With the next generation console game systems, came the more expensive games. Games that used to only cost $40.00 now cost $60.00. If your one of those gamers that love to buy the special edition copy, expect to play close to $80.00. Cost on video games has been increasing which makes buying them more difficult. When it comes to deciding whether to rent a video game or buy one, there are some factors to look out.
The major bonus to renting versus buying is the cost. For around $16.00 a month you can purchase a rental subscription. Plans vary on pricing and with each plan you get a certain amount of games to rent at a time. The lower plans usually let you rent one game at a time, with unlimited rentals a month. This gives you an option to try out games instead of purchasing them. For example, let's say there were three new titles coming out averaging about $60.00 a game. If I was to purchase all three games at once it would cost me more then $180.00 with tax. If I had a rental membership, in one month's time I could rent all three for only the cost of my specific plan.
Besides the cost there's a little hidden security feature that most people don't think of. When Halo 3 came out for the Xbox 360, I went out that day and bought it. I had played the previous versions and already knew I loved the game. I was near the end of the game when my copy, stopped working. It was over a month since I had purchased the game and was not able to return it. The store I had bought it from did not inform me of insurance (an added warrant that usually costs about $3.00) so I never bought any. I was now stuck with a $60.00 game, which did not work. If you rent a game and for any reason the game is broken, simply send it back and tell the company it's defective. The beauty of that feature is, you aren't hit with any charges and you won't be out of any money. As soon as your game is returned you can take out another one.
With games already costing me $60.00 I really don't want to have to purchase added insurance. If I buy a video game, buy insurance in case it breaks, and end up not even liking the game I'm out almost $70.00. I don't know about you, but I can't afford to spend that kind of money.
On the other side of the spectrum you can rent a game and keep it for two months. Once you hit the two month mark, you've basically already paid the cost of the game. If you decide to purchase the game after that, you are already at a loss. In the end you can sometimes end up paying more in rental fees then the game would've cost you if you had just bought it.
Whether buying or renting video games, you as the consumer have to weigh all the factors and choose what's best for you. |
