"End of used games would have severe consequences for gaming"

That is what analyst Mike Hickey of Janco Partners said to MCV.

"While publishers have traditionally frowned on used game sales, the thoughtless eradication of the used game market could have severe and unexpected consequences for the industry. We strongly believe used game sales drive new product sales and dampen piracy incentives."

But he also says this:

"We believe that the first sale doctrine currently protects used game retailers' customers rights to sell legally purchased software. We expect the decision will likely be appealed again, as the verdict has implications beyond gaming; movies, books, etc."

Thoughts?

I don't know, but this is the first time I'm agreeing with an analyst here.

I can't imagine any "severe consequences" that would come from ending used sales.

I can't imagine any "severe consequences" that would come from ending used sales.

Raymundo_Manuel

I can't imagine any "severe consequences" that would come from ending used sales.

Raymundo_Manuel

Also this would cause problems for renting games.

Take BFBC2 for example. If you rent the game you are limited online and miss out on all of the VIP content that is normally given free when you buy the game.

I've never really understood why used games are so controversial. So when people sell used toys, books, records, movies, computer parts, furniture, etc., it's no biggie, but with used games, it's an epic ****storm? What's so different about used games?

I can't imagine any "severe consequences" that would come from ending used sales.

Raymundo_Manuel

I'm only against used game retail like Gamestop. Person-to-person sale is fine with me, not that I do it.

I've never really understood why used games are so controversial. So when people sell used toys, books, records, movies, computer parts, furniture, etc., it's no biggie, but with used games, it's an epic ****storm? What's so different about used games?

Vaasman

Last I checked, PC gaming was still alive.

[QUOTE="Vaasman"]

I've never really understood why used games are so controversial. So when people sell used toys, books, records, movies, computer parts, furniture, etc., it's no biggie, but with used games, it's an epic ****storm? What's so different about used games?

VideoGameGuy

I don't understand the taboo of the used market, as it ranges from everything such as toasters to used cars. Understandably publishers/devs want more money, but it'll likely limit a lot of buyers from purchasing games at all (bargain hunters) or limit the amount of game sold within a short time frame (people will likely spend less in the short term, due to higher prices).

if they stopped pre-owned sales it would mean the end of retail games, gameshops keep themselves open with pre-owned sales,as they actually make very little off the first sale, and with digital distribution only accounting for 15% of games sales, if gameshops colllapse, the publisher will have no distribution outlet except digital download which isn't enough to keep every publisher afloat.delta3074

Retailers will just continue to sell new games.

if they stopped pre-owned sales it would mean the end of retail games, gameshops keep themselves open with pre-owned sales,as they actually make very little off the first sale, and with digital distribution only accounting for 15% of games sales, if gameshops colllapse, the publisher will have no distribution outlet except digital download which isn't enough to keep every publisher afloat.delta3074

Gamestop would not be happy but since i buy my games off amazon brand new i could care less.

Yes. And this is most likely where we're heading to next gen.

I have a feeling current gen consoles will be the last new systems i purchase. From then on ill probably go back and buy a Saturn, Japanese PS1/PS2 and stick to my PC. I just cant see MS/Sony/Nintendo selling games online for < $3, like steam.

This is what I think is going to happen....

Next generation, consoles are going to finally implement digital distribution on PSN and XBL. This alone will fuel publishers to push a new standard upon consoles which will likely be DRM or serial-key based. Why then? Because places like Gamestop currently hold a lot of clout over game sales and if they feel threatened they can choose what not to sell in their stores as a defensive manuever to make them think twice. Currently, publishers can't afford that to happen. With digital distribution making such a massive rise in PC gaming, the same is likely to happen with consoles so publishers would feel more comfortable using this method just in case Gamestop were to do this.

There will be no backlash as long as multiple big publishers take this step at near the sametime. Gamestop wouldn't be able to afford banishing so many games from their stores. Gamestop makes enough money off new gamesales, how do I know? Because places like Walmart and Best Buy don't sell games to lose money, they're obviously making profit if they keep games on their shelves.

If PC gaming can survive without used game sales, so can consoles.

I can't imagine any "severe consequences" that would come from ending used sales.

Raymundo_Manuel

[QUOTE="Raymundo_Manuel"]

I can't imagine any "severe consequences" that would come from ending used sales.

Santesyu

if there wasn't a such thing as used games and tomorrow it got wiped off the market completely that is when the GOLDEN era of Piracy will begin.Santesyu

And you know this how?

[QUOTE="Vaasman"]

I've never really understood why used games are so controversial. So when people sell used toys, books, records, movies, computer parts, furniture, etc., it's no biggie, but with used games, it's an epic ****storm? What's so different about used games?

VideoGameGuy

Last I checked, PC gaming was still alive.

Mystic-G

[QUOTE="Santesyu"]if there wasn't a such thing as used games and tomorrow it got wiped off the market completely that is when the GOLDEN era of Piracy will begin.Mograine

And you know this how?

[QUOTE="Mystic-G"]

Last I checked, PC gaming was still alive.

SakusEnvoy

I can't see it ever happening, but there might be a large fight over it in the years to come. And it could push DD more then pirating

Ohh no all the seventeen year old HS kids will have to find new job......SAVE DA GAMESTOP. Let it burn. I use Steam and i can' resell any of my old games, but im ok with that.

[QUOTE="Santesyu"]if there wasn't a such thing as used games and tomorrow it got wiped off the market completely that is when the GOLDEN era of Piracy will begin.Mograine

And you know this how?

[QUOTE="Mograine"]

[QUOTE="Santesyu"]if there wasn't a such thing as used games and tomorrow it got wiped off the market completely that is when the GOLDEN era of Piracy will begin.sayyy-gaa

And you know this how?

Just because a game is "new" doesn't mean it's going to cost $60 forever.

[QUOTE="sayyy-gaa"][QUOTE="Mograine"]

And you know this how?

Raymundo_Manuel

Just because a game is "new" doesn't mean it's going to cost $60 forever.

[QUOTE="Mograine"]

[QUOTE="Santesyu"]if there wasn't a such thing as used games and tomorrow it got wiped off the market completely that is when the GOLDEN era of Piracy will begin.sayyy-gaa

And you know this how?

Here's the thing. Publishers make zero dollars off used game sales. So guess how much they care if you can only afford to buy their game used?

Mystic-G

Apparently people thinks piracy will somehow prevent publishers and developers from delivering games, and they will magically stop developing new methods to fight piracy because second hand sales no longer exist :|

[QUOTE="sayyy-gaa"][QUOTE="Mograine"]

And you know this how?

Mystic-G

Take this example..... I really wasn't sure if I would like Shadow Of The Colossus even after the demo, so I got it used for £10. Now its one of the greatest games I've ever played and will be buying The Last Guardian & Team Ico collection new upon release. If it wasn't for the used game market I may never have bothered taking the plunge, now they've secured my future custom.tomarlyn

The exact same thing has been said for piracy. Yet, everyone likes to frown upon it. How does this work then?

I agree with what he says. With no used games, a lot of people will just stop buying them, or at least limit themselves to a lot less games overall, which will bring sales down big time.

Just look at the vast amounts of games that cost $60 + tax with very short sp campaigns and online multiplayer. Those that don't play a lot of online multiplayer will not want to pay that much money for one game that they can beat in a day or two. Even with re-play value it's still not worth that much money to those kinds of players.

Gamestop is part of the reason why games are $60

I agree with what he says. With no used games, a lot of people will just stop buying them, or at least limit themselves to a lot less games overall, which will bring sales down big time.

Just look at the vast amounts of games that cost $60 + tax with very short sp campaigns and online multiplayer. Those that don't play a lot of online multiplayer will not want to pay that much money for one game that they can beat in a day or two. Even with re-play value it's still not worth that much money to those kinds of players.

Bigboi500

Then those guys should start actually supporting companies that make single player centric games instead of buying them used, so that the companies wouldn't have to put focus on multiplayer to get at least past the break even point, don't you think?

[QUOTE="tomarlyn"]Take this example..... I really wasn't sure if I would like Shadow Of The Colossus even after the demo, so I got it used for £10. Now its one of the greatest games I've ever played and will be buying The Last Guardian & Team Ico collection new upon release. If it wasn't for the used game market I may never have bothered taking the plunge, now they've secured my future custom.Mograine

The exact same thing has been said for piracy. Yet, everyone likes to frown upon it. How does this work then?

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

I agree with what he says. With no used games, a lot of people will just stop buying them, or at least limit themselves to a lot less games overall, which will bring sales down big time.

Just look at the vast amounts of games that cost $60 + tax with very short sp campaigns and online multiplayer. Those that don't play a lot of online multiplayer will not want to pay that much money for one game that they can beat in a day or two. Even with re-play value it's still not worth that much money to those kinds of players.

Mograine

Then those guys should start actually supporting companies that make single player centric games instead of buying them used, so that the companies wouldn't have to put focus on multiplayer to get at least past the break even point, don't you think?

Besides, how do you know they'd use that extra money to make sp centric games? As greedy as some of them are, they'd probably just take their money and continue to pump out clones of generic, mp centric games because they know a bunch of not-so-well-informed consumers are gonna keep buying what's popular, even if they don't make great strides to add value with each new game.

[QUOTE="tomarlyn"]Take this example..... I really wasn't sure if I would like Shadow Of The Colossus even after the demo, so I got it used for £10. Now its one of the greatest games I've ever played and will be buying The Last Guardian & Team Ico collection new upon release. If it wasn't for the used game market I may never have bothered taking the plunge, now they've secured my future custom.Mograine

The exact same thing has been said for piracy. Yet, everyone likes to frown upon it. How does this work then?

[QUOTE="Mograine"]

[QUOTE="tomarlyn"]Take this example..... I really wasn't sure if I would like Shadow Of The Colossus even after the demo, so I got it used for £10. Now its one of the greatest games I've ever played and will be buying The Last Guardian & Team Ico collection new upon release. If it wasn't for the used game market I may never have bothered taking the plunge, now they've secured my future custom.Ontain

The exact same thing has been said for piracy. Yet, everyone likes to frown upon it. How does this work then?

sorry but piracy and buying used games are not at all related regardless of what devs and publishers would have you believe.Ontain

Both let you play a game, neither gives money to the gaming industry outside of the retailers.

I see plenty of relations when talking of effects on the industry.

The only news is good news, it just means retail prices will fall sooner than usual as people waiting for price drops tend to favour the second hand market...JohnF111

[QUOTE="Ontain"][QUOTE="Mograine"]

The exact same thing has been said for piracy. Yet, everyone likes to frown upon it. How does this work then?

Mystic-G

Digital download anyone?

Digital download anyone?

Cruxis27