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Forums - Sales - Are used games killing the market?

famousringo on 31 December 2008
Zucas said:

Killing the industry? Since when is the industry dying.

I think used games hurt potential sales but not by that much. If anything high prices of video games is the one that hurts it. Buying used consoles and games just looks sweeter from that perspective.

Used games are good at keeping developers from getting too cocky. It forces them to put more content that may only come new or keep prices at a competitive price. I welcome used games.

 

That's what I was wondering.

Used games have been around for decades, yet the industry keeps on expanding at a strong and steady pace. You'd think if used games were killing the industry then revenues wouldn't keep going up year after year.

I wish publishers would stop looking for scapegoats for their lousy business models and over-investment.



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Griffin on 31 December 2008
DKII said:
You have it backwards, it's because the "hardcore" industry is dying that used game sales are so high. (hint: $60 price tag, caused by hugely bloated budgets)

That must be why game prices have been pretty much the exact same since as long as i have been gaming.  I also remember N64 games being released at over $100.  If anything game prices are cheaper now then they have ever been, if you factor inflation into the prices.

 



richardhutnik on 31 December 2008

The used game section forces game companies to do things to offer enough replayability to keep games out of the used section. If games don't get traded in, then the bin is empty, and you are forced to buy new.



midwinter on 31 December 2008

I think because of the used game market we see less retail games being created. It also enabled the download game market to spring up though. Developers started seeing downloadble games as a good market because they don't have to worry about the logistics of getting their game in to the retails stores and you can't trade them in.



misterd on 31 December 2008

Hurt the market a bit, but then again many people just wouldn't buy games without the used market.

I do think they need to rethink the pricing a bit. I understand he initial $60/50 price point, but after a year, those games do need to drop. Right now only some games seem to get cut, some quickly, some after a couple of years.



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donathos on 31 December 2008

No--the market is expanding.

Maybe due to the wide availablilty of cheap (i.e. used) games, which attracts new customers?

Are used games saving the market in these bad economic conditions?



misterd on 31 December 2008
Griffin said:
DKII said:
You have it backwards, it's because the "hardcore" industry is dying that used game sales are so high. (hint: $60 price tag, caused by hugely bloated budgets)

That must be why game prices have been pretty much the exact same since as long as i have been gaming.  I also remember N64 games being released at over $100.  If anything game prices are cheaper now then they have ever been, if you factor inflation into the prices.

 

 

 

I don't remember any N64 games being released for $100, let alone over.

Most were released for $70, some $60 or $80, which was another advantage the PSX had as its games were usually $40-$50.



misterd on 31 December 2008
richardhutnik said:
The used game section forces game companies to do things to offer enough replayability to keep games out of the used section. If games don't get traded in, then the bin is empty, and you are forced to buy new.

 

 

Ironically many developers stopped using cheat codes and other "extras" because it extended the life of the game. If someone plays the same game for 2 months, he's not buying a new one.



Zlejedi on 31 December 2008

It's the only reason why people are buying something else than proven sequels and AAA titles.



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bigjon on 31 December 2008

the N64 did have games selling for 59.99, mostly bigger titles like DK64, Zelda:MM, Perfect Dark, and a couple of others. I think this was blamed on the carts costing about 10x more than CDs.



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Wii- 72 million   3rd Year Peak, better slate of releases

360- 37 million   Should trend down slightly after 3rd year peak

PS3- 29 million  Sales should pick up next year, 3rd year peak and price cut