Latest EGM article sparks question: buy new or used?

[YoshiM]

I just finished reading the latest EGM and one of the writers entered a Gamestop to purchase a game. After a series of sales questions we all are familiar with (preorder, update your card, etc.) the person was offered the chance to buy a used copy for $5 less. The writer went off on the sales person, telling them that he wanted to support the industry.

I know similar topics like this cropped up before but I think this is a bit different. Do you try and buy games new (even at sales) to support developers to continue to make the games you like or do you take the opportunity to buy used from "retail" used game chains like Gamestop to save some cash?

[Dobie]

This debate has popped up many times before. My view on used games really hasn't changed, I don't see it as wrong or a problem if someone wants to buy a game used to save a few bucks. In fact, I think this market is extremely helpful when I'm trying to sell a newly released game I just didn't care for, and want to recoup some of my investment in that game. Lately though I've noticed my personal buying habits changing... I seek out discounted new games if I want to save a buck, mostly because a lot of them come with one-time-use-only codes. Buying used games through Gamefly is one route I've gone though, since they send you a used game, but NEW packaging, so you are pretty much certain to get an unused code.

As far as supporting the industry, the way I see it, a publisher/developer already got their cut on the initial sale of the game. So what if it gets bought/sold 100x after the fact? That's the consumer's right.

[kupomogli]

I almost always buy new. Any used games I buy are no longer sold at retail.


As far as supporting the industry, the way I see it, a publisher/developer already got their cut on the initial sale of the game. So what if it gets bought/sold 100x after the fact? That's the consumer's right.

When it comes to the online passes that EA is now selling, I agree with you completely. However, I'm with the buying new to support the developer over paying a company like Gamestop $5 less than the retail value, especially considering that $5 less is usually equal to what you can get it for new at a place like Amazon.com.

[TonyTheTiger]

I know similar topics like this cropped up before but I think this is a bit different. Do you try and buy games new (even at sales) to support developers to continue to make the games you like or do you take the opportunity to buy used from "retail" used game chains like Gamestop to save some cash?

The way it's phrased, this question is awfully loaded. I haven't read the article but when you say "went off" how do you mean? Because it sounds awfully presumptuous to criticize a retailer (particularly a clerk at a single store) for employing a basic principle of the first sale doctrine, a doctrine anybody who owns anything values whether they know it or not.

I think it's a perfectly respectable position to support the industry by only buying new. But I equally think that people who take that stance should not look down their noses at people who shop with more frugality.

Me? It largely depends on timing. If I'm looking to buy a game that's relatively old and can find an ample supply of used copies in near pristine condition at a significant discount then I'll buy used. If it's a game I plan to buy within the launch window I'll always spring for new. The $5 doesn't especially entice me.

[Dangerboy]

Just for the record - If the person wants to support the industry, then:

a. They themselves may never sell any game they have bought, ever. Not to a retailer, not to a friend, not on ebay, not at a garage sale. If they're done with a game, they toss it or keep it in the closet. By selling it they are removing a sale from the companies.

If we truly want to support the industry, then we must shut down all auctions sites, close down the buying and sell forums, craigslist, and the like. The only people that can sell any product are the retailer and the publisher, and they must all be new.

Most people can't grasp that retailers used stock comes from the gamers - the retailer is nothing but a middle-man. If there was no demand for someone to buy back games instantly from a consumer (without auction fees, etc) then the used game market would not exist.

Side Note: I find it funny that a person who gets their review copies for free is bitching about supporting the industry. Wanna show your support? Buy all the work copies from retail.

[SparTonberry]

Don't they usually get review copies BEFORE the game goes on sale?

[Dobie]

I almost always buy new. Any used games I buy are no longer sold at retail.



When it comes to the online passes that EA is now selling, I agree with you completely. However, I'm with the buying new to support the developer over paying a company like Gamestop $5 less than the retail value, especially considering that $5 less is usually equal to what you can get it for new at a place like Amazon.com.

I'm in agreement with you as well. I think most gamers find gamestop's practices regarding used product to be in poor taste. But its also up to the consumer to be somewhat educated in the going price for a game and shop around. Gamestop certainly counts on the immediate gratification angle when selling their wares. I ran into an example over the weekend... I went to GS looking for a copy (any copy) of Mass Effect 1. All they had was a beat up, scratched up used disc in a waterstained case... for $19.99. I bought the 2-disc platinum hits version new on Amazon for $15 instead. Whether or not Bioware sees a dime of that $15, I have no idea. But I sure as heck wasn't going to pay full retail for a beater that GS undoubtedly bought for a few bucks in store credit.

[Gameguy]

By the time I buy a game it's usually out of print anyway, buying a copy new won't get the store to place more orders for additional copies. I'll still buy new as long as the price is right.

I'm kind of tired that I'm being expected to buy every single item new to support an industry or else it will go under. It's like you have to buy every single game, music album, movie, TV show box set, car, grocery product, etc all new as soon as they're released or else I'm not supporting the industry and they'll go bankrupt. Last I checked I don't have infinite money, I'd rather just focus on getting what I really want rather than spend full price on stuff I'm just marginally interested in. I don't think these companies really care whether I can pay the bills or not, they just want my money. Plus I'd rather help out another person by buying something used directly from them(craigslist) as they could probably use the money more, I know I'd like people to buy stuff from me I don't want anymore rather than me being stuck with it taking up space.

[crazyjackcsa]

First off, going off on the person behind the counter is bad form, no matter what.

I'll buy used if the game is in good shape, or if I can't find it new.

The $5 discount is something that bugs people, but you can look at it a different way. That $5 is probably about 10-20% less, and that's a good deal. If the game is beat up, and missing a manual, well, that isn't a good deal.

[kedawa]

I won't buy used from any store unless there's no other option. I don't mind getting stuff used, I'd just prefer to buy from other gamers directly.

[portnoyd]

I'll buy 3 months later when the game is half off, thanks.

[buzz_n64]

I only buy if it's below $29, new or used, unless the game is really rare. I bought Street Fighter IV for about $54 new and regretted paying that much, especially because of the dramatic price drop that later occurred. If I'm going to spend over $50 for a game, I'm not going to stop at a used copy to save $5, I'm getting new.

[Emuaust]

Just for the record - If the person wants to support the industry, then:

a. They themselves may never sell any game they have bought, ever. Not to a retailer, not to a friend, not on ebay, not at a garage sale. If they're done with a game, they toss it or keep it in the closet. By selling it they are removing a sale from the companies.

If we truly want to support the industry, then we must shut down all auctions sites, close down the buying and sell forums, craigslist, and the like. The only people that can sell any product are the retailer and the publisher, and they must all be new.

Most people can't grasp that retailers used stock comes from the gamers - the retailer is nothing but a middle-man. If there was no demand for someone to buy back games instantly from a consumer (without auction fees, etc) then the used game market would not exist.

Side Note: I find it funny that a person who gets their review copies for free is bitching about supporting the industry. Wanna show your support? Buy all the work copies from retail.

OMG this, give this man a god damn medal NOAW!

[Doonzmore]

I haven't bought a game at release since Soul Caliber 2 on the Gamecube and I only pre ordered it to get the Ivy T-Shirt. I have though shopped with friends at GS and they'll normally just buy a new copy because a used one is only 2 dollars cheaper. Not really that big of a deal.

[The 1 2 P]

I usually buy new unless it's something super rare thats no longer in print. And I also usually wait until the game has been heavily discounted so that I don't spend too much. That is my normal basic outlook on this topic. However, things have changed alittle this generation.

They always say that the best way to speak to the developers/publishers is thru your wallet and I agree. Thats why I don't mind supporting certain companies by buying their game new upon release. But then you have the other side of the coin--developers that I don't mind not supporting because they didn't give their all to my preferred version of a game. Sometimes it's small like Batman: AA getting an extra playable character on the PS3 version. Thats no biggie but lately it seems that many of EA's games are also getting free games thrown in for the PS3 versions that are not included on the 360 versions. Perhaps this is due to the additional space on the PS3's bluray disc or maybe they just want to show Sony extra love.

Keep in mind that I have all three current gen systems but I prefer to play third party games on my 360. It's cool that PS3 gamers(myself included) get all these little extras but for people who prefer playing on their 360's(or who only have a 360) they have been missing out on more and more content(Batman:AA, Dante's Inferno, Medal of Honor, UFC 2010, etc). So in that case I would actually rather buy one of those games used rather than new. That way I'd get to play it and wouldn't be supporting the developers/publishers choice of short changing my preferred version.

Granted, I have yet to do this but it's one way where I would definitely choose used over new. Of course, some of the developers/publishers would still get the last laugh because more and more games are coming out where used copies are missing the online portion(project $10 and such). So in that case, if I really wanted a game like UFC 2010(where the 360 version is missing exclusive fighters and 5 free fights) then I would most likely wait until it went all the way down to $10 or less to get it new. But for games like Dante's Inferno(which has no online multiplayer) I could buy that used and not feel bad about not supporting the developers/publishers.

[Sinizar]

I just finished reading the latest EGM and one of the writers entered a Gamestop to purchase a game. After a series of sales questions we all are familiar with (preorder, update your card, etc.) the person was offered the chance to buy a used copy for $5 less. The writer went off on the sales person, telling them that he wanted to support the industry.

I know similar topics like this cropped up before but I think this is a bit different. Do you try and buy games new (even at sales) to support developers to continue to make the games you like or do you take the opportunity to buy used from "retail" used game chains like Gamestop to save some cash?

What is the difference between new and used at Gamestop? I stopped buying new games there because they always came opened up. I buy new on Amazon, Newegg, and at stores like Best Buy because at least the product is still sealed.

[skaar]

Taking anything out on someone who's just working their job based on their employer's business model is a dick move, period.

That's not how you promote change. That's pumping your own stock.

[sparkRyder78j]

I always by my games new but after I am done with them I usually trade them back in to play new games. I only keep the games that I think I will play again or will eventually become classics.

[heybtbm]

Just for the record - If the person wants to support the industry, then:

a. They themselves may never sell any game they have bought, ever. Not to a retailer, not to a friend, not on ebay, not at a garage sale. If they're done with a game, they toss it or keep it in the closet. By selling it they are removing a sale from the companies.

If we truly want to support the industry, then we must shut down all auctions sites, close down the buying and sell forums, craigslist, and the like. The only people that can sell any product are the retailer and the publisher, and they must all be new.

This whole analogy falls apart if the game isn't available at retail anymore...which is probably the case with most non-Gamestop used game sales.

Besides, who the hell buys used anymore when new copies can be had for $20-$30 off a few weeks after release? Amazon or nothing IMO. That and the "buy new or pay extra to play multiplayer" penalty codes work.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

While this exchange between the writer and the store employee is pretty silly for reasons others have expressed, I do like to buy new whenever I can.

It's nice to know that devs are seeing the profits (especially if it's a digital download purchase).

I avoid used if for no other reason when buying physical media for my collection that I can't stand visibly "handled" game cases/manuals.

If it's absolutely unavoidable only where I can inspect the merchandise and almost never at Gamestop where their god-awful price labels almost always damage the game sleeve and/or paper insert.

When I do buy PS3 games used I'm actually a big fan of buying GameFly's used stock. BluRay discs are nearly impossible to scratch, they price high-profile stuff under $20 pretty quickly (almost always months before the same titles drop that low at GameStop) and you always get a mint-fresh case & manual that was only ever opened and shelved for storage so DLC offers included are typically still in-tact.

And I can count on one hand the number of games that I've purchased for my collection in the past 20 years that I've sold/traded in.

[skaar]

Yeah those DLC codes are like never there when I buy used from Gamestop.

Sealed all the way.

[Emuaust]

Yeah those DLC codes are like never there when I buy used from Gamestop.

Sealed all the way.

Ive given up buying new though as with the big chain stores breaking seals on games too many people either a. ruin the insides or b. take things out of the covers.

If I'm going to be missing stuff then I might as well buy used.

[otaku]

It depends. If its a small company or one that is struggling then yes I buy new. If its some big hit title and I need to save some cash I buy used. Course now they have these passcodes and ways of making you pay for buying used so...

regardless I want what is best for my sad little wallet most game companies are doing just fine at least compared to me when it comes to finances

[T2KFreeker]

There are factors to everything on this. I don't mind buying used copies of games, unless they are missing everything! The biggest problem I have with Game Stop is that 90% of their used stuff is usually disc only in a generic case. This also mostly lends itself to scratched to Hell discs as well. I have been criticized for my view o0n this, but I, like everyone else, loves a deal and if I can save money, I will. Last time I was in Game Stop, I was looking for Forza 2 and Quake 4. They had both games used, but not a box or instructions anywhere in sight. The clerk justified it to me by saying, "We usually don't get the case and instructions in because it is difficult for people to keep something in great shape when it's that old." Nothing against the clerk, but the fact that a game that came out, what, six years ago or less is old just really makes me wonder. Especially when said game is for a current generation system. I have always hated Game Stops used game policies. I have bought a game or two used from them though. I'd personally rather use gamers I know and trust.

[Trebuken]

Yeah, I e-mailed a response to EGM on the last two commetaries in this issue.

The author was clearly not a Gamestop regular. There have been so many complaints about Gamestop that I think he could have done better. The used game market did not start yesterday and the new game market has grown to previously unimagined levels. He really does not have a case. The reccession has likely hit many developers as well and it seems to be maginifying this perceived problem. It seems likely that digital distribution will eventually dominate and the devleopers will need to cry about something else. Most of the employees at these developement studios get paid well enough and have been for years.

[Oobgarm]

I buy new if it's a game I really want, like L.A. Noire or Child of Eden. I'll play those games enough to basically ensure that I'll get my money's worth out of them.

Though, with the online passes that are becoming prevalent, I've seen newer games going used for $44.99 or less. That's now I snagged both Mortal Kombat, Shift 2 and Portal 2: all used. I even got lucky on the online passes and DLC crap and came out with codes for each game that were unused. I have the powerup card, so I've got the extra discount, so buying used benefits me.

There are enough people out there buying the AAAAAAAA games new so the developer isn't hurting as bad as they say, especially not big studios like EA and Ubisoft. If the game is a small title that has garnered my interest, I have no issues buying new to show my support for the innovation or initiative to bring the title to market.

If only I could keep my impulse "need" in check, then I'd almost always buy used. I want Gears 3, Modern Warfare 3, and Skyrim, but I know that they'll be cheap not long after launch. But I want to play them ASAP. Maybe I'll try loading a backlog to occupy me till they're cheap.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I always buy used off E-bay. If the gaming industry was about to collapse financially, I'd start buying new. Last time I checked, they were doing just fine.

I know Sega is never making a console, but if they did, I think I would buy a bunch of new games for it just so they wouldn't collapse again. So I understand when a Sony or Microsoft loyalist wants to support their company by buying new.

[SpaceHarrier]

I buy games new if they are current-gen stuff stocked at retailers. However, unless it's a top-tier want for me (Mario Galaxy, Dissidia, etc.) then I usually wait for a sale or a "greatest hits" version. So I semi-support the industry, I guess.

[Robocop2]

Someone has to buy new games in order for people to buy used ones. If its something I must have at launch or I feel the need to support the developers in my own admittedly small way; I'll buy it new. If not I'll wait til either it goes on sale or til GS has one of their Buy two get one free sales.

[WCP]

I always buy used off E-bay. If the gaming industry was about to collapse financially, I'd start buying new. Last time I checked, they were doing just fine.


I pretty much agree with this take, but I would buy more off Craigslist locally. I've been buying my own video games since 1989, so, I've pretty much payed my dues in terms of buying brand new games with great regularity. I was one of those guys that would buy 2 brand new games a month (if not more) at full price, and never thought twice about it. Over all those years, I've spent literally thousands and thousands of dollars on this industry.

At a certain point, during this 360/PS3 generation, my backlog stack started piling so high that I decided to change my purchasing habits. I'm now the type of gamer that is basically 2 years behind everybody else. Right now, I'm playing games from 2008 and 2009, or even a couple from 2007. So many great games that I haven't yet seen the credits roll on. So, I'm willing to stay a few years behind everybody else, and the beautiful thing about that, is being able to buy amazing games for like $8 or $9 or $7, etc, etc.

I no longer buy used games, but it's not by choice. I recently built a gaming PC, and after spending a cool grand on that, I'm only playing my games on PC. In PC-land, it's pretty hard to buy used games. The DRM on every particular game is so confusing, that if you're buying it used, you're taking a HUGE risk that the game might not work on your PC at all, because it was linked to somebodies Steam account or whatever. The transfer of rights on PC games is so sketchy, that buying used games is like throwing your money in the wind, and hoping it blows back into your hand.

The other part of it, is that for my style of gaming (staying 2 or even 3 years behind the latest), I'm able to buy the PC versions of many games brand new, for the same price I'd be getting the 360 version on Craigslist. Sometimes even cheaper than I'd be getting the used version. I recently got Price of Persia (2008), brand new, factory sealed for $4 shipped. I got Red Faction Guerrilla for $5 and Just Cause 2 for $5 (Steam)

[retroman]

if its a new game i always buy new...i only by used on retro games that you cant get anymore.

[thegamezmaster]

I've bought used video games and consoles due to being fiscally challenged. Otherwise wait until the price drops so even if the game's a stinker, I'm not out $50 to $60. Yup, nothing like buying a brand new game, play it for a minute or so and saying, this game sucks. But with store policies, you open it, you bought it policy IMHO has hurt more than helped sales.

[swlovinist]

I buy 2-3 games a year new. Mostly budget titles, with a few day one releases for the games that I really want to play. I have been burned on so many purchases at full price, I buy used, and buy on clearance mostly.

The whole marketplace for games is changing. The $60/$40 game model does not work like it used to. Quite simply there are other options for gamers to play/check out games more than ever around this old model. I am speaking with my wallet.

I want to support the game industry, but the truth is most games are not worth the initial price tag. At my age I have literally seen every type of game genre and time again being rehashed, upscaled, rereleased, etc.

My habits have changed too. I used to hate download only games, but that has since gone to the wayside. If I can purchase a game directly from my couch at a cheaper price, that is what I am going to do.

[Compute]

I've been backlogged on gaming for so long, I can't see the benefit of buying new. I don't buy games that have been released recently. It's not that I wouldn't want to, I just don't get games in that window. I've finally picked up all of the games that I decided I wanted when I picked out my "next gen" wanted-lineup 5 years ago. And I still haven't played through all of those.

[Hep038]

I guess I just do not understand this warm fuzzy feeling people get supporting developers. Do people get this when they buy cars new? How about Guns? I see people get excited about how much money Nintendo makes selling Wii's, like Nintendo is going to send them so cash for supporting their product. And the EGM guy? The clerk should have punch him in the face, the next time he wants to whine about something I am sure he will take his complaint to the correct person...

[substantial_snake]

I buy my games either new or used based on the perceived amount of gametime I will get out of the product.

Shooters which I know my buds will pick up are usually release date purchases for me because I know I am going to get my moneys worth out of that game. Things like CoD, Battlefield, Killzone, etc. have sold me a new copy because I know I am going to spend hours and hours on that game and getting well over my money's worth in entertainment.

I usually don't buy Bethesta style RPG games on day one because of the various DLC packs which have become a part of gaming now. However with the "GOTY Edition" that has been fully patched and includes all the DLC get a day one purchase because the game then feels complete and I won't (shouldn't) have to deal with patching or losing DLC content when the servers eventually go down.

The only time I will spend money on a game which I may not get hundreds of hours of gameplay into are my very favorite series in gaming. I've been burned by buying 60 dollar games new far too often in this generation to continue doing so without getting a LOT out of each product I purchase.

If a developer isn't offering extensive online play, an expansive world to explore, or really solid replay value (not just F****** trophies/achievements) then I don't think that they are justified in asking 60 dollars for their product.