The lights are on
The next-gen console rumors are running fast and thick, and one in particular has gamers talking: Will they support used games or not? Michael Pachter, industry analyst and managing director at Wedbush Securities, has some choice words on the subject.
When asked about rumors that the next Xbox system would not include a disc drive and not support used games, Pachter says those rumors are "so stupid as to be laughable."
Pachter thinks that both rumors make no sense because it's a divisive issue that could only give an advantage to the competition. If your console doesn't support used games, the other systems would gain ground simply by including the feature.
"Unless you believe in collusion – unless you believe that all the console manufacturers are going to get together and scheme to screw the consumer, and at least in the U.S. we have laws against that, so probably none of them would do that – then if one of them did that unilaterally (any one of those things), the others would say, "Hey wait a minute, we have a disc drive. Ours will play used games. Buy ours instead of there's.'
"[It's] not happening. Not even a prayer of that."
Pachter also thinks that the sheer number of gamers who deal in the used games market – or would at least appreciate the right to do so – is too large to freeze out.
"No used games: Stupid."
For more on what Pachter and others in the industry think about some of the next-gen console rumors, be sure to check out the latest issue of Game Informer Magazine (#229). It's out now for Digital subscribers, is rolling out to magazine subscribers, and will be on newsstands shortly.
[Full disclosure: Game Informer is owned by GameStop]
Email the author Matthew Kato, or follow on Twitter, and Game Informer.
Yes... this is what makes sense, and what I figured...
Here is why used games will never be locked out...1.) Only studios that make terrible games that do not sell have complained about used games. 2.) Used games actually boost new game sales in the long run (example: I buy the first game in a series used because I'm not sure if I will like it..I end up loving it and up reserving the next games in the series to pick up new on launch day..I have known several people who have had this same situation) 3.) All used games were once bought new. 4.) On the back of number 3...If I am the person who bought the game used after the person who bought it new traded it in, I probably wasn't going to buy it new anyway.....locking out used games would end the game industry as we know it. Only major blockbuster titles would remain, and many many game studios and stores would have to close. It's never going to happen..it doesn't make sense. There are still more new games that sell then used..and as I said in number 1...I have not seen any successful studios that make great games complaining about this.
You know, if that were to happen, Nintendo would outsell both Sony and Microsoft and we couldn't have that can we?
No used games = No rental games. It's suicide for a console manufacturer.
I'm not saying that locking out used games is the way, but right now the industry is definitely in a funk. The cost to make games is rising while revenues are dropping. We need to find some way to get more money to the people who actually make the games. Right now, GameStop's used game industry is a huge multi-billion dollar leech on the revenue of our favorite developers.
Perhaps instead of locking out used games, they could release digital versions online along side the retail releases for a small discount verses what would be paid in the store. Try to mimic Steam and create aggressive sales designed to convince people to buy games that have been released years ago.
Niceeeee!!!!!!
What I have been saying all along it would be stupid, specially for LAN parties and the like. It just doesn't make sense, because no matter what the industry thinks we want, us as consumers still have a say in it.
After reading what this guy had to say about the ME3 ending and those who were unhappy about it I no longer have any respect for the man. Didn't he say a PS3 would be more powerful then a 2000.00 dollar computer at one point? The guy is a clown!
"...the sheer number of gamers...is too large to freeze out"...YET!
You know they want to, but as long as gamers stand together on this issue, we will be able to have our used games.
Also, grammar police:
Theirs is the third person plural possessive pronoun - it replaces "their" + noun.
Example: Is this yours or theirs?
Non-example:Buy ours instead of there's.'
This guy has it right.
Oh thank god.
Completely agree. There still are enough people 'round the world without internet to make it to early to (bleh) go digital.
Thank goodness. Now when I work, I can tell the consumers that all is well in the world of next-gen consoles. ;)
The reason it seems plausible is because of the DRM tactics and the online pass pay scheme that already exists. Why not just "independently" and "unilaterally" make next gen games/consoles original purchase only? The game developers and console makers seem to like the idea of nickle and dimming gamers already.
This ... mouth ... may actually be right for once...
but "legal" collusion happens all the time kids. business isn't always clean in the US.
I love how we've heard definite no's from everyone but Sony and MSFT...
total agree
best way to combat poor sales.. er i mean revenue stolen from used game sales is to make the games all downloadable only no worries about how many games to produce or when to stop producing them. Also there won't be a hassle about "Exclusive Content".
Why would anyone limit their income flow?