Buying guide · Updated November 7, 2026
Should You Pre-Order PC Games or Wait for a Sale?
Pre-ordering feels like locking in a deal, but on PC it rarely is. Stores let you cancel, prices usually drop later, and reviews land on launch day. Here is a plain rule for when to pre-order a PC game and when to wait for the discount.
Why pre-ordering on PC is different
On consoles you used to lock in a disc. On PC you buy a license that stays in your library, and you can usually get the same game on launch day with no reservation. That means a pre-order gives you almost nothing a day-one purchase does not, apart from a possible bonus and a possible early unlock. It costs you something real, though: your money is tied up, and you buy before any reviews exist.
The refund rules: can you cancel?
Good news: the major PC stores are friendlier than you might expect. As publicly reported, Steam lets you refund a pre-purchase any time before release, and the usual 14-day, under-2-hours-played window starts at launch. The Epic Games Store works the same way: cancel before release for a refund, then the 14-day, 2-hour rule applies. GOG advertises a 30-day refund window, but we could not confirm how it treats pre-orders, so read its terms first. Confirm the current wording on Valve's refund page before you rely on it. Our guide to telling a real PC game sale from a fake one covers refunds as a safety net too.
When waiting for a sale wins
- Most single-player games. Many titles get a first discount within months and bigger ones at seasonal events. See our Steam Winter Sale 2026 guide and the Black Friday 2026 guide for the calendar.
- Anything with a pre-order bonus that is only cosmetic. Skins and soundtracks are not worth full price.
- Games from studios with a rocky launch history. Bugs and performance patches often arrive in the first weeks, and a patched game at a discount beats a buggy one at list price.
- Games you will not play right away. If your backlog is full, a pre-order just moves the money earlier.
When pre-ordering makes sense
- Multiplayer games with a launch-week community where your friends will all start together.
- Limited-run physical items or editions that sell out and are not sold again.
- A store that gives a real launch discount. Some launches carry a short intro price. Compare it to the price history before you assume it is good.
- A studio you already trust, where you would buy on day one anyway and the store lets you cancel.
A simple decision rule
| Your situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You will play it in week one with friends | Pre-order or buy on day one from an official store |
| You are curious but not sure | Wait for reviews, then decide |
| Backlog is full | Wishlist it and wait for a sale |
| Bonus is the main reason | Skip the bonus and wait |
Whichever way you go, put the game on a wishlist and watch the price. Our guide to tracking PC game prices with wishlists and price history shows the routine. Compare official stores before you buy: Steam vs Epic vs GOG explains where each one tends to win.
Where to find the discount instead
- Biggest PC game discounts, then check each game's price history.
- Best Steam deals today, Epic Games Store deals and GOG game deals.
- PC games under $10 and under $5 for low-risk buys, plus free PC games right now.
Key resellers: a separate decision
This section is about third-party key sellers, not official stores. A reseller may list a new release for less than the official store, but refunds, region locks and support work differently, and a pre-order key may not arrive until launch. Read Are cheap PC game keys safe? and see our labelled key resellers page first.
Bottom line
On PC, waiting is almost always cheaper and safer. Pre-order only when you would buy on day one anyway and the store lets you cancel. SteelGames is veteran-owned and operated, and we keep it simple: the best PC game deals, with the lowest price per game.
Questions
Can I get a refund on a pre-ordered PC game?
Yes on Steam and the Epic Games Store: both let you cancel a pre-order before release, then apply their usual refund window after launch. GOG's pre-order terms are not clear from public sources, so read GOG's refund page before you pay. Checked November 7, 2026.
Do PC games get cheaper after launch?
Often, but not always. Many games fall in price during seasonal sales, while some hold their price for months. The game's price history on SteelGames shows how it behaved so far.
Is a pre-order bonus worth paying full price?
Usually not. Bonuses are typically cosmetic. Unless you were going to buy at launch anyway, waiting for a real discount saves more than a cosmetic skin is worth.
What is the safest way to buy a new PC game?
Wait for reviews, then buy from an official store with a refund policy you understand. If you pre-order, do it from a store that lets you cancel before release.