GameStop CEO Says Restricting Used Game Sales Is Bad For Everyone

[Snotnarok]

As for DRM, complete load. I'm at the point where if I have to upgrade my computer again, which I'm going to have to, I'm going to have to pirate Spore so I can legally play the game I purchased without paying any more by going on their stupid little line. Unless they actually got around to finally upping the amount of installs I get, which I still wouldn't agree with because I shouldn't be restricted like that. It's like giving you a set number of user activations for your car, which seems fine in theory until you realize if a part craps out and needs to be replaced or if you just do manual check ups you have to burn one of your user activations.

I agree with you. Why should we have to pay 50 bucks for a few installs? I can understand what steam does where it locks the game to your account. That's fine, at least you can recover it even if the disc is smashed. It kills the resale option but it's way better than DRM and SecurROM.
I was nervous to buy Fallout 3 because I heard it had some sort of "protection" like DRM or something but I heard it's clean. I only hope that's true since this is something I put on my xmas list.

 

[Andy Chalk]

There has to be a compromise. Publishers need retail channels, and retail can't survive on the margins on new games. Consumers, meanwhile, are growing increasingly tired of being bent over by both sides of the equation.

I have no idea what that compromise is, of course, although I expect that for the foreseeable future it will be something akin to the compromise we've reached regarding software piracy, ie., both sides will keep fighting tooth and nail from completely unreasonable positions and detente will emerge from the stalemate that results.

 

[thisbymaster]

No, gamestop makes most of their money on used games. Stop the used games and watch gamestop fail.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

The fact there's a CEO of something that's basically a jumble sale makes me wonder a lot about Gamestop.

The numerous reports about them everso slightly 'flexible' with the law also helps.

But I guess we have CEX over here that do similar.

 

[aaron552]

My guess is that the games publishers like their high margins, but are disappointed by lower and lower sales volumes. It's not rocket science, guys: when high margins aren't creating profit, you need to increase volume and vice-versa; you can't have both anymore. Now STFU and stop with the DRM already, it's not working, it will never work

 

[Sirisaxman]

I don't even get this. I thought the right of resale was a given to consumers. Why do game companies not only get to shit on the law but then have people defend them for it?

This. I personally think that companies like Epic are just being whiney vaginies, they've already made money off of the initial sale of a game, what goddamn right do they have to make money off of said copy more than once? According to U.S. law, none at all.

 

[Magnikai]

This is also why the auto industry is going out of business we need to stop the sales of used cars, and oh lets shut down goodwell because they are only selling used items. Next they will be going after the renting industry and if the gaming industry gets it way, they will destroy themselves.

Quoted for great justice. And its good points.

Anyway,I buy used games all the time, but, I'm also poor. Frankly, given the choice I do buy used, and I really don't care/don't think about the money I'm 'stealing' from the developers when I checkout. The Gamestop near my house has some pretty cool people at it actually and I've never had problems there. I've picked up many fun games that are a lil old from there, games I would've missed otherwise

 

[Nimbus]

There has to be a compromise. Publishers need retail channels, and retail can't survive on the margins on new games. Consumers, meanwhile, are growing increasingly tired of being bent over by both sides of the equation.

I have no idea what that compromise is, of course, although I expect that for the foreseeable future it will be something akin to the compromise we've reached regarding software piracy, ie., both sides will keep fighting tooth and nail from completely unreasonable positions and detente will emerge from the stalemate that results.

Really? I would say that the "war on piracy" is still in the "tooth and nail" cycle.

 

[Sirisaxman]

Anyway,I buy used games all the time, but, I'm also poor. Frankly, given the choice I do buy used, and I really don't care/don't think about the money I'm 'stealing' from the developers when I checkout. The Gamestop near my house has some pretty cool people at it actually and I've never had problems there. I've picked up many fun games that are a lil old from there, games I would've missed otherwise

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, buddy. Most of my dealings with Gamestop/EB have been rather positive, although it really depends on the people working there. Another great thing about buying used from GS? You can return it for ANY REASON within 7 days with the receipt. Can't do that with a brand new game.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

i think it's pretty stupid really. they already made money off the sale of the game, they want some of the resale, next they will want money for the trade in. this will lead to ppl not trading in games and in turn not buying as many new games cause they get hosed by their trade in values

game publishers are soon becoming the new metallica