A Thought Of Being Used

Let me see what happens with this one.  What I mean is that we can argue about used games and never get a solution beside games going digital and that’s it.  I for one, want to see if people feel that used games can help a gamer’s library expand or that it is the only way to get certain games when they go out of print.  

I want to tackle the first part of the question.  Used games expanding our library is the way that most gamers can show what taste they like in the choice of games.  Some of the new games are still being brought but some treat it as a rental and really don’t see the importance of keeping a healthy variety of games.  With those types of consumers, other gamers can pick up and help fill in a game franchise they have or wanted to try and might feel that Amazon or other online businesses cannot get them the game quicker.  With a library that contain used and new, it makes a impression of seeing what certain games are all about and maybe have a connection that makes you blog, pod cast, research, and have something that maybe not worth the full price.  I know kids can be picky (and some adults too) but it is nice to pick a game for cheap just to have in your collection.  Just like buying used books for college, it still serves its purpose of being fun and /or educational.  I pay full price for some games or wait for it to go lower but I also buy used games to make my library of games grow and be something to visit as a backlog or discuss with friends.

Though we should buy it when it comes out.  Sometimes though, some stores don’t carry every release game that comes out.  At my job alone, we never got a copy of the Bit.Trip compilations for the Wii and DS.  I already brought some of them on Wii Ware but to have them all on a disk is a great physical product to hold for those who don‘t have their system online.  Phoenix Wright had to be bought as a used copy because you couldn‘t find it in a lot of stores. One day though, I happened to be at Gamestop and found a brand new copy for 20 bucks and no used copy was available.  I picked it up and gave the game a try and loved it ever since.  Somehow, the game became very popular yet hard to find in stores.  Those who traded in their copies were one of the quickest way’s to obtain it.  Yes, you could order it online, but some of those prices were high and some of the used games were around $25 because of the high demand.  I was glad to have a new copy in my library but I would still fork over the money for the used copy also just to have in my collection.

Purchasing a used game is not bad business.  Yes, companies are losing money from second purchases but that is what it is: a second hand purchase.  Do they collect money when the game goes to 19.99 or some clearance price when it doesn’t sell for a while? If GS is making profit on the used game sales, why haven’t publishers made a contract with them about it?  If they sell a used game, they should receive at least 40% of the purchase.  That should be fair.  A lot of games that have come out end up in the used game area almost a week or two after its release.  That’s for any system and handheld.  Though, I see it as helping a collection for gamers.  

I think if the industry switches to digital distribution, the systems will have to incorporate a greater hard drive and infinite downloads.  I can’t see physical media going away anytime soon but the publishers think this is the only to solve the problem.  They might put themselves in more trouble than what they expect.  Especially for younger gamers who don’t have a credit card or the money to keep going to the store to buy cards for their system of choice.

Used games are going to be an issue for many but as a consumer (and from this point of view), I don’t see it being a frustrating thing for companies.  Yes, Gamestop is making money and publishers are losing out yet what would happen if publishers stop sending them games (or any company that takes trade in) and could online order it from them? On top of that, they have on the box “not for resale”?  The used games market will be in serious jeopardy.