Do you hate to get into an old, crisp GameStop to buy the newest video games, because there are no physical alternatives? Well, let us tell you about this novelty called the Internet. Online connections are faster than ever, meaning you can download bulk titles in just a few minutes. So, since COVID-19 provides more reasons than ever to stay home, it’s a glorious time to start buying or renting games from the comfort of your own PC by visiting an online video game marketplace. Just as Whole Foods and 7-Eleven satisfy other dietary desires, not all video game outlets offer the same types of games. Our consultant describes everything you want to know to start shopping.
This story examines 8 game stores: Epic Games Store, GameFly, GOG, Green Man Gaming, Humble Bundle (owned by PCMag’s parent company, Ziff Davis), itch.io, Steam and the Xbox APP for PC.
These outlets basically offer pc games (Windows, macOS and Linux) to download digitally. Sometimes look for books, movies, software, and other types of entertainment, but that’s not the main point. That doesn’t mean you can’t download console or cell phone games; The Xbox PC app sells Microsoft Flight Simulator, while Humble Bundle has just added Nintendo Switch codes to your library.
To the chagrin of most players, some third-party component publishers require you to download games directly from their own online stores, such as Blizzard Battle.net, EA’s Origin, Rockstar’s Games Launcher, and Ubisoft’s Uplay. Even options you don’t expect, such as Discord or Twitch, can be queried to sell you individual games or include loose games as a component of a subscription. Between Apple Arcade and Xbox Game Pass (available on console and PC), platform owners need a subscription to be the next way to sell games on their devices.
With respect to GameFly and Green Man Gaming, those outlets have been deretaining the main features since we last reviewed them. Green Man Gaming’s trick is to sell discounted keys to other game outlets, a valid but debatable practice that Direct2Drive and the much more schematic G2A also use. Meanwhile, despite being one of the last bastions for renting games, gameFly’s delivery was incredibly slow even before a global pandemic decimated the post office. Green Man Gaming has also shut down its Playfire social network, while GameFly has shut down its game streaming service (an ambitious feature, even Google is suffering to deal with Stadia).
The library is the most important thing to pay attention to when opting for an online gaming store. Don’t waste time browsing a store that doesn’t offer the games you want. The outlets we’ve covered have strangely varied libraries. The choice of Steam publishers will offer almost every single PC game under the sun, new or old, standalone or AAA, flooded with post-release or come content. While all have limitations, Epic Games Store, Humble, Bundle, and Xbox also point to similar massive appeal. Other retail outlets point to more specialized markets. GOG.com specializes in older PC games, while itch.io highlights more independent artwork.
Other points can also influence your shopping experience, such as digital rights management (DRM), visitor service, refund policies, and progression team for budding game creators. Humble Bundle might not offer a library as physically powerful as its competitors, but it would offer many attractive discounts for primary charitable causes. Different sites also offer other degrees of navigation. If you don’t know exactly what you need, it doesn’t matter. But in, say, itch.io, you just need to watch “Windows games compatible with other color blind people for less than $10 that last a few hours and come with real virtual support”, you can. Many outlets even come with social features, allowing you to interact with other players and creators, read user reviews, and participate in network events. All these social and advisory functions make it easy to locate your next purchase. Follow the PCMag Steam Curator page for tips.
These retail outlets would love for you to exclusively purchase games on their service, but you have a consumer selection. Nothing prevents you from buying Death Stranding on Steam in one tab and Maneater from Epic Games Store in another. Do what’s most productive for you. Compare costs on CheapShark. Claim loose games where you can locate them. Be a smart customer and watch the most productive online video game markets before making your next purchase.
Looking for an audience that sees you play your new game? Discover the most productive tactics to stream your live gaming sessions. Are you worried that your children will spend too much time betting when they deserve to study? Here’s how to turn on parental on each and every game platform.
The options to buy and rent PC games online
itch.io
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