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Senlis on 22 October 2009
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vlad321 said:
Senlis said:

@vlad321

I made several posts earlier that debunk your arguments in your last post. However, I would rather go back to playing my Mario 64 that I bought used then continue this debate. Anyway, I think we established that piracy is illegal like skipping the doctor bill is illegal. We already established that buying used product does not harm the developer as much as piracy, that the developers do profit from the used market in the long run.

Anything that is left is morals, which is impossible to debate reasonably. I wish that the used console market would be like the PC market where I can buy an older game from the manufacturer at a reduced price. Kinda an argument for the PC market.

Must have missed your post because I really don't see anything rebunking any argument. Piracy on he whole is more damaging, however one pirate = 1 used game buyer when it comes down to it. You play the game without the developer seeing any money. Just because you paid for it doesn't mean it's different than piracy as far as the developer is concerned.

from earlier post:

"Another topic I didn't cover: Is buying used games immoral.

Seeing as the used market is inevitable for any product (like furniture and movies) I don't see why the gaming would be exempt.

However, lets look at the following scenario: There is 1 new copy of game x and 1 used copy of game x. I don't want to buy it new so I want to decide between buying it used or pirating. Now, after I make my decision, another gamer comes in wanting to pay for the game legally.

Now lets look at the two possibilities:
I pirate game: I get the game for free. 2nd gamer probably buys a used copy. Game store gets nothing from me, but money from 2nd gamer. Developer gets nothing.
I buy used copy: I get the game at a discount. 2nd gamer buys a new copy. Game store gets money from both of us. Developer sells one game.

This, I believe, is a simplified version of a common scenario. Developers would sell more new games if people who pirated bought used games instead. Therefore piracy is worse than buying used games."

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We seem to agree, however, on the above point.  The thing we disagree on is: "however one pirate = 1 used game buyer when it comes down to it. You play the game without the developer seeing any money. Just because you paid for it doesn't mean it's different than piracy as far as the developer is concerned."

I just provided an argument above how the used game market is different than piracy as far as the developer is concerned.  As to your "On the individual level, the developer gets money neither from piracy or a used game sale" I find irrelevant.