Amazon to Accept Game Trade-Ins

[GSZX1337]

http://games.slashdot.org/games/09/03/05/207202.shtml

"Amid all the discussion and argument about Gamestop's two-billion-dollar trade-in industry it seems Amazon.com is getting in on the action. Like Gamestop, Amazon asks for the games to be in good condition, however they offer just a few more dollars for your discarded game (Gamestop listed Left 4 Dead for the 360 at $24 while Amazon had it at $26.50 trade-in value). Gamestop had already ruffled feathers in the developer and distribution communities with its practice of accepting used games; does Amazon joining the practice legitimize it?"

[Scooter]

In what way does buying and selling used games need legitimizing? It's been around since the first systems that used portable software arrived. Perhaps Amazon will help in establishing stricter game condition interpretations. What is considered in "good" and "complete" shape by one seller isn't always the same for the next one.

[jfrost]

In what way does buying and selling used games need legitimizing? It's been around since the first systems that used portable software arrived. Perhaps Amazon will help in establishing stricter game condition interpretations. What is considered in "good" and "complete" shape by one seller isn't always the same for the next one.

The publishers are whining a lot lately about how the second-hand game market harms them. It's pretty ridiculous, but it seems that they made some people think that buying used games is somehow unjustified.

[Scooter]

In what way does buying and selling used games need legitimizing? It's been around since the first systems that used portable software arrived. Perhaps Amazon will help in establishing stricter game condition interpretations. What is considered in "good" and "complete" shape by one seller isn't always the same for the next one.

The publishers are whining a lot lately about how the second-hand game market harms them. It's pretty ridiculous, but it seems that they made some people think that buying used games is somehow unjustified.

They've whined about that issue forever. If they make a game people want, they will sell it. Used game pricing allows some folks with limited funds to get into gaming in the first place and allows others to experience more and different games than if they only bought new. Besides, weren't all the used games bought new at some point?

Used games have been available in many and varied outlets, adding one more, Amazon, won't alter the scheme of things. Amazon is simply cashing in on the business opportunity already enjoyed by many of their co-sellers (or whatever they call them). If anyone has a gripe, it should be the Amazon co-sellers who now will have to at least compete with the Amazon price of a used game to have a chance at selling their own copy. This could be good or bad for gamers, depending on the prices of the games Amazon plans to set.

I'd also venture a guess that Amazon won't delve into the older stuff, probably will only sell used Wii, PS3 and 360 games so that leaves the older stuff in the same place it's currently in.

I also have to wonder if Amazon has completely thought through the challenges of inventory control, storage and how to control varying conditions of games that are traded in.

[jfrost]

In what way does buying and selling used games need legitimizing? It's been around since the first systems that used portable software arrived. Perhaps Amazon will help in establishing stricter game condition interpretations. What is considered in "good" and "complete" shape by one seller isn't always the same for the next one.

The publishers are whining a lot lately about how the second-hand game market harms them. It's pretty ridiculous, but it seems that they made some people think that buying used games is somehow unjustified.

They've whined about that issue forever. If they make a game people want, they will sell it. Used game pricing allows some folks with limited funds to get into gaming in the first place and allows others to experience more and different games than if they only bought new. Besides, weren't all the used games bought new at some point?

I don't disagree. It is just my impression that I'm seeing recently so many producers coming out and crying rivers because of the used games market.

Obviously the market is legit and is seen as legit generally. Maybe the person who wrote the Slashdot entry was talking about legitimizing the second-hand market to the insiders in gaming industry (if so, it's still a dumb notion, but somewhat less dumb, I think).

[MrPopo]

I also have to wonder if Amazon has completely thought through the challenges of inventory control, storage and how to control varying conditions of games that are traded in.

We actually already have a pretty good handle on it. We've been running the Warehouse Deals program for a while now, and we recently gave it its own website.

[Anayo]

If people couldn't sell their games to make back a little bit of what they spent to buy it originally, they'd be less inclined to pay $60.