New versus used

[Tempest]

Are you the sort of gamer who purchases brand new games, or are you content with purchasing second hand games? If you're one of the latter, do you have any qualms about the developer/publisher not making any money from your purchase? Should developers/publishers have more control over the distribution of their games, such as download only, so that the publisher recieves money from each person who buys the game rather than recieving nothing from second hand sales? Will the current trend of second hand sales lead to the death of some developers and publishers, and maybe damage the games industry? Discuss.


Personally, I rarely purchase a brand new game, simply because they cost too much and since I'm currently unemployed, I have little disposable income. Plus, I can purchase more games for less than the price of a new game on the second hand market (although this can be a somewhat negative experience given my lack of time to play games these days and the amount of unplayed games piling up, but I digress).

I would like to support developers officially by purchasing new games, but their high cost and the fact that I enjoy older styles of games, which are rarely made these days, means that I can't support the developers I would like to.

As a medium I enjoy, I would like to see developers get money every time their game is sold, because more money going back into the hands of the developers instead of a pawn broker or some guy off ebay, means developers have more funds to put into developing new games and taking more risks with new concepts that might not otherwise be greenlighted. However, I'm realistic and realise this may never happen.

[Erik_Twice]

Shitstorm incoming in 3,2,1...Go!

Are you the sort of gamer who purchases brand new games, or are you content with purchasing second hand games?

Most of the videogames I'm interested in are not availble brand new or carried by retailers so second hand copies are the only option.

When it comes to boardgames, the price difference is huge and often the games aren't even played so it would be silly to buy new in most cases.

If you're one of the latter, do you have any qualms about the developer/publisher not making any money from your purchase?

No, there's no reason for them to make any money from a transaction they are not involved in.

Will the current trend of second hand sales lead to the death of some developers and publishers, and maybe damage the games industry? Discuss.

Trying to change the basic tenets of the market for your benefit is not only stupid but also proves that you are a bad bussinessman. Arguing against second hand sales is akin to arguing against taxes, labor laws and competition across the street, it's simply missing the entire point.

[Zodd]

Personally, I don't think the used market is hurting the industry......what is truly hurting the industry is OVERSPENDING .

[TEKTORO]

Games have always seen various price points in history, $60 is getting alittle old to pay for games today only because there's nothing really creative being made (although some developers are taking some more risk as of recent.)Thats my problem with dropping $60 otherwise even in the earlier nintendo era, carts for snes could go for a nice sum (Ive seen FFIII for 129.99) eventually spending 99.99 for it on sale.

I think if at all possible it would be nice to see games average around 39.99-49.99 but likely not gonna happen cause the New sales market vs Used sales market is kinda screwed.Its been brewing now its at a boiling point, you see theres been a big transition within the last almost two decades.Things use to be less complicated the industry was more or less normal you go where ever buy your game and go home and enjoy it,but now you have corporations making it a buisness practice to sell these used games at any cost and devs/pubs are having a hard time on their projected sales to compensate this practice.

Im not against used games,but defintely dont want the people who make these games to lose out on what is rightfully their hard earned paper.There needs to be a rock bottom to hit so these markets can get shit straight,Corps need to stop the greed if they wanna make it in the long run and devs/pubs need to find a work around to turn the tables more in their favor..

If trends are showing less than expected sales,they need to take action as to why and not have this secret underlying battle to take one another out,cause in the end everyone losses there.Maybe there should be a law where New games can not be sold used within 30 days of launch or these "Used" stores should buy these games at New prices and takes a loss from trading them in to themselves like everyone else does.Idk but all i can tell is someones losing money and it aint your neighborhood GameShop.

brief example before I go..wanted to pick up my Max Payne 3 CE recently only to change my mind after seeing 7 used copies for 44.99 which would of saved me roughly $55 dollars,hence seeing so many copies already used I altogether said fuck it and didnt buy either because I was no longer in a rush because of the bazillion available...see a lose/lose.

[isiolia]

I think second-hand sales of games that publishers are still currently trying to sell as new is detrimental to their business, and taken to an extreme can be harmful. When you have some of the primary retail outlets for games actively discouraging consumers from purchasing new in lieu of used games, that's a problem. Sale/trade among actual consumers is a bit different, and not as much of an issue I think.

The benefit to the consumer at Gamestop/etc is often minimal, as far as actual pricing is concerned, since the new/used difference is usually maybe 10%. If you can't afford $60, logically you probably shouldn't be spending $54 on it either.


That said, my rationale for buying new tends to be based on other factors. If the choice is used, or new for literally a few bucks more, I'll take new. There's little doubt as to the condition of a brand new copy, and at least right now, the copy I buy is staying in my library.
To a point, this line of thinking may extend as long as a game is at or below original retail. If it's $20 new and $2 (and up) used, I'll probably still buy new. If it's $200 new and $20 used, then probably not.

Once a game isn't on the market anymore, then of course used. Any "new" copies at at that point are likely ones bought and never opened anyway.

Personally, I don't think the used market is hurting the industry......what is truly hurting the industry is OVERSPENDING .

Objectively speaking, AAA games cost a lot more to make now. No doubt some have squandered some cash along the way, but you can't make a top-notch PS3 game for the time/budget you could make a top-notch SNES game in.

[J T]

Personally, I don't think the used market is hurting the industry......what is truly hurting the industry is OVERSPENDING .

Objectively speaking, AAA games cost a lot more to make now. No doubt some have squandered some cash along the way, but you can't make a top-notch PS3 game for the time/budget you could make a top-notch SNES game in.

But then you have things like the recent statement made by EA that Dead Space 3 needs to sell 5 million units or they won't be able to cover costs and will kill the series for failing to meet this mark. Clearly there was some overspending there, most likely dumped into marketing.

[pumpkinpie65]

One thing that always comes to my mind when thinking about this subject that hasn't been mentioned yet is the idea that buying used games shrinks the supply of used copies of the game being sold. This makes it harder to find the game for sale used and will make the used price go up. Both of these things would make other people buy the game new if they either couldn't find the game used or thought the premium for a new copy is worth the little extra. So in the big picture, as long as the game is being bought in any condition and retailers are still selling it new, more copies of the game will be sold and the developers will get more money.

[disorderlyvision]

The price on making a game is relative. the dollar was worth more 20 years ago when the SNES was out.

Obviously there are tons of people that buy new games otherwise there would not be a used game market.

I'm sure there is plenty of crossover, but new vs used hits different markets. There is used markets for everything not just games. Some people have to have the latest and greatest or be the first on their block to have something. Some people will wait.

Personally I hardly buy anything new. (a quick glance around my room, underwear, some band shirts, ak-47, and my desktop are the only things I have purchased new) I don't like throwing money away, and that is what buying new is, just throwing money away. Why pay $25,000 for a new car that as soon as you sign the paperwork loses half of it's value, when you can buy a good used car for $2000? Why pay $50 for a pair of jeans when you can pick up a pair at a thrift shop for $3? Why pay $60 for a new game when you can get a used one for a fraction of that? It's not like you are getting anything extra for that $40-50 extra, it is the same game. You guys keep throwing away your money, and when you get tired of your game people like me will be there to buy it.

I am unconcerned about whether it hurts the game industry (it doesn't), I'm worried about if it hurts my wallet. And it is a dumb point anyway. Not buying a bunch of shit games you don't want hurts the industry too... so you should all run out and buy new copies of call of duty or (insert name of game you don't like) that way you don't hurt the industry

[Zodd]

But then you have things like the recent statement made by EA that Dead Space 3 needs to sell 5 million units or they won't be able to cover costs and will kill the series for failing to meet this mark.

5 million units? That is just crazy stupid. There is no way they will obtain those returns.

[CD AGES]

5 million units? That is just crazy stupid. There is no way they will obtain those returns.

I agree! They can go fuck themselves with that statement!