Considering Quitting Buying New Games and Going with the Gamefly Route

[garagesaleking!!]

Ok, heres the situation. I like to always have the latest and greatest games. Being a college student, I can usually afford to buy 1 new game every 3 months or so, and that includes always having to trade something I own toward that new game. I have always thought of gamefly to be a waste because you have nothing to show at the end of the year. But it may make sense in my situation. The only game coming up I can see myself playing for an extended period of time is halo reach. I already have about $50 in store credit to gamestop which will cover that almost. At this point I am running out of titles I own to keep trading towards new games. What I do is pretty dumb, constantly recycling games, but I try to get rid of them while they are still worth a good amount. I traded modern warfare 2 after I hit 3rd prestige, and got about $35 from gamestop towards bad company 2. I have not even played bad company 2 that much and at this point would probably be willing to let it go.

There are so many games I want now and coming up, dead rising 2, red dead redemption, black ops, rock band 3, and many more. The only game I see playing for an extended period of time as I mentioned earlier is halo reach.

Does it make sense to just get gamefly, I mean if you have an urge to play a game again you can always rent it back. What are your thoughts?

[kupomogli]

You're trading in games you own for different games, so essentially you still have nothing to show for it, so you'll save money doing Gamefly. Then you can just spend the money on the ones that are your favorites that you want to keep when they hit around $20.

After the first month it's $15.95 a month for one game out at a time and $22.95 a month for two games out at a time.

[Leo_A]

It sounds like Gamefly is a perfect match for you.

I keep what I buy and don't mind waiting to play something. It's a bad match for me since it's $16-$22 a month I could put towards something I want to play and keep.

[Oobgarm]

I decided to renew and try out the games I wasn't ready to drop the full price on. I'll still buy the ones I know I'll enjoy.

It's worked out so far...I played Alan Wake, Blur, and Split/Second and realized that none of them were worth $60.

[Jorpho]

I suppose it depends on how quickly you go through games. If you trade them back in fast enough that the trade-in value is already only $15-20 less than what you paid for them, Gamefly doesn't make much sense at all, especially if it takes you more than two months to finish.

And if you just wait long enough after games come out, they'll come down to $15-20 eventually anyway. (Buying games right after they come out makes very little sense to me.)

[scooterb23]

I love Gamefly for one major reason. It gives me a chance to try out all those Wii Shovelware titles, without the shame of having to look at them on my shelves.

[Eduardo]

I don't how much video games are sold for these days but it shows gamefly costs 16 bucks a month. I this more or less than the difference of trading in a practically new game for a newer game?

[Nophix]

We used Gamefly for quite a while. I usually cancel it in the summer when I have less time, and pick it back up in the fall.

Shipping can be a little slow depending on where you live, but it is greatly improved as of late. You also have the advantage to purchase a game if you like it, and they send you all the original packaging. Basically, you get an unsealed new game for used prices.

Also, I've noticed more often than not that the prices they charge are less than Gamestop by a good margin, so if you chose to buy you'll save there, and they are always running promos.

I've had good luck with them, and would say give it a shot.

[Oobgarm]

I don't how much video games are sold for these days but it shows gamefly costs 16 bucks a month. I this more or less than the difference of trading in a practically new game for a newer game?

Yes, but the initial cost of the game is eliminated.

[The Shawn]

I had gamefly last year for a few months. I was averaging about 15 new games a month on it for a while so it was well worth the $20. The only reason I stopped was there was nothing in the foreseeable future coming out that I wanted to play at the time.


Thinking about starting my subscription back up though, after spending $60 a pop on a few duds in the last 6 months I think it'll prob. be worth it.

[Eduardo]

This is also a very attractive part of the deal, being able to test out games before you get them. I would get the cheaper one game subscription and just play the game continiously. Also there are games you can complete in a weekend and just get more new games in, a couple each month. Sounds like a good deal. Seems cheaper than blockbuster if youre a real enthusiast.

[exit]

I've been considering using Gamefly for quite some time, since I usually end up buying a game for $30+ and end getting bored of it within a few days anyway. Only reason I haven't is because I've fallen into a gaming slump, mainly because there's really nothing out that's worth playing.

I did however buy Dark Void off of there for about $8 with free shipping and the game came practically brand new, there was even some of it's original plastic on the corner of the case. So I'd probably end up checking their deals out if anything.

[Tempest]

I thought about using Gamefly since Netflix has worked out so well for me, but I tend to play RPGs that a. Take me a long time to play and b. I want to keep to play again later so it didn't seem to be a good match for my gaming style.

Tempest

[garagesaleking!!]

If i get it I am going to buy the one year gift card, making it only about $13 a month, you get 20% off.

[Rob2600]

Buying games right after they come out makes very little sense to me.

Supporting the industry you supposedly care about makes very little sense to you?

[Oobgarm]

Supporting the industry you supposedly care about makes very little sense to you?

Not when retailers drop game prices mere weeks or months after release.

Left 4 Dead 2 was practically on sale for $34.99 everywhere last December, not more than a month after release.

Red Dead Revolver was just offered at GameStop.com for $23.99 today.

Blur was only out for a month or so when Amazon offered it for $29.99. ($19.99 if you got the text message like I did)

Why buy right away when there's certainly deals to be had? It makes no financial sense.

[Rob2600]

Why buy right away when there's certainly deals to be had? It makes no financial sense.

You're right, it makes no financial sense. But then again, most hobbies and collections don't.

It just confuses me when enthusiasts want their hobby's industry to thrive, but don't want to actually pay to support it.

[kupomogli]

You're right, it makes no financial sense. But then again, most hobbies and collections don't.

It just confuses me when enthusiasts want their hobby's industry to thrive, but don't want to actually pay to support it.

Final Fantasy 13 was $30 about a month after release through one of the Kmart deals. Heavy Rain and Resonance of Fate I bought for $35 through the Kmart deals as well, three months later on each. I also bought Dante's Inferno for $26 shipped from the EAStore less than a month after its release.

I wasn't interested in Dante's Inferno when it was released, but a friend owned it and I played it so that's the reason I picked the game up when someone here listed the $20 reusable coupon at the EAStore.

Also. It's not the publishers that are losing money when these sales come along. Usually they're sales through the specific store so whatever money the publisher would have made they still make. Do you think the publishers lose money with the $10/$20 Amazon credit for game preorders? There are two reasons Amazon does this. Pretty much forces you to purchase something else from them in the future and also gets your money, even though less, than allowing some other store to get it.

[Eduardo]

Supporting the industry you supposedly care about makes very little sense to you?

I wonder how much of the money goes to the big chain retailers and how much goes to the developers and publishers. If we get a game originally sold for $50 still brand a month later for $30, does the people who actually made the game get the same amount?

I think bigger concern would be Gamestop's selling second hand games and screwing the makers out of royalties and the government out of import tariffs.

[Nophix]

In the big-box world of supply chain games, you are looking at a near 80% markup. Basically, if you see it advertised at $60, they paid $35 for it approximately.

I used to work in the supply chain side, so I've seen the invoices.

This is NOT true for your local game stores, however. They don't having the bulk buying power, and usually wind up paying near full price. So, something they sell you for $60 probably cost them $48-$50.

[Nophix]

I wonder how much of the money goes to the big chain retailers and how much goes to the developers and publishers. If we get a game originally sold for $50 still brand a month later for $30, does the people who actually made the game get the same amount?

I think bigger concern would be Gamestop's selling second hand games and screwing the makers out of royalties and the government out of import tariffs.


In most cases, the game is paid for under invoice when it hits the shelves. Whatever they were going to pay the publisher is already paid out.

The lone exception to this rule tends to be Wal-Mart.

[Eduardo]

In the big-box world of supply chain games, you are looking at a near 80% markup. Basically, if you see it advertised at $60, they paid $35 for it approximately.

I used to work in the supply chain side, so I've seen the invoices.

This is NOT true for your local game stores, however. They don't having the bulk buying power, and usually wind up paying near full price. So, something they sell you for $60 probably cost them $48-$50.

I remember hearing about this from that guy with the store that does the youtube videos. He ends up selling for less than Gamestop and obviously even less profit while offering better trade ins. I visit my local vintage games tore every week and try to give them my business but sometimes that's hard to do. I think my local one is getting by with the PS3 and XBox 360 repairs.

[garagesaleking!!]

Not when retailers drop game prices mere weeks or months after release.

Left 4 Dead 2 was practically on sale for $34.99 everywhere last December, not more than a month after release.

Red Dead Revolver was just offered at GameStop.com for $23.99 today.

Blur was only out for a month or so when Amazon offered it for $29.99. ($19.99 if you got the text message like I did)

Why buy right away when there's certainly deals to be had? It makes no financial sense.

I have never thought of it from this perspective, but I think this is why I hate buying games so much new.

I have no problem spending $60 on a game. But as a bargain hunter at heart, I would at least like the assurance that the game is going to be $60 for quite some time. The concept of buying a game and beating it and then selling it back to recoup is so hard these days, because the game is already down to being bargain bin in a month. Of course you are always safe with call of duty and halo titles, they hold their value. But I thought it would be months before red dead redemption was marked down below $40 anywhere, and it was already 23.99 at gamestop.

Its tough because its like a double edged sword. I almost feel like I would rather have games fixed at a price of $60 for 6 months or something, but at the same time, then you cant wait a little to get a bargain on a game and must spend full price on it. I think though a trend like that would make game buyers extra picky about what titles they choose to buy new, causing game developers to make better quality games, knowing there sales will be shit unless they put a quality game out, worth a full $60? I dont know, am I crazy?

In other news, I just signed up for a gamefly 10 day trial. Lets see if they ship me transformers or red dead redemption before my 10 days is up, this is there test. I am lucky to live in Pittsburgh, and have a gamefly center right in my hometown. My dad actually knows the guy who works in their shipping department, and he said I could use their disc resurfacer whenever I want for free for my personal games.

[Ed Oscuro]

Do whatever makes sense for you, man.

It's a matter of time before we all go digital only - I've been able to get some astounding deals on Steam games recently (via packs bought by friends) and while I kind of miss going into the store and getting the package, I do appreciate saving money. In a couple years this will pretty much be the only way to get games - everything being an extended low-cost rental.

[theclaw]

Maybe if they'd make games less tedious. I don't want fetch quests or collect-a-thon!

I don't mind such things if I go in knowing full well it's a genre staple (usually MMOs and 3D platformers respectively), but keep them AWAY from anything else.

[Oobgarm]

I have never thought of it from this perspective, but I think this is why I hate buying games so much new.

I have no problem spending $60 on a game. But as a bargain hunter at heart, I would at least like the assurance that the game is going to be $60 for quite some time. The concept of buying a game and beating it and then selling it back to recoup is so hard these days, because the game is already down to being bargain bin in a month. Of course you are always safe with call of duty and halo titles, they hold their value. But I thought it would be months before red dead redemption was marked down below $40 anywhere, and it was already 23.99 at gamestop.

Its tough because its like a double edged sword. I almost feel like I would rather have games fixed at a price of $60 for 6 months or something, but at the same time, then you cant wait a little to get a bargain on a game and must spend full price on it. I think though a trend like that would make game buyers extra picky about what titles they choose to buy new, causing game developers to make better quality games, knowing there sales will be shit unless they put a quality game out, worth a full $60? I dont know, am I crazy?

In other news, I just signed up for a gamefly 10 day trial. Lets see if they ship me transformers or red dead redemption before my 10 days is up, this is there test. I am lucky to live in Pittsburgh, and have a gamefly center right in my hometown. My dad actually knows the guy who works in their shipping department, and he said I could use their disc resurfacer whenever I want for free for my personal games.

My comment above is precisely why I am only buying games at their launch when I know full well that I will get my $60 worth out of it.

Transformers WFC and Red Dead Redemption are excellent examples of games that I can justify spending the full amount on. Blur, for example, was a title I picked up on discount and I'm glad I did, as I can't feel that I could warrant a full-purchase price. Games like Alan Wake, Split/Second, and Mario Galaxy 2 are games that I can rent and be done with and justify my GameFly subscription.

And as far as the games selling, the publisher sells directly to a vendor. They're getting a bulk of their sales right there. Provided that the game doesn't completely suck and/or bombs completely, they won't have to deal with the vendor wanting to get a discount on(or return) unsold stock. It seems that now, the retailers are offering overstocked titles at a discount in order to stir up more sales...much like all of the Black Friday ads with their "great deals"(loss-leaders) to get people in the door to spend more money. Not to mention the gift cards and other similar ideas.

I think you'll enjoy your GameFly subscription. I've had the same 2 games for the first month of my membership. I'll probably send them both back before the next month is up. That way, I put roughly $20 into each of them, and I can feel like I got my money's worth out of the deal. Then, if I really liked the game, I can wait until it's budget price if I want to add it to my collection. It should really help me cut down on the number of titles I buy on impulse.

[Ponyponypony]

I wonder how much of the money goes to the big chain retailers and how much goes to the developers and publishers. If we get a game originally sold for $50 still brand a month later for $30, does the people who actually made the game get the same amount?

I think bigger concern would be Gamestop's selling second hand games and screwing the makers out of royalties and the government out of import tariffs.


The publishers get the same amount as they normally would. This is the way it works, for 99% of everything retail. Gamestop/EB/Walmart/toysRus/etc buy the games from the publisher. They effectively become a reseller. They own all of the games they purchase, and sell them on to us, the consumer. If a game does not sell well or the retailer does not feel a game is selling well, they reduce their price of the game in order to entice buyers to purchasing it. The publisher has already been paid the amount that was agreed upon, it's up to the retailer/reseller to make a profit off of those games.

So when you see the prices dropping on games, it's the retailer/reseller attempting to recoup their losses from the initial purchase of the games. Most games level out at about $20, which is (I suspect) around the price that the retailer originally paid for it.

[Double Ugly]

It seems to make more sense for you to use gamefly. If you're trading in your old games your probably losing more money that way than you would be with gamefly.

[kupomogli]

garagesaleking!! and anyone who isn't a member of Gamefly yet. Gamefly is doing two games out at a time for $45 for the first three months. That's only $15 a month. It's been on CAGs main page for a few days now.

[Matt-El]

Just started using it. They desperately need a distribution center in Chicago. I hate the wait for games. And the price is a bit steep IMO.