Game companies combating the used market. Your thoughts?

[mikejet]

So what do you think of companies that are trying to combat the resell market for video games? I understand their position as they lose revenue but at the same time some consumers prefer to save money and buy games used.

Exclusive DLC and other perks might just be the beginning. What if there were games where you could only finish the game if you purchase it new? I think this has been tried once before.

So what are your thoughts on the subject?

[Musashi]

The used market is vital for extending the shelf lives of older games. If I had the bucks I would buy more games new knowing it helps fund the industry, but for years I've been undercomped at what I do, and I've a list of games, movies, and other things on my to-get-eventually list currently weighing at about $12,000. There's also the simple fact that some ppl don't even know about many games until years after they come out.

If new copies were available long after release like they were with movies I'd be less bothered by a used market decline, but until then, we need it. I also doubt game companies will find the warehousing / disc pressing costs worthwhile to extend shelf lives.

[Steve]

Personally I think it's BS. What are they going to do? Start implementing codes or something like they use on computer software so that once it's installed/played on one console it can't be played on any other one?

[Blu-Benny]

i think they s/b happy they are getting the revenue for the game the 1st time!!

$60 in my opinion is high for a game.

they s/b happy people are pirating their machines and getting games for free!!

[MOONPHASE]

I'll say this 1st that my comment about the subject has nothing to do with where I work at the company I work for.

I think used games are quite important because sometimes companies don't make enough copies and then the game just becomes so hard to find. So with having used games in stores that helps more people able to buy it and enjoy it. Having used games can also help sell sequels to games so that when a new game for that series comes out more people can get excited about it. Plus even though I usually buy my games on release date but however games can be quite expensive when released because of how much it can cost to put out a game and not everyone can afford that especially in the way the economy is right now in America. Then there comes a time when stores don't get anymore copies of the game so then when it sells out then having a used copy will be able to get someone who missed it before it sold out a chance to play it. Besides when you have websites like Amazon and eBay that basically have lots and lots of used games how can they stop that?

I know when you trade in games you only get what the game is worth and not how much you like to get back but sometimes it does help to get rid of games you don't want anymore so you can buy another new game with that money you got back and then it becomes almost like a cycle.

[CdnBlu]

A friend of mine works at Best Buy here in Canada. Last week he spent $35 and got 6 used games. I would get a part time job working one day a week just for that type of discount

Some games are worth buying new (Collector's Editions, Steelbooks, etc.) but if it's something you can wait on, you will get a much better deal

[Propellarhead9]

Originally Posted by Steve

Personally I think it's BS. What are they going to do? Start implementing codes or something like they use on computer software so that once it's installed/played on one console it can't be played on any other one?

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see something like that implemented at somepoint but I think places like GameStop have enough economic pull nowadays to prevent something like that from happening.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Propellarhead9

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see something like that implemented at somepoint but I think places like GameStop have enough economic pull nowadays to prevent something like that from happening.

I hope it stays like that for a long, long, long time.

I also think that if they ever do implement such measures that we'll start seeing alot more piracy of games and people not paying for them at all.

[Groo The Perverted]

Originally Posted by mikejet

What if there were games where you could only finish the game if you purchase it new? I think this has been tried once before.

I can't imagine how this would even work.

[mikejet]

Originally Posted by Groo The Perverted

I can't imagine how this would even work.

Included code that unlocks DLC to allow you to beat the game. Only included with new purchases.

[Propellarhead9]

Originally Posted by Steve

I hope it stays like that for a long, long, long time.

I also think that if they ever do implement such measures that we'll start seeing alot more piracy of games and people not paying for them at all.

It most definitely would. It's already a problem without any ridiculous licensing things like that.

[quetzalcoatl]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

i think they s/b happy they are getting the revenue for the game the 1st time!!

$60 in my opinion is high for a game.

they s/b happy people are pirating their machines and getting games for free!!

In the day and age of MMOs $60 is nothing really for most of these game designers. Where I agree that $60 can seem abit high if you adverage it out it really is not. Say you get 20 hours out of the adverage game that works out to $3 an hour. Compare that to a movie in most big cities that cost $10 and are about 2 hours long. Even at only 12 hours of gameplay it is even to a movie. I think more of the shock comes in spending it all at once instead of going to 6 movies to spend the same amount.

[Secretagentnumber6]

I am okay with the current state of DLC to try to combat used sales. I mean if you buy Mass Effect 2 used, you will miss out on a couple of missions and a team member who really adds very little to the game in the end, other than being a really awesome team member.

If it comes down to not getting the whole game if bought used, like no ending, that would be where I draw the line. They have no right in that arena.

There is however the bad DLC. Madden is becoming notorious for this. Oblivion started it all with that frakking horse armor.

[STARSCREAM]

Seems like bs to me. I don't buy used but I have for the most part quit buying games on release day. I don't buy until months later when the price drops. I think $60 is too high for a game, especially nowadays where some of the single player stories are like 4 hours long!

[DetroitSportsFan]

I remember Nintendo raising hell in the 80s because video stores started renting NES games. It's not only the used market - the rental market also eats into profits.

But I have to believe most people have a problem spending $60 on a game that can be beaten in a number of days. IMO, very few games are worth the full $60 price tag. I normally only buy games on sale.

[un4gvn94538]

i buy new and used. i really dont think that any type of dlc just to finish a game will work. i beleive they will lose more money. if companies want to figure out how to make more money and have people buy new games, they have to make the games good. companies have reps. some people think they either make so so games, crappy games or great games. based on those reps., ive seen people run out and buy games without knowing a whole lot about it because the company previously produced good games. you know fallout new vegas is going to make a ton of money. obsidian made a point to let everyone know how much the game is going to stay the same.

the economy also plays a part. i dont think 60 bucks is too much for a good game. consider the rate of inflation and the cost of previous generations of games, 60 is about right. but nowadays, people are losing thier jobs. the cost of living does nothing but rise. people are having to pinch where ever they can. buying used is one way.

i dont know how many times i went from one console to another this gen ending up with both. i must have bought oblivion 3 times. just to sell it and buy the goty edition. i plan on selling my fallout 3 eventually and get the goty. im also a physical media *****. so i like my content on discs i did buy the dlc for fallout on LIVE but my point is that i spent plenty on bethesda's product because it was good. and i didnt mind. when people have doubts about a game, they will be more cautious and either wait till the price drops and/or buy used.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by Steve

Personally I think it's BS. What are they going to do? Start implementing codes or something like they use on computer software so that once it's installed/played on one console it can't be played on any other one?

Don't let that go past you. Sony was considering doing that with the PS3 (before the console launched).

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

Don't let that go past you. Sony was considering doing that with the PS3 (before the console launched).

I wouldn't be surprised if this was implemented in next-gen consoles.

But I wonder how they would get around people who own multiple consoles?

[SlaughterX]

Doesn't affect me unless a game goes OOP and you have no choice but to buy it new, as I never buy "new" used games. I do think it's bogus how EA tries to charge people $15 for stuff that already comes with the game. I accidently downloaded the Cerberus Network card because the code that came with my copy of the CE was for the collector's armor and suit and wasted 1200 points. ****ing EA.

[patzivota]

Pretty lame.. but not surprising. It's simply called greed.

I'd say they HELP sales. Not everyone can afford the price of games. Not every games has decent replay value, either.

Buying used games introduces these games to more people and it might lead them to buy the sequel (if exists) if they love it.... possibly new. Or purchase new games from the same developer.

EX: I bought Bioshock used and will be buying Bioshock 2 NEW because I like it so much and will definetly pre-order Bioshock 3 (2012). Prob. wouldn't have gotten into the series if I havn't gotten the used game.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it, complaining companies.