Battlefield Dev: Anti-Used Games Tech Isn't "Evil" or "Stupid"

[Cryo84R]

The games and content would be tied to an account, that you could access from multiple devices (most likely). This system is already in place for PSN, XBL, and App Store accounts. If you system dies, you fix/replace/whatever it, then log in with your account and re download your content.

Cloud services are such that even your saved games could be recovered. For example, someone makes an iCloud backup on his iPod touch, said device is lost/stolen/whatever. Same person buys new one, logs in and his content (including saved games) are there.

There is wide industry precedent for these kinds of services and utilizing them would help ease consumers into the new industry neighborhood of digital only content. Who know, prices may even drop! That's probably hoping too much.

What would change, however, is developers getting paid properly more often. Sure, piracy is still a thing. It always will be. The trick is to compete with piracy by offering a better service at a reasonable price. Unless someone is a dick, the choice between piracy and a reasonably priced, quality product with front end support will be easy.

 

[bbad89]

Have them work out a deal where Gamestop pays them 20% of what they make off a used game sale of a game. Used copy of BF3 for 55 dollars? Shwoop, 11 dollars just went to DICE. *I know it goes to EA, but this makes me feel better*

 

[TK421]

Are there seriously people who believe that the used game market actually has a negative affect on their sales? How do these people remember to breathe?

 

[Frostbite3789]

Let's see how blocking used games would pan out:

Company A blocks used games
Company B doesn't
Company B's console sells many millions of more units the Company A console
Company A, now in a tight squeeze, disables used games blocking, sales go up, we all learn a valuable lesson

I dunno, PC gaming is doing pretty well I'd say.

 

[SonOfVoorhees]

If they block used games, people wont buy the console. It just wouldnt be worth the money, after all 90% of games are not worth buying full price. Coupled with the fact i have zero interest in online gaming, means i would only buy maybe 5 games total. If that. I find it funny that companies believe that if we cant buy a game used then we will buy it at full price. lol. I, like many people, have bought used games, but have also bought sequels brand new if i enjoyed the previous title.

Only thing that will happen is the tons of games that dont sell will sit on shelves until they are dumped in the discount bin and sold at a "used" price anyway. All shit games will always be made, destroying used game sales will not make companies make better games, no company is intentionally making crappy games.

I would love them to block used games just to see them panic see their profit margins collapse. lol

 

[devilofthemist]

I think this video sums up my feelings on this pretty well
Used games are a valuable part of the industry, it's sad that developers can't see this

but how are they valuable to the company, unless they sell dlc with the game they get nothing from second hand sales

and if they add dlc people ***** even more

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Ok he does have a point about the whole diversity in games thing, but explain to me how it makes any goddamn sense, from a business perspective, to spend thousands of dollars developing technology to essentially combat 1 chain of retail outlet stores?? Please do tell me 'cause I'd actually like to know.

 

[BrionJames]

It's always fun to speculate on what could happen should they do this. I've given my opinion if it ever should come to the point where we can't buy used gaes because they simply won't function is the day I stop supporting the video game industry by spending money on its products. I think what Kickstarter is doing with private developers is fantastic and, like others have stated above, if developers made games worth playing instead of generic combat game or generic fighter, I'd be more inclined to purchase their games when they come out and hang onto them longer.

 

[fwiffo]

This whole used software thing sounds great. I need to get some used copies of windows, office, and adobe creative suite. Really tired of paying so much for these things.

I'm joking here, but actually kind of interested in how other types of software deal with reselling. Since I know nothing about it, off to google I go.

 

[x EvilErmine x]

Look you are all sort of missing the point here. If the next gen consoles don't allow you to play used games or they come up with a way to block used games then what do you think will happen?

Ask your self this, if you knew that the expensive new console you were going to buy would block used games and you have a console at home that can play them just fine, with loads of second hand games you haven't played yet, freely available for a cheep price now the new generation is here, what are you going to do?

Will you run out and buy the new console like a good little sheep? No I'm betting that most of you have the presence of mind to see you are being screwed. Some will undoubtedly get it on launch day but not nearly as many as did for the launch of the xbox and playstation. This time it wont be as effective to just slash the price of the console, because it's not just the price that's the problem. Consoles are expensive to make and represent a significant investment by the company making them. Hell just look at how long it took for the PS3 to become profitable for Sony. Companies need to make the money back and decreased sales figures = less profit = longer to recoup investment = very unhappy share holders = big trouble.

Gaming has been a huge growth industry in a time when nearly every other entertainment industry has been suffering recession or very little growth.The games companies are sort of taking for granted that this trend will continue.
If they decide to block used games then it's going to backfire on them big time by alienating a large proportion of the core gamers out there. You can't piss all over the cake and then wonder why no one wants to buy a slice.

This whole used software thing sounds great. I need to get some used copies of windows, office, and adobe creative suite. Really tired of paying so much for these things.

I'm joking here, but actually kind of interested in how other types of software deal with reselling. Since I know nothing about it, off to google I go.

Simple answer? They don't. You only buy the other types of software very occasionally. No one buys a copy of Windows unless you have to, how many times a year do you think 'Gee I really need to upgrade my copy of office or windows to the shiny new version?' chances are not very often and then only when you must because computability/functionality issues are getting to be too much of a pain to deal with.

 

[Dragoon]

I think this video sums up my feelings on this pretty well
Used games are a valuable part of the industry, it's sad that developers can't see this

but how are they valuable to the company, unless they sell dlc with the game they get nothing from second hand sales

and if they add dlc people ***** even more

Well used games can lead to future sales, for example a person buys a game used and really enjoys it, they then decide to buy the next game in the series or other games by that dev new because they know they like them. Plus people who trade in games are likely to spend the money/credit they get on a new game.

 

[A Pious Cultist]

I think this video sums up my feelings on this pretty well
SNIP
Used games are a valuable part of the industry, it's sad that developers can't see this

No they don't, not in the slightest. They are a valuable thing to the end consumer. But to the actual game development industry? Not in the slightest. Same for piracy. Great for people who want to play games, but does nothing than reduce the profits of developers.

 

[Dragoon]

I think this video sums up my feelings on this pretty well
SNIP
Used games are a valuable part of the industry, it's sad that developers can't see this

No they don't, not in the slightest. They are a valuable thing to the end consumer. But to the actual game development industry? Not in the slightest. Same for piracy. Great for people who want to play games, but does nothing than reduce the profits of developers.

See my reply above for reasons why you're wrong.

 

[devilofthemist]

I think this video sums up my feelings on this pretty well
Used games are a valuable part of the industry, it's sad that developers can't see this

but how are they valuable to the company, unless they sell dlc with the game they get nothing from second hand sales

and if they add dlc people ***** even more

Well used games can lead to future sales, for example a person buys a game used and really enjoys it, they then decide to buy the next game in the series or other games by that dev new because they know they like them. Plus people who trade in games are likely to spend the money/credit they get on a new game.

alright fair point

you win this round internet

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

People who buy used games aren't real gamers, in my eyes. Kind of like some kid calling himself a huge fan of whatever band, despite never buying a single copy of their records and pirating their entire collection.

Second hand or piracy-no money goes to the artists in either case and it all just gets shoved into the deep pockets of middlemen. The argument could be made that second hand games help places like GAME stay in business, but I couldn't give one shit about them, really. Let artists make their stuff and let me give them my money. Why go to a store when I can go directly to the devs' website and buy it there, get my download and have it installed in no time. It's not like internet access is going down--more and more people have access to digital media.

Second hand games and greedy crapholes like GAME be damned.

 

[Your Fearless Captain]

Let's see how blocking used games would pan out:

Company A blocks used games
Company B doesn't
Company B's console sells many millions of more units the Company A console
Company A, now in a tight squeeze, disables used games blocking, sales go up, we all learn a valuable lesson

I dunno, PC gaming is doing pretty well I'd say.

I as a PC gamer am inclined to agree. But used game stores like Gamestop won't stock Company A's console and then push Company B's console on everyone who walks through the door.

 

[somonels]

Sometimes I'm sad that I'm neither a fan or a buyer so I can't stop buying some games because of things like this.

 

[Woodsey]

The easiest anti-used game/piracy trick is to lower game prices; some of them even have the balls to charge £40 for PC games.

 

[weirdee]

Okay, see, I buy quality games, but if you aren't MAKING quality games that are WHOLE in the initial purchase, then your argument isn't worth the price tag you put on it. If you're saying the price tag matches your quality, then maybe we should ADJUST FOR REALITY. You know, the way the used market dictates value by moving to what people would actually pay for the game? Saying that's bad is just asking people to accept paying you for more than you're worth. You are trying to lie to us. I can't accept that.

Granted, the concept is correct, it just only applies to certain essential other titles that have maintained a strong price in the market, and not some crap that you just straight up claim is being a victim here.

You know what makes leaders? Ideas with strong followthrough and solid concepts. Not just miming anything that looks popular. That is an active disservice to folks who want more games, but have the choice of the same damn game 50 times. You split the fanbases and we get into petty issues.

Make something that people feel is WORTH buying (this also applies to the low end, you price too low and people stop valuing the product) and you reduce regret. Make that game hold its value by its own virtue rather than trying to bullshit everybody, and there aren't any lasting issues. Bullshit everybody and they REMEMBER IT next time they are looking at your games and it just runs your margins raw, and you still wonder why nobody's that eager to preorder or even look past a review.