Gaming has never been more popular. Whether playing casual mobile games or leveling up for a career in eSports, players represent a truly diverse range of interests. It seems that games both big and small are here to stay.
On top of that, the gaming industry is also tied closely to the latest advances in technology. The faster and more capable the technology, the more immersive and memorable the gaming experience. VR is a great example of advanced gaming, along with upcoming releases like the Nintendo Switch 2, which combines handheld and console features.
Unfortunately, gaming still tends to be a pricey venture—especially for more hardcore players. Accessing the latest titles, hardware, and subscriptions can cost an arm and a leg. In response, many game studios and developers have sought to launch free or discounted gaming platforms.
Not all of these offer a satisfying gaming experience, though. If you want to find deals on gaming, then take a look at these offers. Below, you can find the easiest ways to start saving money on gaming, from casual titles to competitive releases. There’s something for everyone.
Welcome Deals from Virtual Casinos
Casino gaming stands separate from traditional gaming categories—but it remains popular worldwide. Players tend to focus on the main hits like blackjack, roulette, and slots. The latter is a favorite for many gamers, as these short-form titles include the same sorts of themes and visual designs as mobile games.
For newcomers, platforms like PokerStars Casino offer a variety of welcome deals. One of the most common offers is geared toward slots players, connecting them to free spins. Some free spin offers can only be used on specific slots, while others allow you to shop around to find your next favorite hit.
Monthly Subscriptions
Casino bonuses can be used on slots and other specific games. But if you want a much broader gaming reach, then look into monthly subscription packages. These allow gamers to sample a list of titles for a certain period of time for a fixed price—usually on a monthly basis, like most subscription models. Often, you can sample the games available on a trial basis.
The range of game subscriptions is constantly expanding. There are legacy subscriptions from PlayStation and Xbox, for example. These are geared toward more traditional gamers. Other subscriptions focus on uncovering lesser-known and up-and-coming hits, like Itch.io and the Humble Bundle.
Free-to-play Options (F2P)
In the mobile realm, one way that developers have sought to make their titles more accessible is by making them free to play (F2P). In fact, this model can be partly credited with putting mobile games on the map. They allow players to dive in without paying up front.
However, keep in mind that F2P games usually find a way to charge players. They might use microtransactions to encourage players to unlock new levels or personalization features—or even charge incrementally for players to advance in the game. If you want to know whether an F2P game uses microtransactions (and to what degree), just read the reviews.
Players are more suspicious of microtransactions in F2P games than ever before. If a studio’s game uses too many or structures the game to force players to pay them, reviewers will be the first people to point that out.
Game Testing
Lastly, gamers can access totally free games by signing up to test them. At large studios, game testers are actually professionals who have a lot of experience in the field. But on a much smaller scale, indie developers and smaller teams are always looking for feedback on their titles.
The easiest way to start game testing is to apply for a job (if you have tons of experience gaming) or to join an online testing community. The communities usually have forums in which others post beta-testing opportunities. For example, Reddit has an extremely active forum (r/gamedev) where gamers, developers, testers, and programmers regularly post. It’s a great place to start making connections.
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