So the EU just ruled that it's legal to re-sell digital versions of games.

[Brodre]

If this turns out to be a way for publishers/developers to get money from resales, then I am all for it. But doing the same as Game/Gamestop and such just isn't right.

One important thing to note is that the digital distributors aren't forced to give this service, and they will have to implement this themselves, which also means that the publishers/developers does get severe bargaining power and will probably get a part of the resale in return. Unless steam strongarms this and becomes unpopular with all the publishers/developers.

anywho, always good to see up to date laws in the area of games =)

 

[KiKiweaky]

I dont really see what difference its going to make I dont think any of those services allows you to transfer a game to another persons account.

Well, digital distribution websites are either going to accomodate used game sales or stop doing business in the EU.

Or they could not, the law says you have the right to sell the game not that the company has to accomodate the sale of the game. I dont see a law stating that they will either have to accomodate the sale of the game or stop doing business in the EU.

 

[Trivun]

Well, I can see a perfectly simple way of doing this now that will benefit game sellers, buyers, and the companies as well, without people losing out! Since everyone in the industry complains that used game selling is bad because they don't get a cut of the profits, here's what could happen. Take Steam, for example.

Say person A has a digital copy of a game, let's say Portal 2. They don't want it anymore (can't think why not ). So, they want to sell it, and person B decides to buy it. Valve can simply set up a system within the Steam client, similar to the Marketplace, that allows personA to sell the game to person B. The license for person A is cancelled and the game deleted from their library, so they would have to pay again to play it again, while person B gets the game at whatever price person A has set. Then, whatever the price person A sells it for, they get maybe 80% or so, and Valve get a 20% cut (these can be changed, of course) - that way, both gamers are happy, and Valve isn't losing out on the resale of their product - they still get some comission themselves, kind of like an auctioneer's comission. Everyone wins, and possibly Valve even get a few new customers due to gamers being pleased and attracted to the idea of being able to resell games through Steam.

Makes sense from a business perspective, and a social one. I just wonder if any company in that position will be willing to do that, or anything like it... probably not, but still

 

[veloper]

How does the buyer know I'm sending him the original and not just making a copy for him?

Is there even an original? I'm thinking no.

This is even dumber than regular used sales, where you may atleast sometimes get the manual and the case with the game.

Who here will pay for a "used" digital copy, that they can also torrent for free?

A lot of games don't even come with a "manual" (more like a flier, warnings and promos for other games) and I don't think that people who trade in used games for credit to be able to play games while low on cash care about collecting cases.

If I follow your post's logic, why the hell am I paying for games at all?

And used sales are not dumb.

That's basicly it. You're NOT paying for the games as such. Digitally they cost nothing to reproduce afteral and the development costs have also been paid for.

The only logical reason why you might want to buy games, is to support (the developers).
It's a contribution to the development of more new games.
Maybe even the devs will get to keep their jobs and work on the next project if the publisher makes enough monet of the last game.

 

[Vegosiux]

Maybe even the devs will get to keep their jobs and work on the next project if the publisher makes enough monet of the last game.

And there's the crux of the matter.

WHY would be the developer/publisher be entitled to (YES, I fucking used that word) the next project?

If DA2 sucked ass, why the hell should they even be granted the opportunity to make DA3? One reason that doesn't involve "giving them another chance", please? If I do a shoddy job at work, I get fucking fired, I don't get to "keep my job" because some good Samaritans take pity on me.

Why the hell would they have a George Jetson job security?

 

[Nurb]

I dont really see what difference its going to make I dont think any of those services allows you to transfer a game to another persons account.

Well, digital distribution websites are either going to accomodate used game sales or stop doing business in the EU.

Or they could not, the law says you have the right to sell the game not that the company has to accomodate the sale of the game. I dont see a law stating that they will either have to accomodate the sale of the game or stop doing business in the EU.

Not doing business in the EU would be a few billion dollar mistake, much greater hit than transfering license of ownership.

They're screwing over paying customers enough, it's time they do some accomodating and "dealing with it" of their own.

 

[Ledan]

I admit I don't get this.

I mean, physical used games make sense. Knock a couple bucks off the price tag since the game's already been opened, and maybe the person who opened it was rather rough with the box, manual, or disc so that it's no longer in 'new' condition.

But with a completely digital copy... how would a used digital game be any different at all from a new digital game?

It's not. But if I buy Skyrim and get bored of it, I can sell it to you. For cheaper if I want to get rid of it.

 

[talideon]

How does the buyer know I'm sending him the original and not just making a copy for him?

Is there even an original? I'm thinking no.

This is even dumber than regular used sales, where you may atleast sometimes get the manual and the case with the game.

Who here will pay for a "used" digital copy, that they can also torrent for free?

Assuming you've got some arbiter of ownership in the middle (such as Steam), it's very, very simple to do using public key crypto and is a well-understood problem.

The likelihood of anybody other than Valve actually implementing it in a convenient way is quite low, however.

 

[Brodre]

But doing the same as Game/Gamestop and such just isn't right.

Actually, as of today, it is.

so you are saying that they are actually giving money to the developers now? I meant from a moral standpoint, not a legal one

 

[lacktheknack]

So in other words you can have ditgital used games? PFT HA! Oh this is gonna be fun to watch.

This. I'm not sure I want the ginormous clusterscrew that is the Used Games Fight on PC, I was perfectly happy to not care about it.

May as well watch the flames, though. I'm still buying new.

 

[Vegosiux]

I meant from a moral standpoint, not a legal one

Awwww, how cute, someone brought morality into business. No, sorry. If the devs make a game that doesn't make people want to hold onto it, that's their problem. If I aren't happy with my lawnmower or TV, I can sell it on the flea market too. Why the hell should they be special snowflakes.

 

[KiKiweaky]

Not doing business in the EU would be a few billion dollar mistake, much greater hit than transfering license of ownership.

They're screwing over paying customers enough, it's time they do some accomodating and "dealing with it" of their own.

I never said they were going to stop doing business in the EU but they are under no obligations to provide the service, people may want it but the companies dont have to supply it.

 

[Dresos]

I think this could work just fine, if steam implemented a feature that would allow you to sell and/or trade games with others I'd be quite happy.

 

[Nurb]

Not doing business in the EU would be a few billion dollar mistake, much greater hit than transfering license of ownership.

They're screwing over paying customers enough, it's time they do some accomodating and "dealing with it" of their own.

I never said they were going to stop doing business in the EU but they are under no obligations to provide the service, people may want it but the companies dont have to supply it.

Companies already have to provide some accomodation for product returns and exchanges

 

[veloper]

Maybe even the devs will get to keep their jobs and work on the next project if the publisher makes enough monet of the last game.

And there's the crux of the matter.

WHY would be the developer/publisher be entitled to (YES, I fucking used that word) the next project?

If DA2 sucked ass, why the hell should they even be granted the opportunity to make DA3? One reason that doesn't involve "giving them another chance", please? If I do a shoddy job at work, I get fucking fired. Why would they have a George Jetson job security?

They're not, simple as that.
Why support a shitty game? Hell, why even play a shitty game? If the game disappoints because you didn't read an honest review you have every right to feel a little upset.

Better still, it's actually the original fans of a game series who should be feeling entitled! So for example Bob bought DA:O and suppose he liked it, but hated DA2, then so much for supporting good games.

It also follows that for a company to ignore their original (contributing) fanbase and taking a series in a new direction for the bigger audience is a kind of betrayal.

 

[lacktheknack]

This. I'm not sure I want the ginormous clusterscrew that is the Used Games Fight on PC, I was perfectly happy to not care about it.

May as well watch the flames, though. I'm still buying new.

I bet giving money to the couch makers was the first thing that crossed your mind when you sold your couch.

*donated my couch to Goodwill, got no money for it

How does it affect YOU if I'm buying new? If anything, I'm helping keep the gaming business from crashing down on itself.