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Gaming is one of the most popular ways for people to spend their leisure time, and this is backed up by the gaming industry being projected to be worth $218 billion by the end of 2024. More and more people chose to pick up a PC or console game during the pandemic, and there has been a steep rise in gamers choosing to play through their smartphone, too.

If you are yet to jump on the bandwagon of gaming, you might want to consider the costs involved before you get started – it isn’t necessarily a cheap hobby, especially not to begin with. However, there are ways and means to make it more budget friendly.

You might already be familiar with spotting deals from your local supermarkets, or making your online casino gaming more value for money by using deals (and we have some of the best new ones out there), but if gaming is new to you, then in this guide we will look at ways you can still play to your heart’s content, without breaking the bank.

Console

The initial outlay for a console will likely be the single biggest cost to your gaming budget. Brand new consoles, especially if you want the latest and greatest, will set you back hundreds.

You can make your budget stretch by going for an entry-level version – like getting the Xbox Series S instead of the beastly Series X, for example. This will be cheaper at the point of purchase and may save you money in the long run but remember that you will be sacrificing some features for a lower price.

The other way you can get more for your money is looking at buying second hand. Many retailers sell used consoles for a steeply discounted price, but make sure that you get one that has been refurbished and has a warranty, as not everyone looks after their tech properly. Some stores will also offer trade-in schemes which might be a good idea for you.

PC

PC gamers often consider themselves to be the epitome of gaming. They wouldn’t be seen dead playing on a console and prefer the action when it is directed using a keyboard and a mouse.

While we aren’t here to judge on what is best, what can immediately be seen is that it is more expensive initially to get a gaming PC. A prebuilt unit costs thousands, and even building your own is expensive – but there are some benefits if you know what you are doing.

You don’t need to splash out on the very expensive, top of the range CPUs and GPUs, for example – you can buy components separately as the budget allows and install them yourself.

Games

Gone are the days when games cost less than £40. Now, with the advent of the AAA huge titles that are being created by developers, such as GTA and Red Dead Redemption, you are looking at entertainment that has cost hundreds of millions of dollars to produce – so it doesn’t come cheap to players.

Some games, when you account for expansion packs and online extras, can cost upwards of £100 – an eye-watering sum for some.

You can make this cheaper for yourself in several ways. Firstly, choosing a digital download will usually be cheaper than buying a physical copy brand new. Buying online tends to be cheaper still.

Second hand tech shops are a good place to look if you want to buy used; these games are tested to be in full working order, so you know the discs aren’t scratched up, and they will be significantly cheaper than buying new – just remember, you might not be able to get the latest titles if you choose to do it this way.

Subscriptions

A manageable monthly cost is often a better option for many people than shelling out for an entire year or longer, and thanks to many of the biggest names in gaming it is possible to get a subscription for access to various extras.

This can include things like free games, access to online multiplayer games, and first look privileges with new games – all for the price of a few coffees a month.

These are available on Steam for PC, as well as PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo – and there are tiers available to help you budget better.

How to Budget

The best thing that you can do when it comes to building a budget is work out exactly how much you have available to spend on your leisure pursuits. With a bit of planning, you should be able to produce a budget that includes all your essential spending as well as a sum for saving, and the leftovers are there for your pleasure.

For the best results, avoid credit functions like credit cards and loans – saving is your best bet so that you can enjoy your gaming hassle-free.