Although some shoppers might think the term Black Friday stems from the recent surge of online gifts and stores, it’s a term that stretches back over a century. Residents in the US are likely to be much more aware of this retail phenomenon than those in Europe.
Although it has picked up momentum since the rise of the internet and first rose to prominence in the UK in the early 2010s, it’s deep-rooted in the commercial culture of America. Here are some of the best Black Friday deals we’ve come across for fans of virtual entertainment.
Promotions from iGaming companies
Black Friday started as a retail marketing tool, but other industries started to notice as it became so successful. The iGaming industry, which encompasses sports betting and casino gaming, is renowned for its marketing tools, ideas and strategy.
Unsurprisingly, they adapted Black Friday marketing to suit online casino gaming. It’s a marketing tool that has succeeded, and online casino gamers continually look out for new deals around this time of year. WSN has compiled a list of online casinos that have put together the top Black Friday deals, ranging from free spins to matched deposits and a wide range of other online casino gaming promotions.
Remember, though, if you’re using Black Friday to test out what online casinos have to offer, you must make sure that you gamble within suitable limits and use responsible gambling tools, such as cooling-off periods and time and deposit limits to ensure your gambling remains safe and controlled. Reach out to a professional, trusted friend, family member or an organization like Gamblers Anonymous if you believe your gambling is out of control or you are struggling to stop.
PS5 deals on Amazon
No company has done more to promote or champion the idea of Black Friday than Amazon has over the years. Arguably, the idea was at its peak in the early 2010s when Amazon was the world’s biggest company. While they still command an enormous market share and dictate a lot of the e-commerce action, competitors have been able to claw back some of this market.
Amazon has bounced between the idea of being a digital-only store and trying its hand at opening physical locations. However, the recent closure of some stores that spearheaded this idea suggests they may be switching their focus back to digital. PS5 deals on Amazon primarily focus on gaming discounts, but here are some of the best ones we’ve encountered:
- Persona 5 Tactic – RRP has dropped from $59.99 to $18.99.
- The Last of Us: Part 1 – $45.99 – retailed a couple of weeks ago at $69.99.
- SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headphones – down to $300 from $350.
Although these games are advertised in the run-up to Black Friday, Amazon does have a track record of announcing new gaming deals on the morning of Black Friday, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled if these are the sort of offers that pique your interest.
Virtual reality headsets
I hadn’t actually tried out a VR headset until a few weeks ago. While I certainly wouldn’t say I have been completely converted, the fact Mark Zuckerburg has reclaimed his space among the world’s wealthiest tech entrepreneurs indicates his VR gamble seems to be paying off.
It’s also led to several other companies designing their own VR technology, flooding the market and raising the average price of headsets. Black Friday deals aim to add even more value to this market, especially now that the supply is beginning to match the demand.
Our picks are the PSVR2 at Walmart, down to $469, and the MetaQuest S3 at Target, which has dropped below $300 as part of their Black Friday deal. If you’d prefer higher specs, the 512GB version of the same headset is $499 as part of the same Black Friday offer. The PSVR2 would be our pick, especially if you have a PS5 and want to sample some top-rated games, such as Gran Turismo 7, which is considered a breakthrough PS5 game that utilizes VR technology to its maximum potential.
Final thoughts
Black Friday is one of the hallmark days in the world of retail, and with virtual entertainment driving much of the recent interest in tech, it isn’t surprising to see some of the prominent industries capitalizing on it.
VR headsets have positioned themselves in the market and could be the next big accessory that reshapes the way games are made. It’s too early to make such a bold prediction, and VR headsets have been around long enough now for us to accurately gauge that there’s not a gigantic demand from consumers.
However, the costs continuing to come down have awakened many in the virtual entertainment world. If there’s any sector within virtual entertainment that has the potential to fuel the next genuine level of creativity in gaming, then it’s VR. As we mentioned with video gaming though, there are Black Friday deals that will appear on the day, known as flash deals, so keep an eye out for them too.
