Do stores like Gamestop hurt game publishers/devs?

I was at gamestop the other day and noticed when a new game is released, that only a few days later the store will sell used copies for 5 bucks off.To be honest , I dont see this much as of a bargin and I would still be inclined buy the new copies.

How many people do you think will buy the used copy when the game is going to be selling the most on it release week? Is this an over all good thing for gaming community as a whole to offer cheaper prices? Or does it effect future developement resources for dev's?

Only time I will buy used games is when I have no other choice and its a game that been out for over a year and I cant get a new copy an where else(mostly JRPGS). I just get a strange icky feelings using used items, like some kind of bad JuJu is going rub off on me and make sure I never have kids.

Please discuss.

PS. Does anyone else besides me get the icky feeling from using preowned items? Be nice to know im not the only one.:?

We don't have Gamestop here in the UK but it sounds pretty bad. Sounds like they're making an easy buck as if they keep selling the same games they've already sold then they won't have to order more in.

In conclusion, I would say yes.

Yes.

As an (employee) I know that the $5 doesn't catch most people, although some fall for the trap if its in brilliant condition. What we say is that you get a 7 day warranty, so I suggest the used copy when the game is junk and the used copy is in great condition.

Playing used games doesn't bother me, especially if you own a PSP or a PS3....the Blu Ray coating protects the disc from wear and tear, and the UMD case does the same thing. The only icky feeling I get is an ethical one.

The markup on used games is absolutely insane. It ranges from 200% of the original price to over 400%. Everything item sold after we buy it in as used, after calculating the difference between buying the trade-ins and selling the used games is 100% profit. We don't share a dime with the publisher, the manufacturer, or the developer. Coincidentally, you, the purchaser, don't save a dime. (The employees don't exactly get a cut, we work for minimum wage)

So, yes. Gamestop is the devil and you should not shop there.

The ONLY good thing about the used games market is that it allows for circulation of titles that are no longer being manufactured, which is of course a HUGE plus.

I was at gamestop the other day and noticed when a new game is released, that only a few days later the store will sell used copies for 5 bucks off.To be honest , I dont see this much as of a bargin and I would still be inclined buy the new copies.

How many people do you think will buy the used copy when the game is going to be selling the most on it release week? Is this an over all good thing for gaming community as a whole to offer cheaper prices? Or does it effect future developement resources for dev's?

Only time I will buy used games is when I have no other choice and its a game that been out for over a year and I cant get a new copy an where else(mostly JRPGS). I just get a strange icky feelings using used items, like some kind of bad JuJu is going rub off on me and make sure I never have kids.

Please discuss.

PS. Does anyone else besides me get the icky feeling from using preowned items? Be nice to know im not the only one.:?

GabeBlack

No they don't kill the companies for what ever! Just because they get know money from them doesn't mean they will kill the company! I buy used all of the time,except for PC of course because you cant, and i never get a icky feeling!

[QUOTE="GabeBlack"]

I was at gamestop the other day and noticed when a new game is released, that only a few days later the store will sell used copies for 5 bucks off.To be honest , I dont see this much as of a bargin and I would still be inclined buy the new copies.

How many people do you think will buy the used copy when the game is going to be selling the most on it release week? Is this an over all good thing for gaming community as a whole to offer cheaper prices? Or does it effect future developement resources for dev's?

Only time I will buy used games is when I have no other choice and its a game that been out for over a year and I cant get a new copy an where else(mostly JRPGS). I just get a strange icky feelings using used items, like some kind of bad JuJu is going rub off on me and make sure I never have kids.

Please discuss.

PS. Does anyone else besides me get the icky feeling from using preowned items? Be nice to know im not the only one.:?

xmen1414

No they don't kill the companies for what ever! Just because they get know money from them doesn't mean they will kill the company! I buy used all of the time,except for PC of course because you cant, and i never get a icky feeling!

I would like to thank you for your input sir.

The only reason the publishers aren't smarting is because the industry is booming. Gamestop is taking in not only an immense amount of revenue, like the publishers, but they're also making a GARGANTUAN amount of profit.

You, the end user, are hurt by all this. Remember that. When you trade in games, you get shafted. When you buy used, you get shafted. Gamestop is taking it all in and their profit margins and growth rates SHOW IT.

I buy all my games at Gamestop.rockguy92

Stop, please.

[QUOTE="rockguy92"]I buy all my games at Gamestop.BobHipJames

Stop, please.

They're the only place that gets games right away.

[QUOTE="BobHipJames"]

[QUOTE="rockguy92"]I buy all my games at Gamestop.rockguy92

Stop, please.

They're the only place that gets games right away.

Buy new, not used.

[QUOTE="rockguy92"][QUOTE="BobHipJames"]

[QUOTE="rockguy92"]I buy all my games at Gamestop.BobHipJames

Stop, please.

They're the only place that gets games right away.

Buy new, not used.

I do.

[QUOTE="rockguy92"]I buy all my games at Gamestop.BobHipJames

Stop, please.

I would like to add that while have a bit of a problem with resale of new releases, that I do not have a problem with a company making a buck. I bought some Gamestop stock last year and made a nice little profit. One of the only stocks I made any major money in : (

But I do believe there should be a grace period in which they are not allowed to sell used copies of newly released games.

Only the people who trade in games get screwed at Gamestop. I don't see how buying a used game would screw me over. As long as it is in great condition I am happy. Also, it allows me time to play the game and return it if I don't like it.

I can remember a time I wanted to buy no more heroes. The girl at the store told me that got a used copy in and I bought that instead. I returned the game the same day as I hated it. If I bought it new then I would have been stuck with it. Plus I never get screwed when I trade in games. Recently I spent $55 on clearence games from different locations and trade them in for over $360 in credit. Tell me how I got screwed there?

[QUOTE="BobHipJames"]

[QUOTE="rockguy92"]I buy all my games at Gamestop.GabeBlack

Stop, please.

I would like to add that while have a bit of a problem with resale of new releases, that I do not have a problem with a company making a buck. I bought some Gamestop stock last year and made a nice little profit. One of the only stocks I made any major money in : (

But I do believe there should be a grace period in which they are not allowed to sell used copies of newly released games.

If someone buys a new release and doesn't like it then they are free to trade it in if they want to. It makes no difference to me as I just want the game and don't really care where the profits go as it is not going to me.

Only the people who trade in games get screwed at Gamestop. I don't see how buying a used game would screw me over. As long as it is in great condition I am happy. Also, it allows me time to play the game and return it if I don't like it.

I can remember a time I wanted to buy no more heroes. The girl at the store told me that got a used copy in and I bought that instead. I returned the game the same day as I hated it. If I bought it new then I would have been stuck with it. Plus I never get screwed when I trade in games. Recently I spent $55 on clearence games from different locations and trade them in for over $360 in credit. Tell me how I got screwed there?

kakkarott23

Now if you can get that kind of a deal off, I obviously suggest you do it, both for yourself and for the fact that Gamestop gets the shaft and the publishers dont see the difference (clearance prices only affect retail, as to trade-in values).

I suggest you get familiar with your nearest game rental location or Gamefly or something.

Buying used games hurts the publisher and the developer, which hurts end-user period. Put on your PR face. None of us should be buying used games unless that's the only way we can find a copy. Period.

Yes.

As an (employee) I know that the $5 doesn't catch most people, although some fall for the trap if its in brilliant condition. What we say is that you get a 7 day warranty, so I suggest the used copy when the game is junk and the used copy is in great condition.

Playing used games doesn't bother me, especially if you own a PSP or a PS3....the Blu Ray coating protects the disc from wear and tear, and the UMD case does the same thing. The only icky feeling I get is an ethical one.

The markup on used games is absolutely insane. It ranges from 200% of the original price to over 400%. Everything item sold after we buy it in as used, after calculating the difference between buying the trade-ins and selling the used games is 100% profit. We don't share a dime with the publisher, the manufacturer, or the developer. Coincidentally, you, the purchaser, don't save a dime. (The employees don't exactly get a cut, we work for minimum wage)

So, yes. Gamestop is the devil and you should not shop there.

The ONLY good thing about the used games market is that it allows for circulation of titles that are no longer being manufactured, which is of course a HUGE plus.

BobHipJames

Coincidental, not more then 15 minutes ago, I just pre-ordered Too Human (bonus armors )& Fable 2 ( bonus Pub games ) from GameStop.

I normally don't buy there but those two I want ASAP and I've found when pre-ordering from others, the game takes longer to get in my hands.

Also, I purchased my Wii there and was the only place I could find Zelda WW & RE4 Wii edition.

So I guess I'm saying, they can serve a purpose.

Hence why I never return my games. People who do this think its a great deal, when in actuality they are making double profit off you. I would rather have my game sit there for the rest of my life then go back to a retailer such as gamestop only for them to make double profit off me. I'm sorry but when you do turn in your games you are basically grabbing your ankles.

EDIT: I don't mind gamestop because they have what I need and sometimes you can find games that you normally can't find anywhere, so I mean there is a pro and con to everything. I for one know one thing though if I was to own a gamestop I would totally agree with what they do because they are making great money do it.

[QUOTE="BobHipJames"]

Yes.

As an (employee) I know that the $5 doesn't catch most people, although some fall for the trap if its in brilliant condition. What we say is that you get a 7 day warranty, so I suggest the used copy when the game is junk and the used copy is in great condition.

Playing used games doesn't bother me, especially if you own a PSP or a PS3....the Blu Ray coating protects the disc from wear and tear, and the UMD case does the same thing. The only icky feeling I get is an ethical one.

The markup on used games is absolutely insane. It ranges from 200% of the original price to over 400%. Everything item sold after we buy it in as used, after calculating the difference between buying the trade-ins and selling the used games is 100% profit. We don't share a dime with the publisher, the manufacturer, or the developer. Coincidentally, you, the purchaser, don't save a dime. (The employees don't exactly get a cut, we work for minimum wage)

So, yes. Gamestop is the devil and you should not shop there.

The ONLY good thing about the used games market is that it allows for circulation of titles that are no longer being manufactured, which is of course a HUGE plus.

desyple

Yes, you get more of a saving with the Edge card, but it costs $15 to begin with.

That means that you have to spend $150 on used items or on tradeins before the card pays for itself and you turn a profit.

I hate where I work because I get paid minimum wage. Obviously.

[QUOTE="desyple"][QUOTE="BobHipJames"]

Yes.

As an (employee) I know that the $5 doesn't catch most people, although some fall for the trap if its in brilliant condition. What we say is that you get a 7 day warranty, so I suggest the used copy when the game is junk and the used copy is in great condition.

Playing used games doesn't bother me, especially if you own a PSP or a PS3....the Blu Ray coating protects the disc from wear and tear, and the UMD case does the same thing. The only icky feeling I get is an ethical one.

The markup on used games is absolutely insane. It ranges from 200% of the original price to over 400%. Everything item sold after we buy it in as used, after calculating the difference between buying the trade-ins and selling the used games is 100% profit. We don't share a dime with the publisher, the manufacturer, or the developer. Coincidentally, you, the purchaser, don't save a dime. (The employees don't exactly get a cut, we work for minimum wage)

So, yes. Gamestop is the devil and you should not shop there.

The ONLY good thing about the used games market is that it allows for circulation of titles that are no longer being manufactured, which is of course a HUGE plus.

BobHipJames

Yes, you get more of a saving with the Edge card, but it costs $15 to begin with.

That means that you have to spend $150 on used items or on tradeins before the card pays for itself and you turn a profit.

I hate where I work because I get paid minimum wage. Obviously.

I hate the fact you get paid minimum wage. How long have you being working there?

Yes.

As an (employee) I know that the $5 doesn't catch most people, although some fall for the trap if its in brilliant condition. What we say is that you get a 7 day warranty, so I suggest the used copy when the game is junk and the used copy is in great condition.

Playing used games doesn't bother me, especially if you own a PSP or a PS3....the Blu Ray coating protects the disc from wear and tear, and the UMD case does the same thing. The only icky feeling I get is an ethical one.

The markup on used games is absolutely insane. It ranges from 200% of the original price to over 400%. Everything item sold after we buy it in as used, after calculating the difference between buying the trade-ins and selling the used games is 100% profit. We don't share a dime with the publisher, the manufacturer, or the developer. Coincidentally, you, the purchaser, don't save a dime. (The employees don't exactly get a cut, we work for minimum wage)

So, yes. Gamestop is the devil and you should not shop there.

The ONLY good thing about the used games market is that it allows for circulation of titles that are no longer being manufactured, which is of course a HUGE plus.

BobHipJames

While I agree with most of what you are saying, I know music companies have tried in the past to crack down on stores that sell used tapes/cds claiming it hurt them. I'm not sure I buy it with music or games. Sure, I think the people stupid enough to pay the $5 off used price, are potentially hurting the companies because they clearly want the game enough to pay such a ridiculous price for a used game. But you said yourself, there aren't too many of these people.

I think most used games sales are when the game is noticeably cheaper, older, or on clearance. And unless companies can prove that people would pay full price for the game if it wasn't available used, then they can't really claim they are being hurt. I'll admit to downloading a JT track or two...but if the only option was buying the cd, there is no way I would do it. So I don't see how I'm hurting the company by downloading a track. Eithey way, they won't get my money so there is no benefit to them.

I look at used game sales that way also. I've bought a few games used because I needed something to play and nothing really interested me. So why not pick up a couple cheap used games that will kill some time and then I'll probably never look at again when something I want comes out. If my only option was new or nothing...then on those days I would just leave and buy a movie, or some lunch or something.

[QUOTE="BobHipJames"][QUOTE="rockguy92"][QUOTE="BobHipJames"]

[QUOTE="rockguy92"]I buy all my games at Gamestop.rockguy92

Stop, please.

They're the only place that gets games right away.

Buy new, not used.

I do.

Stop lying! We know that you don't!

[QUOTE="rockguy92"][QUOTE="BobHipJames"][QUOTE="rockguy92"][QUOTE="BobHipJames"]

[QUOTE="rockguy92"]I buy all my games at Gamestop.Krigon

Stop, please.

They're the only place that gets games right away.

Buy new, not used.

I do.

Stop lying! We know that you don't!

Huh? What are you talking about?

[QUOTE="xmen1414"][QUOTE="GabeBlack"]

I was at gamestop the other day and noticed when a new game is released, that only a few days later the store will sell used copies for 5 bucks off.To be honest , I dont see this much as of a bargin and I would still be inclined buy the new copies.

How many people do you think will buy the used copy when the game is going to be selling the most on it release week? Is this an over all good thing for gaming community as a whole to offer cheaper prices? Or does it effect future developement resources for dev's?

Only time I will buy used games is when I have no other choice and its a game that been out for over a year and I cant get a new copy an where else(mostly JRPGS). I just get a strange icky feelings using used items, like some kind of bad JuJu is going rub off on me and make sure I never have kids.

Please discuss.

PS. Does anyone else besides me get the icky feeling from using preowned items? Be nice to know im not the only one.:?

GabeBlack

No they don't kill the companies for what ever! Just because they get know money from them doesn't mean they will kill the company! I buy used all of the time,except for PC of course because you cant, and i never get a icky feeling!

I would like to thank you for your input sir.

Your Welcom, i think.... well my post above has alot of wrong words in it! Sorry about that i just wasn't paying attention!

Yup i buy all my games a EB!!(I have a bad PC and a xbox/ps2 so i buy all of thoes cheap used $5 games for them and if i find an older game for the PC i either buy it there for bestbuy!)

Yes, stores like EBgames and GameStop hurt developers, by encouraging the casual sale & resale of games. However, consumers also have a right to give away or sell their games. What we're dealing with is consumer rights vs publisher rights. It's important to seperate *developers* in all of this, because it's a far more complex issue than simply saying "GameStop is evil".

The only reason the publishers aren't smarting is because the industry is booming. Gamestop is taking in not only an immense amount of revenue, like the publishers, but they're also making a GARGANTUAN amount of profit.

You, the end user, are hurt by all this. Remember that. When you trade in games, you get shafted. When you buy used, you get shafted. Gamestop is taking it all in and their profit margins and growth rates SHOW IT.

BobHipJames

As opposed to publishers making huge amounts of money? Small publishers and developers go out of business because people weren't buying their games in the first place, not because of the used game market. The huge sums of money are coming from the re-circulation of big name titles - Madden, Halo, Mario, etc.

Your theory is that anyone who is making money is inheriently evil - profit is the devil, right? Well news flash - publishers aren't developers - they're the guys stamping the disc out, and making profit on it. This anti-business hoo-ey is nonsense. People shouldn't shop at EB / GS for used games, because 95% of the time there is a better deal to be found online or on craigslist or whatnot - not because "profit is the devil".

-

The reality is it's all going to become moot anyway - the future is digital, and when resale becomes a non-issue in the next decade or two GS / EB will have to change their market. Of course, the big publishers will have to as well - as in a digital marketplace the developers have access to the audience without having to deal with publishers to as large a degree.

It depends on the game, and it depends on the condition.

I walked into an EBgames and a copy of Ninja Gaiden II had just been traded in all of three days after it was released, the game was in great shape and the disc was in great shape,

with the edge discount it was about 11 bucks cheapers pre-tax to the new copy, and the only real difference was the new copy had wrap on it the used did not.

Does it hurt the publisher or developer that I didn't buy it new? meh.

I am greatly of the opinion that I would NEVER trade a game in at EB/Gamestop or whatever simply because its generally a huge rip off, although consumers should have the rights to sell their goods.

Yes, I believe they do. Take it from a guy who (unfortunately) works there. GameStop's business practices, especially concerning their trade in and used game policies are incredibly shady and selling a used game does indeed deprive a developer of that game's sales while GameStop rakes in more than double what they paid for it in some cases (selling a used game for 55 bucks when it was traded in for 20).

Now it's not like some developers are going to be seriously hurting from a few used game sales but the smaller independent developers could see a massive loss in profit. Because of this, there are only a few circumstances in which I'll buy a game used for example, if the game is no longer readily available new.

I don't enjoy supporting a company like GameStop after seeing what I've seen. Working there has really pulled the wool away from my eyes.

imho the second hand market is a completly different thing from, say, piracy.

if i buy a chair...i should be free to sell that on..or give it away. sure the chair manufacturer mises out but...well....tough. thats my property and im free to do what i want with it. same with my consoles or my PC.

when i buy a game, i buy the case, disc, manual and a licence to use it. if i want to sell those on then i should be perfectly entitled to do so...whether it be to a mate..someone on the street or gamestop or whoever. just because its software changes nothing.

when it comes to piracy, i can see how the industry is frustrated by having their produts stolen and anyone who pirates stuff should be treated as thieves and criminals.

but when it comes to the second hand market? tough snot games industry..suck it up. every other industry, cars, movies, couches, PCs, electricals etc....they all have second hand markets and yet they do very nicely from themselves (and the PC industry is certainly not short of a few bob). ppl are entiteled to sell or give away their property.

i heard of a law passed in parts of the US prohibiting the private sale of disc based media (movies, games, music and so on). that imho is absolutely appauling and i hope the law is overturned very quickly. i then hope that those who pressured the authorities for it get a kick square in the nuts.