Navigating the world of gaming gifts can be a daunting task, even for those of us who live and breathe it. With dozens of games, multiple consoles, and games which cost fifty dollars and over, it can be difficult to know where to begin! Luckily for you, the team here at Aperion Audio has you covered; we’ve designed a list of gift ideas tailored to you and your gaming geek.
Before we get started, you need to know your gamer. Let’s ask a couple questions about how your gamer games. Don’t worry, you won’t be graded, so you can stop sweating it.
Does your gamer love being with friends? Are they the type of person who loves to sit down on the couch with a few of their buddies and play shooting or racing games as a group? They’re probably a console gamer. The latest tech for one of these gamers is the Xbox One or the PS4. 
They’ve released in time for this coming holiday season and it isn’t too late to snag one. The Xbox One will run you $499.99 from any local retailer, while the PS4 is selling for $399.99. Either of these consoles would be a great gift for any gamer.
Maybe instead of a group person, your gamer is the type who plays on the computer. Uncompromising graphics built to spec are what I personally enjoy, and while computer parts are expensive, there is an easy solution. Steam! Steam is an online retail store that sells games for online download much like iTunes sells music. The week before Christmas and throughout the following weekend they have crazy deals on games, slashing the prices of games up to 75% and more. Either snag some games and simply select them as a gift during checkout or head over to Wal-Mart or GameStop to get a Steam Wallet Card, which is a gift card for either $20 or $50.
Now, there is another type of gaming that everyone loves: mobile gaming. Everybody enjoys it, but some gamers are more dedicated than others. Is your gamer working their way through the 412th level on Candy Crush or trying to get 3 stars on every level of Angry Birds? You can get you an easy stocking stuffer through Humble Bundle. Humble Bundle is a charity organization. They sell games for PC or Android devices and let you set your own prices. Usually averaging at $5, donations go towards the developers of the games, the Humble Bundle team, and towards Child’s Play Charity and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. While they’re currently featuring PC games, they often have bundles that are full of games for Android devices, so keep your eyes peeled for a steal. If your gamer prefers an iPad, a good choice is XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Winner of 5 Game of the Year awards in 2012, it runs only $20 on iTunes and is one of the best full games that have been ported onto the mobile platform.
The most important thing for gamers is, of course, the games! Buying someone a good game is like buying someone a good book. You don’t want to give a chef the biography of Steve Jobs just because it happened to be near the cooking section of the book store. Depending on the console the gamer plays on, there are many different options, but to save a headache we’ll focus on great games that anyone can play on any gaming platform.
Recently released for all game platforms was Call of Duty: Ghosts and Battlefield 4. While debating which one is better is sure to get any room full of gamers in open conflict, both are good first-person shooters from series that most gamers enjoy. Ask your gamer what they prefer or take a sneak peek at their gaming library to see which ones they have the prequels to.
Another game available to everyone is Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. This game lets the player loose on the Caribbean Sea in 1715, at the height of piracy. Navigating their own ship, they can plunder their way across an open ocean and dozens of islands full of lush jungle, soldiers, and best of all, buried treasure.
One gamer we’ve missed is the up-and-coming gamer! For those not yet able to dig into M-rated titles, a great option for all platforms is LEGO Marvel Super Heroes. Seriously, Lego still rocks. Featuring over 100 characters in the Marvel universe, players fight to save LEGO New York from the evil plans of Loki and other villains. Traveling from to iconic Marvel locations such as the X-Mansion, Stark Tower, and Hydra Base, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes is a fantastic game for all ages. All of these games cost $60 or less, and can be found either online or at a local game retailer.
attlefield 4 or Call of Duty: Ghosts or having waves crash against your ship in Assassin’s Creed adds a tremendous amount to the experience offered by any game on any console. Hearing, in this case, is believing. For this, I would recommend Aperion’s selection of cutting edge speakers. The Bravus II Subwoofer creates unbelievable explosions, which is a must for any game, while our Intimus family provides unparalleled ambience. Roaming through the jungle in Assassin’s Creed hearing every cricket chirp, branch rustle, and whisper of the breeze is an experience unlike any other. Find out more about our audio offerings at aperionaudio.com, or look for more shopping advice this Christmas season for the tech lovers in your life at our blog.