Used games worse than piracy says developer

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Gameguru Mania News - May,14 2010 -

Used games worse than piracy says developer - briefly
(hx) 06:09 PM CEST - May,14 2010 - Post a comment / read (8)
Co-founder of Blitz Game Studios, Andrew Oliver, has stated that the impact of used game sales are worse than piracy on consoles and is pushing developers towards releasing game content as digital downloads. There's no denying that second-hand games dig into the profits of developers, but just how bad is it? Citing statistics that suggest games are traded as many as four times, Blitz Games Studios' co-founder Andrew Oliver says used game sales cut publisher and developer royalties by as much as 25%. That figure, while far from scientific, is staggering.

In fact, Oliver believes the impact of second-hand sales is a "much bigger problem than piracy on the main consoles." He acknowledges the appeal of such transactions however, saying that games are expensive and after a few weeks of playing, players have either beaten the title or grown bored of it, so trading it in to help pay for another seems sensible.

Oliver believes the damage caused by the pre-owned business is pushing game companies toward digital releases â€“ be it the full game or extra content. This comment comes as EA prepares to block second-hand games from online access unless new owners pay $10 for an "Online Pass." That paywall will exist in forthcoming EA Sports titles and if successful, will presumably spread to other genres.

last 10 comments:

Csimbi	(06:25 PM CEST - May,14 2010 )
This is a very good way to ensure that piracy levels will be higher in the future.

Tom

(08:39 PM CEST - May,14 2010 )

I can agree with the used game scenario cutting into their profits. I think it sucks bad when you go to EBGames and they are selling a used game for a measly $5 less than retail. I've also bought used games where people were still using the account associated to the serial. LOL! I typically buy retail myself unless I want to punish the game maker or developer I will intentionally buy used. EA, couldn't care less for. They are purely out to gouge people as it is. EA is going down, whether anybody knows it or not. They are desperate and desperate times call for desperate measures. I have no future plans to buy anything from EA. EA sucks.

Ozieo	(01:02 AM CEST - May,15 2010 )
It's crystal clear that these game producers do not consider the consumer as a consumer, but rather as an enemy. I'm no more willing to buy something from my enemies.

Csimbi

(11:52 AM CEST - May,15 2010 )

Ozieo> It's crystal clear that these game producers do not consider the consumer as a consumer, but rather as an enemy. I'm no more willing to buy something from my enemies.
On the contrary: they consider the customers to be consumers.
Meaning: buy the crap and when you don't need it anymore, throw it away (instead of re-furbishing/re-selling/etc) so every single human being has to buy their own crap (increasing their profit).
That's very much in line with today's trends, and it works in countries where people need not to worry about money and waste/pollution. But, there are only a very few countries that can afford it, so we all know that it will only pave the road (a much wider road than there is currently) for piracy.
Just watch.

Oh, btw: ever wondered why digital downloads are not cheaper? I mean, propotionally to the amount of the material/printing/shipping and all the work/costs associated with physical media.

Ceriden

(06:59 PM CEST - May,15 2010 )

Retail would throw a fit and right now the two need each other. Course once it all becomes digital download the publishers can afford to keep prices higher longer if they don't have to worry about shelf space and backstock. Bet you will see something akin to the music industry and radio stations. Where the stations were payed to play certain songs heavily we will see publishers pushing games where they can negotiate a higher cut from fledgling developers or push their franchise games (Madden for example).

Course I would love to see developers push back publishers to what they should be doing, distributing and marketing not being the decision makers.

Tom	(07:48 AM CEST - May,17 2010 )
ffs prices rise on everything... digital or not.

Csimbi	(12:33 PM CEST - May,17 2010 )
Tom> ffs prices rise on everything... digital or not. That should not be a problem as long as salaries were to follow...