Do you buy games at release or do you wait till it is cheaper?

[Blondefool]

I used to by games the moment they come out, but usually I really wanted them. However, various disappointments taught me various lessons. This changes my approach but then I moved to Nepal. In Nepal, you can't actually get any real copies of games (that I've found) and I don't trust copies. Due to this, I buy a whole load of games when I return to the UK (about 2 times a year) and I usually get them a lot cheaper than I would. Plus, when I get back, I have loads of games to play (usually enough to keep me going until my next trip)!

 

[Razentsu]

I rarely buy games day one nowadays. Unless it is a game I'm really, really, really anticipating, I will wait for a price drop or a sale. I just am cheap.

But that's also probably why Steam sales kill me. Too many good deals everywhere.

 

[Nazulu]

I just wait for them to become cheaper now. I haven't seen any thing special in ages so none of them look like they are worth full price.

 

[purplecactus]

I wait. And wait. Being consistently broke doesn't allow me to spend money on games at their launch price. That, and there's always a list of other stuff to do and get before I get to the games.

 

[Nouw]

Doesn't matter, I buy games when I know they're going to be fun which is after I've rented them.

 

[Starik20X6]

As many have said, it depends on how much I want the game. If I must have it immediately I'll pre-order, if I really want it I'll buy full-price at launch and if it's just a 'looks cool' title I'll wait for it to go down/be on sale.

 

[GundamSentinel]

If I really want a game, I'll buy it on release. Plain and simple. Other games I might wait a week or so to see how they do and then I decide whether to buy them at full price or wait until it drops in price.

 

[WaterDancer]

Games are expensive these days and there are many of them out there. With games becoming really short, $50 doesn't sound appealing at all. Factor in economic situation, and you got the reason why I buy them cheap. Unless it's something really amazing that I can't wait for (which is rare), I can wait until the price goes down. In the meantime I focus on the games that I missed getting which tend to be cheap so I can buy them like a bundle.

 

[SeeIn2D]

Well if I'm anticipating a game I'll usually buy it at or near release just because it's usual several months (8-10) and even a year before the price goes down and I don't really want to wait months on end to play a game I've been looking forward to just to save 20-30$

 

[TehCookie]

Most of the time I wait but if it's a niche game I know won't have many copies printed I get it new, otherwise it's a pain in the ass to find later. I also want to support those games.

 

[TheKukkiBeast]

I usually wait until the price goes down to a good price. Unless its just something I can't seem live without. Only a few games have reached that position.

 

[kommando367]

If it's a game in a series that I'm loyal to like Elder Scrolls, Saints Row, or Fallout, then I'll buy it at full price. Most other games, I rent and later buy if I like them enough.

 

[chuckman1]

Unless someone buys me a gift I always wait.
Money's tight and i gotta stretch my game dollar.

 

[sanquin]

I personally buy games only after I've read both several user and pro reviews of the game. I look up gameplay video's, read reviews, find out as much about the game barring plot spoilers, and then finally decide whether I want to buy it. This does mean I don't usually buy a game until at least a week after release.

Exceptions are:
Dragon's dogma: I played the demo and looked at several gameplay vids before release. And I loved it. I still do.
Guild Wars 2: I played 2 beta's and 1 stress test so far (missed one, stupidly) and have yet to be disappointed. Even more so because of the no sub model.
Torchlight 2: I pirated TL1. I loved it, and still play it. I saw beta gameplay of TL2 and played a bit of the beta myself. Plus you get TL1 free with TL2 pre-order. I wanted to support an indie company that does such good work for a cheap price. So I got that too.