With new video games often prices at $59.99 at release, many gamers on a budget are forced to make some hard choices as to what games they get and when. Review scores and word of mouth help gamers make decisions but there often are more games than a player can afford especially for gamers who play across multiple consoles and the PC platform.
Rental option used to help but with the closing of so many stores, only Gamefly remains and option but as fans will tell you the wait for a new game can take a while.
This is where Leaptrade comes into play.
Leaptrade is a community of gamers where players can buy and sell their video games, new and used, for credits which in turn can be used for future purchases.
A common complaint of selling games online or back to the retailer is that you never get close to what the current value for the game is and for gamers who have finished a game or had one that did not meet their needs, $59.99 is often an expensive gamble.
Leaptrade offers fans a marketplace where new games are listed at their correct retail value and buyers can select the condition, platform, and cost they want and are willing to pay. The system matches them up, and monitors all phases of the transaction.
I recently tested the system for Mortal Kombat X when we were not able to secure a review copy due to supply and demand issues.
I requested a PS 4 copy and set a value of $59.99 for the game. Over the next few weeks, I was matched with four sellers, none of whom completed their side of the transaction but my funds were not released to them until I had confirmed receipt of a game.
On my fifth match the transaction was completed and a pristine, boxed edition of the game arrived promptly and has worked like a charm.
Sellers are able to list based on the systems suggested price and when your turn in que arrives and a match is set, the funds are securely in your account after you purchase shipping and the delivery is confirmed.
The site has a community forum where members can exchange codes, and the company has announced plans for game codes and hardware to be traded in the future.
For gamers looking to get rid of older games at a fair value and obtain more new games without busting the bank, Leaptrade is a fantastic idea that should only grow and get better in time as it is exactly what the gaming community needs, no hassle and safe transactions at a fair market price.
