The Best Online Stores For Digital PC Games 2023
If you like to try new games every so often but don’t want to spend too much money, you are probably already one of those who bet on digital games. These have some advantages over traditional games, although, as we will see in this guide, they also have some drawbacks.
Luckily, there are currently many online stores where you can buy digital games for PC at very competitive prices. But which ones are the most recommended? In this article, we will present you the six best websites to buy digital PC games completely legally.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Buying Digital PC Games
One of the main advantages of digital games is convenience since we can download them directly from the website, and we will not have to go to a physical store. Although we could also buy them in a traditional format and have them sent to our home, the deadlines are much shorter.
Beyond this, the important thing about digital games is that they are usually cheaper than physical ones, especially because you don’t have to pay for packaging and shipping. You can also play your favourite titles at any time without having to worry about changing the disc or installing the game.
Another advantage that many of you will surely be familiar with is that we can share these games with friends, and many include online game modes to compete with other players worldwide.
However, there are also some disadvantages of digital PC gaming. One of them is that you can’t resell them and get some of the money back once you’ve tired of it.
On the other hand, you need a stable Internet connection to download and play digital games. It is also important to note that some may require a large amount of hard drive space, which can be problematic for those with older computers or less space.
PROS
- A quick download from the website
- Cheaper prices than physical games
- You can play your favourite games at any time without having to worry about changing the disc or installing the game
- Share your games with friends and family
- Online game modes available
CONS
- Games cannot be sold once purchased
- You need a stable internet connection to download and play
- Some digital games require a lot of hard drive space
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The Six Best Pages To Buy Digital Online PC Games
Although you probably already know some of them, let’s see which are the best online stores to buy digital PC games completely legally:
Steam
Steam is one of the best-known online stores when it comes to buying digital PC games. Since its launch in 2003 by Valve Corporation, it has gained millions of users worldwide.
One of the main features of Steam is its extensive game library, as it has thousands of titles from different genres, from action and adventure games to strategy games and simulators. Additionally, the prices are very competitive, and they frequently offer discounts on many popular games.
Another feature we like about Steam is the user community it has created. Users can connect with friends, join groups and discuss different games. In addition, it offers a series of extra features, such as the ability to stream games through the platform or the option to play games in Big Picture mode, which allows you to play on televisions and other large-screen devices.
GOG
GOG, formerly known as Good Old Games, is an online store to buy and download video games for PCs that belong to CD Projekt.
One of the main differences with other sites is that it does not use digital rights management (DRM), which means that games can be downloaded and run without needing a client.
Additionally, to ensure compatibility with new versions of Windows, some games are packaged in open-source emulators. If something goes wrong, GOG has one of the best refund policies, so you don’t have to worry about incompatibility.
All this, with various titles, from old classics to modern indie games, and efficient customer service. They also offer you different extra functions, such as the possibility of customizing the game library and the option to use different languages and currencies.
Instant Gaming
Without a doubt, one of the best pages to buy digital PC games is Instant Gaming, although you can also get them for other platforms since it has a wide selection of titles, including indie and AAA games.
Its operation is simple: users can search for the games they want to buy online and get download codes immediately.
This store is characterized by offering very competitive prices, which makes it very attractive for those looking to save as much as possible. In addition, it has a very active community of users that shares opinions and reviews about the available games, which can be of great help when making purchasing decisions.
On the other hand, Instant Gaming also offers a rewards platform for users who make recurring purchases, allowing them to accumulate points and redeem them for discounts on future purchases.
Green Man Gaming
Green Man Gaming is another online store to buy digital PC games that has earned a prominent place in the market. Unlike GOG and Steam, Green Man Gaming offers much lower and more competitive prices, although there is an explanation.
It does not sell digital games directly but rather access keys. So, once you receive your key in the email, you must activate it on the corresponding platform (such as Steam, GOG, Origin…) to get the game active.
It is important to take into account the region where you are located and what key you buy since many creators prepare versions of the same game for specific areas.
Despite this, Green Man Gaming is still a good option to buy games at competitive prices and take advantage of their promotions and discounts. In addition, the store offers a wide selection of titles from different genres and categories to satisfy the needs of all types of players.
Humble Bundle
Humble Bundle is similar to the previous one. It works by selling game bundles at very competitive prices, where the buyer decides how much to pay for the bundle and what percentage of their payment will go to charity.
Additionally, Humble Bundle also offers a monthly subscription service called Humble Monthly, which allows users to get a select set of games each month for a fee of 12 euros/dollars.
One of the advantages of purchasing from Humble Bundle is that games are often available on multiple platforms, such as Steam, Origin, or GOG, and buyers receive a key that allows them to activate the game on the platform of their choice.
Itch.io
Itch.io is an online store for the distribution of independent or indie video games, created by Leaf Corcoran in 2013. This page focuses mainly on games developed by small teams of developers, including free and paid titles.
What makes Itch.io unique is its focus on allowing developers to set their prices and offer discounts on sales. In addition, it also allows developers to sell beta and alpha versions of their games, allowing them to get feedback from the community before releasing the final version.
It has also been used as a platform for jam games, where developers have a limited time to create a game from scratch on a specific theme.
As you can see, there are a wide variety of online stores to buy digital PC games, each with its own characteristics and advantages.
From large platforms like Steam and GOG to more specialized ones like Green Man Gaming or Humble Bundle, there is an option for every type of player.
The important thing is to know the options available, compare prices and take into account factors such as region and refund policies before making any purchase.
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