Would You Buy a Console that Locked Out Used Games?

GotGame: One of the biggest rumors that could have the largest impact on the game industry from the consumer and retailer perspective is the story that the next XBOX will not allow users to play used games. You may take all of this with a grain of salt, but it is interesting to take a look at what it could lead to if consumers are not allowed to purchase used games.

[GalacticEmpire]

We need to make a stand as consumers and just say no to this. Taking away even that small part of our right to do what we want with our own game, which we purchased with our own hard earned cash, is a line that no company should cross.

No boycott in the history of gaming has ever really worked so I'm not expecting a boycott on this to work either. I just want people to stop and think about their own rights and question whether they are willing to part with those rights just to keep their favorite conglomerates shareholders happy.

EA, Activision, Ubisoft... tread carefully.

[SCW1982]

I agree with you but it's a business strategy that is working for Steam and also the mobile platform. It's an ugly truth but this is going to eventually happen. Colin Moriarty makes a good point about the inevetability of this on Game scoop I recommend listening to what he says. But still it is sad to see.

[GalacticEmpire]

I'm not arguing the inevitability of digital downloads as the future, what I'm saying is, while we still have a physical media we needn't be screwed by big companies for more cash.

Steam compensates the gamer for a lack of resalability by having reasonable prices and excellent sales. If console manufacturers can match those prices then I'm all for digital downloads, I just don't like having choice taken away from me for the sake of corporate greed.

[Enigma_2099]

The thing about Steam and the mobile platform? Their games are ALWAYS available. They don't sell out/go out of print. The only way anyone should be behind these types of consoles is if ALL games are ALWAYS available, and worth the price they'll no doubt force you to pay for them.

[Kalowest]

I don't care really, I buy my games new now.
Thank(whatever religion) for Amazon and Bestbuy.

[Spenok]

Absolutely. Especially because buying new supports the developers. Supporting the developers means more games down the line.

Simple, but true logic.

[DarkHeroZX]

I've been going purely digital for a while now so I'm not overly concerned. I only buy games I'm really interested in. All this does is insure I do my research on games I don't really know about before I buy them. This will also insure dev's try and make the experience for any game a great and well polished one. I can also see pricing for games working in our favor. If a development team knows their game isn't number 1 in the average gamer's budget then they may pull a Sly: Thieves in time and lower the cost enough to where it might be a big enough incentive to put the money down.

[Thatguy-310]

I honestly wouldn't mind. I like many others don't buy used games and don't sell them either. This wouldn't really affect me one bit. But I do understand where the other people are coming from.

[showtimefolks]

i don't think any console maker is stupid enough to block used games, and if someone is than this will be their last console and huge failure

[V0LT]

You own nothing you buy.

[MrBeatdown]

I agree, but only if we don't see an upside.

Taking away the ability to sell games is a bad thing, but only if the companies behind it don't make it worth the trade off.

I could see some potential upsides... playing without the disc, access to a downloadable copy, access to a streaming copy, and maybe even cheaper games.

The inability to trade in games is nothing but a negative if there's nothing in it for the customers, but if done right, it could be a good thing.

To me, the best thing to do would be to give the customer an option to choose. Let us choose between having a disc we can trade and sell, or let us tie it to our account for some added benefits.

[R_aVe_N]

Simple I don't buy used games... Never have and never will. I respect people option to buy used games, but I myself would rather support the developers that make these games. Most of the time you can find these games NEW for cheaper than you can get them used so I really don't see a point.

[theWB27]

The point of used games is finding a game that's 3 or four years old that you couldn't find new. You may be fortunate to get all the games you want but some dont have the time or money. By the time we get around to said game it could very hard to find it brand new. Where would you get the nostalgia and buy old systems and games? There is a point to it all...

[R_aVe_N]

You still find most games new on Amazon even 6 years down the line. I recently saw Lair of all games at Amazon new for 10 bucks lol. It is not that hard to find these games. Older stuff like PS2 games well you dont have to worry about those because well that system don't block them XD.

[sithsylar]

No i wouldn't and the console itself will fail because games don't stay in store all the time so basically if you buy a console 1-2 years later after its released you will miss out on games..... Why doesn't anyone see this negative.

[theWB27]

I dont think they're going to do all this banning of used games deal. I do think they're going to make it extra to play online with used games and go through great lengths to make it a hassle getting used games online somehow.

[Fatty]

Any fanboy will, and then they'll justify it like a beaten spouse.

[sithsylar]

hahaha yep exactly, its exactly like Battered person syndrome. It makes me laugh so much.

[Soldierone]

No. Like I've said before, its a combination of taking it away and me simply not being able to afford things.

I don't buy used, yet I still trade in games to buy new games and new hardware. Gamestop even reported that a majority of their trade ins go towards this. At the end of the day they are hurting themselves.

I won't spend 60 dollars on a digital game, period.

[R_aVe_N]

I agree with you there. There is no way in hell I will pay 60 for a digital game at any point. I won't even download games now days I prefer to have a disc copy of everything I buy.

[MrWonderful]

While I don't agree with the concept it won't really bother me because I keep the games I buy. So in this case I will buy the ones I know and love first and any new IPs I will wait until they drop in price before I buy them if they are worth it

[sithsylar]

I'm Out. /dragons den, shark tank talk

[Perjoss]

I don't buy used games so makes no difference to me at all.

[Fluke_Skywalker]

I don't buy used, but I do trade in a lot of games that I either should never have bought in the first place as they are guff, or just won't ever be playing again. It does help towards the purchase of other games.
It doesn't really bother me that much tbh so I probably would buy one, it would just make me think a bit harder before buying games.
I also think if they're gonna lock out used games then new game prices would need to come down a bit.

[jerethdagryphon]

thing is nothing resold kicks back to developers so why should games

if it has a support system like online then ok 10% of used price goes to dev thats fair

otherwise no

[ziggurcat]

no, but that's never going to happen, so.... why ask such a useless question?

[FarCryLover182]

I don't play used games, but I like the option. I also like the idea that if my console dies or whatever, that I could use my game again.

[Fluke_Skywalker]

I don't think they'd lock it to one physical console, it would most likely be to your account not the hardware.

[FarCryLover182]

That might be true, but I remember reading about some type of seal or something in the disc that will get assigned to just one console. Like the console reads its data to the strip or whatever it is that is on the disc.

I hope someone knows what I am talking about.

[Summons75]

Yes. Because I don't buy used games because they always look like someone played frisbee with them so my OCD wont allow it. I also never trade game either. That's just me though.

[Fullmetalevolust]

This argument exemplifies hard copies vs. digital copies. When the world is ready for an all digital console (sorry to burst anyone's bubble, but we aren't there in terms of fast downloads, and I mean that on a world scale) then perhaps the idea of physical copies will be extinguished, 'til then, I reserve the right to buy a physical copy new or used. Besides, they have a long way to go to be able to compress games to take as less space as possible on a hard drive or external drive without affecting visual and gameplay performance. Therefore, no, I wouldn't buy a console that locked out used copies. Since when is gaming an elitist type of hobby? Not everyone can shell out 60 bucks a pop. Gaming has striven with the used games market.

[saint_seya]

I don buy used games, but then again, its like selling a kitchen that can be only used by one chef.. I mean if i buy something i should be able to let others have if im tired, imagine people buying cars that can be traded or sold... If u buy something, the idea is you are the owner of what u bought, what companies are trying to do is rent u the game, yeah i know u can have it all the time u want, but whats the point if u can share it, sell it or traded, ure not the owner then..

[maniacmayhem]

No.

But if both Sony and MS went this route for their new systems then I would seriously have a problem on my hands.

That is what scares me, what would happen if both Sont and MS did this? The as gamers would we simply stop gaming?

[TenkoTAiLS]

Because there clearly isn't any other gaming companies that have consoles on the market other than Sony and Microsoft...... >.<

[maniacmayhem]

None that I care about.
Thanks for playing.

[TenkoTAiLS]

You said "we". "I" is used to show your personal preference.

Insert more coins to continue.

[jon1234]

yes i would! i never buy used games, even when idiot gamestop employees automatically assume that selling me a used copy of a game i want to purchase, only because its like 4 dollars cheaper...

i tell them no, i want an unopened one! and they give me the funniest look ever, theyre so confused and tell me, but its cheaper... and the cherry on top for me is when i reply by telling them i dont care...

and theyre forced to bring out a new copy :)

[KMCROC54]

Yes cause I already buy new games for the passes,DLC,extras.
besides I have a hard time buying used games cause I hate dealing with issue that may arise. So am all set.

I have one question were do console manufacturers my thier money from cause I keep hearing they make more from the software than hardware, so am guessing since they already take a loss on hardware.so this about a concepts to prevent a loss from the other part of the equation,that how I look at it .

[Jek_Porkins]

Well it would depend, I usually don't buy a ton of used games, but it is a nice option. While the used game thing wouldn't be a deal breaker on its own, I usually like to take a game to my brothers place or my friends place and we'll do that quite often. So no used games would kill that and I doubt I'd buy a console that blocked them completely.

No used games and no backwards compatibility would definitely be a deal breaker.

[dubt72]

Would I? Absolutely.

[Aclay]

I don't buy used games, so it wouldn't really have an impact on me. Of all my time gaming, I've only bought one game used, and it was ICO -- and I only bought it used because I couldn't find a new copy in a game store just several months after it first came out.

Unless it's something pretty expensive that most people have to borrow money to buy like a car or house, I prefer to buy virtually everything else brand new.

[Sucitta]

I can also afford to buy all my platforms & games new, that's not the point.

I make 80K a year and own all the biggies plus the 2 handhelds, yet i still flash my drive & download my games to avoid being ripped off. If a game is deserving, I always buy the collectors edition, if not, I toss out the disc and forgive it for wasting my time.

Your taking a stand against corporate greed. Not everyone is of the age of work, or lives in a family that has allot of disposable cash..

It's not about you or me and or if we can buy everything new or not. It's much bigger then that and if you and your fellows would get this, we could have progress with numerous corporate greed infested issues.

think a lil outside your tiny box.

[Aclay]

I completely understand all that, I'm just saying it wouldn't have an impact on me and that I'd still buy a console if it blocked used games.

I don't agree with the notion that used games should be blocked and I hope used games aren't blocked because I realize not everyone can afford to buy new and the option to buy used should always be available for physical media.

[Sucitta]

Think about the people that are already paying 100$/game.

Enough of this insane greed already. I for one, will not support any system that locks out used games, will not support any system that locks out used games, will not support any system that locks out used games.... say it with me !! SAY IT = )

Get the word out to parents that they will not longer be able to "trade and save", always having to buy 70$ games with tax for the lil money goblins.

Take a stand, be apart of something, even if it is as trivial as the games you love & the hate for the greedy companies that care for nothing but your money.

This September 11th take a stand against corporate greed, fight the corporate anti used games movement & buy whichever platform allows you to have freedom of choice. Easy Peesy

[belac09]

hell no, not because i cant afford it, but it just doesnt sit right with me, growing up i never would have played half the games i did if it weren't for used games. plus there are so many games they don't publish anymore and you HAVE to buy used, who's to say they wont do that with digital games, there's too many unknowns.

[Bathyj]

I dont WANT it to happen, but I dont really care either. I buy all my games new except for now and then I'll buy something if its cheap on eBay, but then its always a title I wouldnt have normally got.

I'd be more pissed off if all games when digital than banning used games.

Having said that, I do lend out my own games to friends quite a bit cos I'm a nice guy so I would miss that.

[jfinesse]

Yes I would and the reason is simple. I play PC games and have never been able to resell them. I buy an IOS game I can't sell it back. There was a time when GameStop didn't exist and you just paid for your games. There's a sense of entitlement that we as gamers seem to have. 1. Sony and Microsoft don't owe people anything other than to provide goods and services paid for. 2. Studios close left and right because thir games aren't making a profit while certain companies make money by selling it at a slightly cheaper cost. The literal difference between new and used copies at times is $5. If its such a big deal try the demo to see if you like the game first. It was bound to happen sooner or later especially since the consoles are becoming more and more like PC's.

[XboxInnovation]

They won't do this..if they're smart, and I'm sure they're smart enough to realize banning used games will do far more harm than good.

What if Honda banned all used car dealerships from selling used Hondas, would that really make people go buy brand new Hondas? No, the consumer will just go to the next best thing with what they can afford. The same will happen with gaming. If you out price the consumer they will just go to the next best thing with the money they have to spend.

In this case I can see many casuals just giving up on console gaming and going strictly to tablets and phones.

[Double_O_Revan]

While the majority of the games I buy are new, there are times when I go to find an older game, that maybe I can't find new any more, and I buy used.

No, I wouldn't buy a console that would prevent me from playing used games. My game is My game, no matter how I bought it.

[My_Name_BTW_Is_Dante]

No but other people would. Just like how other people pay monthly fees to play games online that I'm playing for free.

[deadfrag]

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[vanethe]

first i said no !
then now im thinking if the games for that console are cheaper than the games we have now , there's a possibility

[thebudgetgamer]

No, I dont like options being taken away from me.

[V0LT]

Would be a massive job loss... but if it gets rid of Gamestop I'm all for it.

[C-Thunder]

That's pretty petty.

[worldwidegaming]

Gamestop is not great but i like to walk in and look around. If it died im sure mom and pop shops will return but by then everyone will be downloading games.

[kagon01]

Nope...

[jagstatboy]

Hell NO!

[e-p-ayeaH]

Consumer rights are at stake here...

[axisofweevils]

Nope.
Authors don't get any money from used books.
Movie makers don't get any money from used DVD.
TV manufacturers don't get any money from second hand TV sales.
Every industry has managed to cope with second hand sales, why should games be any different?

It's not that I buy many games second-hand, it's just I like having the option of selling them if I buy a bad game. If I couldn't do that, I'd end up buying far fewer games than I do now.

[C-Thunder]

Not if there still remained an alternative. I can't lie though, if they all blocked them, I'd be upset, but I'd get one.

[sloth3395]

I don't buy used games since the price difference only ends up being around $5 so no point in it when you can get it new

[USMC_POLICE]

So if I buy a brand new game I can't let a friend barrow it nor can I take it to their house and play on their system.

[worldwidegaming]

Vote with your money!
Be warned, they have done years of research. They know gamers as a whole can not band together and protest. As soon as we do they throw another trailer at us and we go to drooling.
Gamer protest! companies lose 2000pr
Companies cast (kick ass trailer that in reality does not run in real time but run on a kick ass rig)
Gamers forget what they were fighting about and fight each other over how cool/uncool trailer was!
companies make millions!

[tweet75]

no because if i got a second console or my console break I would not be able to play games on them. I will boycott any company that does this

[tiffac008]

That would be a hard pill to swallow for me. Since I borrow games from my friends when it comes to genres that I do not buy and vice versa.

[contradictory]

yes.
i never buy used if i don't have to anyway, i prefer to support the developers

but i can see how it would become problematic
after 10 years or something you couldn't play them anymore
without having the same console it was used in originally