Reality Check: The publishers are still in control, and they still hate the preowned games market.

[UnnDunn]

Let's be clear. The publishers still call the shots, and they still want to mitigate the effect preowned games has on their revenues. They hate the fact that two or three days after a game releases, you can walk into a GameStop and see shelves filled with preowned copies of that game, in near-perfect condition, for $5 less than new. They hate it because you will buy the preowned copy instead of the new copy. And then GameStop will complain that the new copy isn't selling enough and return all unsold copies.

The publishers are going to do all they can to prevent that. And they could block all PS4 game resale. How? Simple; by not releasing games on disc. Because game resale on PS4 is only supported on disc-based games.

Think they won't do it? They already have, on a massive scale. PSN exclusive games, XBLA games. Even the most rabid anti-DRM console owner probably has at least a couple digital-download games that can't be resold, so we're already used to the idea.

Maybe you think they won't do it on their AAA blockbuster titles, fearing low sales. That's why they'll phase it in, gradually--they'll start by delaying disc-based releases on PS4, maybe by about two weeks at first. Then two weeks will become four, one month will become six.

I can already imagine the PR spin: "If you preorder the game on PSN, we'll give you early access. Why should you have to wait for all those discs to be pressed and shipped, when the game is already done and the code is there for you to download?"

Now here's the kicker: In this scenario, Xbox One is actually better for consumers. You know why? Because Microsoft has already developed ways for digital downloads to be transferred to a new owner and/or resold. Sony hasn't. Xbox One lets you share your digital downloads with up to 10 friends. Sony doesn't. Xbox One lets you access your downloads from anywhere. Sony doesn't.

Mark my words: 5 years from now, games will be released via download first, with at least a 2-4 week delay before the disc-based release on PS4.

 

[Dragonbums]

You know, when you put it that way...

But if you have already figured this then chances are they won't get away with it.

Also I remember Jim stating that Devs and publishers are secret "buddies" by doing something like eliminating disks for games they risk making bad blood with the retailer who they rely on for exclusive bundles, merchandise, and promotions within their own magazine.

 

[aba1]

I only own physical games except for indie titles... just saying. Also while publishers can stop all of a sudden releasing physical games people could stop all of a sudden buying games and their company will go bankrupt so fast they won't even have time to clear their desks. Consumers empower the companies and even though the companies have the power we are the ones who give them that power.

Transactions are a two party process. They put out a product and we buy the product in a trade off situation. If they don't put out the product we want they don't make any money and nobody gets anything it is up to them to give us what we want just as much as it is up to us to pay for what we take from them.

 

[Requia]

Has there ever actually been a AAA XBLA or PSN exclusive? With the possible exception of Minecraft, I don't think I've ever heard of one that wasn't a game that didn't have the sales projections behind it needed to justify the expense of a physical copy launch.

 

[theresay]

Not with my internet, they won't. It took me two days to download a 3GB video, I'd hate to think the time it'll take to download a 30+GB game. Not everyone can afford to shell out $300 a month for super broadband. Until fast and reliable--and cheap--internet services can be achieved equally worldwide (I'll settle for nationwide), all-digital distribution is unrealistic.

 

[Little Gray]

It wont happen. Publishers are to reliant on retailers to try something that stupid any time soon. They would have to greatly increase the advertising budgets of almost every game just to get them known. As of now a little known game can sell by being on the shelves and getting seen. That doesnt work with an online store like the psn or xbox live. On top of that we dont have the internet to support it yet.

 

[J Tyran]

Let's be clear. The publishers still call the shots, and they still want to mitigate the effect preowned games has on their revenues. They hate the fact that two or three days after a game releases, you can walk into a GameStop and see shelves filled with preowned copies of that game, in near-perfect condition, for $5 less than new. They hate it because you will buy the preowned copy instead of the new copy. And then GameStop will complain that the new copy isn't selling enough and return all unsold copies.

The publishers are going to do all they can to prevent that. And they could block all PS4 game resale. How? Simple; by not releasing games on disc. Because game resale on PS4 is only supported on disc-based games.

Think they won't do it? They already have, on a massive scale. PSN exclusive games, XBLA games. Even the most rabid anti-DRM console owner probably has at least a couple digital-download games that can't be resold, so we're already used to the idea.

Maybe you think they won't do it on their AAA blockbuster titles, fearing low sales. That's why they'll phase it in, gradually--they'll start by delaying disc-based releases on PS4, maybe by about two weeks at first. Then two weeks will become four, one month will become six.

I can already imagine the PR spin: "If you preorder the game on PSN, we'll give you early access. Why should you have to wait for all those discs to be pressed and shipped, when the game is already done and the code is there for you to download?"

Now here's the kicker: In this scenario, Xbox One is actually better for consumers. You know why? Because Microsoft has already developed ways for digital downloads to be transferred to a new owner and/or resold. Sony hasn't. Xbox One lets you share your digital downloads with up to 10 friends. Sony doesn't. Xbox One lets you access your downloads from anywhere. Sony doesn't.

Mark my words: 5 years from now, games will be released via download first, with at least a 2-4 week delay before the disc-based release on PS4.

I think there might be a risk that publishers will drift away from the PS4 and throw their lot in with the Xbone instead, they know the Xbone will sell regardless and they all secretly want used games blocked or restricted. Sure they might be talking about "cooperation" with Sony and the other drivel that comes out of their mouths, we can see how well they are supporting the Wii U cant we? Games that should really have no problems simply aint coming out on the Wii U, when they see Microsoft making their wet dreams come true with the Xbone they will flock to it. I simply do not trust the publishers one bit, they prove time and time again that they cannot be trusted.

Consoles will have to get a lot better before all digital will work though, 500GB HDDs is just terrible and simply not enough

 

[klaynexas3]

I only bought one major game on the PSN digitally, and that was because I was under 17 at the time and my parents wouldn't buy it for me. Besides that, I will always wait for a disc to do it. It doesn't matter whether or not I have to wait a week or two to play the game, I'm not buying into that crap in an age where we still have physical products. So in the end, even if Xbone offers the better store abilities, I won't be partaking in it. It's still a bad console as is, whether or not their store has the better friend parts. In fact, with how many deals PS plus has, it's like having steam for a console. So at the end of the day, no, Xbone is still the crappier console on its own merits.

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

Xbox One lets you access your downloads from anywhere. Sony doesn't.

Eh? Whenever I go to my friend's house, my other friend is always downloading PSN games to the first friend's PS3. You can log into your PSN and download the games from anywhere already, can't you? Or is there some kind of limitation I don't know about?

I sure hope you're wrong, though; I can't play some of the PC games I've bought retail copies of because you still need to download huge files. My internet just isn't fast or reliable enough for such huge downloads.

 

[blizzaradragon]

Sorry, but I gotta disagree with you. Retail is too big of a seller for games. Look at when publishers release their sales numbers, they will very rarely include digital and when they do it's usually a fraction of the total sales.

On top of this, have you EVER seen a AAA game only available digital on consoles? Or hell, even ones that sell more digitally than in retail? Because the only ones I've ever seen are PC exclusives, and even then it's not a big margin if a margin is even there.

Along with all this, releasing games digitally only would be suicidal to their wallet with the current Internet ecosystem. Outside of countries such as Japan or South Korea where high speed Internet is everywhere, doing this would only cut off consumers. In America alone, they would lose thousands to millions of gamers because they either don't have the Internet period, it's too slow for digital downloads, or they have a cap on their Internet so they couldn't download full retail games. This would only get worse as games become bigger and require more data and hard drive space.

And on top of all this, there are companies who are actually realizing that used isn't the enemy they're making it to be. A perfect example is Ubisoft, one of the biggest publishers in the industry, recently speaking about how good used games are for the medium and for the consumer. Another example is how EA is doing away with the online pass.

If I'm being perfectly honest, it sounds like you're just trying to make a doom and gloom scenario to make us think the Xbox One is actually not an anti-consumer pile of piss.

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

If I'm being perfectly honest, it sounds like you're just trying to make a doom and gloom scenario to make us think the Xbox One is actually not an anti-consumer pile of piss.

I'm going to have to agree with blizzaradragon, you do tend to be first to (repeatedly) state that MS is still in it.

Personally, between the DRM, pricing, and lack of feature support (outside America at least) I don't think the Xbone is going to do that well.

Don Mattrick mouthing off repeatedly doesn't help things either.

 

[Knight Templar]

The publishers are going to do all they can to prevent that. And they could block all PS4 game resale. How? Simple; by not releasing games on disc. Because game resale on PS4 is only supported on disc-based games.

Not just for the PS4, digital material is in general treated differently and exempt from first sale.

However, retail is a huge part of selling console games and necessary for selling consoles at all. People don't tend to buy that many digital releases for AAA games. The fact people are likely to own a few smaller or indie titles doesn't mean they are going to be wiling to move over to nothing but.

There is a reason companies tried to have passes for new copies and why the Xbone is doing what it is in the first place. The market for digital only simply isn't there to support these games, hell the market isn't there to support most of their existing games, they will not restrict their customers so universally.

 

[OldDirtyCrusty]

Let's be clear. The publishers still call the shots, and they still want to mitigate the effect preowned games has on their revenues.

It works aslong as people don`t vote with the wallet and with Microsofts E3 desaster they will take a closer look on how people react.

The publishers are going to do all they can to prevent that. And they could block all PS4 game resale. How? Simple; by not releasing games on disc. Because game resale on PS4 is only supported on disc-based games.

Haven`t you noticed that special editions with all the extra stuff are released for many games today? There`s a market with people who spend a whole lot of extra cash, just to have some crap to show off and collecting dust on the cardboard. Besides games that do well online get their disk release. Especially on console people still buy their games on disk, if the buyers are there it will be supported. Publishers won`t risk the loses.

Think they won't do it? They already have, on a massive scale. PSN exclusive games, XBLA games. Even the most rabid anti-DRM console owner probably has at least a couple digital-download games that can't be resold, so we're already used to the idea.

I still prefer a psn or live sale from a small developer over not seeing the game at all. If the publishers don`t change their price system i really don`t see the change comming. No reason at all to buy digital since i can get most retail games cheaper just by looking up and comparing prices, even without walking into a Gamestop.

Maybe you think they won't do it on their AAA blockbuster titles, fearing low sales. That's why they'll phase it in, gradually--they'll start by delaying disc-based releases on PS4, maybe by about two weeks at first. Then two weeks will become four, one month will become six.
I can already imagine the PR spin: "If you preorder the game on PSN, we'll give you early access. Why should you have to wait for all those discs to be pressed and shipped, when the game is already done and the code is there for you to download?"

You said it yourself there: low sales.

Now here's the kicker: In this scenario, Xbox One is actually better for consumers. You know why? Because Microsoft has already developed ways for digital downloads to be transferred to a new owner and/or resold. Sony hasn't. Xbox One lets you share your digital downloads with up to 10 friends. Sony doesn't. Xbox One lets you access your downloads from anywhere. Sony doesn't.

Mark my words: 5 years from now, games will be released via download first, with at least a 2-4 week delay before the disc-based release on PS4.

Since Microsoft has left it in the hands of the publishers if they allow a resale the xbox won`t have a used market. Besides i doubt that Sony wouldn`t be able to patch it in if the request is there.
Since the whole disaperance of retail disk is future stuff i just rent my retail disk and guess what i can give it to more than 10 people.
Why do you think that Sony doesn`t let me access my stuff from anywhere? It`s no problem with the ps3. Why should it with the ps4?

Sorry but the PS4 still looks like a better offer.

Eh? Whenever I go to my friend's house, my other friend is always downloading PSN games to the first friend's PS3. You can log into your PSN and download the games from anywhere already, can't you? Or is there some kind of limitation I don't know about?

The limitation was changed from up to 6 different consoles to only 2 a while back now.

 

[UnnDunn]

Xbox One lets you access your downloads from anywhere. Sony doesn't.

Eh? Whenever I go to my friend's house, my other friend is always downloading PSN games to the first friend's PS3. You can log into your PSN and download the games from anywhere already, can't you? Or is there some kind of limitation I don't know about?

I sure hope you're wrong, though; I can't play some of the PC games I've bought retail copies of because you still need to download huge files. My internet just isn't fast or reliable enough for such huge downloads.

You need to Activate the PS3 before games downloaded under your account will work on it. You can only activate 2 PS3's at any given time.

 

[RJ 17]

I disagree with the notion that publishers will flock to the XBone due to it being highly publisher friendly. There's a little economic rule called "Supply and Demand". Simply put: if there's no demand for your supply, your business will fail. Publishers aren't stupid, they're greedy sons'a'bitches. They'll go where the money is. Sure, the XBone is going to move some units, but due to the fact that they seem to be gleefully dumping gasoline onto the wildfire that is their PR nightmare right now, relentlessly pushing more and more consumers directly into the arms of their competitors, it's almost a give fact that the XBone will not sell as well as the PS4.

Publishers aren't going to shun the PS4 just because it said that there's not going to be any used game restrictions. Granted, that statement comes with the * of saying "Unless a publisher implements restrictions themselves" which translates to things like the online pass.

The point is that Sony has ALL the momentum. Publishers aren't going to shun the PS4 based on the principle that the XBone is willing to give them free handjobs while the PS4 leaves the rules up to them. If console sales show that the PS4 has a much bigger available market than the XBone, it'd be financial suicide to alienate that market.

 

[UnnDunn]

Sorry, but I gotta disagree with you. Retail is too big of a seller for games. Look at when publishers release their sales numbers, they will very rarely include digital and when they do it's usually a fraction of the total sales.

Initiatives such as "Day 1 Digital", PSPgo and the fact that all PSVita games are released on PS Store the same day they are available at retail point to the fact that retail is becoming less and less important, especially on Sony systems.

The same thing has happened with other media.

On top of this, have you EVER seen a AAA game only available digital on consoles? Or hell, even ones that sell more digitally than in retail? Because the only ones I've ever seen are PC exclusives, and even then it's not a big margin if a margin is even there.

Dust 514 springs to mind.

Along with all this, releasing games digitally only would be suicidal to their wallet with the current Internet ecosystem. Outside of countries such as Japan or South Korea where high speed Internet is everywhere, doing this would only cut off consumers. In America alone, they would lose thousands to millions of gamers because they either don't have the Internet period, it's too slow for digital downloads, or they have a cap on their Internet so they couldn't download full retail games. This would only get worse as games become bigger and require more data and hard drive space.

These are transient problems that the console makers are already solving with, among other things, partial downloads and game streaming.

And on top of all this, there are companies who are actually realizing that used isn't the enemy they're making it to be. A perfect example is Ubisoft, one of the biggest publishers in the industry, recently speaking about how good used games are for the medium and for the consumer. Another example is how EA is doing away with the online pass.

Of course they're talking about it in positive terms. They have images to protect. But market realities haven't changed. Preowned game sales still exert strong downward pressure on revenues.

If I'm being perfectly honest, it sounds like you're just trying to make a doom and gloom scenario to make us think the Xbox One is actually not an anti-consumer pile of piss.

It's a scenario that should absolutely be considered.

 

[UnnDunn]

If I'm being perfectly honest, it sounds like you're just trying to make a doom and gloom scenario to make us think the Xbox One is actually not an anti-consumer pile of piss.

I'm going to have to agree with blizzaradragon, you do tend to be first to (repeatedly) state that MS is still in it.

Personally, between the DRM, pricing, and lack of feature support (outside America at least) I don't think the Xbone is going to do that well.

Don Mattrick mouthing off repeatedly doesn't help things either.

I think the Xbox One negativity is way overblown. It's knee-jerk paranoia fueled by ignorance and a sense of entitlement.

Clearly Microsoft has a lot of work to do to regain mindshare among core gamers. But if you seriously think Microsoft is out of it, then you don't know Microsoft.

 

[ScrabbitRabbit]

The limitation was changed from up to 6 different consoles to only 2 a while back now.

You need to Activate the PS3 before games downloaded under your account will work on it. You can only activate 2 PS3's at any given time.

Ah, I see. Thanks for the information! That's kinda shitty...