How much money are you really spending on games?

Do you actually keep a record of your spending on games? Are you afraid to work it out as the high cost may scare you?

A little explanation before I inform you of my spend. I have Asperger’s, so I have some traits that see me making lists, lots of lists. Anyway, with that in mind, I have an Excel spreadsheet on my Mac that tracks my spending. It isn’t pretty.

In the 20 weeks since the start of May this year, my spending goes a little like this:

Nintendo DS games:
15 games @ $435

Nintendo Wii games:
17 games @ $780

Sony PS2 games:
9 games @ $300

Sony PSP games:
3 games @ $90

Total:
44 games @ $1605

That is more than 2 games EVERY week. That is an average of $80 EVERY week.  At that rate, I would likely spend over $4,000 in a year!

On top of that, I also spent $300 on a second Nintendo Wii, an NTSC version. That takes it to $1905.

Keep in mind, I have a good job, that pays well. I have no ‘bad’ habits (alcohol, tobacco, drugs) and I could care less about cars and sport, nor do I frequent cafes and restaurants. So I am in a good position to indulge my love of games.

So, what about the general populace here? Anyone ‘worse’ than me? Anyone think I need to go to GA (Gamer’s Anonymous) and get counselling?

Well I generally shop around so I don't buy games at full price, so calculating it wouldn't be easy, but as an guesstimate I'd say since the start of the year about £500-750. That's about $1000-1500

"Well I generally shop around so I don't buy games at full price, so calculating it wouldn't be easy, but as an guesstimate I'd say since the start of the year about £500-750. That's about $1000-1500"

Well, I only spent about $1500 on games last year, but that was all the money I had. This year I spent a lot of it on rave parties and creepy anime merchandising (I know, it's an odd mix), so I ended up spending a lot less on games. But hey, if gaming is all you do for fun, then I don't see what the problem is. You can either spend it on games or... invest it and just get more money to spend on games.

Also, no, I don't make lists or give a damn about how much I spend on things. I actually have ADHD, which sorta makes me your polar opposite. :P

I haven't kept track of all my game purchases in the past. I will track of the games I buy so I can pay them off, then not worry about it anymore. I don't think it would scare me if it was a really high number--I would expect that. I don't see why I would be shocked by a high number. As long as I have enough money for essentials, it doesn't matter to me. I enjoy videogames, so I buy them.

I also don't buy many games at full price. I wait for price drops more often now.

a lot but i barely buy anything over £20 these days unless i REALLY want it. and my dad buys most of my games so hehehehehe

"Well, I only spent about $1500 on games last year, but that was all the money I had. This year I spent a lot of it on rave parties and creepy anime merchandising (I know, it's an odd mix), so I ended up spending a lot less on games. But hey, if gaming is all you do for fun, then I don't see what the problem is. You can either spend it on games or... invest it and just get more money to spend on games.

Also, no, I don't make lists or give a damn about how much I spend on things. I actually have ADHD, which sorta makes me your polar opposite. :P"

I'm only going to count this generation for the sake of not thinking about what could potentially give my parents heartattacks.

Xbox 360: $1020

PC: $50

Wii: $160

Total: $1245.

Having a hobby I love: Priceless.....

Wow. I have no idea how many PS2 games are in my house because it was my brother's system and I can't for the life of me remember all of the Xbox games I have. But I assure you all of that adds up to a couple thousand more.

Damn.

My 300 a year on gamefly is looking pretty good now.

A very cheap way to stay on top of the newest releases, plus you can buy the games for cheap if you should fall in love.

Since 2007, I spent approximately $1200 on games and gaming accessories.  I'll try to figure it out.  Let's see... $250 for a Wii, $150 on controllers and accessories, and $800 on games.  Yep, that's right.

I'm unlikely to spend that much money on games this year and next year... unless I somehow win a big heap of cash.

"I'm only going to count this generation for the sake of not thinking about what could potentially give my parents heartattacks.

Xbox 360: $1020

PC: $50

Wii: $160

Total: $1245.

Having a hobby I love: Priceless.....

Wow. I have no idea how many PS2 games are in my house because it was my brother's system and I can't for the life of me remember all of the Xbox games I have. But I assure you all of that adds up to a couple thousand more.

Damn."

I love gaming and I've been gaming since I was a kid in the early 80's, but I'm a lot more frugal with my spending now.  I haven't bought a new game since GTAIV was released. 

I certainly could afford to go out any buy every game that is released for every system, but I don't have the time nor the inclination to do that anymore.  I'd rather all that extra money be spent on more important things like my house or investing in my future. 

I don't know exactly how much money but I do spend a lot.  I buy one to two to maybe even 3 or 4 X360 games a month.  Usually, I get about one DS game a month too.  I get a Wii game every 3 months, though, so there I don't spend as much.  Still, it adds up, and this fall and winter are going to be even more spending for me with all the games coming out.

"I love gaming and I've been gaming since I was a kid in the early 80's, but I'm a lot more frugal with my spending now.  I haven't bought a new game since GTAIV was released. 

I certainly could afford to go out any buy every game that is released for every system, but I don't have the time nor the inclination to do that anymore.  I'd rather all that extra money be spent on more important things like my house or investing in my future. "

If it makes you feel any better, I'm about to pull the trigger on a PS3.  The plan is to go back and play a bunch of PS2 games that I missed (which is pretty much all of them...I never even played God of War).

I don't really keep a record but I'm guessing I spend at least $500 a year on games.

This year I've spent approx $1400 on games. PS3 and upgrading my PC was at least half of that.

I'd say between €400 and €800 in a year.

I don't really want to know how much I spend...

I generally spend an average of $600 a year on games.  If I added up my whole collection from years past, I could buy a nice new car.  I don't have any vices though, so a hobby that I greatly enjoy is necessary to me.

Since I've been using gamefly I have spend money on games that I really want, which isn't many. Most games can be rented, played and completed in a few or two.I guess you can count the monthly gamefly fee as my gaming spending budget.  And the occasional console.

Of course I don't keep games. Games that aren't played anymore immediatly get sold. Otherwise gaming would definatly be too expensive.

I don't keep track of my gaming spending, but id I took a guess - I'll say I've spent about $800 dollars just this year.

probably $1500 to $2000 since i started. my parents pay for all my stuff though.

More than I wish to share with other people lol...

too much lets just put it that way

"probably $1500 to $2000 since i started. my parents pay for all my stuff though."

I have only bought one game this whole summer MGS4 and I sold Civ Revolution. My parents don't really buy anything videogame related I have to work at my dad's company :) it pays well and it easy. I have 350 dollars in cash so I'm good for the Fall

$780 on the Wii OP? I never thought that was possible.

I spend much more than I should on games, I don't keep record but my financial expenditures go something like(last year):

Guitars/Bass: $1,500
Video Games: $700
Other stuff, like the stuff thats imperative to living, like food: <$700, lulz.

If I were to count all the games I will have bought that came out in 2008, it would be around 40 titles....

LOTS OF MONEY. :(

between just this year and the ones yet to be out, it'll come to be at least 1400 bucks this year alone.... I'm sure I've easily spent around 25k on games throughout my life, counting a better PC at one point for some, probably more.

"If I were to count all the games I will have bought that came out in 2008, it would be around 40 titles....

LOTS OF MONEY. :("

Me too mate, i still (believe it or not) have not bought a single game that has come out in 2008.

I have a lot to go;

Burnout Paradise
Turok
Lost Planet
Army of Two
Condemned 2: Bloodshot
Rainbow Six Vegas 2
Dark Sector
Gran Turismo 5
Grand Theft Auto IV
Haze
SingStar
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars
GRID
Metal Gear Solid 4
Battlefield: Bad Company
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames [August 31]
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed [September 16]
Buzz! Quiz TV [September 23]
Just Cause 2 [September 23]
Far Cry 2 [October 1]
Project Origin [October 1]
Fallout 3 [October 7]
Fracture [October 7]
Midnight Club: Los Angeles [October 7]
MotorStorm: Pacific Rift [October 7]
Saints Row 2 [October 14]
SOCOM Confrontation [October 14]
Rock Band 2 [October 19]
Dead Space [October 20]
LittleBigPlanet [October 21]
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows [October 21]
Bioshock [November 3]
Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon [November 3]
Resistance 2 [November 4]
Call of Duty: World at War [November 11]
Mirror's Edge [November 11]
Prince of Persia [November 18]
Sonic Unleashed [November 18]

definitely more than 700 already and I have 400 set aside that are liekly to be spent this year

I dont count, I make enough money that I can easily afford my gaming habit and I own all three consoles. I do regret trading in games I thought I wouldnt play again and then rebuying them. I am not trading in another game this gen unless it sucks.

I haven't spent money on a game in awhile

How do you have time for that many games...?

Dunno. As well as buying about 1 game a month on 360, DS, Wii or PC i have a 9.45 game rental subscription and two game magazine subsciptions (GamesTM & Edge) at 3 pounds a month each or so.
So about 485 pounds every year overall.
Or $950. But probably more since i buy another game magazine mostly once a month and this year alone i've bought a new gaming computer, DS and a Wii.  Lest us forget $70 on Live Gold.
So this year i probably will of spent about $1,800 on games, so there's your answer.
$1,800

In the past year, I've spent maybe $110. And that was on GHIII and GTA Vice City.
Last christmas I got the Orange Box, R&C (Up Your Arsenal, Going Commando, the original, and Tools of Destruction), COD 4 and Folklore. But those were all gifts.
And this christmas I'll just get a bunch of games for my PS3.

Being a teenager and living off your parents is pretty awesome.

I did the math, nearly 700 dollars for me on games, and I bought a PS3, so that increases that total. That really could have helped pay tuition, but it won't change my habits.
<3 video games.

I've been cutting back. I used to buy every single game that came out.
That's hard on the wallet when you have every console and handheld.

"Xeros606 said:

"probably $1500 to $2000 since i started. my parents pay for all my stuff though."

You lucky bastard. =O"

I wouldnt want too, its too depressing knowing i spent all that money on games. So far this year i have only purchased 3 games, so this year aint to bad on the bank account.

i used to spend like 200 a month but when summer started i almost completly stoped playing games

"Being a teenager and living off your parents is pretty awesome."

"Blu_Magic said:

"Xeros606 said:

"probably $1500 to $2000 since i started. my parents pay for all my stuff though."

You lucky bastard. =O"

well im 15 and cant get a job, and my family is pretty well off. and its probably the cheapest way to keep me sane xD."

Probably $500 per year max.

"Xeros606 said:

"Blu_Magic said:

"Xeros606 said:

"probably $1500 to $2000 since i started. my parents pay for all my stuff though."

You lucky bastard. =O"

well im 15 and cant get a job, and my family is pretty well off. and its probably the cheapest way to keep me sane xD."

I'm 16 and don't have a job but my parents will barely ever give me money for videogames. I usually just save up the money I get from holidays and the money left over from buying lunch at school."