General Category > General Discussion
Supporting the publishers?
Superchop:
Lately ive started reading more and more topics on how used games are killing video game companies and that devs are losing so much money per used game sale. Because of this those same people say that we shoukd always buy games new to support the developer and everyoe else who had a hand in getting the game out.
Now im not against buying games new but I think its a bit farfetched that used games are killing the industry like they say...and it makes me wonder where their logic is even coming from since this type of mentality has only really risen up within the last year or so. Is it cause of that "Indie" movie that these people are so against it?
UncleBob:
Let's say you make a living selling paintings. In order to live comfortably, you need to sell one painting a month (you're good enough that your paintings can command a price of $5k each).
However - someone comes along and says "Hey, instead of buying a new one of his paintings, I'll sell you this one I already have for 3K." The first time that happens, you'll probably shrug your shoulders.
By the third or fourth month in a row, you're going to be getting hungry.
Now, let's say your biggest source for selling your art (we'll call them "ArtStop") starts displaying cheaper, "pre-owned" prints of your art right next to your new stuff - but at a 10% discount. And they give you nothing when they sell.
I'm not saying that used games should be illegal and I'm not saying that they're killing the industry - but let's at least recognize the fact that if you buy used, you're not helping the developer. What's even worse is when it's a smaller title that really needs every single sell it can get - a few hundred sells could mean the difference between greenlighting a sequel or axing the series. It really doesn't matter how many people play a particular game or how good the reviews are - it really boils down to how well it sells - and resells don't figure into that equation.
I buy used games, but prefer to buy new - mostly because I like knowing I'm getting something that's been taken care of. However, when it comes to older generation stuff, I, of course, tend to buy used a lot because that's all there is.
palmer6strings:
If they decide to do something stupid with the next gen consoles to where it's download only, or that you have to use 1 time use product keys to play the game, or anyway that there isn't a used game market anymore, I will not be buying the new consoles.
I detest the digital market since most of it is overpriced in my opinion. And what if you don't like it? Well your stuck with it now and they don't care since they got your money.
wiggy:
This line of logic insists that someone would buy new if used wasn't an option, which simply cannot be assumed. The music and movie industries have played the same card over and over to no avail.
I.e. Say I want a copy of the new Tomb Raider game. Say I don't have any intention of ever paying 60 bucks for it. Well, the publisher has lost zero dollars from me when I eventually pick up a used copy because I never would have paid full price in the first place. Make sense?
By no means am I saying that we SHOULDN'T support the devs and publishers when possible, but rather that used games sales do not necessarily mean loss for for them.
UncleBob:
There's no way it's a 1:1 ratio by any means. But there's a definitive loss of sales - and when ArtStop GameStop puts the used copy next to the new copy at 10%, there's absolutely no way you'd ever convince me that the majority of people who are willing to buy new Call of Duty for $55 would draw the line at spending $60.
Considering GameStop is the main force behind this practice, it's obvious that it works - that people are willing to forgo new for used at such a small discount.
As for your Tomb Raider situation, would you be wiling to buy a new copy when it eventually drops to $40? $20? How much of that would have went to the publisher/developer vs. buying it used now for $40?
Again, I'm not saying one should *never* buy used or that they should feel guilty for doing it or anything - I'm just saying that it needs to be recognized what is going on.