Did you get your money's worth?

A few days ago, we took a look at some strategies for making purchases you're happy with in 2010. Fast forward! You've got the game, and guess what? It's great! But is it great a week later? A month? A year? How do you determine whether a game was worth price?

Now, dear reader, we stepped into the land of opinion. We have different tastes (thankfully) and some games are going to more fun for some and less fun for others. Now, if you bought a game you don't think is fun, I'm sorry. It's happened to all of us gamers at one time or another. Let's assume that you DID buy a game you liked. Eventually, you'll move on. Yes, you might stop back by, check up on it, remember the good old days, but most of are always looking for the next big thrill, the next arena in which we can test our virtual mettle, and the games you have today will sit largely untouched. This is the way of the world, the circle of...video games.

Since it's impossible to quantify the "value" of any particular game to any particular person, the industry has latched onto one variable as a potential measure for a game's worth: time. It's a pretty simple idea. The more time you spend playing a game, the better your investment. Sorta.
It's a still a pretty wishy washy way to judge a game, but it's a good place to start. But how much is an hour worth?

Let's take another popular form of entertainment: movies. They, too, can be measured by time and cost. So, let's say that, on average, you pay $9.00 for 2 hours of entertainment at the movies. If we use that measure, how much time should we get out of a game at minimum for it to be at least as fun as a movie? Math time! $60.00 / $4.50 = 13.33

So, if you play a game for a little more than 13 hours, you can tell all your friends that video games aren't any more expensive than going to the movies. Given that most games these days have a single player story that lasts around 8-10, and if you add in a multiplayer mode, or replaying levels for fun or achievements, you can hit that 13 hour mark pretty easily.

Pay less, play more, and you're getting a lot more bang for your buck. "Wait," I hear you cry, "isn't that completely obvious?" Yes, yes it is. In the end, play the games you want. If you want it, then it's worth it. 13 hours or 3 days, we game for fun. And economics? Not so fun.

2010: The Year Your Wallet Dies

It's been a banner year for gaming. 2009 saw the release of some of the biggest games...well, ever! Uncharted 2, Assassin's Creed 2, Modern Warfare 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, just to name a few. Really, that's just a few. You'd think that after a slew of releases like that, things would slow down for a while. Just sit back, relax, and play through the all the games you just bought one more time.

Well, daydream's over. 2010 is on the horizon, and there are even MORE games waiting to chew through you're thinning bank account. I've already sat down and made a list of games that, individually, I would be willing to shell out $60.00 to play, and I've already got 17. That's not including games that haven't been dated yet, or the PS3, Nintendo DS or PSP. What's a gamer to do with so much on the table? Here's a few tips to keep in mind when deciding what you'll be playing in 2010.

1) "The boy has no patience!"

There are a lot of reasons to wait when a brand new game hits the shelves. Right now, all you have to go on is hype. Sometimes it's right, and sometimes it isn't. If you've already got a game to play, wait until you have time for a new one. Games will be around for a while. You don't have to buy it the day it comes out, especially if you just bought one a week or two ago. Just wait a bit! By then, you might have friends who can give you an opinion, or you might have been able to try it for yourself. Don't forget that a few months can also sometimes mean a drop in price.

2) "One of these things is not like the other"

Sure, we all love a good old shoot-em up, but maybe it would be fun to try something different! Switch it up! Consider ways to vary the kinds of games you buy. Some things to consider are gameplay, time commitment and tone. A Sci-Fi RPG like Mass Effect 2 is going to play very differently from the open world western Red Dead Redemption. If you've been playing multiplayer, maybe try a single player experience. Been investing hours into a game? Look for something you can play in 15-20 minute stretches. Or if Heavy Rain is getting too frightening, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is sure to brighten up your TV screen.

3) The Jet-Set Lifestyle

Where and when do you play games? You'll probably only be playing your console when you're sitting down in front of your TV. If you have a laptop or a portable system, you can play those things just about anywhere! Diversifying the platforms that you buy games might mean you'll get more out of the new DS game than you would out of having another PS3 game sitting on top of your console.

These are just a few things to get you thinking. In the end, it all comes down to budget, interest, and a boatload of other factors I can't begin to account for. My number one tip? Be happy! It's a great time to be a gamer. Whatever you end up buying next year, there's bound to be something you'll enjoy.