Should you buy now or wait for a sale?

Almost every PC game gets cheaper over time, but waiting forever means never playing. Here’s a simple framework — the same logic behind KeyRadar’s Buy / Wait / Skip verdict.

Compare the deal to the historical low

A 20% discount sounds good until you see the game hit -70% last season. Always check the historical low: if today’s price is at or near it, that’s a strong buy signal.

Every KeyRadar game page shows the all-time and 30-day low next to the current price so you can judge instantly.

Know the sale calendar

Steam runs major seasonal sales (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring) where prices reliably bottom out. If a big sale is weeks away and the game isn’t near its low, waiting often pays.

For brand-new releases, expect little movement for the first few months — the first meaningful discount usually arrives at the first seasonal sale after launch.

Frequently asked questions

When do Steam games get cheapest?

Usually during the major seasonal sales (Summer and Winter especially), and for older games at their historical low rather than a fresh launch discount.

Should I ever buy at full price?

For a game you’ll play immediately, the cost of waiting is the fun you miss. If you can wait, comparing against the historical low almost always saves money.