Aspects to Consider When Estimating the Cost of Playing Video Games: How Expensive Is It to Be a Gamer?

The cost of becoming a gamer can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the platform you choose, the type of games you play, and your desired level of gaming experience. 

Given that technology tends to remain at a worldwide price rather than a local one, gaming is quite expensive. Thus, the relative cost of technology is more directly correlated with foreign exchange rates, inflation, and forex movements in the country under consideration. In the current era of game creation, every studio strives to create a masterpiece. It always charges for it along with always paying for it. They frequently fall short, even in the case of mediums where critics are lavish with flawless scores. But the cost has already been covered.

It’s unlikely that anyone reading this post will be surprised to learn that gaming is an expensive hobby. According to a recent survey of TheGamer, gamers in the US spend an astounding $58,000 on gaming throughout their lives.

Here are some aspects to consider when estimating the cost:

Gaming Console or Computer

Consoles are less expensive, straightforward, and easy to use. Due to their ease of setup and upkeep, consoles are the preferred gaming device for many players. Shortly after the device is taken out of the box, you can begin playing console games. To begin having fun, neither construction times nor technological expertise are required. While there’s debate regarding the relative pricing of consoles and PCs, in general, consoles are less expensive than gaming PCs. Furthermore, owning a console now comes with the ability to stream music, movies, and TV shows on newer models.

The initial investment in a console can range from $500 to $750, depending on whether you prefer consoles such as PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, or a minimum of $2,000 for a PC running at 60 frames per second on maximum settings, which is a must-have for next-gen gaming titles.

Games

The cost of games varies by platform and edition. 

The price of new games for consoles usually ranges from 60 to 70 euros, while the prices of PC games range from 30 to 60 euros. However, you can also find discounts, sales, and free games that can reduce the overall cost. One of the best tips is to wait for the summer and winter sales on the platforms the game is on. The only problem is that most newer games are never discounted, so you’ll have to pay full price.

Online Services

If you plan to play online multiplayer games, you may need to subscribe to gaming services like Xbox Live Gold, PlayStation Plus, or Nintendo Switch Online. These services usually have monthly or annual fees that range from 10 to 60 euros. 

While the platforms on the PC are free, of course, you always have to pay for the games in order to play on the online servers.

Accessories

Additional gaming equipment such as controllers, headsets, keyboards, mice, and gaming chairs can improve your gaming experience, but also increase the overall cost. Prices can vary significantly, depending on the brand and quality of the product.

An example of a bundle set that contains the entire set for minimal gaming:

• Headphones: Lenovo Legion H500 Pro 7.1 Gray (around €80)
• Pad: Lenovo Legion Gaming XL Cloth Mouse Pad (around €25)
• Mouse: Lenovo Legion Y mouse (around €40)
• Keyboard: Lenovo Legion K200 (around €50)

Internet Connection

A stable and reliable Internet connection is important for online gaming. The cost will depend on the available service providers in your area and the specific tariff you choose. 

You can play for as long as you like without worrying about your connection being slowed down if you have unlimited data. Additionally, speed is crucial. Although games can be played at a minimum download speed of 3 megabits per second (Mbps), primarily with DSL, Internet service providers (ISPs) advise 300 Mbps or faster for optimal performance. The last measure of latency is the time that it requires for your console to connect to the server and back. For lag-free gaming, low-latency connectivity is essential. An average latency of 23.45ms is best for cable speed. 

Monitor or TV

Having a good gaming monitor can be very important for a quality gaming experience. Here are a few reasons why this is important:

• Refresh rate: Gaming monitors often have high refresh rates, expressed in Hz (Hertz). A higher refresh rate allows smoother movement on the screen, which is especially useful in fast-paced action games. Monitors with a refresh rate of 144Hz or even 240Hz can provide greater fluidity and precision in the display of motion.
• Response time: Response time refers to the time it takes for a monitor to change pixels from one color to another. A lower response time allows for a reduction in image blur and judder during fast movements. Monitors with a response time of 1ms or less are usually recommended for gaming.
• Resolution: A higher resolution allows for a clearer image and more detail on the screen. Monitors with high resolution, such as 1440p (QHD) or 4K, provide a visually satisfying experience with sharp details. However, keep in mind that a higher resolution will also require a stronger graphics card to achieve a high frame rate (FPS).
• G-Sync or FreeSync technology: These technologies synchronize the refresh of the monitor with the graphics generated by the graphics card. This helps eliminate screen tearing and create a smoother display. If you use an NVIDIA graphics card, you should look for monitors with G-Sync technology, while AMD users are better off opting for monitors with FreeSync technology.

A TV or monitor will function perfectly if you utilize a console; nevertheless, you might wish to give priority to a refresh rate of 120Hz. A monitor is your best bet if you intend to play games at higher frame rates on a PC because a TV will only go as high as 120Hz. Our piece of advice: stick to TVs for watching, say, sports or eSports streams (to stay on the gaming turf) and drop a bet at Dash betting sites while doing so. The $200 to $500 price range is roughly where gaming monitors should be bought.

Modern high-end TVs come equipped with integrated gaming functions. Whichever model you select, higher-end models, such as OLED TVs, are usually great for gaming. You might locate one under $1,000 if you have to stick to a tight budget. However, use caution—some of the less expensive models lack the HDMI 2.1 connectivity and 120Hz screen that maximize the performance of the next PS5 or Xbox Series X consoles.

Optional Upgrade

As a gamer, you may want to invest in upgrades like better graphics cards, more storage capacity, or a higher resolution monitor, which can add significantly to the overall cost. 

How much? It’s up to you.

Conclusion

It’s difficult to give an exact total cost, as it depends on personal preferences and the choices you make. However, as a rough estimate, initial costs for console gamers can range from a few hundred to a thousand euros, while PC gamers can spend from 800 to several thousand euros. In addition, you should also consider regular costs for games, accessories, and online services, which can vary depending on your gaming habits.

Keep in mind that gaming can be affordable and there are affordable options for those who want to get into gaming without breaking the bank. Our advice is to start with simpler things and to gradually progress the results towards more expensive things.