The COVID pandemic has had a profound impact on the global economy, with many industries experiencing significant disruptions and financial losses. The pandemic has led to the closure of businesses, widespread job losses, and reduced consumer spending, which has had a ripple effect across the economy. I’ll get to my own backlog in a minute.
As a result, many people have had to adjust their personal finances and spending habits, myself included. Some have had to cut back on discretionary spending, such as entertainment and hobbies, in order to make ends meet. Others have seen a reduction in their income or job security, leading to more cautious spending.
One area that may have been impacted by these changes is the video game industry. While the video game industry has seen a surge in popularity during the pandemic due to people spending more time at home, some consumers may have cut back on their video game purchases due to financial concerns. I’ve had to cut down on entertainment, cancelling my Netflix subscription and no longer buying new games.
Some people may be able to alleviate their financial burden by engaging in online casinos as a form of entertainment and potential source of income. Online casinos offer a convenient and accessible way to enjoy traditional casino games such as slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker from the comfort of one’s own home, such as by visiting https://www.casinoaus.net/real-money-casinos/.
One potential advantage of online casinos is the availability of bonuses and promotions that can help players stretch their money further. Some casinos offer sign-up bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, and other incentives to entice players to join and keep playing. Additionally, some casinos may offer loyalty programs or other rewards for regular players.
For those who, like me, have cut back on their video game purchases, getting back into their backlog of games can also be a cost-effective way to enjoy their hobby without spending more money.
For example, instead of buying new Nintendo Switch games (the greatest and latest in handhelds, aside from the Steam Deck), I’ve been playing PlayStation Vita games I already had in my collection. It’s a good way to cut down on spending without sacrificing the fun of gaming. Plus, playing old games can be a great way to rediscover forgotten gems or revisit old favorites.
When I was in the mood for some strategy, I revisited Rainbow Skies. This game holds a special place in my heart because I worked on the LATAM localisation for it. It’s a great game and you can get it cheaply to this day, as it’s a cross-buy title with the PS4. It’s often on sale, and there’s over 100+ hours of gameplay to be had. No need to buy the latest Disgaea on Switch! Just play Rainbow Skies instead.
Similarly, when I wanted that Diablo III experience, I went for two titles I already owned for the Vita: Silent Hill: Book of Memories and Dungeon Hunter Alliance. Very different games, but in the end, a lot of fun for an extra $0 (as I already owned both in physical form).
These are just some examples of games I’ve been enjoying recently. And it’s not just the Vita: eventually, I want to tackle my massive PC backlog, which includes games I’ve wanted to play for a long time, like No Man’s Sky and Star Wars: Battlefield II.
There’s nothing quite like handheld gaming, though, so I think I’ll continue to tackle my (rather extensive) Vita backlog for a while. I’ve already put some hours into Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 so maybe I’ll continue that.
But I have a need… the need for speed! So I actually think my next game will be Need for Speed: Most Wanted. It’s been on my radar for the longest time, and people have raved about it for ages. It’s getting on 11 years old now, but the graphics stand up and apparently the open world is fantastic.
At any rate, the point remains the same: times are tough. And to be honest, I want to be more mindful of my purchases anyway. What’s the point of buying a game you won’t play? You just wasted money, and therefore the time it took you to earn that money. And that’s no way to go through life, where the only truly finite commodity is time.
So if you’ll excuse me, I have some more revisiting to do.
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