This is where we are now in 2024.
Check if Game is Safe to Buy Checklist:
- The game is available as a direct download, on Steam, GOG, or a console I own (if I want to play on console)
- The game functions
- The game is complete, has launched publicly, and has mostly positive reviews
- Exception: If I believe enough in the product to purchase it early access
- The game is compatible with my system
- In my case, this also means 32x9 support in Windows
- AND Linux because I’m heading there soon no doubt
- In my case, this also means 32x9 support in Windows
- The game’s performance is generally good on a system with my components
- The game’s bugs aren’t a dealbreaker to me
- The game is fun
- The game price is a good value to me
- The game is not PTW
- The game has minimal/no MTX
- If the game has MTX, it’s not intrusive
- If the game has in-game currency, it can be earned in-game without grinding for ages
- The game has no advertisements (unless it’s just for a joke)
- The game is not from the following developers:
- Bethesda Games Studios (post FO4)
- Battlestar Games
- Psyonix
- Whoever developed the Gollum game?
- Starbreeze Studios
- [more to come]
- The game is not from the following publishers:
- Sony/Playstation
- Bethesda Softworks
- EA
- Activision Blizzard (post D3)
- Riot Games
- WB
- Deep Silver
- Ubisoft
- Psyonix
- Gearbox (post BL2)
- [more to come]
- The game does not require 3rd party launchers
- The game does not require 3rd party DRM
- The game does not require 2nd or 3rd party account linking
- The game does not require kernel-level anti-cheat
- The game is not related with a blockchain, NFTs, or crypto
- The developer of the game treats their employees well
- The publisher of the game treats their developer well
- The game is not a live service game
- If the game is co-op, it allows local hosting
- If the game is single-player, it does NOT require an Internet connection to play (optional net connection OK for things like Elden Ring features)
- Red Flags:
- Games developed by:
- Hello Games
- CDPR
- Rockstar
- Nintendo games (it supports Nintendo’s crappy business practices)
- Games developed by:
*some exceptions still apply