Why do people buy used games?

[Norrdicus]

I just don't get the hubbub. I never buy used for fear of getting a scratched copy. Again, I don't want DRM and maybe one day I'll want a used copy of an old game. Why do people act like used games are the biggest point of contention in the industry? It's not exactly consumer friendly model either and it just means a retailer acted as a middleman who pocketed more money than usual by facilitating a transaction.

Okay, so we're talking about this from a "retail used market pespective" right?

Now, you're absolutely right, quite a few stores keep used and new copy prices so close together that the difference is minimal. But there is always an exception in the midst, and sometimes, as others have pointed out, the new copy isn't even an option.

I guess I should have clarified that I'm talking about Gamestop, Best Buy, Wal Mart, and Amazon. There's no reason to use them when you can sell used direct to people. The internet just seems to act like using those retailers as a source of used games is the backbone video game retail, which doesn't really make sense when you think about it. They're just recouping the losses on new games that they themselves marked down. It's goofy.

You probably should have clarified because you go to a few different tangents in your first post.

Okay, so the common point for used games is usually "but think of the poor retailers!", but I think only a fraction of people here actually think that. When people heard that used games market would still exist with Xbone, but only in the hands on Microsoft-approved chains, people got suspicious immediately. It's the mom-and-pop used games market and private trading that goes away first when any used game restrictions are applied.

Me too. The internet is a godsend when it comes to getting new games cheap, and classic games really cheap. I just don't why everyone is so concerned about gamestop, as if games will cease to be if they go.

Again, people just use Gamestop as a "face" for their rhetoric.

I don't visit Gamestop anymore, personally. Even if they had any good deals, they arrange their shelves in such a way that I can't read labels. I have to flip through every single game to see what there is in "Letter A" section. Annoying as hell.

I let several retailers in nearby cities "compete with their prices" before I buy anything on their websites. While buying from a person is usually slightly cheaper, the better managed video game stores mail the game the very day I purchase it. I don't/can't expect such quick delivery times from individuals

 

[Cloudydays]

A) They're cheap. It doesn't matter if it's just a few dollars cheaper but they're cheaper than buy new, retail. And I tend to find decently priced games (though I usually turn to ebay to buy them unless it's a rare one that I'm looking for). Although I will not that, specifically when a game stops being produced, the price sky rockets. Bought a copy of a NIS game for nearly triple digits once...

B) Easier to come by. Even if it doesn't stop being produced, some games just become hard to find after they're not on the "New Games" rack.

Plenty of other reasons..

 

[Genocidicles]

Others have said my main reasons, so I'll post my other reason why I buy used.

Sometimes a shitty publisher *cough* EA *cough* releases a game I actually want to play. I'd like to obtain the game legally, but I don't want to support the publisher, so I buy it used.

 

[Aeshi]

It's cheaper than buying a new copy.

There's various other reasons, but they all ultimately boil down to that one.

 

[Cloudydays]

Others have said my main reasons, so I'll post my other reason why I buy used.

Sometimes a shitty publisher *cough* EA *cough* releases a game I actually want to play. I'd like to obtain the game legally, but I don't want to support the publisher, so I buy it used.

Ha! Funny reason that.

Just grudgingly buy a few copies and pass it around.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

I buy used because it's the only way I'm going to get games for my older consoles at a half-way decent price. Sure, the examples OP listed are great: there have been really great sales on new games if you know where to look and indeed, check often but that kind of thing doesn't happen with older games.

 

[Rickin10]

For me it's not about 'buying' used games, it's the whole used game system.

1. I buy probably 75% more new games then I would if Xbone's bs policy was in place because I know I can take chances on new Ips, games that have a 5 hour campaign, or anything that I'm not sure of, and still get good credit when I take it to Cex.

Incidentally, I saw a report that- I take it M$, EA et al didn't read - stating that developers actually make around 10% more profit BECAUSE of the used market, and would continue to do so unless they dropped the prices of new games.

2. I can trade in games (like the ones above) or ones that i've played to death for nearly-new titles and get them for barely anything.

3.I can pick up really old used games for as little as £3. I only got into Mass Effect ( now my favourite ever series) because I picked it up for about £8 at Cex.

 

[Inglorious891]

Because it's cheaper in most situations. And what about older games? What happens to them? Personally, I'd rather pay $15 for a used copy of Silent Hill 2, for example, then $65 for a new one off of Amazon.

Also, not wanting to support a shitty company. That's a big one.

 

[Aeonknight]

Others have said my main reasons, so I'll post my other reason why I buy used.

Sometimes a shitty publisher *cough* EA *cough* releases a game I actually want to play. I'd like to obtain the game legally, but I don't want to support the publisher, so I buy it used.

While I'll concede and say at least you're not as bad as a pirate in that regard... I still don't follow the logic of wanting to harm EA even if it means the developers are harmed in the process. Seems pretty petty and shortsighted to me.

 

[CFriis87]

Because consoles don't have Steam sales.

 

[CriticalMiss]

Because sometimes you don't have enough to buy a brand new title, but the bargain bin or used game section might have something else that piques your interest. What if you bought a game used, realised the series was pretty good and then buy the rest new because you were impressed with the game you just happened to try because it was all your could afford?

That happened to me and The Elder Scrolls, I saw Morrowind in the preowned section and figured for the price I would probably get good value on an RPG rather than spend twice as much on a brand new game that wasn't as long. I didn't know about the series before that but I have bought all of the games since on release day. I might not have done had I not bought a used game and Bethesda wouldn't have gotten that money.

 

[PoolCleaningRobot]

I get what you're saying. I don't like buying used for the same reasons you do. But your main options for cheaper games is to either wait for it to be cheap or order it online. What if you want the game right now? You can just drive down to the local Game Stop and be almost guaranteed they have what you're looking for at a price you want to play. Besides, they supposedly test their games so your chance of getting a scratched or damaged game is slim. Even if you did get a bad one, they'll refund you quickly (full disclosure: I'm basing this off a bad GBA game I bought from them that couldn't find at a store a long fucking time ago. They took my word for it even after it worked the first time they tested it). Like I said I'm paranoid about getting screwed by a damaged game, but its nothing but paranoia

Also, why are people only concerned about buying games? People also want to be able to sell their games somewhere down the line. I might want to make room for the next gen by selling some of my current gen games that weren't all that great

 

[Stryc9]

When I buy used games I usually buy them because I can't find them at retail anymore. Sometimes I get them from Amazon, sometimes I get them off eBay and sometimes I get them from second hand stores. This whole thing of blocking used games on consoles or making you pay a fee to play them reeks of the kind of bullshit that started the TV writer's strike a few years ago only with more corporate greed involved.

The writers were getting all pissy because they weren't getting paid royalties on the DVD releases of the TV shows they wrote for which is essentially asking to get paid twice for work they'd already done and been paid for. The publishers are getting pissy because people are taking their games back to certain retailers for store credit or cash and the stores resell the games and don't share with the publishers. The publishers essentially want to get paid multiple times for work they've already been paid for doing once because they're being greedy.

If you really think that the publishers are going to share some of that used game money they want so bad with the developers of the games that are sold used I've got a few bridges to sell you and I promise they won't fall down when they get clipped by a semi-truck.

 

[Nurb]

In support of the used game industry which has been used as a boogyman by the games industry for it's high expectations of 30 million copies of their new releases not being sold

 

[ZippyDSMlee]

Its cheaper meaning you can own more titles and a the only legal way to snub the industry.

The real question should be why do game companies waste millions on constant new hardware and needless upper management positions......

Game companies are like the music industry alot of fat and waste....

 

[DEAD34345]

Because it's cheaper. I'd buy a game used over a new copy if it was even a single penny cheaper, because... well, why wouldn't I? The used games I buy always come with a 30 day guarantee, and I've had brand new games break on me as often as used ones anyway.

A more sensible question to ask would be "Why don't people buy used games", and the usual reason given is something along the lines of supporting the developer, which I find extremely silly in most cases. If I'm going to give charity, I'll give it to starving children in Africa, people living on the streets, or hell, just about anyone other than the huge and wealthy corporations that make most popular videogames.

 

[idarkphoenixi]

In brick and mortar store, the 2nd hand area is sometimes to only place you can find certain games. people can't stock everything forever.

Also, it's cheaper. Some people need to game on a budget.

It is the right of a consumer to do what they want with the product they paid for. Including but not limited to: lending it, selling it or even destroying it

Used games are no real threat to developers, it's just a scapegoat fabricated by the games industry. If your game is totally reliant on only having first-hand sales in order to survive then that's your own damn fault. Crank out the dlc and online passes like everyone else does.

2nd hand sales are a part of selling a product, but the gaming industry is so self-entitled they believe they deserve to be treated specially by demonising anyone who buy used.
Cars, clothing and other electronics manufacturers have lived with it for decades and they look pretty strong to me.

 

[dreadedcandiru99]

I hardly ever buy new games, myself. If a game looks good, it's gotten good reviews, and it was made by a developer I want to support, I'll save up the sixty bucks and buy it new. As a rule, I only buy used copies of a game if either (1) I can't find any new copies anywhere, or (2) I just plain can't afford to buy a new copy. And I only trade in my games if I know I won't be replaying them--Bioshock Infinite was a keeper, for example, while the Tomb Raider remake wasn't.

I'm allowed to do that thanks to the right of first sale: once you pay for an item, it belongs to you, and you can dispose of it as you see fit. I sold my old car when I moved, and Ford wasn't entitled to a cut. I sold my old textbooks when I finished college, and the textbook companies weren't allowed to stop me. I see no reason whatsoever why video games should be different.

(Captcha: "drawing board." AKA, the thing publishers should take their business models back to, if used games are really that big of a problem for them.)

 

[GonzoGamer]

Used games aren't that cheap. I've gotten "new" copies of old-ish games for less than a used copy would cost, pretty much all the time. I just keep an eye on deals.

It's not a good deal...anymore. Not since gomestop got a near monopoly and gouged the used game market to near new prices.

I hate Gamestop just as much as MS and they deserve most of the blame for this used game fiasco.

The problem is that the efforts taken to stem used game sales prevents other things. I happen to rend and lend/borrow games with friends. So when I borrow a copy of a Sony or EA published game, I can't play the multiplayer part without paying an extra $10, which I'm not going to do for a game that I'm only renting or borrowing.

 

[Frostbyte666]

used games allows me to take some risks on what I purchase so instead of £30 it's less than £10 and if it turns out I don't enjoy it I don't mind losing the tenner. On the other hand if I do like it then I'll be watching more from the studio and probably buy their next game new.

There's also finding a few gems that I may have missed the first time round that either aren't sold new now or are exorbitantly expensive.

A final thing with trawling the used games is it can also give you an idea of games that people didn't like or only play once and then trade in, especially when you see racks of the same game on the used shelves.