_____________________
_____________________
Gamepad on Table – Free Stock Image
Californian residents have a wide variety of leisure activities on offer for them to enjoy, however, when taking cost into account, it does raise the question of which entertainment source is more affordable. For example, streaming platforms offer a great selection of the latest films and series, but the price points for some can be excessively high. In comparison, gaming can combat pricey subscriptions (this excludes game subscriptions like Xbox Pass or EA Play), but may end up in the same boat with the price point of games.
iGaming platforms, on the other hand, including various gambling platforms offer online casino real money opportunities where players can potentially profit. These platforms are often more affordable than streaming and gaming services. They allow players to deposit and wager amounts they are comfortable with, with access to a wide variety of games, including slots, poker, and live dealer options.
Which entertainment service will give customers more bang for their buck?
Various websites allow their users to stream popular content for free, but of course, this does come with the added catch of multiple ads and lower streaming quality. Therefore, with streaming platforms, viewers are not only paying for the latest content but also for the convenience of not having to skip any ads or wait for any content to load.
So when looking at Netflix, for instance, subscriptions can range from $6.99 up to $22.99 per month depending on what the viewer is looking for, and how many people are in a single home. While the starting point is affordable, it can become very taxing on the pocket, especially since the service might not have everything the customer is interested in watching.
To combat the fact that Netflix may not have certain series or movies, most customers would accumulate subscriptions with other streaming platforms such as Hulu and HBO, which can increase the average amount being spent on streaming services per month by more than double. There are cheaper alternatives, however, such as Watchlist Pro, PlutoTV, and Tubi. While these platforms are ad-supported, they still offer an endless stream of entertainment ready for viewers to enjoy.
In comparison, gaming comes with its own array of expenses that differ vastly from the likes of streaming services. When investing in a console like PlayStation or Xbox, it means committing to purchasing games at a usually, non-discounted rate. Additionally, there is also the purchase price of the console itself to consider, which can see customers spending up to $500 or more outside the games they would purchase alongside it. However, with Xbox, there is the game Pass option that allows gamers to access numerous popular titles in the Pass game library, and the bonus of playing the special monthly titles.
With PC gaming, it becomes much trickier, as maintaining and upgrading hardware and software is now added to one’s budget. But if, perhaps, a gamer invests in a good gaming laptop instead, it can be less costly as this device can be used for work purposes as well. However, with PC gaming stores like Epic Games and Steam, while players do get some amazing personalized discounts on their wish-listed games, the overhead cost of buying new titles can be significantly higher, especially when buying a game that was just released.
Where mobile gaming and iGaming is concerned, both options are much more frugal in that there are generally no associated subscriptions costs with either option. With mobile games, most of them can be downloaded from their designated app stores, and with iGaming, online casinos are free to access. The only cost for both would be the money spent on in-game purchases, or to place bets.
The level of entertainment offered by each option is highly dependent on individual preferences and is usually based on what the customer finds more valuable. However, if one were to look at it from a practical standpoint, gaming in general would be able to keep someone occupied for much longer than a series. This is due to the interactive nature of gaming wherein players are engaged throughout each session regardless of the genre being played.
Then there is the added aspect of virtual and augmented reality, which now makes for an even more entertaining session, even when players are alone. Players can interact with their friends whether they are in the same room, or in a different country, which becomes a bit more complicated with streaming platforms. On the note of which type of gaming set-up to go with, a console seems to be the most affordable option as it is a once-off investment (especially with an Xbox), that will mean long-term fun no matter the player’s age range.
Gaming options, especially console or mobile gaming, would prove to be much more frugal than streaming platforms. Overall, there is an aspect of longevity that is not offered with platforms like Netflix and Hulu and a guarantee that it will be used more often. Furthermore, innovations in the gaming industry may mean gaming set-ups (for PC gamers especially) will become even cheaper with the introduction of handhelds like the Steam Deck!
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
