I was just talking about this last night with my girlfriend. We were discussing how the next evolution in gaming is digital distribution exclusively. When that happens, I will be done buying new generation games as I enjoy physical copies.
However, we also brought up the point of why used DVD and cd sales are not nearly as big in America as used video game sales and I came to one conclusion:
Video games can cost fifty to seventy dollars a pop brand new. A used game can actually save you serious money. A new cd only cost around $20 new so even if the cd were 15 used, it is not saving most people enough money to take the risk. In most cases, what is thee additional 5 to 10 dollars spent on a new cd to ensure playing quality? But with used games, you can save fifteen, twenty, and even more and get great deals as opposed to used DVD and cd sales. I can buy a new DVD for five or six dollars brand new from Wal Mart. That same used DVD can cost me ten dollars at FYE. The market is not nearly the same.
Used game sales hurt thee industry because all compaines are having money taken from their pockets as opposed to gaining anything off used sales. When a Gamestop employee offers a used game and you take it over the new copy, Gamestop makes all the profit while the developers, publishers and so on make absolutely 0. So that is why I believe used game sales of current generation games is hurting thee industry. On older consoles, I expect to buy used games as they go out of print and that is acceptable to me. But current generation used game sales can really affect how developers and marketers approach making games. And it is eventually leading to the digital distribution era I so thoroughly despise.
Some people want that, but I, as a collector, am totally about showing off my physical copy of the game I bought. It feels more like an accomplishment.
