Why online distribution will suck

[Sakash]

Don't get me wrong, i absolutely love steam and other distributors. In fact since i started buying games online i haven't bought a physical copy of a game in years. But after watching the most recent Jimquisition, he said that online passes will destroy second hand game sales.

And then i saw my steam account.

I have over 60 games and i quickly realized that those games are mine FOREVER (unless of course you lose your account)
That means i cant sell, swap or even give away these games when i get bored of them or have simply played them through. Which leads us to the point of: If the popularity of online distribution gets so popular that future consoles and PC's will simply download all their games, what happens to the second retailer or buyer?

 

[WiredUP]

Either they die out or they adapt to the new online distribution environment.

 

[Fanta Grape]

They die out and either move into the online distribution business, another sector of the gaming production, or simply start a new sort of business. I hate to sound entitled but when it comes to games, it's really all about the customer and the player. I don't think this will negatively effect the production of games and all it really does is kill off something that doesn't need to exist in the first place.

 

[Miles000]

I have never sold or traded a game in my life. If i buy something, it's because I want it forever. Whether it's a hard copy or not.

The main problem I have with digital distribution, is the shitty internet I have to deal with here.
It takes me 2 days to download an 8gig game -_-

 

[orangeapples]

While I do like the online distribution thing, I do wish there was a way to "trade-in" your game license for a credit towards your account. You are no longer allowed to access that game without purchasing a new license, but you get like $20 towards another purchase. I don't know, I haven't fully thought it out.

 

[number2301]

They die out and either move into the online distribution business, another sector of the gaming production, or simply start a new sort of business. I hate to sound entitled but when it comes to games, it's really all about the customer and the player. I don't think this will negatively effect the production of games and all it really does is kill off something that doesn't need to exist in the first place.

They die out and either move into the online distribution business, another sector of the gaming production, or simply start a new sort of business. I hate to sound entitled but when it comes to games, it's really all about the customer and the player. I don't think this will negatively effect the production of games and all it really does is kill off something that doesn't need to exist in the first place.

2nd hand sales don't need to exist? Really? REALLY? So things like Craigslist should be illegal? Used car dealerships hurt the car business? Garage sales are destroying the economy?

Really?

Your car comparison is massively flawed. Car manufacturers make a great deal of money, maybe even the majority, on servicing, parts and finance. A 2nd hand game is effectively the same as a new one, a 2nd hand car is considerably different to a new one.

 

[weker]

They die out and either move into the online distribution business, another sector of the gaming production, or simply start a new sort of business. I hate to sound entitled but when it comes to games, it's really all about the customer and the player. I don't think this will negatively effect the production of games and all it really does is kill off something that doesn't need to exist in the first place.

2nd hand sales don't need to exist? Really? REALLY? So things like Craigslist should be illegal? Used car dealerships hurt the car business? Garage sales are destroying the economy?

Really?

That's a slightly over the top reaction you have there. He said doesn't need to exist, not that it should be illegal or is a bad thing, he just said its not necessary.
Pre owned games main use if for people who cant afford new thing, but with steam the sales are so frequent, they actually out way the saving from preowned games.

 

[Chris Binkley]

Except no second hand game stores deal in PC games. They can't actually because of you having in register the games.

 

[weker]

But if Steam and the like are the ONLY market for games, they won't have those sales anymore. What would be the point? Buy from them or don't get the game. They have those sales to entice people to buy from them and not Game Stop.

But steam quickly became almost the only market for online games, and they still offered sales when they had no real competition, additionally publishers (like EA) won't leave steam to take all the dosh.

 

[NLS]

Except no second hand game stores deal in PC games. They can't actually because of you having in register the games.

This. For us PC gamers, this has been the "hard" reality for the past 8 or so years, and I'm totally okay with it. Online distribution won't change that.

 

[ShindoL Shill]

they sell console games. the console would have to die out first, or become 100% digital. in which case, every game shop closes.

 

[CannibalCorpses]

They die out and either move into the online distribution business, another sector of the gaming production, or simply start a new sort of business. I hate to sound entitled but when it comes to games, it's really all about the customer and the player. I don't think this will negatively effect the production of games and all it really does is kill off something that doesn't need to exist in the first place.

They die out and either move into the online distribution business, another sector of the gaming production, or simply start a new sort of business. I hate to sound entitled but when it comes to games, it's really all about the customer and the player. I don't think this will negatively effect the production of games and all it really does is kill off something that doesn't need to exist in the first place.

2nd hand sales don't need to exist? Really? REALLY? So things like Craigslist should be illegal? Used car dealerships hurt the car business? Garage sales are destroying the economy?

Really?

Your car comparison is massively flawed. Car manufacturers make a great deal of money, maybe even the majority, on servicing, parts and finance. A 2nd hand game is effectively the same as a new one, a 2nd hand car is considerably different to a new one.

As is your rejection of it because computer companies stand to make a fortune on DLC that is effectively spare parts on top of the original product. You can actually spend more on the upgrades than you paid for the original product.

It's more comparable to the music industry. You can buy second hand CDs and that doesn't benefit the band who wrote them. The upside though is that you are more likely to goto a live concert which pays the band in question far more revenue than the meagre royalties they are allowed by their record company.

The digital distribution market might just destroy the publishers aswell as the physical games retailers and here is hoping huh? That would be a twist i would welcome and not beyond the possibility of reason

 

[Ruwrak]

I have never sold or traded a game in my life. If i buy something, it's because I want it forever. Whether it's a hard copy or not.

The main problem I have with digital distribution, is the shitty internet I have to deal with here.
It takes me 2 days to download an 8gig game -_-

This... mostly. Except the internet part.


I -bought- these things on my steamaccount, I really don't care less for the 2nd retailer or 3rd person who want to buy it. I might sound egoistic, but I can afford them at launch price and if they can't well though luck for them.

Besides, I doubt anyone would want to buy Blade Kitten from me for a price of 15?+

 

[CannibalCorpses]

Except no second hand game stores deal in PC games. They can't actually because of you having in register the games.

This. For us PC gamers, this has been the "hard" reality for the past 8 or so years, and I'm totally okay with it. Online distribution won't change that.

I would argue that the only reason there is no second hand market for PCs is because piracy is such an easy thing to do. Unless you want to play online multiplayer you can download pretty much any game with a hack...what reason then for trading in? People buy second hand because they are cheaper but nothing comes as cheaply as free downloads.

I'd compare this trend with the DRM bullshit i've been reading about. The games companies are punishing the only people who pay for their products and are still having no effect on the piracy market. The more you remove the cheaper options from the market, the more likely people will find a way to get it all for free and that fucks everything up