Buying guide · Updated November 3, 2026
How to Track PC Game Prices: Wishlists, Price History and When to Buy
Most overpaying on PC games comes down to one thing: buying on the first day you want a game instead of the day it is cheapest. Here is a simple routine for tracking prices, reading price history and deciding when to buy or wait.
Why tracking beats guessing
PC game prices move. A game can sit at full price for months, drop 50 percent for a weekend, and come back down on a different store the next week. If you buy without checking, you are guessing. If you track, you know the number you are aiming for and can buy the moment you hit it.
Step 1: Wishlist the game on the store you will use
Steam, the Epic Games Store and GOG all have wishlists. Add the game on the store where you want it to live, since keys and libraries are tied to each store. Then open the notification or email settings in that account and see what it will alert you about. Settings differ by store and change over time, and alerts can arrive after a sale has already started, so treat them as a nudge, not a guarantee. Not sure which store suits you? Read Steam vs Epic vs GOG: where to buy PC games cheapest.
Step 2: Check the price history
A discount badge only tells you the drop from the list price. It does not tell you whether the price is actually low. Open the game's price page from our games list and look at the lowest price we track and how low it has been. This is the single best check for telling a real deal from a fake one. Our guide to the Steam Winter Sale 2026 and how to spot a real discount goes deeper on the same idea.
Step 3: Use a simple buy-or-wait rule
- Today's price equals the lowest on record: buy it. Waiting rarely saves more.
- Today's price is above the record low: wishlist it and wait for the next sale.
- The game is new: expect small discounts at first. Waiting a few months usually pays off.
- You need it this week: buy from the cheapest official store and move on. Time matters too.
Know the sale calendar
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Black Friday | Friday, November 27, 2026 |
| Cyber Monday | Monday, November 30, 2026 |
| Steam Winter Sale | December 17, 2026 to January 4, 2027 |
Steam's 2026 Autumn Sale already ran in early October, so there is no big Steam sale before Black Friday. Smaller themed events still happen; check each store.
Where to look for cheap games while you wait
- PC games under $5, under $10 and under $15 for low-risk buys.
- Biggest PC game discounts to see the deepest cuts, then check history.
- Free PC games right now, because free beats any discount.
- Best Steam deals today, Epic Games Store deals and GOG game deals for each store.
Key resellers: a separate decision
This section is about third-party key sellers, not official stores. Resellers can list a game for less, but refunds, region locks and support work differently. Read their terms and confirm the key works on the store you use. Our labelled list is on the key resellers page.
Bottom line
Wishlist, check the history, apply the buy-or-wait rule and buy at a price you would be glad to see again. SteelGames is veteran-owned and operated, and we keep it simple: the best PC game deals, with the lowest price per game.
Questions
What is the best way to track PC game prices?
Wishlist the game on the store you plan to use, then check its SteelGames price page for the lowest price we track across official stores. Buy when today's price matches the lowest on record, and wait when it does not. Checked November 3, 2026.
Do store wishlists tell me when a game goes on sale?
Steam, Epic and GOG all offer wishlists, and notification options differ by store and can change. Open the notification settings in each account to see what is on. Wishlist alerts can also arrive after a sale has started, so check the price yourself too.
When is the next big PC game sale?
Black Friday is November 27, 2026 and Cyber Monday is November 30. The Steam Winter Sale runs December 17, 2026 to January 4, 2027. Dates checked on November 3, 2026; confirm on each store.
Should I wait for a bigger discount?
Only if the game is not urgent. If today's price is already the lowest on record, waiting usually saves nothing. If it is above the record low, wishlist it and wait for the next sale.