Why PC Gamers Should Never Buy Games Based on Future Promises and Updates
6/24/2025Why PC Gamers Should Never Buy Games Based on Future Promises and Updates
In the fast-paced world of PC gaming, the promise of a game’s future potential can be hard to resist. Developers often hype up upcoming features, expansive updates, or game-changing patches to draw in players. Yet, these promises frequently fall flat, leaving PC gamers disappointed, out of cash, and stuck with a lackluster experience. Here’s why PC gamers should steer clear of buying games based on future promises and updates, backed by historical examples, community insights, and industry trends as of June 24, 2025.
The Risk of Unfulfilled Promises
The gaming industry is full of titles that launched with big promises only to underwhelm at release. Games like No Man’s Sky (2016) and Cyberpunk 2077 (2020) are prime examples. No Man’s Sky touted features like multiplayer and planetary physics, which were missing at launch and took years of updates to deliver. Similarly, Cyberpunk 2077 had a rocky debut, with PC players facing significant bugs that required extensive patches. These cases show a pattern: developers often overpromise, and early buyers bear the consequences of incomplete or broken games.
The case of Anthem (2019) is even more telling. Developers promised a major overhaul, but in 2021, the project was scrapped, leaving players with a game that never reached its potential. For PC gamers, the risk is especially high with early access titles on platforms like Steam, where only about one in four games reaches full release. Titles like The Stomping Land and Godus were abandoned after initial sales, leaving backers with nothing to show for their investment.
Financial and Time Risks
Buying a game based on future promises can hit PC gamers in both their wallets and their free time. New releases often carry hefty price tags, with players shelling out $60 or more for a product that may not deliver for months or years—if ever. Waiting just a few months can see prices drop to $15, often including all DLC in definitive editions. This saves money and ensures a more polished experience.
Time is another factor. PC gamers who pour hours into a buggy or incomplete game, like the early access title DayZ, may find themselves waiting for updates that never arrive. Early access games fail at a high rate, often due to small teams lacking resources. Waiting for reviews and patches helps gamers avoid wasting time on titles that don’t live up to the hype.
The PC-Specific Pitfall: Early Access and Optimization Issues
PC gaming’s unique ecosystem makes it particularly vulnerable to the dangers of future promises. Steam’s early access model lets developers release unfinished games with plans for future improvements, but many are abandoned. Games like Starbound and Batman: Arkham Knight faced major issues at launch, with the latter so poorly optimized for PC that it was temporarily pulled from sale. These examples highlight why PC gamers should wait for patches to fix performance and stability problems.
The digital distribution model on platforms like Steam also fosters a “buy now, fix later” mindset among developers. Early access can derail games before they even launch, with developers relying on initial sales to fund development that may never happen. PC gamers, who often deal with optimization challenges, face a minefield of incomplete titles.
Supporting Better Industry Practices
Buying games based on future promises can encourage developers to release unfinished products. This cycle of rushed launches and post-release fixes is all too common, as seen with Assassin’s Creed Unity (2014), which launched nearly unplayable due to performance issues. By waiting for a game to be fully realized—complete with reviews, patches, and community feedback—PC gamers can push developers to prioritize quality at launch.
The “patient gamer” movement, popular on platforms like Reddit, champions this approach. Gamers share stories of being “burned” by day-one purchases like Brink and Summoner. Delaying purchases signals to the industry that quality trumps hype, encouraging better development practices over time.
Learning from History: Notable Examples
The following table summarizes key games that failed to deliver on promised features, highlighting the risks for PC gamers:
| Game | Year | Broken Promise | Impact on PC Gamers |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Man’s Sky | 2016 | Missing multiplayer, planetary physics; added later | Long wait for promised features |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 2020 | Buggy launch; PC issues required patches | Frustration for early adopters |
| Anthem | 2019 | Major overhaul canceled in 2021 | Left with incomplete game |
| The Stomping Land | - | Abandoned after crowdfunding, no full release | Backers lost investment |
| Godus | 2013 | Abandoned in early access, never finished | Unfinished product for PC players |
These cases illustrate a trend of over-promising and under-delivering, especially in PC gaming.
A Smarter Approach: Be a Patient Gamer
The evidence is clear: PC gamers should avoid buying games based on future promises and updates. Instead, embrace the patient gamer mindset. Wait for reviews, check community feedback, and hold off until patches address launch issues. This saves money, time, and ensures a better gaming experience. As of June 24, 2025, with the industry still facing early access failures and rushed launches, patience is the smartest strategy for PC gamers.
By resisting hype and waiting for a game’s true potential to shine, PC gamers can enjoy titles as they were meant to be—polished, complete, and worth every cent. Let developers prove their commitment before you open your wallet. Your gaming experience will be all the better for it.