- 1. $19 billion not played games, according to study.
- 2. Emotional buying and sales temptations increase unplayed games.
- 3. Feels like Steam can do better at keeping users engaged lately.
The study looked at 20% of public Steam accounts, turned unplayed games into a financial story about gaming habits.
They looked at 24 million public Steam accounts out of 120 million active users , counted every game that had never been played and used the game’s full price to calculate the total.
They didn’t include discounted prices or free games from sales.
The result was $19 billion worth of digital games just sitting there.
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Steam sales can make you buy games you never play. So, think about how much time you really have before buying. Buying games you won’t play is almost a hobby now.
Also, did you know that you actually do not own the game when purchasing via Steam? Same for Epic or Origin. We covered a whole post why you don't own your games on Steam.
Stop collecting games
Also setting a budget can help.
Gamers who just spend $30 a month tend to make better purchases, which surveys show can:
The “I’ll play it someday” pile is like saying “I’ll start my diet tomorrow”.
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**Setting a gaming budget can help you buy games you’ll actually play and make better choices.
Let’s be real, your backlog isn’t going to play itself.**
Adding games to a wishlist is a simple smart move.
Steam tells you when games on your wishlist go on sale so you don’t make impulse buys.
People who use wishlists buy 18% fewer games they never play, saving them money and getting games they really want.
Also do some research before you buy.
Gamers who read reviews and watch gameplay videos enjoy their purchases more because they make informed decisions.
Websites like Metacritic and YouTube gameplay channels are useful for making smart choices.
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Researching games before buying can really increase the fun and playtime. I mean, nobody wants to waste money on a bad game.
With 60,000 refunds processed every month, this policy works.
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Use Steam’s demo feature and refund policy to make sure your purchases are satisfying and regret-free. Who doesn’t love to try before you buy? :)
More regarding Noonkick
Steam is the best place to find new games but you need to be mindful of your spending.
By making smart purchases you can curate a library of great games instead of a pile of unplayed games.
As the gaming world changes, gamers need to change. It’s not just about waiting for the next sale or the latest release; it’s about getting the most fun and excitement out of every dollar.
Unfortunately many people have a big collection of unplayed games just gathering digital dust.
Which is unnecessary.
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Smart buying habits can turn your game library from a bunch of unplayed games into a collection of great games. Seriously, who needs another dust collector?
In short Steam has so many options so you need to be strategic. Gamers should be mindful of their purchases and make sure each one is worth it.
- ->setting budgets
- ->adding to wishlist
- ->trying demos
- ->using refunds wisely
gamers can curate a collection of favorite games. These habits can turn gaming into an amazing experience with a well chosen library. Impulse buying is not a gamer trait.
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Smart spending and planned buying can make your gaming awesome, full of great adventures. I mean, who doesn’t want to call that new game purchase “strategic”?
