It's clear that digital downloads are the future of gaming, but there's an aspect of this that I quietly find terrifying. I'm an eternal sucker for neat transactions, so I'm already signed up to a whole bunch of subscriptions. Spotify isn't going anywhere, but the other Direct Debits need to swiftly die. I haven't been to the gym since January, and Netflix simply isn't getting used.
Subscriptions have been a part of PC gaming for absolutely ages, but recently we've seen them start to invade consoles too. In addition to one-off 'season pass' payments there's stuff like Call of Duty Elite, which automatically gives you access to loads of new maps regardless of whether or not you're actually playing them.
The results of this were fairly spectacular. After clearing out a cardboard box that I'd almost forgotten, I discovered a rental copy of Tom Clancy's HAWX - a game that I had originally received 28 months earlier. I don't know what felt more crushing, the fact that I'd spent £167.72 on a game that was a bit dull, or the fact that I'd barely even played it.
Regardless, the consequences are horrifying: Tom Clancy's HAWX is the most expensive game I've ever bought, and I didn't even get to keep it. 10,000 years from now - when archaeologists discover my bank statements in the rubble - a hologram version of Tony Robinson will turn towards the camera with one simple finding: "Matt Lees must have bloody loved Tom Clancy's HAWX."
A notable close second for me was the time I spent £60 in Gamestation buying three copies of Phantasy Star Online: Episode III for the Gamecube. I never opened or played any of them, and have absolutely no idea where any of them are.
What's the most expensive gaming mistake you've ever made?
36 comments so far...
msbhvn on 31 Jul '12 said:
Getting a Nintendo 3DS in January on the strength of Mario Kart 7. Needless to say, it's been gathering dust for the last three months or so and now the XL is out, I don't even look cutting edge anymore. New Super Mario Bros. 2 might reignite my interest for a bit, but I haven't even played the first one yet.
On the 360, there've been many games I've pre-ordered, bought full price and either hated or just didn't connect with at all. Dark Souls, The Witcher 2 and Batman Arkham City are all in my "give it another try sometime" pile. Batman is really bothering me, since I faithfully bought all the DLC, I'm definitely going to start it after finishing Dawnguard and before Sleeping Dogs comes out. Really, I promise! *shifty eyes*
stryder84 on 31 Jul '12 said:
Final fantasy 11 didnt realise you had to cancel your character when you wanted to quit which i didnt realise for 8 months....throw in a 12 hour install (>.<) for patches and i was one unhappy camper
Clanger67 on 31 Jul '12 said:
STE MO on 31 Jul '12 said:
Ha ha ha I nearly got caught with FF11, luckily enough I canceled it after the first few days and gave it to a mate.
Biggest mistake for me is a N64 console only played that a few times. I wanted a PS2 at the time and my then girlfriend got me a N64. It wouldn't have been that bad if it was her money, but as it was a joint account I felt aggrieved at the use of my hard earned wages going on it.
bamozzy on 31 Jul '12 said:
The most I have ever spent on a game was the Hardened edition of MW3 and even went to the midnight launch to pick it up. The biggest disappointment is that I expected Elite to deliver on what it said it would and was lead to believe that the DLC would be multi-player based. All the information prior said that Elite would enhance the MP of MW3 and that the DLC would be part of it however so much of it has been of little interest to me (co-op missions and the biggest disappointment is the 'Face Off' game modes!!) The full MP maps are amongst the best maps ever in my opinion and certianly look the best but they have been few - especially in the latter stages - 2 of the 9 months have/will not support the MP at all!
I did spend a lot on some N64 games too but I also got a lot of enjoyment from those - I have also played a lot of MW3. I think the most expensive game I have bought that I have NOT played much is Saints Row 3. I didn't pay full retail price for it - I think I paid £35 but I have hardly played it.
I tend not to buy games at full price or on release either so I don't have many 'gaming' mistakes. The only games I do buy at full price or close to full price anyway are ones in a franchise so I already know what I am getting or expecting. Unfortunately you don't often see a game you really want reduced on XBLA and there is no competition (like full retail games - like Tescos, GAME, etc) so Digital Download only is something I am not keen to see!
Thos. on 31 Jul '12 said:
Bought a game on the App Store that wasn't compatible with my iPod.
That's 64p I'll never be seeing again.
Plamsa wing on 31 Jul '12 said:
Battlefield 3 and Saints Row: The Third DLC, I actually feel ashamed for buying that DLC. What was I thinking.
Decent_Jam on 31 Jul '12 said:
The real question is why did you buy PSO Episode III at all.....I and II were fab, but card battling? Really? Looking forward to PSO 2 though, fingers crossed for console port confirmation soon since the PC translation has been confirmed.
DaedricMince on 31 Jul '12 said:
Buying battlefield 3 dlc. it's horrendously expensive for what it is.
Wadium_Arcadium on 31 Jul '12 said:
3DS would probably my biggest error as well, I got on the hype train and bought it on release. Found myself playing Mario Kart exclusively as there was nothing else on offer.
Since then I traded it in for the Vita which was thankfully a good choice as there's a better selection of games at the moment (including some fantastic downloadable titles like Motorstorm RC and SSD) and I didn't have to pay much extra. I hope they announce some more games soon though.
Grummy on 31 Jul '12 said:
Anything with Halo written on it. I've bought every one so far as I'm always willing to give it a try, and it always sucks. That's £200 on a series of games I hate. Go me.
£30 ish on the first expansion for Dawn of War 2, I played it for about an hour, found it was just as bad as the main game, and never played it again.
SidTheSloth on 31 Jul '12 said:
Most expensive mistake? Probably signing up to Steam and daring to login around sales season... Some bargains to be had but even at £5 is that bargain game of the year edition still a bargain when you already have the 360 version?
antiAntag0nist on 31 Jul '12 said:
I spent $100 on a Band Hero Bundle. I actually bought it for the extra instruments thinking it would be a good deal, not so much for the game. Sure enough, the only thing worth using was the guitar. As expected, the game was crap, the drumset was huge and difficult for me to use, and I didn't have much need for an extra microphone. Other than that, I've made a few $60 purchases that I should have waited on, namely Crysis 2. It also seems like I should never buy another handheld again. My 5 month old 3DS was recently stolen, exactly 1 year after my then 5 month old DS was stolen.
Bezza89 on 31 Jul '12 said:
Steam, Lost Planet 2 for £15, Little Big Planet 2 for £15... The Witcher 2 planet. Basically anything with planet and 2 in.
NB The witcher 2 planet is its real name for comedy value and relevance, thanks. It's set on a planet, so frok you.
Aside from that I have literally just bough 4200 points with the intention of getting BF3 premium and L4D2 dlc, with my current balance of 260 ms points, I'm royally screwed.
RetroDad on 31 Jul '12 said:
1st mistake that cost me plenty as a young'un was purchasing Mortal Kombat for my Snes. A bloodless, gruesome fatality-less port that set me back £50. Megadrive owners at school got some mileage out of me for that.
Numerous f-ups from my PS2 owning era: Tomb Raider Angel of Darkness £35 (Never took it out of the shrink wrap
)
) Smackdown vs Raw 2006 £35 (Exactly the same animations and game as the previous three versions I'd bought.) Tomb Raider Underworld £25 (Half arsed lazy port that is now used as a coaster.)
SSX3 £30 (Game engine couldn't handle the frame rate of big air events and put me off bigtime.) Resident Evil Outbreak £25 (It was a multiplayer based game and they didn't include the multiplayer!!
Present day, Xbox 360, my only real mistakes have been DLC based. 800mp for the Severed campaign and 400mp for the Supernova pack on Dead Space 2 left me wincing a bit. Being a bit drunk and thinking that I needed the Robocop suit for my avatar at 320mp was a bit hmmm but it has grown on me. Buying dashboard themes before realising that I could create my own custom themes was a kick in the English teabags. The biggest near mistake was the Decimation map pack for Crysis 2. Finding out that having a match on said new map pack was hugely unlikely to happen, I saved 800mp.
Baryonyx on 1 Aug '12 said:
Aside from buying shit games by accident, my latest gaffe would probably be buying the newest Ghost Recon game. I'd preordered it when it was first announced, when it sounded far more interesting. The game was then overhauled and turned into another generic Clancy title. Still on pre-order mind, so that was about £40 out of my bank account for a game I really wasn't that arsed about. Unsurprisingly, I didn't enjoy it much.
Uncle dozens on 1 Aug '12 said:
Anything with call of duty in the title after modern warfare 1. This is a lesson I still haven't leaned but I'm not getting black ops 2. I might get black ops declassified for my vita though so I haven't thoroughly escaped yet.
Other than that probably buying my PS3 was the biggest waste as I bought a few games but really only ended up using it to play blu-rays as gaming seems so much better on my beloved (and free thanks to my phone contract) 360 elite.
CunningSmile on 1 Aug '12 said:
GAT4 for me. Queued up on release day at midnight expecting the latest in my favorite series only to get a drab brown game that took itself way to seriously and left me feeling bored after a couple of hours (I only soldiered that long in the hopes it was a slow start)
And buying any retro games on XBLA. I buy them fuelled by nostalgia and then either forget i have them (Sonic CD) or remember how fiendishly difficult I used to find them and get stuck after about two levels (Earth Worm Jim, Sonic 3)
bamozzy on 1 Aug '12 said:
I ordered 4200 ms points from MS store when they had a special offer on so paying 4000 for Premium was not that much of a waste for me - besides I really enjoy the Map packs and additional game modes, weapons, assignments etc
I have just bought it with the pre-order Bodark stuff for £22 delivered! It's definitely not as good as Max Payne 3 (I am only using this as it is my most recent other 3rd Person Shooter) in both its Campaign or Multi-player although I haven't completed the Campaign to be able to truly compare.
There is a big difference between IW and Treyarch Call of Duty games and after MW3 and more specifically its DLC content and Elite, I am very reluctant to buy another IW Call of Duty. However the next one - Black Ops 2, is a Treyarch Call of Duty! The Campaign is non-linear and looks very interesting especially the Strike Force missions. Zombies has been made even bigger with more game modes, zombies and players. Just these two reasons alone is enough for me to Pre-order (that and the free Nuketown 2025 Map) Even if the Multi-player isn't overhauled that much or not as good as Black Ops was because they have changed it too much/ruined it then I can still play the Campaign multiple times and have a different story and experience and also just stick with the Zombies in Multi-player! I hope that Treyarch learn from MW3's mistakes in its DLC content as the Majority (If not all) want proper Multi-player content. I know some enjoyed the Spec-Ops but I bet they would have preferred Maps! So I may not buy/re-new my Elite Subscription.
I too have a PS3 and although it hardly gets used compared to my xbox, It has allowed me to play some great exclusive titles (Uncharted 1,2,3, Killzone 2,3, Resistance 1,2,3, Infamous..) and also get some games with better deals - I originally bought the Ltd Edition of BF3 on PS3 because it also allowed me to get BF1942 Free. So having both means that I can pick and choose the best deals and get the exclusive games on either platform. Most PS3 exclusives play and look better than multi-platform games do as they tend to play better on Xbox in my opinion!
Bezza89 on 1 Aug '12 said:
Ah you misunderstand good sir, I will soon have a balance of 4460 points with BF3 costing 4000, and L4D2 dlc 560... doh!
You can recommend the premium though? Not a big fan of what close quarters is but armoured kill alone looks worth £30.
Also, I would sell my ps3 if not for MGS1 + 4, and la noire,I got the ps3 free though so it's not too bad I just need to get some games for it, I'm going to transition Hitman over and will get sleeping dogs for it. I will play it, honest!
Clanger67 on 1 Aug '12 said:
Chameleon on 1 Aug '12 said:
Most expensive mistake could go two ways... the 3DS could be considered one, but my son plays on it at least, even if it's not on 3D games. I'd probably have to go for the Mega-CD. Cutting-edge they said
golliwoza on 1 Aug '12 said:
My last laptop, I used too many crazy games on it such as Crysis 2 and GTA IV. £600 down the drain.
bamozzy on 1 Aug '12 said:
I think you need a few more points then
I would highly recommend Premium - 3 remaining Map Packs would cost 3600 ms points and CQ is definitely worth 400 ms points (if not more) CQ not only adds 4 new maps but it also adds 10 new weapons and some game modes too. It also adds a change of pace and more variety to the game and is actually good fun. It is often compared to Call of Duty - erroneously in my opinion because of the lack of vehicles BUT that is the only reason. Try it - you might actually enjoy it! Premium offers more than just the map packs 2 weeks early. It offers exclusive events (like double XP) new assignments and some cosmetic enhancements - like dog tags and camos for your soldier and some weapon camos too. Compared to just buying the DLC map packs it is certainly good value for money and really does expand the MP experience. I know a lot of it is cosmetic enhancements so that it does not give you an advantage over non-premium members on the battlefield but the Premium Assignments do give you something to aim for and try in the MP. If you are only interested in 1-2 Map packs then maybe it isn't worth it - however as each really does expand the MP in terms of game modes and variety I would definitely consider getting it. Aftermath and End Game are due after Armoured Kill and Aftermath will also add new vehicles and game modes too - I don't know much about End Game but it will add Motorbikes! Premium also gives us something new every month - July gave us Assignments to unlock additional camos for weapons and soldier too. I don't yet know what August will give us.
I would not get rid of my PS3 either despite it not being used much. It means that if I see a game available cheap (but only available on one console) I can actually buy it! That and its also my Blu-ray player too
vadersmyfather on 1 Aug '12 said:
Driv3r.
Nothing more needs to be said.
Johnbhoy69 on 1 Aug '12 said:
Paying over 300 quid for a Playstation 3 just because I wanted to play Metal Gear Solid 4, did more cut scene watching than actual playing ...Sold it 6 months later for party money
Bezza89 on 1 Aug '12 said:
Yeah my favourite gun from MW2 and BC2 was the AUG and I have mourned its absence from BF3, I'm going to get the premium just for that close quarters wise. Also, whilst Aftermath sounds a bit boring (set in earthquaked Tehran) End Game sounds brilliant, someone described it as Apocalypse Now esq, and is about a guy in the jungle. I'm getting that from some quotation from a wikipedia source though, but it sounds vietnammy which was brilliant on bc2 and also could be more like a few normal BFBC2 maps.
bamozzy on 1 Aug '12 said:
The Aug is my favourite Assault class weapon at the moment although both engineers weapons are also very good. The ACW-R has little damage drop and good recoil pattern (ideal for ranged and/or silenced too) and the MTAR has a 900rpm fire rate so you can compete against the faster firing Assault weapons now too. the L86A2 is like the M27 IAR but better and the JNG90 is like the L96 again I actually prefer the JNG90 although they are very similar. You also get a M417 which is the best Battle Rifle in the game (better than the SKS) as well as the Spas. It is similar to the 870 but more iconic - not so keen on the MP5K though.
Aftermath may be set in an earthquake ravaged Tehran but is also adding new game modes and vehicles so it could be a lot of fun - just have to wait and see what the maps look like - they could be quite 'dusty' which will add a different dimension to the game play. End Game I have not heard much about but no doubt it will add more than just a few new maps. The maps in Armoured Kill (other than the largest which looks quite bland, open and devoid of any stand out features) look amazing. We have a lot more 'colour', snow and greenery too I notice in the video that there is also an MTAR with a snow camo on it so that is probably going to be available to Premium members only... It seems that the Maps in general are getting better in terms of look, colour and variety so have high hopes of the upcoming DLC.
AK47-Mentalman on 1 Aug '12 said:
The sheer amount of packs I bought in Mass Effect 3, or almost paying £220 for ME3 N7 edition, when GAME decided it was going to be a dick and not stock it. Thankfully just in time, Sainsbury's sold it for £70!
pauloselhombre on 1 Aug '12 said:
Fable 3 Collector's Edition, hands down. I don't even remember what it cost, but even if it hadn't cost any more than the regular version it would still have been too much. A half baked, unfinished game (that didn't even get much better when the rest of the game was added through dlc) with a pack of pretty tacky playing cards and a coin to help you make the tiny handful of superficial, cliched choices you're presented with during your meagre rein, is not worth my money. If it had been around the £20 mark (with the DLC thrown in) it might have been worthwhile, but it would still have been woefully mis-sold.
Plamsa wing on 1 Aug '12 said:
Forget my previous choices, it is in fact the Wii Fit, I actually forgot I had it had until my dad reminded me just a few minutes ago.
"Where's your Will Fit thing." he says.
"I have that? Could have fooled me."
It's almost as much of a rip off as a gym, much easier and relaxing actually going swimming or walking the dog outside.
KravMagaCarlos on 2 Aug '12 said:
Mass Effet 3 Collector's Edition hands down....... £70....... waste of money!!
Captain_Chao5 on 2 Aug '12 said:
BRINK! Paid nearly £40 and played it for about an hour before trading it in. Worst game ever owned!
Urinal C4ke on 2 Aug '12 said:
The most expensive gaming mistake I ever made was not a game, it was a console. A 360 purchased from ebay, to be exact.
I was unemployed at the time so couldn't afford a new console so bought one off ebay in good faith--only to find out that the console was banned and Microsoft weren't having any of it. Thanks. Thanks a lot, Microsoft. Surely there should be some sort of appeals process?
Jomtos on 2 Aug '12 said:
Mass Effect 3 Collector Edition....
EDIT:this make me think about pre-order Borderlands 2 .-.
Rnald on 2 Aug '12 said:
I bought Brink for £4 a few days ago pre-owned and it's brilliant. Starting to wonder which other gems under a tenner are out there.
Anyway, my biggest mistake was probably the 3DS. £225 at launch and I played PES on it for about two hours before getting bored of it and trading in. No launch titles, even now over a year later it doesn't have an array of quality games so I've never purchased another one