David Braben: Used Game Market At Fault For High Prices
David BrabenSome hardcore gamers aren't too happy with the explosion of multiplayer and the fact that single-player adventures seem to be taking a back seat. On top of which, players often complain about the cost of games.
And Frontier Developments founder David Braben says if you feel games are too pricey, and you feel single-player popularity is on the decline, blame the used game market. In a lengthy Gamasutra interview, Braben said he won't buy a pre-owned game "on principle" and in fact, the used game market is "killing the core games."
"The real problem when you think about it brutally, if you look at just core gamer games, pre-owned has really killed core games. In some cases, it’s killed them dead. I know publishers who have stopped games in development because most shops won’t reorder stock after initial release, because they rely on the churn from the resales. I won’t buy a pre-owned game out of principle."
For years, publishers and developers have been complaining about used games, as they only result in more profit for retailers, but not another dime for the companies that actually produced the title. Furthermore, Braben added that day-one sales are no longer an automatic indicator of success, and this goes double for single-player-oriented games.
"But it’s killing single player games in particular, because they will get pre-owned, and it means your day one sales are it, making them super high risk. I mean, the idea of a game selling out used to be a good thing, but nowadays, those people who buy it on day one may well finish it and return it.
People will say ‘Oh well, I paid all this money and it’s mine to do with as I will’, but the problem is that’s what’s keeping the retail price up — prices would have come down long ago if the industry was getting a share of the resells."
Strong statements. What do you think?
Tags: used games, preowened games, david braben, gaming industry
3/19/2012 12:02:24 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (80 posts)
Highlander
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 12:16:57 PM
2 up, 5 down
Oyashiro
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 12:25:43 PM
Do...Do their lives depend on them now? I'm not up to date on GameStops employee policies.
0 up, 5 down
Highlander
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 12:28:54 PM
1 up, 3 down
Underdog15
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 12:28:56 PM
At least that's what I get on my screen when I scroll through the comments sections of these types of topics. Nothing so far, though.
Anyone else get it? I'm using Mozilla Firefox.
Last edited by Underdog15 on 3/19/2012 12:31:06 PM
5 up, 1 down
Palpatations911
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 2:19:05 PM
0 up, 1 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 @ 9:53:09 AM
Perhaps I wasn't clear enough? You all realize I'm agreeing with Highlander and Oyashiro, right?
0 up, 1 down
Highlander
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 12:16:29 PM
Reply
One thing to add though. i wish we were hearing Braben's name in conjunction with a new Elite game instead of this. As important as this topic is, I want that new version of Elite.
2 up, 3 down
Temjin001
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 12:37:37 PM
Reply
Over the last week, or so, the next-gen has really turned into a downer for myself. The next-gen I invisioned. This technological arms race in making bigger more realistic looking games is killing off niche games. While I have yet to read a NG3 review not written by a biased idiot, I have little doubt the dumbing down and whoring out to blood lovers has something to do with trying to stay profitable. So while we can be all upset about the re-sale market, I think it's wise to consider, under the budget limits of the last gen, a wide variety of high profile niche games appeared to survive just fine even with Gamestop's skimming money off the top to sustain their own market that, in turn, does create much more accesibility and visibility of gaming in the market place.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 3/19/2012 12:38:06 PM
5 up, 2 down
Highlander
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 1:25:26 PM
3 up, 5 down
Temjin001
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 1:27:21 PM
CVG and IGN should both be ashamed.
And what's with UK OXM using a screenshot with a massive screen tear slicing through it... lol
0 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 2:11:32 PM
These are the kinds of questions I ask myself concerning this matter before I'll form any hard opinions.
Personally, I like having the option, used or new, based on my terms; freely chosing how I engage this free market. Trading, lending or selling as I see fit. I know many who do it, and I know many who don't do it through Gamestop. And I'd like that not to change.
7 up, 0 down
Havoc
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 6:10:18 PM
It seems laughable to suggest that the industry (which has games on phones that look better than last gen games) should keep thier console tech old just to do what let more games be made each year. Cause last year had so many incredible pretty games it was hard to keep up with them all.
Keepem coming prettier and prettier I say.
Tried to reply to your comment above I dont know how I got on this one.lol
Last edited by Havoc on 3/19/2012 6:13:27 PM
1 up, 0 down
Temjin001
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 8:27:12 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 @ 9:39:38 AM
0 up, 0 down
frostface
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 1:27:32 PM
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Instead of moaning about the used game market, make some bloody games people will want to keep. I'm not saying that people don't also trade in good games but they're a hell of a lot more likely to keep it and support the developers if they don't feel like they're being shafted 50/60quid.
9 up, 0 down
Rogueagent01
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 1:29:23 PM
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The Mom and Pop store I use all the time offers coupons for 5 to 10 dollars off of new copies of games, and they sell like hotcakes. I really don't see the used market as an issue, since the devs/ publishers have in my eyes backed themselves into a corner. Just look at the Shivering Isles Expansion on the PSN it is still 30 dollars, and it has been out for how many years? No wonder people will buy the used physical copy from Gamestop, hell I DID. And really as time goes buy I feel less and less sympathy for these publishers, as they don't want to change with the times, they just expect used game stores to shut their doors or the goverment to step in and make used copies illegal, rather then find a work around in which they can both survive and make money.
Trust me, I know some of you will hate my post/thoughts on the subject but it is my opinion. The used game market has been here since day one and now we have a multi-billion dollar industry, it is not the used game markets fault that these devs have forgot how to make a good game with a smaller budget in which they could then maximise their profit.
11 up, 0 down
Helghast
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 1:30:26 PM
Reply
Last edited by Helghast on 3/19/2012 1:34:46 PM
7 up, 1 down
wackazoa
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 2:39:28 PM
2 up, 1 down
Palpatations911
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 2:03:40 PM
Reply
7 up, 5 down
___________
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 @ 4:57:02 AM
god, i cant believe how selfish people have become these days!
0 up, 1 down
CrusaderForever
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 2:09:24 PM
Reply
Last edited by CrusaderForever on 3/19/2012 2:10:30 PM
0 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 2:35:43 PM
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Game prices are actually very good considering what goes into them, and furthermore the loss of core games is actually due to the popularity of the faster and dumber mentality currently trending.
7 up, 1 down
wackazoa
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 2:41:11 PM
0 up, 2 down
coverton341
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 3:47:30 PM
I can however see how used games keep prices high. I think the real decline of the single player games has been the desire of developers and publishers to fall lock-step in line with COD and other franchises that have fared extremely well on their multiplayer offerings.
1 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 4:55:36 PM
0 up, 1 down
wackazoa
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 2:36:20 PM
Reply
2 up, 2 down
Underdog15
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 3:07:13 PM
2 up, 0 down
wackazoa
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 @ 9:56:45 AM
0 up, 0 down
Norrin Radd
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 2:40:37 PM
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Perhaps if the publishers offered a buy back program and the selling of refurbished copies for less than new, they could eliminate the third party "used" game market altogether. Just a thought off the top of my head, so sorry if it seems crazy. I'm not a fan of $60 games (although I recognize the bargain in that price compared to when I started home gaming on my PONG - I am not kidding) - that's a LOT of dough. Believe me - if they cost $40 or even $50 a shot, they'd be much easier to justify in a family's monthly budget. As it is, I buy fewer games each year. WIth 3 young kids, that means every LEGO release and few others for dad (thank you, Rocksteady, for giving me some games that last for months!!!).
In any event, I wonder if digital copies are the answer. Are they easier to pirate and use than hard copies? If no - then maybe they ARE the answer. All I know is I've been gaming a long time and the games now are more engaging and fun than they ever have been. I have been LOST in Batman AA & AC for the last couple of weeks and will be for weeks more to come. I love the games this gen - Uncharted? Awesome. Dead Space? Smokin'! You get the idea. I want to have happen whatever it takes to propel the industry forward with excellent games. If that means killing the used market - in whatever means necessary - is required, then do it!
3 up, 0 down
wackazoa
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 2:52:14 PM
How about making sequels to game DLC instead of a new disc. That way the game could continue as you had played it, or expand that world. Not have to recreate the feeling you had playing through the first.
1 up, 0 down
Squirrelicus
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 2:53:25 PM
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Honestly I don't know how Gamestop stays in business. There are three right next to each other over here. One in the mall, one across the street from the mall and one in the strip mall next to bestbuy that shares a parking lot with the mall. But I suppose when you charge $54 for a game you paid $5 for you can afford to open a store every thirty feet.
1 up, 2 down
BikerSaint
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 3:47:54 PM
As a hardcore gaming collector, I seriously doubt you'll ever frequent as many GameStops, or as often, as much as I do, so believe me when I tell you this......
So please....stop spreading that $54 vs $59 because for the most part, it's mostly misleadingly false, & utter bullshite.
Only most of the COD's stay at $54 for any length of time.
Almost every other USED game quickly drops to around the $35 range within just a few months time, and you get another 10% off if you get gameStop's own PowerUpRewards(PUR) card.
Examples....(yesterday's actual prices)
Catherine now $34.99 (PUR price $31)
Shadow of the damned now $24.99 (PUR price $22)
Plus, PUR card holders can also D/L money off coupons from their rewards card points that they've accumulated.
Example.....And just yesterday, I used my PUR card to get 10% off L.A. Noire, plus a $20.00 off PUR coupon too, making my L.A. Noire purchase only $4.80. And that price included the tax too.
BTW, I actually wanted to buy L.A. Noire new but being out of work without the needed funds, plus factoring in that I just recently spend over $400 for my G3 Vita & it's games, & another $40 for Red Dead Redemption:GOTY brand new at Amazon, I really had no choice, otherwise I wouldn't be play L.A.Noire at all for quite a long, long while.
PS: And what if Gamestop is on almost every 5 blocks???
There's 5 GS's localized in a 10 mile radius around me, so that just leaves me 5-times more chances of finding a huge variety of used games to add into my older gaming collections.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 3/19/2012 3:55:46 PM
5 up, 2 down
Jawknee
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 4:30:28 PM
Sorry Biker, but it's not BS. I was just in GameStop two days ago and most of the newest titles that they had used were retailing for $5 less than the MSRP for new copies. It wasn't just Call of Duty. I even found a few used Wii games that they were selling $5 to $10 more than you could get the new for on Amazon. Epic Mickey for example is going for $30 used at GameStop. I got it new at Best Buy for $20. GameStop drops there prices when develeprs do but they are pretty consistent in keeping them $5 less than the new prices. Whether it be $59.99 vs $54.99 or $29.99 vs $24.99.
5 up, 2 down
BikerSaint
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 10:24:57 PM
OK, I can't vouch for the Wii games cause I rarely buy them anymore for my collection, plus there's so many shovelware games for it.
And also because no matter what I do to fix my Wiimote's sensitivity, I still can't calibrate it enough so that I'm not constantly spinning around instead of doing anything else.
And because of that alone, I've really learned to hate on my Wii.
But as for both the PS3 & Xbox games, you're absolutely wrong, because over 90% of those new games drop to around $35 within a few months.
Matter of fact, if you've noticed, a few of the 360 version titles price drop even faster than their same PS3 counterparts, just because the Xbox crowds seem to turn the same ole, same ole, titles, and in a much quicker rate.
So GS has tons of the same ole used 360 overstocked titles that they're trying to turn over quicker than PS3 stock.
BTW, I'm quick to bitch by email about "console discrimination to Gamestop's upper management whenever I see a used 360 game that's $5 to $7 dollars cheaper, than it is for the PS3.
It may not be getting anything done, but at least I'm getting the satisfaction of firing away at them about some of their shady practices.
2 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 @ 12:32:28 AM
0 up, 2 down
BikerSaint
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 @ 1:35:20 AM
I do the same comparison shopping between different brand stores too, & you'd be right if I were talking about that very subject.
But I'm not talking about comparison brand shopping in my post above, I'm only talking about GS & GS alone.
At the very least, I've been in 2 of my 5 local GS's almost daily for years now, just to see what used titles might've popped in.
So you can bet I'm always price-checking current games while I'm there and the vast majority of the PS3/360 games(sans COD & a very small fistful of others) definitely do drop to around $35 within a few months.
Anyway, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree on this point.
1 up, 0 down
slugga_status
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 2:54:32 PM
Reply
I still believe if you make a high quality SP game then people will buy it. You can't seriously put out a average SP game or ofcourse people are going to buy it used. Seriously who wants to pay top dollar for a game that isn't worth it?
You give me a Alan Wake, La Noire, DMC series, MGS, etc. then you have my money. It's the quality that counts. It amazes me that some devs have such a enormous budget but then put out crap and wonder why they're not making money
2 up, 0 down
Palpatations911
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 3:00:54 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 3:10:19 PM
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Gaming today is different to me. two decades or more ago, people didn't buy a new game every week or month, you might have got a new game once a month if you were well off, or perhaps once every other month - because they were expensive. You didn't trade in your games, although you might lend them to friends or whatever, but mostly you played them and played them. Relative to that time, thanks to the effects of inflation, games are relatively cheap now. But I think that people play games for less time now than they used to. Once they complete their play through they don't want to replay they want a new game. no attention span, attention deficit, call it what you will, but people don't play games for the length of time they used to, and that feeds more product into the used market.
The used market is hugely significant in terms of retail game sales now, and no matter what people want to say, it does truly represent a significant amount of revenue *lost* by the developers and publishers.
2 up, 1 down
BikerSaint
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 3:12:48 PM
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And at 59, there's just no freaking way I could have ever accumilated even a 1/3 of the 2,325 game I have in all of my different console/handheld collections.
FYI,
I try to buy smart....
I will always buy new for the games that "I want to play", just by waiting a while for either a price drop, a sale, or a Buy 2-Get 1 free deal(Example: I got Duex Ex:Augmented Edition for only $47 when it was selling for $89.99).
For all others that I don't have much of an interest in playing(such as sports, RPG's, RTS), then I'll buy those genres as used games & only when they're old, super cheap, or in the bargain bins. And yes, even at thrift shops for $3 each.
5 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 3:13:33 PM
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The cold hard fact is that the used industry definitely needs change. I think there's more than enough evidence out there to show the used market is hurting the industry. A secondary market should -NEVER- in any market have this much power over a primary market.
However, used sales are a cost effective thing for buyers that still needs to stay. There are disadvantages to buying used, hence the smaller price. (At least there should be) But they need to stay. However, in it's current state, it's definitely toxic.
Change is necessary... but not necessarily for the exact reasons this guy states. I think there are many better arguments than what he raised. (Although, there are a few good points)
1 up, 0 down
jimmyhandsome
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 3:24:00 PM
I don't however agree with his comment about single player games being a casualty of the used game market. I think that has a lot more to do with the rise of multiplayer, and as Highlander pointed out, lesser attention spans of gamers. For most, a single player-only game better be either really good, really long, or both to justify a day one purchase. And thats because of the preceived "lack of value" of not having any multiplayer by today's gamers. I guess some correlation can be drawn from the used game market, but I don't think its the direct cause.
2 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 7:43:18 PM
Know what I mean? (All of us have done that on some topic in our lives at one point or another)
1 up, 0 down
comicozi
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 3:40:21 PM
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3 up, 0 down
tes37
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 4:02:40 PM
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Digital downloads are probably the only way to stop it, but I don't want my entire library to be sitting on a hard drive.
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 4:05:46 PM
1 up, 2 down
BikerSaint
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 4:11:35 PM
And we should be getting a lot more of their D/L overhead savings passed on to us too, than just a paltry $5 to $10.
IMO, D/L games should be 1/3 off.
3 up, 1 down
Jawknee
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 4:32:14 PM
3 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 4:38:49 PM
1 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 4:41:34 PM
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 5:04:16 PM
I've seen this before on PSN. There was a version of Valkyria Chronicles 2 that included all the DLC for something like $20, when the game along was still listed (on PSN) at the full retail price.
Sometimes the left and right hands have no idea what the other is doing.
1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 4:06:40 PM
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All I really noticed from David Braden's comments is how he ISN'T stating whether he'd charge 1/2 price for a D/L game or not, especially seeing how there's been that much burden of financial overhead eliminated from the whole disc-based equation.
Yeah....I thought not!!!!
3 up, 1 down
Rogueagent01
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 5:18:35 PM
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I really wish a few of the big name publishers would start releasing their games throughout the year, rather then all at the same time. It hurts the consumer which in turn hurts themselves and yet I don't think that they see it. Plus one major advantage to doing this would be that developers wouldn't be on such a strict deadline, as they could push the game back without a huge amount of backlash. With the current business model a lot of games that get pushed back can get pushed back a full 6 months when all they probably needed was 2(obviously a guess, and not a fact).
3 up, 0 down
Squirrelicus
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 5:26:37 PM
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You as a collector are not the missed sales that this industry guy is complaining about. They're referring to a wider demographic then collectors or even hardcore gamers. You would agree that $54 vs $59 is not BS on New releases or popular games like CoD. But the $5 difference is pretty consistent on Greatest Hits titles as well. $19.99 new $14.99 used. Discounts and promos aside, a five dollar difference on a game is not enough to make me buy used.
Now if I was looking for a hard to find game (especially if it's a couple years old) buying used would be a completely understandable option.
With that said, people who buy games used are usually doing it because they are unable to buy it new. So if tomorrow they were to stop selling used games EA or Activision would not see a significant spike in sales. But they would probably see a loss in DLC profits.
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 10:50:41 PM
Well, you might be right as I've been looking at used games through the eyes of a collector.
My 59 year old mindset tells me to wait out new or even used games till their price-point is more to my liking of $39 or less new, & $3 to $10($20 tops) for any used game.
So I just can't see paying for a used game only one week after launch that's only $5 less for the 1st 2-3 months.
I'm guessing that maybe it's the twitcher mind-set crowd that's keeping GameStop in all that unnecessary extra profit????
BTW, another reason I'll probably have to start buying used games soon over new titles I want to play, is that at almost 60, I'm already closing in on decade number 2 of my 2nd 1/2 century of pulling Mother Nature's foot out of my a$$.
Translation: This old rooster is starting to loose that "Spring Chicken" feeling of health & has no idea how much time still have left to peck away on Ole McDonalds farm. LOL
1 up, 0 down
Neo_Aeon666
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 5:54:42 PM
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Now when a store sells a used game... Even with the cost of re-sending for inspection, cleaning and wrapping, the profit is over 50%... They will have to make a deal for stores to stop it.
0 up, 0 down
gray_eagle
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 7:00:36 PM
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what about older games? for example, fallout 3/goty. the only
i was able to buy it, was used.
i don't see how used games hurt sp games. heavy rain, la noire etc.
have done well with out mp.
1 up, 0 down
Coffeya
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 8:50:09 PM
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0 up, 0 down
ZenChichiri
Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 11:48:36 PM
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1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 @ 1:48:34 AM
Both new & used games & cases smell the same to me, although I find it's only the "new" coverart and/or manual(if one was made) paper & ink smell stronger.
BTW all my freshly bought used games get a hands-on nspection before I buy it, and then a vigorous polishing(if needed) and cleaning before they ever get into my consoles.
And then again another quick cleaning each & every time I play it after that.
0 up, 0 down
ZenChichiri
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 @ 11:53:09 PM
1 up, 0 down
___________
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 @ 5:03:09 AM
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the price of making games has gone through the roof and sales are going through the floor.
publishers could and should drop the prices, that would help push out more copies on launch.
but then that creates a expense of manufacturing and distributing more copies, more containers, more shipments, more expense, and it also risks more trade ins.
thats exactly why so many games have turned to multiplayer because allot of people finish a campaign and never go back to it!
unless theres DLC for it, which is why i cannot understand why so few games are doing it.
DLC is the best way to stop people from trading in a game, so why are developers ignoring it?
expansions use to be the biggest market out there what the hell happened!?
thats what developers like insomniac and mean when they say the industry is going to turn into a service.
you sell the customer a game, same game we get now.
but then instead of that developer splitting and small goes onto DLC and the rest go onto a sequel or new project.
instead of that they all go onto DLC, some on MP and some on expansion packs.
and i say expansion packs because the term instigates a high amount of content which is what you need, a extra mission worth 1 hour is not going to cut it!
it needs to add new worlds to explore and hours of content like fallout 3s expansions!
i honestly cant understand why developers are not doing this yet!
there investing tens of millions of dollars into a product and saying goodbye to it after day one sales!
its suicide!
they need to hold onto it and release more content for it that way customers will do the same.
not only do they keep it stopping trades, they also fork out a small amount of cash for the expansion packs.
so developers profit for the game sale instead of loosing out because it was preowned, and they profit from the DLC.
win win!
developers stop used game sales, and us gamers get more content!
and more value out of our games, nothing worse then paying 120 bucks for a 6 hour campaign and boring or unplayable cough KZ3 MP!
THATS how you stop game trades!
not this blocking molarky im hearing!
all thats going to do is piss people off into piracy.
talk about putting out a car fire, but creating a oil rig fire in the process.
yea, i think ill stick with the car fire thanks…….
another big problem is developers are getting too small the candy.
allot of contracts these days the developers are in a much sweeter position then what the developers are, which is just not fair!
plus developers bonuses allot of the times rely on meta scores.
not how well it sells, not the feedback from the fans, meta scores.
i cant think of a WORSE way to do it!
20 years ago when you had to know what you were talking about to review a game and get a score included it would of been ok.
but now where every man and his dog has access?
F*CK NO!
IGN for instance, how many decent games have they given really bad reviews latley?
NG3 for instance, im sorry but that i NOT worth a 3!
its not a great game, maybe worth a 6 i doubt higher, but no where near a 3!
publishers are singing high and dry driving RRs to work, and one for the misses, and one for each kid, and one for the mistress.
where developers are driving half way to work, then pushing the reliant robin the other 50% because it broke down.
2 up, 1 down
Beamboom
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 @ 5:33:37 AM
Reply
In fact it's one of the basic rules of market price mechanics.
Last edited by Beamboom on 3/20/2012 5:35:01 AM
4 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 @ 9:45:32 AM
Last edited by Highlander on 3/20/2012 9:46:37 AM
0 up, 1 down
D1g1tal5torm
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 @ 12:15:53 PM
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Either he thinks we are all mugs or he's on a different planet.
1 up, 0 down
Laguna
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 @ 8:44:47 PM
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Gaming is expensive, and I have a better slice of gaming by being patient.
Waiting for games to drop in price makes things really easier on your wallet.
As awesome as skyrim looks, I can wait for the GOTY edition.
1 up, 0 down
Spanky
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 @ 8:32:33 AM
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Did the used book industry or Public libraries bring down the big publishing houses?
Did Wikipedia bring down Encyclopedia...oh wait.
1 up, 0 down
Underdog15
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 @ 9:53:52 AM
You need to read more clearly. None of this is or has ever been about the -existence- of the used game market. It's about it's current set up. About how it's run and how it currently works. Everyone agrees there should be a used or affordable market of some kind. But it needs a lil' fixing.
You seriously need to see this from a deeper point of view. It's not a black and white issue.
And... uh... how the hell is Wikipedia anything like a used game market?
Last edited by Underdog15 on 3/21/2012 9:57:06 AM
1 up, 0 down
D1g1tal5torm
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 @ 4:14:01 PM
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He was being facetious
0 up, 0 down
Crabba
Thursday, March 22, 2012 @ 11:32:43 PM
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Question is when will they ever be happy? Probably not even if every single purchase was done day one at full retail and bought every single piece of DLC they have... They'd just think of something else to complain about...
2 up, 0 down
fresh4life10
Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 12:39:16 PM
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0 up, 0 down
Ather
Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 4:20:02 PM
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1 up, 0 down
SS4
Friday, March 23, 2012 @ 6:59:20 PM
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I don't remember game devs complaining about pre owned before and they existed then too...
I think both the consumer and devs changed but not in ways that works well together...
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richfiles
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 2:49:43 AM
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I also do NOT buy the bull from developers.
DLC is not resalable, and with as much DLC is out there, I find the claim of losses absurd. Every resale is a chance to sell virtual content to a new user.
Instead of trying to violate the right to sell something I paid for and don't want anymore, how about you offer enticing DLC and make up the difference there. If I like the game, I might spend $100 instead of $60. If I don't like it, i might sell the game, and someone else spend $40 on that DLC, and then if they decide they don't want to keep playing, maybe they sell it again, and someone spends $20 on DLC.
I think companies are just jealous of the Pawn/Gamestop style companies, and are just trying to place a burden on them to eliminate a market that competes with their shareholder's desire to rake in 100% of the cash.
If a developer is willing to screw it's customers, then I couldn't CARE LESS if they lose sales. I'll seek my games from a company that doesn't have contempt for me.
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richfiles
Saturday, March 24, 2012 @ 3:09:22 AM
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I have to agree. Video Games are bigger than EVER!!!
They make more than they ever have.
And now they complain more than ever.
They have added DLC, which adds to the user experience.
They have also added online passes, which are nothing more than a way to punish both resale retailers and people who buy preowned.
I tend to buy a LOT of games day one, but I also reserve the right to DITCH a game I don't like. Likewise, if I learn a game was in fact awesome, and I did not get it new, I like to know I can still seek it in the used market.
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Joltmar
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 @ 5:26:30 PM
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I remember a few years back when they had their big used game sell I had 80$ to blow I walked out of there with about 20 different games I always wanted to play but never had the money to buy then new and the prices for them new was still pretty hefty (some of these games was a few years old to) .. I wouldn't have been able to get all of them if it wasn't for used games.
So the publisher needs to find a way to handle it... Like some people said start lowing the price of the game new after so long or have some kind of buy back program
Or offer a digital choice thats 10-20$ cheaper or something like that than a pys. copy .. That way you still can have people that want to collect the pys. copy and add it to their collection and have the people that don't care about the box .. cd and what and still make money .. I'd hands down buy more games if there was a cheaper digital copy.
Last edited by Joltmar on 3/27/2012 5:28:23 PM
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Oyashiro
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Monday, March 19, 2012 @ 12:16:02 PM
David Braben and I seem to have the same principles. :)