Neowin

There are tons of rumors about how the next version of the Xbox may have an always-on Internet connection in order to keep consumers from selling their retail disc games. However, for the current Xbox 360 console, it appears that Microsoft wants to keep its strong relationship with brick-and-mortar stores and will avoid selling major games day-and-date with their retail releases.

While Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii U both offer some major games via download on the same days they first appear in stores, Microsoft doesn't have that kind of program for its own Games on Demand service for the Xbox 360. The company typically waits several weeks or even months to offer disc-based games for download.

Joystiq reports that during a panel this week at the MIT Business in Games conference, Microsoft's Xbox Games on Demand Senior Business Manager Erik Yeager explained the reasons for the company's current policy:

We have a lot of strong partnerships with retailers. We really need them to do a lot for us. They're the ones out there selling the consoles, selling the peripherals and, in this time, we're trying to figure out how to fit that in to the whole digital landscape shift.

The bottom line seems to be that Microsoft wants to keep its working relationship solid with retailers such as GameStop, Walmart, Best Buy and others in terms of giving them the first shot of selling Xbox 360 games.

The big question: Will the rumors of blocking used game sales for the next Xbox turn out to be true and, if so, will that cause a major rift between Microsoft and GameStop, which relies heavily on sales of used games? Indeed, an executive for the retailer has already said their customer surveys have indicated gamers won't buy next-generation consoles if they can't resell their games.

Source: Joystiq | Image via Microsoft

If this is the official stance from Micro, then we can rule out the possibility of Xbox3 blocking used games.

Basically, yes. They wouldn't have this stance on a console right near the end of it's life then change it for the neXtBox. It wouldn't make any sense at all. They'll need selling points like that more for the next console, not less.

Another rumor seemingly bites the dust.

I usually by a game retail, i like holding the box and if it sucks then I can just sell it

That's a curious thing to say. It's not like retailers are going to stop selling games because they also appear in digital format. The PS3 is living proof of that, not to mention the PC. Stores like Wal-mart, Best Buy, or Amazon aren't going to suddenly start a boycott.

The only one I can think of that would raise a fuss would be GameStop. It makes me wonder if there is a deal between the two, perhaps preferential treatment in exchange for pushing back digital sales. Otherwise, what he said doesn't make a lot of sense.

More like Gamestop is the dominant force in the NA retail space and MS has no desire to cross them

If for Xbox 8 Microsoft is essentially using the disc as the means of distributing the software, not providing the ability to play from it, than it is likely that not far down the road will be the ability to walk into a store with a USB thumb drive, purchase a game, copy it to your thumb drive, and install it on your computer.

Go into Best Buy, log into a kiosk, stick your thumb drive in, slide your credit card in, and your game of choice is copied to your thumb drive. The only thing you have to do is stick it in your console where the license is tied to your device, and you're off to the races.

Where do you still find pc games for sale? Only a few specialized stores here sell a couple from behind the counter. Shelf space is laughable for pc games. When a new high profile game comes out they only have a few copies in stock.
PS3 doesn't have that problem, since you can still trade those in, which is where they make the most money. I guess it will become a problem when day 1 digital prices reflect the cost without the retailer markup. Apart from a small ps+ discount, that hasn't happened yet.

Good news anyway. If ms is pushing back digital games just to appease retailers, then blocking used games will be out of the question.

No wonder Wii U is struggling. Retailer are pissed off that Wii U games are on the eShop. That explains everything.

I don't think anyone is going to invest in the infrastructure needed for such a kiosk system. It hasn't happened for music, movies or tv shows. Without the ability to resell the used games, shops have no benefit at all to invest in a kiosk system. Psp go kiosks, where are they?