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Kasz216 on 24 June 2013
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disolitude said:
Kasz216 said:
disolitude said:
badgenome said:
disolitude said:

I see a lot of back and forth, but I never feel like people list the actual reason that used game sales in the current form is killing the industry (Gamestop 100% profit - publishers 0%).

Completely false. Used game trade-ins subsidize the purchases of new games, and consumers are both able to buy more new games because of this and are more willing to do so because they have trade-in value so they aren't risking all $60 if they don't like the game.

Not true. When a used games is traded in, it takes a potential sale away from a new game. You can have an endless cycle of users trading used games for other used games and only gamespot making money in the process.

Also you can trade games at Best Buy and buy a TV for example. I've done it...


This hasn't been the case for any product they've done studies on. So i'm interested why you think it's different in videogames.  Every study from Cars, to books, to clothes show that a healthy used market increases sales of new products.

Used games ALLOW more unique games and developers to take more risks.   Why?  Because if i buy that new $60 game i'm not sure about and it sucks.  I can sell it for $45.

Otherwise i'm going to only stick to my core games constatly afraid i'm going to get burned for $60 with no recourse.

The lack of variety is due to publisher being myotpic and thinking everything needs to be a big blockbuster with gigantic budgets.

 

Also don't be shocked when you find out the Steam community market is going to end up being a trojan for used game sales.


I was away for the weekend and this thing got 100+ replies lol...  You're again describing day 1 sales, which is what I am saying is part of the problem. 

I personally believe game buying works in tiers. Day 1 tier, amazing reviews tier, word of mount tier, price discount tier... Sure, someone that has a very limited budget may stick to the core group of games they know will deliver the goods when it comes to day 1 purchases.

However people that have money will take more risks with their purcheses. Over time, as price drops and word of mouth spreads, stellar gaming experience will stand out as a good purchase regardless of which tier you belong to. If the product is stellar, publishers can rest assured that people will keep buying new copies of this game as the word of mouth spreads and price cuts happen...since no used coppies will be around cutting in to the sales.

No one wins if the industry keeps making indistinguishable games spanning 4 of the same genres over and over since they know you will justify buying them day 1 and then trade them for 45 bucks when they suck...


Again, why do you think this will be the case when it's been shown time and time againt to NOT be the case with other used markets.

Outside that, I can tell you don't actually buy or look at much used games because you've got the pattern exactly backwords.   As someone who's a fan of niche games I can tell you it generally doesn't work like that.

If you wait to buy an Atlus game or other Niche game... you aren't going to find it.   Not new in the stores, not used at gamestsop.   Chances are you are going to have to buy it via ebay.

The only games hurt by the used market are the indisgingushable games with short 6-7 hour singleplayer campaigns.

 

The rare games, the unique games... these games are rarely traded in, and damn near impossible to find, even through gamestop.  For example, when I bought my DS I wanted to get Infinite Space.   Nobody was selling it.  Gamestop didn't have it.  Only place to get it?  Online for expensive.

Shin Megami Tensei 4, going to be pretty niche, probably going to have to buy it first day since they won't sell any used copies.   Shin Megami Tensei vs Fire Emblem?   Even more niche, no way you find it used at a gamestop.

 

I'm talking about first day sales because when it comes to rare, niche and unique games, that's often the only time you can find these games!  They lose their shelf space in stores immediatly so the super popular games and the new games are displayed.