Next Xbox and Playstation to Block Used Games

[Proudiddy]

No way they are able to go through with this. Imagine how much money PS and Microsoft/Xbox make from Gamestops and stores of the like... Gamestop sells official merchandise from both systems, including the consoles themselves. They'd be shooting themselves in their collective foot.

And that's just the profit side of it concerning retailers... Many of you have already said you won't buy it just from hearing this, so that means even more losses.

Additionally, how about Sony learn how to secure a network for a substantial amount of time without putting their customers' info at risk before they go demanding everyone connect to the internet. F*ck you Sony.

[Wyank]

Additionally, how about Sony learn how to secure a network for a substantial amount of time without putting their customers' info at risk before they go demanding everyone connect to the internet. F*ck you Sony.

1. Both will require always connected.

2. I though Xbox Live was hacked before Sony's PN was? Comment should go to both of them.

[Proudiddy]

1. Both will require always connected.

2. I though Xbox Live was hacked before Sony's PN was? Comment should go to both of them.

XBox didn't affect me, but from what I understand they didn't go as long without service as us PS guys did, and I don't believe as much of their info was put at risk either.

[Wyank]

It benefits you by ensuring there are fewer good games and more bad ones.

Even without the sale of used games being an option, the quality of games being produced is not going to change. Just more income in the pockets of the developers.

It's like if the NFL players take a substantial pay decrease accross the board. Ticket prices, concession prices, Sunday Ticket, and etc wouldn't change. Just more money in the owner's pockets.

You will always have the crap mass produced quickly for a quick buck and the far and inbetween good games made regardless of ability to buy used games or not.

[rodeo]

If they want you to be always-online, it has very little to do with piracy. To pirate Xbox games you need to physical alter your machine, which most people aren't willing to do.

The always-online thing is about tracking users, not piracy.

[jtnc]

Despite rumors to the contrary, GameStop says that the next Xbox, Playstation, and Wii won't block used games. There is however plenty of reason for those console makers to want used games to go away.

Video game retailer GameStop relies on used games sales for nearly half of its profits. Game makers by and large rely on GameStop to sell their wares in the U.S. There have been rumors though that the next round of consoles from Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo will block used games from running. During his company’s Thursday earnings call though, GameStop CEO Paul Raines said that he doesn’t believe the Xbox 720, PlayStation 4, or Wii U will block used games. GameStop wants to make sure that you keep paying $55 for a used copy of Assassin’s Creed 9 when a brand new copy runs just $60, and it’s fully confident that this future will come to pass.

“We think it’s unlikely that there would be that next-gen console because the model simply hasn’t been proven to work. Remember that used video games have a residual value. Remember that GameStop generates $1.2 billion of trade credits around the world with out used games model,” said Raines. “So consider taking used games out of that, you’d have to find new ways to sell the games, and our partners at the console companies have great relationships with us.” Translation: We’ve got game makers precisely where we want them and they don’t dare change that.

Raines is right, game makers do rely on the company. As of 2010, GameStop controlled between 60% and 70% of first week game sales, and more than 21% of the total game retail market in the U.S. When games first release (i.e. when they’re most profitable) people are buying them at GameStop.

When GameStop sells used games though, publishers and studios don’t see a dime. This is why games like Mass Effect 3, SSX, Mortal Kombat, and many others started using online passes in the past two years. An online pass comes with newly purchased games, but must be purchased separately if a game is purchased second hand, usually for a fee of around $10 or $15. GameStop’s already started working around these passes though. When Batman: Arkham City released last fall, GameStop gave away free online passes to the locked Catwoman content with used copies of the game.

It’s no wonder then that console makers are rumored to be experimenting with their new machines to try and block used games. No matter what GameStop says about their healthy relationships with publishers and console holders, it will be better business for game makers if the used market is diminished.

It was Kotaku that first reported in January that the next Xbox, codenamed Durango, will block used games somehow. How it will do this remains a mystery. It’s possible that it will be done entirely through online passes, with all games requiring a pass to activate. Even that would be difficult to enforce though.

Until games are distributed solely over digital channels, used games likely won’t disappear from the market. That means GameStop will be sticking around for some time to come.

Read more: http://www.digitaltr.../#ixzz1yskVweJB

[jtnc]

Btw, who the fug cares if I want to re-sale a game. It's MY game, the developers have already made money off of it from when the original owner bought it. If they have an issue with Gamestop making double profit on the games, then fine. But take that up with Gamestop and not the consumers.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

who cares when you can just down load games for free?

[Floppin]

So I wrote an article on this issue after an interview from EA came out the day before yesterday.

http://bnbgaming.com/2012/07/04/a-discussion-and-analysis-of-recent-comments-surrounding-the-move-away-from-physical-media-by-the-game-industry/

[Guild]

It's MY game

No it isn't you just purchased a license to use the software.

[Zaximus]

Anyone who is trading to Gamestop and not Amazon is a clown, that's all I have to say...

[Floppin]

No it isn't you just purchased a license to use the software.

Well actually....the EU just made an interesting ruling in this regard. I've written an article about it. As soon as it's published I'll link to it.

[SmootsDaddy89]

I was going to post that too. lol @ Sony and Microsoft now.

[thatlookseasy]

It benefits you by ensuring there are fewer good games and more bad ones.

I'm not seeing it. I dont buy too many games, but I keep most of them. You know which ones I sell? The shitty ones. You can often tell how good a game is by the availability of used copies a week or 2 after release

If the developers are that concerned about the used game market, then just do everything digitally and dont sell games at all, rent them. But then people might not be as interested in paying $60 to rent a game for 2 months