Real reason why used games are hurting the gaming industry...

[ratchet426]

First, I'd just like to say kudos on a very well thought-out post. I personally happen to disagree with about 99% of it, but you do seem to be passionate about the subject and took the time to lay out your argument quite succinctly, without any fanboy craziness or name-calling.

About my disagreement, it boils down to this. There is nothing, and I mean nothing that could ever convince me that a game publishers NEEDS to double, triple, and quadruple dip into a consumer's pocket to ensure that they remain in business. If they truly need to eliminate used games to survive, then their business model is fatally flawed anyway.

This argument seems to hinge on some unique, intangible aspect of the video game media that somehow makes it different than any other producer/consumer model of commerce. I just don't see any truth to that argument. In every other industry - even other entertainment media industries - that fact that a consumer who purchased a product can then turn around and sell it or trade it does not spell certain doom for said industry. Why are video game publishers special?

The motion picture industry has not been killed by used Betamax, VHS, DVD, or Bluray movies.
The publishing industry has not been killed by used bookstores or libraries.
The music industry has not been killed by used CD sales or (rampant) mpg3 file sharing.
The automobile industry has not been killed by used car dealerships.

In every one of the above industries a consumer is able to purchase a new product (and actually OWN it) and can then trade it in, lend it to friends, or sell it used.

The only reason game publisher are crying poverty and blaming used game sales is that they are trying to grab as much UN-EARNED money as they possibly can from consumers while hoping they are too dumb to notice. Sorry, they earned their money when their product was sold the first time. They aren't entitled to ongoing profits after that initial sale. I've no doubt they really really WANT that profit (any business would) but it doesn't make their rationale for eliminating used games any more valid.