Why is buying used games such a big deal nowadays?

[Michael-5]

tracyllrkn said:
Maybe if publishers come out and tells us the reasons why they want used games blocked, people would understand.I don't know if this is possible, but what about this? Each game has a unique code. When you put it in the console, the code goes into a server (whatever you would call it) and is stored there. When you trade it in to Gamestop, they can retrieve the code from the server, and it will treat the game as a new copy. You can still lend your games out without any restrictions. But once Gamestop retrieves the code, Publishers make money off of it when the used game is purchased.

What about when I sell a game on eBay? Publishers wouldn't get any portion of the sale, but then how many used games are sold online in comparision to used game sales to GameStop?

Juma009 said:
If I buy a game, and then I want to lend/sell it to my friend, why should he have to pay extra when The publisher already made their money, even if i go to gamestop and trade it in, that game is my property and I have every right to sell it.
If I buy a Ford Focus,drive it, decide to get a new car, I turn my Focus in get a Jetta, use my focus as payment, someone else buys my used Focus from that VW dealer, does Ford deserve money from that transaction?

I agree with your point, but your logic is a bit flawed. A used car, even with <100km on it, is much much cheaper then a new car for the simple fact that it's used. A used game is 90% the same price as a new game.

But I do agree with you, if Ford doesn't want you upgrading to a Jetta, they should have made a more reliable car, which you would have less reason to sell. This is why Toyota's depreciation is so low, people don't sell their Toyota's. If a publisher doesn't want people to sell their game, they should make better games, which people don't want to sell. This is why some JRPG's, and high volume games like Call of Duty, don't depreciate quickly.

the2real4mafol said:
Blame online passes and Microsoft. Also, i agree it's definitely greed

CDiablo said:
To answer the OP's question, I think it has become more of a big deal because once game companies got really big they got management that were business people. Back in the day game companies were run by a group of programmers and gamers that at many times were in it for the love of gaming as much as the money. Now that these corps are run by non gamers and shareholders the game industry has become about getting the most money out of gamers, regardless of whether it makes them happy or not.

I was just thinking about this now. If we look at the biggest game companies now, it's Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, Activision, EA, and then I believe Ubisoft (in that order). If we look 20 years ago it was Nintendo, Sega, Squaresoft, and Capcom. Last I checked it was EA who made Online passes and Microsoft making consoles which prevent used game sales. I never heard of the Japanese studios complaining about "not making enough profit." They understand that with more competition, quality needs to be higher to survive.