Perfect presents for the pickiest of PC gamers.
PC gamers can be tough to buy for. It's an expensive hobby, after all, with graphics cards and high-end keyboards costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Fortunately, you don't have to spend that much to make a PC gamer's Christmas this year. There are plenty of top-notch gifts in the PC gaming space that won't send you broke and we've picked out some of our favourites below:
Where to buy PC gaming gifts this Christmas
Best Christmas gifts for PC gamers
What to consider when buying PC gaming gifts for Christmas
System compatibility
PCs are a lot more complex than traditional video game consoles, especially when compatibility is concerned. Each and every game has minimum hardware requirements to ensure that it will run acceptably on a particular PC, plus many PC games now require a constant Internet connection to play or at least boot up. Hardware is much the same, with wireless devices needing Bluetooth support and different monitors requiring different display ports to function. With so many possible points of failure, it's critical to do your research before purchasing any PC-related gift this Christmas.
Digital games
The vast majority of PC games are digital these days. Even if you buy a boxed copy of a game from a retail store, odds are it will contain a code for redemption via an online platform like Steam or Origin. This means your giftee will need to have an account on the appropriate digital platform and they'll likely have to maintain a stable Internet connection to verify and play their game once it's activated. Before buying any PC games, you'll want to check that the recipient has everything they need to actually play them.