft titles! Popular games and classic favorites such as MARIO + RABBIDS KINGDOM BATTLE and JUST DANCE 2020 are on sale now.

  • Including:

Trials Rising Standard Edition ($7.99 off of $24.99)

TRIVIAL PURSUIT Live! ($9.99 off of $19.99)

Rayman® Legends Definitive Edition ($9.99 off of $39.99)

Humble Bundle:

“Our mission is to support charity while providing awesome content to customers at great prices.”

-       Supports charities with a portion of every purchase going to charities such as Make-A-Wish and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

-       Full of “bundles” of multiple games purchasable at one discounted price (examples below):

o  https://www.humblebundle.com/

o  GTA 3 or GTA: Vice City is $3.84

o  GTA San Andreas is $5.84

o  Duke Nukem Forever is $5.49

o  Sid Meyer’s Pirates is $2.74