Game Industry Still Fighting Used Game Sales

[The 1 2 P]

It's the same old song and dance: when you rent or buy a used copy of a game, the developers of said game aren't making a dime off of it. So naturally they want you to buy it new and they are still coming up with new ways to make you do so: http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/ne...ays-epic/?biz=

As for me personally, I rarely ever buy used games for 3 reasons. First, very seldom do you find used copies in good condition, especially at Gamestop. Second, Gamestop owns about 95% of the video game market here in Maryland and I refuse to buy from there unless it's something really rare and very cheap. And third, I like getting a new copy because: either I'm the first to open and play it or I'll save it and sell it(still sealed)for a premium if I never get around to playing it.

My suggestions to the game industry would be, first try to get those retail prices down. I know all about inflation but since we are seeing so many in-game ads recently, how come the prices haven't lowered? Also they should try to keep their games fresh with new downloadable content every 2-4 months. Finally, make a really good online component. From my experience people spend way more time playing the online portions of their games than they do the single player portions.

Ok guys, nows your time to weigh in.

[chicnstu]

My suggestions to the game industry would be, first try to get those retail prices down. I know all about inflation but since we are seeing so many in-game ads recently, how come the prices haven't lowered? Also they should try to keep their games fresh with new downloadable content every 2-4 months. Finally, make a really good online component. From my experience people spend way more time playing the online portions of their games than they do the single player portions.

Ok guys, nows your time to weigh in.

I don't play games online very often, I just don't enjoy it. So I would be disappointed if most companies spent more time on the online part of games, that means less time on single player (Example: COD4 and GoW single player was so short).

But I play RPGs, adventure games, third-person action, etc so maybe it wouldn't affect me much. And most people that are into FPS are probably as or more into online play.

[j_factor]

All but the most popular games are out of production in under two years. If I want to get a game that's not on the shelves anymore, I should just be SOL?

This is the stupidest thing ever. For all their ridiculous statements, I've never heard the RIAA say anything attacking used CD sales. I don't see the MPAA urging people not to buy used DVDs. I've never heard of a book publisher referring to used book stores as "defrauding" their industry.

These game industry people are full of crap.

[TonyTheTiger]

I think that all the fire and brimstone people try to rain down usually ends up going nowhere. Amazon.com, with their used book sales, is the bane to traditional publishers yet you don't see Random House closing its doors or Stephen King jumping off a bridge. So, my take? They can bitch and yell all they want but the status quo probably won't change too much.

[heybtbm]

Ok guys, nows your time to weigh in.

Part of the reason I buy new games is the knowledge that if I don't want the game anymore, I can sell it and reclaim some of the money I paid. If games weren't able to be resold (ex: downloadable type stuff), I simply wouldn't buy as much. I'd only buy A-list titles that I was certain I'd like. I'd rarely take a chance on something for $59.99, if I knew I was going to be stuck with it.

I'm certainly not the only one who would react this way, and the game industry knows this. I don't think things are going to change anytime soon. IMO, the best way to combat used sales is with incentives that are only available to people who buy the game new. Some companies have already caught on. Gears of War 2 has those exclusive multiplayer maps included in the first wave of new copies (for instance).

[tom]

It's the same old song and dance: when you rent or buy a used copy of a game, the developers of said game aren't making a dime off of it.
Ok guys, nows your time to weigh in.

Well, they are liars, as for that said game, the royalties have been paid. Goes like this: One new game, sold, one royalty paid, he would not get royalties for that game again, so it's perfectly legal to sell the game second-hand. If the game sells 10.000, he gets royalties for 10.000 sold games, if those 10.000 games are now sold second-hand, he cannot claim payment again.

[walrusmonger]

Well, they are liars, as for that said game, the royalties have been paid. Goes like this: One new game, sold, one royalty paid, he would not get royalties for that game again, so it's perfectly legal to sell the game second-hand. If the game sells 10.000, he gets royalties for 10.000 sold games, if those 10.000 games are now sold second-hand, he cannot claim payment again.

Yes, but those 10k games that were sold second hand could have been sold new so they got paid for selling 20k instead of selling 10k once and having another store make the money on the next sale.

I kind of agree with them, but it would bring the end of game stores as we know it. If gamestop couldn't offer rape prices only to resell for $5 to $10 less, they would lose money, close stores, buy less, and the publishers would then make even less money.

So used games are lose/lose to the publishers.

[gepeto]

If the companies offered used games to the die hards they could take a huge chunk. For me to buy new everytime is just to expensive. I look at it like a new car the miniute it is off the lot the price goes down substantially. I have found mint used games at a bunch of stores.

I Do like supporting the developer but the buy 2 used get one free or the 20 percent off plus edge is a sweet deal. Where else are you going to get gears 2 fable 2 and deep space for 110.00. I just wish there was a developers club where we could joing and get new ones for 10 bucks off. Believe it or not Ea use to let you call in and if you preordered madden or triple play it was 39.99.

I think they could do more than go after the collector with the limited edition. Cater to the frugal and tha ones that buy.

[c0ldb33r]

I usually only buy used games.

I'll buy them EB Games after they've been out for a long time and they've gone clearance, or will buy them secondhand from an actual person. Either way I'll save an enormous amount of money.

And for the game developers.... guess what? That person I just $20.00 for that used game, will now use my $20.00 along with $20.00 of their own to purchase a new game.

The game developers will be fine.

[s1lence]

Sounds like the rich bitching about not being richer. When Cliffy B is stuck driving around in a 1988 Honda Accord....then I will worry.

I buy new and used, probably more new then used. Especially with the 360 games played list, having to stay in the top 20 makes it that I need to buy new. Also all the LEs I buy are new as well. Then again I buy used copies of games from other countries too. The fact is that if a game sucks, I'm not going to pay full price for it. Or if I hate the maker of a game (Fable II ) I will not buy it until its used.

They can piss and moan all they want, but there is a large industry that has been created around used games. Consumers decide and it seems like the masses buy used games.

[AlphaGamer]

............................

[DigitalSpace]

/me still says "meh," continues browsing porn

(and buying mostly used games)

[Sabz5150]

The used piles at the GeStapo are quite often a good measure as to the quality of a title. Resale price combined with the number of copies on the shelf are a good way of telling if a title is worth your paper presidents. The dozen copies of Unlimited SaGa at 4 bucks apiece tell me this game is destined for the shitpile while the one copy of Digital Devil Saga that comes across once every blue moon for 50 bucks means I'm in for a treat.

The market speaks... and it says if you wanna make money, make decent games.

[swlovinist]

I usually only buy used games.

I'll buy them EB Games after they've been out for a long time and they've gone clearance, or will buy them secondhand from an actual person. Either way I'll save an enormous amount of money.

And for the game developers.... guess what? That person I just $20.00 for that used game, will now use my $20.00 along with $20.00 of their own to purchase a new game.

The game developers will be fine.

exactly. I too buy almost all used, and am usually only buy a few A+ titles a year along with some portable/budget titles new. Instead of fighting the used game market, the game industry needs to focus on making solid, affordable gaming that is original. Also with a Gamestop, Pawn, Used game store on every block selling last weeks big hot game for $5 to $10 less, why wouldn't anyone want to by used?

[Nature Boy]

I'm willing to bet what *really* irks the publishers about the Gamestops of the world is that those retailers PUSH the used stuff over the new stuff constantly. When haven't you been told there's a used copy of the game you want for $5-$10 less?

I see what they did with CivRev happening more often. I bought the game at BestBuy after reading I'd get free downloadable content. Not that I'd *ever*
part with my copy, but if I did the next owner wouldn't get that content. Not unless they spent the $5 as digital download material, which at least gives the publisher *some* money from that used sale.

I'm curious about what it'll all mean, but I won't be worried about anything.

[skaar]

Hey, used sales totally cut into a new game's sales figures - there's no denying that.

The slimmer margins available to retailers on games, the NO margins available on consoles, the popularity of video games in general... add those up and you're going to end up with a business trying to make money SOMEWHERE.

And unfortunately, the business that makes sense is buying and reselling used games. Hell, Future Shop (a chain similar to Best Buy here in Canada that actually got BOUGHT by Best Buy) has just launched a tradein program.

All of your arguments for why you buy used games that I have seen support exactly what the problem is - people aren't buying the A list titles at launch which is when the companies can actually make a profit to PAY for that expensive title. It's not a question of originality or making a better game, it's a matter of breaking even or losing money on a game.

This is why the smaller publishers are getting eaten by the big boys - they can afford to launch 20 titles, lose money on 10, break even on 4 and profit on 6. The little guys can't DO that anymore.

Now I'm horrible at this myself... I buy at a discount when the game has been out for awhile. I'll shell out for a big title's collector edition once in awhile, that's about it.

The used game business IS killing the industry. That`s why the XBLA and PSN and Wii downloads will be the only spot smaller publishers have a chance - and can at least know that their sales numbers are paying THEM.

[SpaceHarrier]

I don't buy used games very often.

I do buy a decent amount of heavily discounted/clearanced/Greatest Hits games though. So I guess that probably isn't helping them out too much either.

Imminent collapse is imminent

[scooterb23]

I'll buy new games. As long as they are under $20. Actually, my game buying has gotten down to nearly zero thanks to Gamefly.

[retroman]

yep your right EB and gamestop do run everything here in MD. Except for PowerGamer. Love that store. Im a Ellicott City native myself. Not to far away.

[sisko]

If this is how they feel; not one of those developers should have ever bought anything from a used car lot, thrift store, yard sale or otherwise.

I sense a bit of hypocracy.