what if developers shut down used game sales completely?

[Ralen-Sharr]

I've seen a few threads talking about boycotting Rage because of the way they handle secondhand game sales.

I'm a PC gamer, so for the most part there is no such thing.

So what I want to know is that what would happen if the developers made the game lock into the first console it was registered to? (rentals could get a special key or something so it's tagged as a rental copy or something like that)

This would cut out the secondhand sales, and I'm sure the used game stores would not be happy with it.

How much effect would this really have? How many people wouldn't buy a game because they couldn't trade it in or couldn't buy it used? What kind of a deal would be required for people to change their minds and buy it anyway.

TL;DR Version: What would it take for you to buy a new game that can't be traded in?

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I've seen a few threads talking about boycotting Rage because of the way they handle secondhand game sales.

I'm a PC gamer, so for the most part there is no such thing.

So what I want to know is that what would happen if the developers made the game lock into the first console it was registered to? (rentals could get a special key or something so it's tagged as a rental copy or something like that)

This would cut out the secondhand sales, and I'm sure the used game stores would not be happy with it.

How much effect would this really have? How many people wouldn't buy a game because they couldn't trade it in or couldn't buy it used? What kind of a deal would be required for people to change their minds and buy it anyway.

TL;DR Version: What would it take for you to buy a new game that can't be traded in?

As it does for PC games, a price point below $10, and below $5 on all but the absolute best games. If I'm going to rent something, I'm going to pay a fair price for a rental, not a price that would be jacked up for an outright sale.

Also, the used market for PC games still very much exists, it's just not run by the big game retailers anymore. I buy used PC games all the time at thrift shops, record stores, and used books stores, and there's a thriving trade in the things at online retailers like amazon.com. Despite all of their efforts, PC game publishers still haven't completely killed the trade in used games.

 

[AlternatePFG]

I don't buy used games unless they're old and I can't get them used. I'm primarily a PC gamer anyway, so I don't really need to bother with used games. I think it would be ridiculous if console games had to be locked to a single console to be played though, that's silly.

 

[Radeonx]

I'm all for it, because then the developers can stop bitching and will receive more money.
I never buy used games anyways, so I honestly couldn't give two shits, as long as it gets people to stop bitching.

 

[Erana]

I've seen a few threads talking about boycotting Rage because of the way they handle secondhand game sales.

I'm a PC gamer, so for the most part there is no such thing.

So what I want to know is that what would happen if the developers made the game lock into the first console it was registered to? (rentals could get a special key or something so it's tagged as a rental copy or something like that)

This would cut out the secondhand sales, and I'm sure the used game stores would not be happy with it.

How much effect would this really have? How many people wouldn't buy a game because they couldn't trade it in or couldn't buy it used? What kind of a deal would be required for people to change their minds and buy it anyway.

TL;DR Version: What would it take for you to buy a new game that can't be traded in?

As it does for PC games, a price point below $10, and below $5 on all but the absolute best games. If I'm going to rent something, I'm going to pay a fair price for a rental, not a price that would be jacked up for an outright sale.

Also, the used market for PC games still very much exists, it's just not run by the big game retailers anymore. I buy used PC games all the time at thrift shops, record stores, and used books stores, and there's a thriving trade in the things at online retailers like amazon.com. Despite all of their efforts, PC game publishers still haven't completely killed the trade in used games.

Used PC games is the only way to legally play over a decade's worth of older games, especially those that didn't make ridiculous profits. What we have available digital distribution is but a fraction of the 80's and 90's works.

In this respect, used game sales should not be stopped because it makes the history of video games a dead one.

Still, I really hate how developers treat the sale and purchase of used games as some kind of amoral act. Yes, computer programs aren't quite the same as a physical object, but they put it on a disc and sold it. Saying that it is somehow wrong for me to buy a used game is like saying that it is a heinous act to buy a used book.

You know what they should do?
Give people incentives to not sell it back so quickly.
Perhaps giving people who buy a game on day 1 and don't sell it back a voucher for whatever big DLC somes out for the game. So, do project ten dollar, but give people nice things instead of breaking the game. It would lose some profit from that DLC, but if you offered an incentive that would be greater than the tradeback value of a game if a gamer would just wait a month or two, both the players and the devs would win out.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

I've seen a few threads talking about boycotting Rage because of the way they handle secondhand game sales.

I'm a PC gamer, so for the most part there is no such thing.

So what I want to know is that what would happen if the developers made the game lock into the first console it was registered to? (rentals could get a special key or something so it's tagged as a rental copy or something like that)

This would cut out the secondhand sales, and I'm sure the used game stores would not be happy with it.

How much effect would this really have? How many people wouldn't buy a game because they couldn't trade it in or couldn't buy it used? What kind of a deal would be required for people to change their minds and buy it anyway.

TL;DR Version: What would it take for you to buy a new game that can't be traded in?

As it does for PC games, a price point below $10, and below $5 on all but the absolute best games. If I'm going to rent something, I'm going to pay a fair price for a rental, not a price that would be jacked up for an outright sale.

Also, the used market for PC games still very much exists, it's just not run by the big game retailers anymore. I buy used PC games all the time at thrift shops, record stores, and used books stores, and there's a thriving trade in the things at online retailers like amazon.com. Despite all of their efforts, PC game publishers still haven't completely killed the trade in used games.

Used PC games is the only way to legally play over a decade's worth of older games, especially those that didn't make ridiculous profits. What we have available digital distribution is but a fraction of the 80's and 90's works.

In this respect, used game sales should not be stopped because it makes the history of video games a dead one.

Still, I really hate how developers treat the sale and purchase of used games as some kind of amoral act. Yes, computer programs aren't quite the same as a physical object, but they put it on a disc and sold it. Saying that it is somehow wrong for me to buy a used game is like saying that it is a heinous act to buy a used book.

You know what they should do?
Give people incentives to not sell it back so quickly.
Perhaps giving people who buy a game on day 1 and don't sell it back a voucher for whatever big DLC somes out for the game. So, do project ten dollar, but give people nice things instead of breaking the game. It would lose some profit from that DLC, but if you offered an incentive that would be greater than the tradeback value of a game if a gamer would just wait a month or two, both the players and the devs would win out.

You won't see any argument on this from me -- although I think an even better option for Project $10 would be either $10 off your next purchase from that company -- maybe even making it so the offers stack, so if you spend $300 buying new games, you get one free -- or just do what companies used to do, which is include little pack ins like maps, large manuals, plastic figurines, soundtrack CDs, and so on -- basically, reward people for buying new, don't punish them for buying used. I don't care what EA says, Project $10 in its current form is about punishing used buyers, not rewarding new buyers.

 

[Epona]

The industry has grown because of or in spite of the used market. Until recently the industry wasn't actively fighting the used market and it was still growing so I am going to suggest that they concentrate on making games and ignore the used market (or atleast openly ignore it) as they have in the past.

It may sound like lunacy but it isn't when you consider that the industry grew and made tons of money without fighting the used market and when you consider how the things they are doing to fight the used market is only alienating more and more gamers.

 

[veloper]

That will turn out the same way for consoles as it does now on the PC.
It will happen. Question is when. Fast internet connections must be more widespread first.

 

[krazykidd]

I don't buy used games unless they're old and I can't get them used. I'm primarily a PC gamer anyway, so I don't really need to bother with used games. I think it would be ridiculous if console games had to be locked to a single console to be played though, that's silly.

This , locking to a single console would mean you can't bri g a game to a friends house and play on his console , it would kill co-op games and multi player games . Another thing , when people trade in games , they usually buy another new game with the store credit so publishers get more money because the sold another game . Banning used games would also prevent people that cant afford new games on release for buying said game , and knowing gamers , they will wait till the game drops to 20$ before buying it , which isn't much better . But if hypothetically a compagny ANY compagny does this i will no longer buy any of their games.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

If they made it to where a game can only work on one console. As in, I couldn't take my multiplayer console games to my friends' houses and play them with them?

I wouldn't buy console games. That sort of interaction is the only reason I buy them. I'd sell my consoles (and my pre-lock console games that could still be played by anyone) for enough money to upgrade my computer enough to handle games on lower graphical settings for another couple years.

 

[Zaeseled]

I have a tendency to buy way too many used games. But then again, the games hardly give me any reason as to why buying a freshly new copy (instead of an old used one), would matter much to me. I would buy more games new if they did what games like The Witcher 2 did, packed some fun stuff in the game package, and it wasn't even a collector's edition.

 

[JMeganSnow]

Okay, wait just a second here. Devs can't even make a DENT in piracy, yet you think they might actually manage somehow to completely shut down used game sales? HA HAHAHAHAHHAAAHA *snort* cough cough

Well, if that day ever does come, I'm going to use my massive telekinetic superpowers to relocate to Mars where I will rule eternally over an empire of dudes straight from a Boris Vallejo painting.

In any case I buy pretty much all of my games new and never trade them in, so who cares.

 

[aba1]

I only but used or on sale games I just dont have the money to be droping on full price games often so if they did that I have to say I likely wouldnt be buying games anymore. I get frustrated having to be online just to play my XBLA games half the time. I hate all this online crap I want to buy my game and play it no updates no extra downloads no having to be online for multiplayer I just want a game I can sit down with just a tv and counsol and enjoy

 

[Epona]

Okay, wait just a second here. Devs can't even make a DENT in piracy, yet you think they might actually manage somehow to completely shut down used game sales? HA HAHAHAHAHHAAAHA *snort* cough cough

Well, if that day ever does come, I'm going to use my massive telekinetic superpowers to relocate to Mars where I will rule eternally over an empire of dudes straight from a Boris Vallejo painting.

In any case I buy pretty much all of my games new and never trade them in, so who cares.

They used DRM to kill the used PC market and they can and will do the same with consoles. The reason this tactic doesn't work for piracy is because pirates just strip or go around the DRM. You ever heard the phrase "When you outlaw guns, only the criminals will have them"? That's because the law only affects law-abiding citizens. In this case, only honest customers are affected by DRM.

 

[locoartero]

Meh, I'd be happy

 

[Worgen]

Well either game prices would go down, or they would go up, probably up since publishers wouldn't have to worry about the temptation of players paying for the cheaper used games and the price of games would stay high longer with no used sales driving the price down.

 

[Zenn3k]

Developers are shooting themselves in the foot.

You remove 2nd hand sales of video games, you hurt future sales (money from trade-ins going to new purchases) and you ultimately hurt the retailer who is selling your new games in the first place.

I could see GameStop for example, going out of business completely if used game sales were removed, thats like 90% of their profit.

I don't buy a lot of used games anyway, but there are times when I do, especially order titles which are often times hard to find new, unless you want to purchase online and have it shipped, which I don't care to do.

You hurt the retailer, you hurt sales of all games.

Retailers who sell used games, should choose not to stock "Rage" when it comes out, thats what i would do if I were them. You want to hurt our customers? We won't sell your title new. See who backs down then.

On a side note, GameStop shouldn't sell their used titles for as much as they do, they really overprice them, especially when they typically buy them for less than half of what they sell them for, as well, they should find a way to kick 10% of the used sale back to the developers.

Its really we, the consumer who suffer for all this crap.

With that said, I'm not buying Rage due to this choice of theirs, because I do not support the idea behind it, which is simply to screw over its customer base who can't afford $60-$70 for a game brand new.

 

[JMeganSnow]

Okay, wait just a second here. Devs can't even make a DENT in piracy, yet you think they might actually manage somehow to completely shut down used game sales? HA HAHAHAHAHHAAAHA *snort* cough cough

Well, if that day ever does come, I'm going to use my massive telekinetic superpowers to relocate to Mars where I will rule eternally over an empire of dudes straight from a Boris Vallejo painting.

In any case I buy pretty much all of my games new and never trade them in, so who cares.

They used DRM to kill the used PC market and they can and will do the same with consoles. The reason this tactic doesn't work for piracy is because pirates just strip or go around the DRM. You ever heard the phrase "When you outlaw guns, only the criminals will have them"? That's because the law only affects law-abiding citizens. In this case, only honest customers are affected by DRM.

People still pass used PC games around all the time--just not necessarily via stores who have to worry about various people throwing a fit. The used PC games market was virtually nonexistant LONG before DRM came along--heck even twenty years ago you still couldn't RETURN a game you'd bought, much less sell it used to a store, even if you had all the bits.