[Videogames] Is a HumbleBundle Monthly Subscription Worth What You Pay For?
For the past 6 months, I've had a HumbleMonthly Subscription and I've been trying to determine whether or not I should continue.
In case, you're unaware of this service, it's from HumbleBundle, a website that provides a portion of their profits to different charities. Sometimes, they choose one for you, but I've found that you can go in and choose your own as long as it's listed.
The monthly cost is $12.00 and you get around 8-9 video games that typically can be redeemed through Steam, though sometimes I have found they go through the developer's website, like Uplay, which for me, really isn't that big of a deal. The cost decreases with each month that you purchase (up front, mind you) and a year's purchase comes to around $11.00 a month which is $132 and gives you one month free (an $11.00 savings).
Pros/Cons:
Let's go over the pros and cons to this monthly subscription.
- Video games!!
Pro: Naturally, video games are the first pro that I'm going to mention. And, in all honestly, you get a lot of video games. ANd, if you like trying out and playing all sorts of games, this bundle is definitely something you should take a look at.
Con: Usually, the game that's teased at you to purchase the monthly bundles and subscribe is the best game in the package. Last month it was Dark Souls III. The month before, it was Sid Meyer's Civilization V and a DLC. In my opinion, the rest of the games are typically not what I want to play, so I find myself giving away the Steam codes to people who are interested in playing.
- HumbleBundle Store Discounts and Rewards!!
Pro: So, every time you make a purchase through HumbleBundle, a portion of what you pay helps support a charity, either one that they pick or one of your choosing.
With the HumbleBundle monthly subscription, not only do you get the HumbleBundle's discount, but you get an extra 10% taken off the game. You also can choose to send an extra 1.5% (or something like that, I'm not quite sure) either to the charity or to stock it away for a game purchase for later.
Cons: Honestly, I can't think of one for this besides the extra that you sock away or give to a charity isn't just taken out of the original discount.
- HumbleBundle Trove Access
Pro: HumbleBundle has a small "trove" of DRM-free software they allow their monthly subscribers to download. There's not a large amount of games but I do think that they're expanding on it over time.
One of the big pros here is that it's free DRM-free games such as The End is Nigh and Amnesia:The Dark Descent.
Cons: I definitely see the low number and quality of games as keeping this from being advantageous to me personally.
Thoughts:
It is entirely possible that my best bet is to look at the initial game since it's the AAA-rated game (typically... I think, anyway) and then ask yourself if it's worth $12.00. There aren't always a lot of games in the bundle that I want to play. Plus you're kinda gambling on what other games you're going to get.
In the end, it is only $12.00. If I can get a good game for $12.00 that I know is worth more, it's probably worth it to me to buy bone month and then see what next month's picks are going to be.
Hey, if any of this makes you want to go subscribe to Humble Monthly, go check them out. I tend to shop there first then check Steam because of the work they do with charities.
Resources