How to filter gaming news & update alerts for games I actually play?
Tired of Gaming News Overload? Here’s How to Filter
In the vast and ever-expanding universe of video games, staying updated can feel like an impossible quest. Every day brings a torrent of announcements, patches, DLCs, and esports news – much of which is irrelevant to the games you actually invest your time in. The good news is, you don’t have to wade through a sea of information about games you don’t play. With a few strategic adjustments, you can tailor your news feed to deliver only the updates that matter to your personal gaming library.
1. Leverage Official Channels and In-Game Features
The most direct route to relevant updates is often straight from the source. Developers and publishers are keen to keep their active players informed, and they provide several reliable avenues:
- Official Websites & Newsletters: Most games have dedicated websites with a news section. Sign up for their newsletters to get important announcements delivered directly to your inbox.
- Publisher/Developer Social Media: Follow the specific game’s official Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram accounts. Many studios also have a dedicated news feed within their launcher (e.g., Blizzard Battle.net, Riot Games client).
- In-Game News Feeds: Many modern multiplayer games feature an in-game news feed or a ‘What’s New’ section that highlights recent patches, events, and store updates.
2. Harness the Power of Aggregators and Custom Alerts
Beyond official channels, several tools can help you create a personalized news digest:
- RSS Feeds: If your favorite gaming news sites offer RSS feeds, use an RSS reader (like Feedly or Inoreader) to subscribe only to categories or tags related to your specific games.
- Google Alerts: Set up Google Alerts for the exact names of the games you play (e.g., “Elden Ring news,” “Destiny 2 patch notes”). You’ll receive email notifications when new content matching your search appears online.
- Specialized Gaming News Apps: Some apps allow you to create a custom library of games and will pull news specifically for those titles. Research apps that offer robust customization for your platform of choice.
3. Dive into Game-Specific Communities
For the most passionate and granular updates, look no further than the communities built around your games:
- Subreddits: Nearly every major game has an active subreddit. These communities are often the first to discuss new patches, datamines, strategies, and official announcements. Subscribe to the specific subreddits for your games.
- Discord Servers: Join official or popular community-run Discord servers for your games. Many developers also have official Discord channels where they share announcements and interact directly with players.
- YouTube Channels & Streamers: Follow content creators who specialize in the games you play. They often break down patch notes, share upcoming content leaks, and provide deep dives into game mechanics.
4. Utilize Platform-Specific Features
Your chosen gaming platforms often have built-in features to help you track games:
- Steam/Epic Games Store: Use the ‘Follow’ feature on game pages to get news updates directly in your client’s activity feed. Wishlist games you’re anticipating to receive notifications about sales and major updates.
- Console News Feeds: PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch all have dashboard news feeds that can be customized to show updates for games you own or follow.
5. Tips for Effective Filtering and Maintenance
Setting up your filters is just the first step; maintaining them ensures long-term success:
- Be Specific with Keywords: When setting up alerts or searching communities, use precise game titles and relevant keywords (e.g., “Cyberpunk 2077 patch 2.0,” not just “Cyberpunk news”).
- Regularly Prune Sources: Unfollow games you stop playing, unsubscribe from newsletters that become irrelevant, and mute channels that become too noisy.
- Combine Methods: Don’t rely on just one source. A mix of official newsletters, specific subreddits, and Google Alerts will give you comprehensive coverage.
By implementing these strategies, you can transform your gaming news experience from an overwhelming flood into a finely tuned stream of relevant information. Spend less time sifting through irrelevant headlines and more time enjoying the games you love, fully informed about their latest developments.
