Why Game Developers Should Shut Up About Used Games [Slashdot]

[DP ServBot]

Ssquared22 writes "It may feel like a rip-off to some, but you've got to admit that paying $30 for Gears of War 2 sure beats paying $60! Game publishers and developers may not like it, but people are going to trade in used games for new games and those old games will be sold back to other people. There's nothing game developers can do to stop them, and companies like Gamestop continue to laugh all the way to the bank. In an article at Crispy Gamer, David Thomas dissects one of the most critical issues in gaming today: used games and merchants (online and brick-and-mortar) who specialize in this 'sleight of hand.'"http://games.slashdot.org/slashdot-it.pl?from=rss&op=image&style=h0&sid=09/07/16/1721215 (http://games.slashdot.org/story/09/07/16/1721215/Why-Game-Developers-Should-Shut-Up-About-Used-Games?from=rss)
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[Baloo]

Yeah, tell it like it is DP Servbot!

[kaedesdisciple]

Okay, so the next answer will be digital distribution to eliminate the physical possibility of people trading in their games. Then we'll have responses about how digital distribution won't work, who won't buy games anymore, the broadband infrastructure isn't ready for it, too many customers will get alienated, blah blah blah. Same digital crap, different day.

[The 1 2 P]

I think we have these threads once a week now, along with the "video games cost too much" threads. But there is some good news: we have been having much less "Gamestop sucks" threads lately. Lets hope that continues.

[sebastiankirchoff]

But there is some good news: we have been having much less "Gamestop sucks" threads lately. Lets hope that continues.

Damn, and I just started writing a new thread about my bad experiences at Lamestop :)

[BHvrd]

Shame on you DP ServBot!

[eskobar]

DAMN IT, DP_SERVBOT; cut the crap !!!!

[swlovinist]

In a twisted sense of reality, we still will have used games.....they will just be on hardrives of game systems sold second hand.

[SegaAges]

Either that or used game companies can give me more for games so I can finally trade in some of my shitty ones. Not pointing fingers at any stores, but if I pay $60 for a game, taking it in for $20 is shitty. Hence, I am known as a hoarder (and also sell shit on Dp, hehehe)

[Captain Wrong]

from the article:

"Rock Band and Guitar Hero have turned downloadable content into a fine art. And that's why finding a used Rock Band rig at GameStop can be so hard."

ORLY? Seems like there's an absolute glut of plastic instruments at every used shop in the area. If I was the kind of person who thought a second crash was possible, I'd say causal gamers tiring of Rock Band/Guitar Hero might be one of the triggers.

But I'm not. :D

[kupomogli]

I'd actually buy used if the games were half as much as they were new, but a $60 game is not going to be $30 used. Sure I'd look and make sure it was in mint condition with no scratches still, but half off would definitely not make me think of the gaming companies.

But places like Gamestop aren't that generous and we're seeing $5-10 less at a minimum. With $5 less it's not even worth taking the time to see if it's scratched and just buy new, but if it's quite a bit less I'll check for scratches and purchase those.

[Iron Draggon]

well I still say if developers think that Gamestop's used game sales are really hurting them that much, then they should simply stop supplying NEW games to Gamestop... just deliver them to every other retailer BUT Gamestop, and see how long Gamestop is able to survive solely on its used game sales alone!

[kedawa]

GS would get along just fine without new games, The only way they make any real profit from new games is by accepting trade-ins for them anyway. So it would hurt their business, but not enough to sink them.

[smork]

I think GameStop Digital Distribution is too expensive and sucks. I hate the way the employees use the bytes but still sell them as new.

Plus, they're always trying to get me to preorder more DLC. It's very e-nnoying.

[Push Upstairs]

I'm gonna pass on this weeks thread about used games hurting developers.

Next weeks as well.

[kupomogli]

I don't think developers are losing as much money in sales as they make people think they are. Fight Night Round 4 just came out and you can get a new copy off Ebay sellers for 45 or less shipped on a regular basis.

But, the fact that these same games are selling at only $5 less, of course you're going to be pissed as a game company that places like Gamestop are the ones making all the money for selling used and new copies of that game when the game developers that put alot of work into it almost makes them nothing in comparison.