I find that online multiplayer extends my time with a game.  I usually have one or two "go to" games that I play much more than any other.  They're usually one of the big FPS titles, so even after a few years it isn't difficult to find a lobby.

*claps* Amen!

- Sell on eBay not at GameStop! You get way more money. If you also buy on eBay you also safe money. Only downside: if a game is rated 18/restricted eBay doesn't work!

- Buy games with high replay value/games that last very long. If you get PerfectDark you know you will have a ration of less then $0.01/h. Make your money work! Also if you get something like FallOut 3. Check websited to find out how long you will need to complete the game you wanna get. Another nice sidekick is that you get better the more you play, so it really pays out!

- Pick the games you wanna have and safe money for it. The more excited you are, the more time you will invest. Also don't buy more then one game at a time. When I got my PS3 I had GTA, FallOut, Uncharted, F.E.A.R. and Fifa and I couldn't handle the question "what do I play now?". That's why I first gave a couple of those games to friends, so I could focus on one game at a time.

I'm definitely a cheap gamer. I practice many of the tips you mentioned above, especially waiting for sales on downloadable games. I don't think I've purchased a single game off of Steam, Xbox Live, or PSN that wasn't on sale. I haven't purchased a downloadable game on my Wii for a long time since they never seem to have sales.

What I will never understand is why anyone would ever buy a used game from Gamestop. Do these people know that ebay and half.com exist? Gamers are supposed to be pretty affluent when it comes to technology and online. Yet, many gamers would rather spend probably +$20 more at Gamestop than buy the game online.

Patience and looking for deals really is one of the best ways. Researching before you buy instead of regretting those impule purchases is huge as well. I have literally saved hundreds of dollars and been abe to try so any games due to a website called Goozex. Its a goods exchange (hence the name goo zex) The site isn't flawless but I've personally gotten almost 20 games for myself and my sons. Traded out almost forty titles of used games I would have gotten pennies or less from Gamestop. For brand new games the site takes a bit longer to get, but I still highly recommend it if your low on cash.

It's interesting that this editorial is focused mainly on ways to own mainstream games. It's all about waiting for sales, trading with friends, and trading-in to get value back out of something you bought for $60. I find this interesting because it seems to simultaneously highlight two common standpoints among many gamers: ownership is important and big-budget titles are preferred.

For those who don't mind relinquishing ownership of their games, services like Gamefly and OnLive can be both inexpensive and freeing. Pay ~$10 a month and we can have access to a library of titles. In the case of Gamefly, we can even switch your focus depending on which console we're playing more at the time. Stuck at home most nights? Get some 360 games. Traveling? Switch to DS. It's true that at the end of a year, we're not left with any physical media, but if we're paying for the experience of gaming rather than the product—particularly if we hardly ever replay our games—why should that matter?

Similarly, it's fascinating to me that people are hung up on playing the big titles. I've had a lot of people justify piracy this way: "I don't have the money to buy Skyrim, but I'll pirate it on day one because it's the only RPG I want to play." If we have limited resources, there are dozens of similar games that we can enjoy at a lower price point. If we've already played FF3, FF6, and Chrono Trigger, why buy them again for $16? We can have a brand new adventure by purchasing any of the Millenium Saga from Aldorlea games for $14. Indie RPGs particularly are everywhere: Exile, Avernum, Minions of Mirth. Why fret about how the newest Zelda adventure will cost us $50 when we can buy Bastion for $15? Shooter fans: Cell Factor:PW is a fast-paced, creative FPS, that's a steal when you consider that it's $5. Why not play that instead of waiting for a sale on CoD:Black Ops? Like mech games? Trenched is $15. No matter what genre we enjoy, there's something awesome in the "indie" category that we can enjoy if separate ourselves from the need to have a mainstream gaming experience.

-Buy used when you want to, all the time. Do not feel remorse. The big studios are lying through their teeth when they tell you that used games hurt the industry. Used business has been around as long as business itself. Every thing you can buy at a store can be bought used somewhere else. Buy used, save dough.

-Buy used, then return in a week. EB Games has a good return policy for used games. Buy them used and return them within a week for a full refund. You get to play the game for free.

-Gamefly is great. Really, it is great. It is pretty cheap if you only want one game out at a time and REALLY comes in handy.

-Use Redbox. They are all over America and offer you game rentals for $2 a night. Most games are so short nowadays they can be beaten in a few nights anyway. I play many games from Redbox and it only cost me $4 to $6.

-Ebay Ebay Ebay. Not only is Ebay a good place to find good bargains on games, but it is a great place to sell your games to. If I was someone wanted to buy every game new simply because I have been brain washed by the industry into believeing buying used is hurting them, I would buy my games new at $65, beat them, and put them on ebay for $45. It will sell every time. Then, use that $45 and put it towards a new game.

I use all of these suggestions all the time and I literally play absolutely EVERYTHING I want to. There is not a single game on my shelf or on my to-do list that I have not played yet. I am not a rich man. I just use a combination of all these suggestions and I can play everything I want to on a very modest budget.

If you do sell at gamestop, their edge/power up rewards combined with promotions like trade X number of games and get X % more for them, can increase your credit nicely. By watching these promotions I've managed to get the full Rock Band set, at launch, for $7 and a new 250 Gb Xbox for $40. Cleaning out old games that you'll never play again can help to get into the higher percentage on newer items.

Gamefly is nice as long as you don't mind waiting weeks to months to play high profile games. It can be a great way to check out games in the meantime that you may not have tried otherwise. I recently received Homefront, which I would never have paid full retail price, but I beat it over a weekend and sent it back. As long as you finish a game in three months you are doing better than buying most games new, and even used.

I second RedBox for shorter games, and even as a quick preview before buying.

My policy about buying new games is only buy games that I know I'm going to keep playing (replay value, co-op, multiplayer...whatever), so I haven't trade a game in a long while.

And every year I buy just a couple of the newest releases, only if I really think they are worth it (this year is Arkham Asylum). After a year, most of these games will cost half price, then its a perfect time for me to buy them brand new (no Call of Dutys, since they expire every new year with the newest release.)

And, I also buy another couple of second-hand games, since that is a good way to get a hold at great classic games at a great price.

I use to rent frequently to stay updated in everything new, and those worth having, might end up in my collection... next year.