Inversion Dev Defends Used Games, Supports Digital

A few days ago, a Volition designer said the used game market was in danger of crippling the industry.

But Sabre Interactive CEO Matthew Karch is saying that in reality, pre-owned games aren't a bad thing. In speaking to CVG, Karch addressed the rumor that the next Xbox might block used games. Said Karch:

"As long as games are distributed on physical medium as physical goods, players should have the right to buy and sell them."

He added that if a player doesn't like a game, it's "just not fair" that they'd have to keep it. He even used his studio's new game, Inversion, as an example- "If people buy Inversion and it's not for them, then why should they be forced to turn it into a drink coaster?" he said. Karch also supports digital distribution, saying the new $60 price tag for games could be cut in half if we switched from physical to digital. He said agetting a game to retail consists of $30 of "waste" expenses.

His solution? Have a game be broken down into two sections - single-player and multiplayer - and charge $15 for each or $30 for the pair. That could make things a whole lot cheaper but once again, we'd have to wave goodbye to physical media...and our libraries.

Tags: used games, preowned games, sabre interactive

2/9/2012 10:18:33 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (35 posts)

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Ichigo40
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 10:43:19 AM
Reply

I for one am not ready to get rid of my physical library. Dont get me wrong I have plenty of downloaded games on my PS3 but for some reason my games are like badge of honor for me. Each game has a story tied to it and as my library grows there is more to tell.

Plus its easier to introduce friends into different games with physical media...try telling them about castle crashers, joe danger, or outland it becomes a little bit trickier. I've been able to show my friends games that they wouldn't have ever played if I wasn't able to take a physical games to their homes.

1 up, 0 down

Looking Glass
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 10:43:37 AM
Reply

Is it just me or am I sensing just a teensy weensy bit of opportunistic pandering here?

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 10:52:45 AM

It's not just you.

1 up, 1 down

Highlander
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 3:52:25 PM

It isn't just you. And is it just me or would the suggestion that games get broken down into smaller sections that are sold separately so you have to buy several sections (especially the online portion) normally be met with howls of indignation and protest?

1 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Friday, February 10, 2012 @ 7:46:25 AM

EA has already tried dividing a game (Fight Night Champion) and selling the parts separately. I'd be interested to know the results.

I haven't yet, but I fully intend to purchase the Champion Mode portion of the game. Lack of HDD space has been the main reason I haven't gotten around to it. I'm still trying to clear enough space for DCUO.

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 10:46:02 AM
Reply

This isn't any different than the guy from Volition said, only the article has a different spin to make it sound like he is saying something different.

They both think used sales are a good thing, but they both make allusions to how a reform of how the used market is handled based on what games are worth used, and how a change in digital format could make a difference.

The tone is the only difference.

Both of them say used is good. Both of them say "if it was done this way, then".

Same sh!t, different language.

2 up, 1 down

slugga_status
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 12:47:45 PM

Exactly, he's saying the same thing..I just don't see how going digital would save consumers money on buying games. Same resources go into making the game and to me it sounds more like a monetary loss if anything..

1 up, 1 down

Underdog15
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 1:06:08 PM

Yeah, you're probably right. It might not be the best solution he's suggesting, but at least developers are trying to find something that works. And it's nice to hear a few say they aren't against used sales in and of themselves.

They're just looking for a little more equality in the market.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 2:21:41 PM

slugga_status,

<<<<I just don't see how going digital would save consumers money on buying games. Same resources go into making the game>>>>

I really don't like digital although I do own a few digital titles such as From Dust, but with digital games there's no added overhead expenses such as....
packaging
shipping
warehousing
extra utilities
extra employees
cases
cover art sleeves
paper manuals

So I think digital games should be about 1/2 the price of the psychical version.
But many developers and/or publishers haven't passed along those saving to the customers, so I just make sure I let my wallet do my speaking for me 95% of the time when I buy a digital game.

3 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Friday, February 10, 2012 @ 7:51:55 AM

Also, the publisher doesn't have to commit to a specific number of units in the production run, so there are never extra units (which have cost money to produce) sitting around needing to be sold *or* customers turned away because of insufficient supplies.

1 up, 0 down

Excelsior1
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 10:52:45 AM
Reply

I have seen little evidence that publishers would be willing charge less for games that are digitaly distributed. A good example of this is Motorstorm Apocolype. $59.99 on PSN and $29.99 NEW at amazon. Plus, I have seen it as low as $20 new at Target this past Christmas. Yet, there it sits on PSN overpriced because it's immune from natural market pressures games face when they occupy store shelves and retailers need to move stock.

9 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 1:10:41 PM

Yeah, it almost seems like some devs outright forget their game is on PSN.

On the other hand, there are games that are cheaper on PSN, and titles like Mass Effect 2 are the exact same.

1 up, 0 down

dmiitrie
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 2:13:54 PM

People always point out any game that's overpriced digitally, but the thing to remember is that, just like any other retailer, there will be some good deals and some bad deals.

1 up, 1 down

Highlander
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 3:53:21 PM

Except of course that Vita games sold via PSN will in fact be cheaper than the retail cousins, so your argument is holed below the waterline before it even leaves drydock.

0 up, 0 down

Excelsior1
Friday, February 10, 2012 @ 12:36:45 AM

It's nice that Vita games will be priced less than their retail counterparts BUT that is something we have yet to see in the console side of things. 9 times out 10 the digital release is more expensive than its retail cousin. Even Mass Effect 2 sat up their on PSN at full price months after retailers had heavily discounted it.

I would also point out those expensive Vita memory cards make digital games on the Vita a double edged sword.

1 up, 1 down

Highlander
Friday, February 10, 2012 @ 4:49:40 AM

Hmm... well, yes and no. Some of the games on PSN are sold as bundles, and are cheaper than at retail, especially during sale times, or via PS Plus.

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 10:54:03 AM
Reply

What a load of crap. Developers like this just want to take buying power away from consumers to benefit their own bottom line.

2 up, 2 down

Excelsior1
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 11:10:39 AM

That sums it up pretty good. The super nice publishers are going to pass along the savings to consumers out the kindness of their own hearts. Yeah right.

4 up, 1 down

Underdog15
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 1:11:41 PM

I agree in that digital only is not the way to go.

I disagree in that I believe the used market needs a few changes.

0 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 1:59:06 PM

Yea me too. That's why I think the Online Pass is a viable solution to developers losing money on used sales.

3 up, 4 down

AcHiLLiA
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 11:17:38 AM
Reply

Their is also time involved, downloading a big game would require alot of chunk of time if consumers don't have a fast internet connection. Then again in the future, maybe the ISP company's would drop down their prices to balance things out a little. Until then Physical media more for me.

Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 2/9/2012 11:21:41 AM

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 1:12:59 PM

Yeah, this is exactly why I believe digital distribution as a sole provision is so incredibly far away. It just wouldn't work until everyone has the same high-speed connectivity, and it assumes people can always be connected.

There isn't an internet service in the world that is 100% reliable.

3 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 11:30:36 AM
Reply

It does give an interesting picture about costs though. I am not surprised at all that half the price of a game goes to production, distribution and merchant profit.

Puts the current price level on most games on PSN into a wider perspective too. They are not exactly cheap.

Last edited by Beamboom on 2/9/2012 11:31:34 AM

2 up, 0 down

cthulhu_spawn
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 11:31:46 AM
Reply

as someone who never plays the online multi-player aspect of games, the idea of splitting the single and multi aspects of the game at reduced prices gives me a major woody thinking how vastly my collection could grow. I like most people who visit this site though really love the physicality of disc ownership and a shelf to show off and brag about all my treasures. And until worldwide web infrastructure improves vastly i still see it as an unlikely eventuality. Though the price drop would be awesome :-)

4 up, 0 down

UbiEaActisuck
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 11:32:43 AM
Reply

The day consoles block the use of used game is the day I will switch fully to PC gaming. Anymore interference by the publishers will result in more pirating of games. The consumer made the industry and can just as quickly destroy it if these jokers continue to artificially inflated game prices while providing less of an experience.

3 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 12:05:17 PM

Nobody's artificially inflating anything.

2 up, 4 down

Underdog15
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 1:15:32 PM

Maybe read the article. No one suggested buying used is a bad thing. If anything, all they want is a reform of the used game market. And in reality, the price of games is pretty cheap respectively speaking.

If anyone is artificially increasing prices, it's not the devs. It's the companies like Gamestop.

1 up, 1 down

UbiEaActisuck
Friday, February 10, 2012 @ 5:09:01 PM

I did read the article, but if you read the other article you will find that THQ supports Xbox blocking used game sale. Furthermore, most dlc and online passes do artificially inflate the value of a game sorry if you disagree, not to mention that PC games were $50 for a long time after console games prices were jacked up to $60.

0 up, 0 down

5TAY3R
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 1:51:01 PM
Reply

I will stop playing vdo games the day it will go 'all digital', and shame on those cheap retards who can pay gamestop 56 for an used copy, i mean comeonnn, 3bucks! Really? Are you really that cheap? This gen the used game market got soo big, publishers should make a deal with gamestop instead of abandoning physical midea

1 up, 0 down

Supagudg
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 3:31:13 PM

Many gamestop patrons are getting another 5 dollars off of the used price, due to their rewards program. Gamestop has simply found a viable way to sell something twice. Once someone has paid for a new copy, THAT'S IT! The only way a developer can hope to get more out of that copy is to buy or steal it back. Whoa! That's what GameStop does!

0 up, 0 down

Mamills
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 4:25:30 PM
Reply

could not agree more with this guy.

I agree totally with what he sais.
we should have the right to sell something we no longer want.

Gamestop found a loophole in the system and is making a profit out of it. they shouldnt stop what they're doing, the industry should adapt and change their plan for next time. (Which they are with online passes and digital distribution.)

if i buy a game and i dont like it and no longer want it, i should think i should be able to post it on ebay or sumthing, otherwise its gonna end up being thrown out totally. (Sorry Gamestop never gives enough money for used games, Cut out the middle man)

but if they go digital and there is no reselling then they better offer a demo of some sort and considerably cheaper. (Some digital games still dont have demos out there.)

and with the ppl out there fighting about digital versus disc.
face it digital is taking over, physical isn't going to go anywhere just yet so dont worry, but digital is very convenient and its the way things are going like it or love it, its going to happen and you are going to still buy it.
i myself love looking at a collection that i have but even i have to admit the digital convenience overrides quite a bit.

Last edited by Mamills on 2/9/2012 4:30:26 PM

2 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 4:26:45 PM
Reply

Stop with the $5 off used games at GameStop fallacy Bullsh!t, people!!!!!

As an avid collector with over 2,300 games so far(& majority from GameStop), you can bet your ass I'm always checking what prices GS are selling their used games at.

And most used games there sell for much less, around $25-$35 range after only a few months time.

Plus you can buy during their Buy 2-Get 1 free deals, and if you are a PUR member, you'll also get another 10% off each game too. And as a PUR Plus member, I also get extra Buy2-Get 1 coupons, plus more special email deals that other non-PUR+ gamers don't get.
I can also use my rewards points to lower the price of my games even more, or even get a few free, with $10 to $50 off coupons on my used games &/or accessories.

It's only a chosen few of the most current titles like the newest COD title that stay selling high for months.

So if you call yourself a savvy game shopper, you would never buy any of the few used game that sell at only $5 cheaper than a new one, especially nowadays with more & more online passes &/or with what developers like Id did with Rage, cutting out all of those sewer missions for "used" buyers.

BTW, I will never trade/sell anything in to GS, because I refuse be screwed.

You just need to think smart whenever you're dealing with GS.

Last edited by BikerSaint on 2/9/2012 4:31:03 PM

2 up, 0 down

___________
Friday, February 10, 2012 @ 2:05:32 AM
Reply

THATS WHAT IVE BEEN BEGGING FOR FOR YEARS!
its just stupid people paying 110 bucks for MP and SP and never touching one of those portions!
just a waste!
they would get allot more sales if they did this because not only would games be cheaper, but allot of people would buy games they otherwise would not because there not interested in them!
im not buying starhawk for instance because it only has a measly 4 hour campaign, if they offered a SP only version for half price id be front row centre!
why should i pay 100% of the price, for 20% of the game!?

Last edited by ___________ on 2/10/2012 2:05:54 AM

0 up, 0 down

SS4
Monday, February 13, 2012 @ 11:03:12 AM
Reply

I'd be interested in such an idea. I usually buy game when they are under 20 bux. Since i buy them so cheap i can get more so i can play lots of stuff until the newer games gets older and the price drops and get even more games to last me even longer lol.

Hes right, things like physical media, anti piracy... they all waste money on that and game could be so much cheaper. They could still offer physical media but ppl would have to pay more though.

0 up, 0 down

Gravelight
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 @ 5:49:13 PM
Reply

Sounds great, when does it start, lol?

0 up, 0 down

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