Used Games No More?

Wouldn't it be interesting to know in the future we might have a collection that can't be seen unless you turn on your console?

Kinda takes the fun out of going to thrift stores.

 

No.

I had more to say but I have so much outright hate for the direction the new consoles are headed in that it was more a rage filled rant than logical argument. So I deleted it.

 

My statement was ironic sarcasm and I too am annoyed with this possible future. I can't hold a stack of binary data that exists only in the hard drive of my console nor can I admire the cover art, thumb through the manual, enjoy the extras it might have come with, etc.

Shame.

 

The used game market has many functions, some not even filled by any other source. For example, imagine you wanted to play that PS2 game that wasn't particularly popular and isn't available new or digital. What do you do? Go to Ebay/Amazon/Gamestop and pick it up for $6.99.

Also, current-gen games that have been out for years are still way too highly prices for new/digital copies. Why would I want to pay $30 for a copy of Resident Evil 5 or FFXIII when they have multiple sequels available for like $10-$15 more? Used market allows us to pick up cheap copies of previous titles in a franchise, which in turn hooks us on the story/gameplay and entices us to buy the newer titles.

They also keep people buying your system. If someone can save up all their Christmas and Birthday money and buy a new console, knowing they'll be able to pick up a cheap used copy of a game for $20 or so, every once in a while, they might be inclined to buy. If they know they're gonna have to drop $60 per title... probably rather buy something else that they'll actually be able to use.

I think the used market is great for the customers, and it's just greedy production teams wanting to milk every cent that sit in the back nay-saying; thing is, they'll probably lose more than they gain just because of how many people say 'fuck it' and don't bother buying a new system. PC gaming seems to be a nice escape from all this, assuming one can afford a decent gaming PC.

 

Then our feelings are the same. Though sadly manuals seem to be becoming a thing of the past which is horrible as I love having something I can hold in my hands and read.

 

THey'll write off those customers- they're not the profitable customers for MSFT.

MSFT loses money on the consoles, they make it up with live subscriptions, cuts of downloadable game/DLC purchases, and license fees from purchases of new games and accesories

Offline only folks don't do the first two, which is the big source of profits over time.

 

Yeah, XBL is a huge source of income. Such a rip-off when PSN is free. I'd be more inclined to use my XBOX if there was a free version of it, and they could still have a premium version for those who wanted more, like PS+.

 

Another angle at looking at the proposed technology for "locking out used games," is as a technology that regulates both rentals and the resale of games.

The main difference being that from both rental services and and resale transactions, someone (either the publisher, the console manufacturer, or both) takes a cut of the secondary market action and permit it.

It seems like some laws in some areas going forward would force a mandatory resale option of even digital goods. While what we are hearing about are technologies that can lock out resale, I imagine the tech can also be used simply for regulation and taking something off the top. And I would not be surprised if what ends up happening is a secondary market that is more watched over, handled, and profited from by the game or console developers.

 

Following up from my last post, one way I see something like this being implemented is that the service charge for "game resale" would be scaled with the post-release schedule. A game that is newer would have a higher service charge that lowers toward some flat amount over time.

This is one way of regulating the market price of the game while still generating some marginal revenue from its resale and eventually make it more long-term sustaining.

With regards to rentals, that would be an agreement with rental authorized copies of a game and a way for the companies to generate some sort of revenue from Netflix directly based on actual rentals (whether this is preferred or not I have no idea).

I'll admit I don't even do much secondary market purchasing outside of GameFly, but I am of the opinion that this type of solution is a more likely path down the road. Maybe not immediately, but these are interesting times...

 

lol, I thought money was no issue for people who pay $600 for a console? Enjoy your constant lag across any fighter, and playing the same guy over and over unknowingly on random troll accounts. Oh, and the five past years of looking on from afar at us real Sega supporters playing VF5 on Live

Next-gen, Kaz and crew have got a lot of work to do for fight fans, the way I see it, DRM or no DRM. Port more Cave games too.

 

I've no idea what you're trying to say. I have an XBOX because it was a present - same with my PS3. I don't have the money to pay for XBL, and the fact that PSN is free makes it seem even less worth the money. Nothing to do with 'looking on from afar' or being a 'Sega supporter' or whatever nonsense that was.

 

You made your partisan point, I made mine. Why do you think fighting game fans pay for XBL, and indeed, bought a 360 in 2007 to play VF? Because we're just moronic MS schills? Anything can happen next gen. If VF6 is DRM always online PS4 exclusive though, I'll happily eat my forum words and switch allegiance in a heartbeat.

 

What the hell are you talking about? I didn't say anything about anyone being a 'moronic MS schill'. I said that I, personally, would probably use my XBOX more if there were free online access. I say this because I have little money, and can't afford a subscription to an online service. PSN is free, and thus, as a person with little money, is more attractive to me.

Stop trying to read some kind of attack against XBOX out of my words and put your fanboy rage away. Jesus.

 

Your statement:

Why? I know you go back way further than 2012 on other accounts, so surely you're aware of the long term link now between VF and Live? It would be nice if lots of things in life were free, but, um, that's not how it works is it. At least the service you get with them actually works. Next-gen, I think this is a critical area Sony need to address. I wouldn't even buy physical fighting games on PS3 as it is, let alone download stuff (many of the Capcom 2D efforts on PSN are virtually unplayable according to multiple forum reports, comments etc.)

 

It's a rip-off because their main competitor is providing the exact same service for free.

 

My point is................... it's really not the exact same service, especially for fighters, and above all, VF!

 

Oh look...

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/no-pre-owned-block-for-ps4/0111226

 

So XBL is a better connection than PSN? I guess that would justify the cost to some extent then. Silly question, but if XBL is better than PSN, is that because it's American and we're in America (closer to the servers or something?), and would PSN be better than XBL in Japan (where they're closer to Sony servers), or is that nothing to do with it?

 

Just incase anyone is wondering, PS4 won't block used games...atleast according to this dude...


http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/21/sony-exec-playstation-4-doesnt-block-used-games

Edit - oops, didn't see Feck's post...