120°

Why Anti-Used Game Consoles Could Be A Good Thing

GameRevolution: There have been a slew of next-gen rumors slinging left and right over the past couple of weeks, and none have irked the gaming populace quite as much as anti-used game measures. We've heard talk of it on both the PlayStation and Xbox side of things, so a widespread move could very well be a possibility.

But instead of crying about it, I'm going to try and find a silver lining in all of this mess. Now I know what you're thinking... Is this guy out of his mind? How could limiting the consumer's options possibly be a good thing? Blocking used games will single-handedly destroy retailers like GameStop, bring down rental services like GameFly, and prevent gamers from getting a game on the cheap for making a buck on what otherwise would collect dust.

Believe me, I hear you loud and clear. Blocking used games would have some serious consequences that don't swing in the favor of the consumer, but upon closer inspection, there are also a lot of benefits that should not be overlooked.

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gamerevolution.com
dbjj120884088d ago

I don't buy many used games now, so I'm unsure how I'd feel about the market going away. Obviously Gamestop is worried though.

alexcosborn4088d ago

Can't say I do either, unless I'm looking for some classic that went out of print years ago.

killcycle4088d ago

If used games went away it would mean a raise in the price for all new games in the future.
Less competitive pricing would be terrible and £50 for 1 new game would be a bad idea.

That's what i think the outcome would be.

knifefight4088d ago

@killcycle

Your user name and avatar are references to The Unholy War, one of the most criminally underrated games ever! I officially love you.

4088d ago
Army_of_Darkness4088d ago (Edited 4088d ago )

Then I would have no problems with blocking of used games cause most of the games I bought recently have been between $20-$40 and that's about 3-5 months after they're release.

Plus I hate Gamestop and hope for the worse for them:-), they screwed me one time to many when I was younger and desperate to get new games...

jony_dols4088d ago

If Sony or MS implement anti-used tech, then they better cap the price of new games at around $40, to compensate for revenue saved.

Gaming1014088d ago

No used games means you can't share your game with a friend to let them try it out and vice versa. It also means you can't sell any games you're not playing anymore. It's great for no one other than publishers. Retailers suffer like Gamestop. Gamers suffer since it destroys their leverage and ability to sell what they own. If you're a shareholder for a gaming publisher then of course you're going to be happy about this. If you're a gamer, you're anyone else, you're going to hate it.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4088d ago
LOGICWINS4088d ago

I wouldn't have a problem with it. Its gunna happen at some point anyways when everything goes digital. My concern is how I will be able to let a friend borrow a game or play a game at his house.

Enate4088d ago

Oh yea? tell that to the ruling that came down in EU awhile back that gave you the right to resell your digital games.

The_KELRaTH4088d ago

I haven't purchased a used game for years. The reason I did so wasn't to save money it was because I couldn't buy it new at the time.
But this doesn't mean I want my freedom to choose removed just because corporate wants more profit.
Maybe they could save more money just sacking these departments whose role is just to work out ways to save a few pence and concentrate on creating brand loyalty rather than resentment.

They should stop forcing the market and allow it to change naturally - which it will (like the way we now rent movies via Lovefilm/Netflix rather than Blockbuster)

Ulf4088d ago (Edited 4088d ago )

So very sad, how many people can't see the benefits of Steam-ifying console games. GameStop laughs their way all the way to the bank with the loyalty of their sheep.

Cheap games is why PC gamers adore Steam. To not believe that the SAME publishers wouldn't want to do the same in another digital marketplace is just plain stupid.

theWB274088d ago

How are they sheep if that's the main place to buy and sell used games? Some places, like where I live, don't have a mom n pop store to go to. Or a Blockbuster and all they're stuck with is Gamestop.

Most gamers arent PC gamers, so we dont benefit from Steam what so ever. Like everyone says...internet is not everywhere like some people want to believe, and in most places it isnt fast enough to support online gaming, and downloads.

ChocolateGiddyUp4088d ago

I bought Assassin's Creed for $30 on Black Friday...

...then I sold it a month later for $45 on eBay.

Ulf4088d ago

@theWB27

" we dont benefit from Steam what so ever"

That's pretty much my point. Why would you not want dirt cheap games delivered right to your machine at any time, again?

doctorstrange4088d ago

The only good thing is what it'd do to GameStop

knifefight4088d ago

Article: "Games Will Be Cheaper, Have Larger Discounts"

I dunno about that. In terms of economics, customers having *fewer* options has rarely led to prices going *down*. It's usually the opposite.

alexcosborn4088d ago

But there'd be more options in the digital space, no?

As boxed games begin to fade in relevancy, Microsoft and Sony will have to compete with Steam's super low prices if they hope to find success with their online stores. We're already seeing glimmers of that now with PlayStation Plus.

knifefight4088d ago

I meant options as in, options on how you buy the game. If you take away "Physical Used" and add nothing that doesn't exist already, that's one less, not one more, and not an equal number.

alexcosborn4088d ago

Gotcha. I see what you mean from a retail perspective.

Ulf4088d ago (Edited 4088d ago )

Steam, and its ilk, say hello. Same publishers as those who print console discs. Same competition.

knifefight4088d ago

Right, but that currently exists, from what I understand.

animegamingnerd4088d ago

do people forget things like the game going out of print and buying it use is the only way you can get the game?

sithsylar4088d ago

Yep exactly. They do forget but its a case of battered person syndrome and obeying their master aka brand/console.

V0LT4088d ago

With the digital age those days are coming to an end.

BanBrother4088d ago

Also, it would suck for the people who live in countries where game prices are literally double that of the U.S.

Sometimes buying used is the only option for older games. I support the good developers, but I can't afford every game day 1. Sometimes there are no new copies left at a reasonable price. I highly doubt that they would reduce prices as well, businesses are greedy and will want the same amount of money they were getting last year.

Some good is that developers will have increased sales, but the bad is what annoys me. Sharing a game with your friend, playing it on a siblings console etc.

There are good and bad things about this. At the end of the day, I'd prefer MY money for my family, not a businesslike EA or Activision. (Also, how could you take back a really crappy game? The industry has no quality control any more)

Show all comments (55)
40°

How to recruit Lam in Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Lam is among the 120 characters available for recruitment in Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. While she is one of the many straightforward recruits, a known bug may prevent players from recruiting her if certain conditions are met. Despite developers’ assurances of fixing the bug, some early access players still encounter issues with recruiting Lam despite attempting the standard method.

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infinitestart.com
270°

Tomb Raider Remastered just quietly censored one in-game detail

Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered players are ticked off by the game’s most recent patch, which censors in-game pin-up posters of Lara Croft.

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gamingbible.com
rlow18h ago

This is why gaming is screwed. When people change things to fit someone’s agenda, it’s a slippery slope downhill.

Christopher8h ago(Edited 8h ago)

Even if that agenda is of the developer? Way to remove developer rights.

***One player called it a “huge problem with modern games,” saying they can now be “ruined AFTER people buy them”.***

The level of drama. Yes, I recall sitting there for more hours than I did anything else in the game. These two pinups are the core of the game, after all!

coolbeans6h ago(Edited 6h ago)

rlow1's cringe catastrophizing aside, I do think developers *ought* to strive to maintain an original work to the best of their ability. The language of a "remaster" tacitly implies that - for good or ill - what's being resold is what fans remember but better.

Profchaos6h ago

Games can be ruined after purchasing them yeah we know this not from this but from GTA IV which had half it's radio content patched out due to licensing expirations and to me that was a huge deal.

This pin up poster is a bit of nonsense but the whole argument of modern games can be ruined post launch is Absol true.

DedicatedDark5h ago(Edited 5h ago)

It's not their work to censor. They are incharge of restoration & remastering the work, not overwriting it.

Barlos4h ago

It's not the agenda of the developer though, they're pandering and trying to increase their ESG score.

Way to support censorship...

victorMaje4h ago

It’s not the end of the world for sure, but I understand the hate towards this kind of change. I believe it’s also a matter of principle.

Imagine a Picasso painting being restored & the restorer deciding there aren’t enough strokes, or some lines aren’t straight enough or curved enough…not sure it would/should sit well with people.

Have all original devs signed off on this change? Even if it’s the case, are we saying older gamers are better mentally equipped to process what was there than current gamers, hence the change?

Enough time ago the case was made that games are an art form. We’re supposed to have won that case.
So which is it? Are games art or not?

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4h ago
Eidolon4h ago

Hasn't this been happened for over a decade since remasters? I can't see that it's any worse now. Maybe if Sweet Baby starts getting their hands on remasters we will definitely have a problem.

Rebel_Scum7h ago

tbh I dont see something like this as censorship. Does anyone else not find it strange for someone to stick pin ups of themsleves in a locker room?

Now of it was a pin up of some half naked firefighters it might make sense as Lara might like that, and if they removed that I would cry censorship. But removing pin ups of the main character, yeah I get it.

Barlos4h ago(Edited 4h ago)

It's a game, and they were placed there for the audience. It's not real life. If it was, she wouldn't have fought a T-Rex now would she?

Yes, it's censorship but it's a bit less in your face. If they were in the original game, then they should have been in the remasters. It's bad enough that they have that ridiculous unnecessary warning at the start, but then they start removing things post launch. I don't care how small the change, they shouldn't be doing it. It's nothing but ESG pandering but in a subtle way.

Rebel_Scum3h ago

Look bro, if you have pictures of yourself naked on a bear skin rug up in your house let me tell you, its not normal.

jambola2h ago

I wasn't aware censorship was based on what made sense to you

Rebel_Scum1h ago

Likewise, what a stupid comment.

jambola1h ago

I agree
Your comment was pretty stupid

Rebel_Scum1h ago

I never said censorship is based on what I say dumbass. Just because I dont see this as censorship doesnt mean I’m saying others cant.

How about you come at me with your opinion rather than snarky comments with no thought on the matter.

SimpleDad4h ago

By the year 2030, this remaster collection will totally be changed and censored. Probably will remove Lara as a playable character. It's ridiculous. Glad that my family didn't buy this.
I still have Tomb Raider 2 PS1 as a memory.

jambola2h ago

Those shorts are a little revealing
Should probably make them snow pants

Barlos1h ago

They'll probably make her trans

CobraKai3h ago

It’s mentioned in the article, and it’s a point i 100% agree with, it’s the fact that they can censor a game after you buy it. That’s total bullshit.

Killer2020UK3h ago

Whilst it's an overreaction to say this has "ruined" the game, it's still problematic that this has happened post launch and for many, post-purchase.

I don't want someone to change a product for the worse after I've bought it. The same goes for implementing micro transactions after reviews.

I wonder why they did this? Nobody was kicking up a fuss as far as I'm aware.

maykhausonninh3h ago

Nobody was kicking up a fuss as far as I'm aware.

Show all comments (24)
100°

Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster Review – You Are Your Job, Apparently

Gary Green said: In a time where an enhanced, 3D remake of Final Fantasy III already exists, it’s hard to argue that Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster is the definitive version we were expecting. With Final Fantasy III already being the last in the series to be translated and make its way west, this is something of a slap in the face for the fans. Still, let’s not be disheartened. There may be many shortfalls in this edition of Final Fantasy III, however there’s no denying that this classic JRPG still holds some nostalgic value, even if it struggles to break away from its original hardware limitations.

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pslegends.com
FACTUAL evidence8h ago(Edited 8h ago)

It’s funny I’m seeing these articles about pixel remaster, and I just platinumed 1-4 within 8 days lol. I’ve been on FF5 for about a week now. Let’s just say 5 was the start of FF having content like crazy. I should have the plat within 2-3 days.