8 Alternatives to Steam For Buying PC Games Online.
Steam may be the biggest name in PC gaming – about 95 million users – but it’s not the only option. There are many alternatives to Steam for buying PC games, some of which are objectively better.
In this article, we’ll take a look at eight of the best online stores to solve your gaming problem. Always be on the lookout for deals, as many of these alternatives have great sales as well, just like Steam does.
1. GOG.com
GOG, formerly known as Good Old Games, is a subsidiary of CD Projekt. Yes, the company behind The Witcher and the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077. Like CD Projekt, GOG.com has a variety of consumer policies.
The site is a goldmine for old-school gamers. It provides updated and modernized versions of classic games, many of which once required DOSBox to function properly. The games themselves are also DRM-free. This means that you can load them onto a CD and insert the CD into a drive after 50 years and they will still work.
GOG Galaxy 2.0, a platform management system, allows players to link their accounts from different platforms to a single source. You can see all compatible games from Steam, Epic Games Store, and even Xbox and PlayStation in one place.
GOG also runs frequent sales, many with discounts of up to 90%. If you’re looking for classic games (and you’re interested in DRM-free games), you should check out GOG.com.
2. Humble Store
The Humble Store is best known for Humble Bundles, periodic collections of games that follow a specific theme and are usually available at a deep discount. Humble Bundles began as a pay-what-you-want system where purchases went to charity and a huge number of games were available for pennies.
However, there is a traditional display case in the form of a Humble Store. You can purchase any packages currently available (many of which include e-books, free music for authors, and assorted software), but you can also purchase standalone games. The Humble Store has a lot of sales, so try to save some money.
When you buy a game, you usually get a Steam key, although there is a direct download option. If you’re looking for the traditional monthly Humble Bundle, it’s still available: a system to choose from, priced between $ 15 and $ 20 per month.
You can also access Humble Trove, a collection of over 90 DRM-free titles available to subscribers. Just download them and keep them forever, even if you unsubscribe. This is a great and quick way to add to your library. Or your backlog.
3. Itch.io
Tired of the current state of the gaming industry? Are you looking for more innovative names that break the rules, perhaps because they don’t know the rules? Itch.io is an indie game. Thousands of games are available on this Steam alternative, many of which are completely free.
Sure, you may end up wading through a sea of ​​waist-deep shovels, but there are plenty of hidden gems to be found that defy expectations and deliver experiences never seen before. Itch.io is what happens when developers are given the freedom to create the games they want to make, without any oversight.
Many games that first launched on Itch.io have made their way to more popular platforms, including Night in the Woods, A Short Hike, and even Celeste. If you’re on a tight budget, or want to try something that deviates from traditional gaming formulas, give the site a try.
You can sort by categories like Popular, Bestseller, Top Rated, and more – and then you can categorize games further by tags like Cute, Romance, and Anime. “. Many games are free, but some are around $ 20.
4. Green Man Gaming
Green Man Gaming is one of the more well-known Steam key sites, but you might not know that you can also get keys for services like Origin and Uplay. Despite frequent sales, many Green Man Gaming (or GMG) games meet standard retail prices.
Alternatively, you can sign up for their loyalty program called the XP Program. When you buy games, you will receive rewards or experience. After earning enough experience, you can progress to different levels, including bronze, silver and gold. Each level offers various discounts, free games and more.
Please be aware that GMG is not DRM free unless the game is DRM free. The company adheres to the publishers’ anti-piracy guidelines. There is no dedicated client, so you will be downloading all purchases made through Steam or another platform.
5. Epic Games Store
Epic has a lot of challenges as a company, and there is a lot to be said for the platform’s consumer protection deals. On the other hand, no one can deny the breadth of possibilities and the large number of free games that Epic provides.
It’s the newest Steam alternative in the industry, but Epic has had a lot of influence since the creation of the Unreal Engine, as well as games like Fortnite. Due to its relative youth, the Epic Games Store hasn’t refined its interface to the same extent as its competitors. Browsing the store can be a little difficult, and some users claim that it has serious privacy issues that raise concerns.
Epic has provided enough exclusive games and regularly releases high quality free games to be worth checking out, if only to see what free games you can find. It is unlikely to compete with Steam anytime soon, if ever, but it is a good alternative for players on a budget.
6. Microsoft Store
The Windows Store is built into Windows 10, but can also be accessed directly through the website. The selection of titles is curated by Microsoft and is more limited than many of the other entries on this list. But you can find exclusives like Gears of War and Forza .
Some – but not all – games are Xbox compatible and share saves and achievements. Most of the best options in the Windows Store are also available through Xbox Game Pass, but you can also find PC versions of popular mobile games if you prefer to play with your mouse and keyboard over your phone.
7. Uplay
It seems like every major company wants its own digital storefront, and Ubisoft is no different. Uplay acts as a kind of social hub and showcase, rewarding players for purchases or for completing Classic Challenges with club units. These units can then be exchanged for in-game items, such as character costumes, for discount codes for future purchases.
If you play Ubisoft games, chances are you already have a Uplay account. Most games require a game to be created even if purchased through Steam. While Uplay works great with Steam, it is essential to play any Ubisoft game, as many anti-cheat clients work through Uplay.
It is worth giving Uplay a try as it often offers discounts not available in other stores and sometimes has free play periods for popular games, giving players the opportunity to try out the game before making a purchase decision.
8. Fanatical
Fanatical‘s beginnings were similar to the Humble Bundle, offering large collections of games at incredible prices. It was originally called Bundle Stars, but was later replaced by Fanatical, but still has the same great prices.
Fanatical offers game packs with huge discounts up to 99% off their original price. Individual titles can also be found at great discounts. In addition to games, Fanatical sells e-books and educational materials.
Fanatical also has Star Deal, which is usually a specially designed game at a discounted price. When you buy a game, you will receive a key to it from any store where you buy it. You can also find DRM-free games here.
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8 Alternatives to Steam For Buying PC Games Online
8 Alternatives to Steam For Buying PC Games Online