What does the Xbox One’s new “No Second-Hand” games policy mean to you?

Jonathan Bester from ITF Gaming writes: For some time now, one of the biggest fears in the gaming community has been that Microsoft, and for a while even Sony, would implement some sort of Draconian locking system, which would prevent console owners from either trading in or even loaning their games to a friend.

[Yi-Long]

... but the sheer fact that I can't simply loan a game out to a friend for him to enjoy, is reason enough to not want this console.

(Among the many other reasons they've given us...)

[PSVita]

Same here. I'd rather buy a new game but if I can't GIVE it away to a friend that's ridiculous.

[Crazyglues]

What does it mean to me...

It means Xbox One is a No Buy -period-

[papashango]

I was onboard with Xbox one yesterday till this issue popped up.

I'm sold on a ps4 unless it launches over $500. If it does im just gonna use the WiiU as my media console.

I game on pc so the whole excl00sives!11! thing doesn't apply to me. I bought into it on ps3 but seeing as how Sony exclusives have 0 replayability. I sold it.

[loulou]

i said this in the other thread and i'll say it again

this will be the standard on both ps4 and xbox1. this has come from the publishers.

it pretty much explains why nintendo has no 3rd party support, and sony said that they will "leave it upto the publishers/devs"

this is not exclusive to xbox people, even the benevolent uncle sony are involved.

so i take it that no one will be buying next gen consoles then???

[papashango]

@loulou

I wouldn't be one to argue against that. Sony never really showed their stance when it came to the used game market.

I guess all I can do is wait till E3 to see what I'm sold on.

If sony is going to take the same stance as M$. It would be stupid to wait till E3. It would just about guarantee them being outdone by M$. At this point M$ coming out about it now means gamers can vent now instead of during e3.

[PSVita]

@loulou

http://www.giantbomb.com/pl...

That is all.

[Retroman]

"what do xbox 1 no second hand policy means to you??"

it means nothing not buying x1

ps4 pre-owned (ps3) and new games ALL day everyday!!

[I_LOVE_MYSELF]

Even if I never bought used games and never borrowed games I would still not support the console. If you settle for restrictions to things you should be entitled to do then eventually your experience will be completely controlled. I do not want that.

[FunAndGun]

I feel the same way, except I put my foot down when they started with paying to play online.

[maxgamehard]

Ain't that the truth. Well said.

If you give them an inch they will take a mile.

They started with paid online and non mandatory kinect. Now they have upgraded to fees on used games and console locked games, and mandatory game installs.

I will not support these anti consumer practices.

4>1

[maxgamehard]

Sometimes when I am unsure of a game I go out and rent it. This won't even let me play rentals. Plus for some games I let my friends borrow them and now I won't be able to do that.

4>1

[Anon1974]

I sometimes trade my games but I also just loan them to family. With one console I can do that, with the other, I can't (or maybe I can but with restrictions..who knows).

It's very clear cut for me.

[Sky_Walker]

Interesting stuff.... there are a couple underlying themes at play here that are indirect.

1) This solves piracy for Microsoft and game houses. It won't be possible for pirates to rip/play games. This could minimize the hacking community for Xbox One.... like it or not in a good majority of cases, hacking is based on wanting the ability to pirate. Not in all cases...for some its homebrew and curiosity.

2) This is another step forward in eventually moving to digital / download only licenses on consoles. This change in direction inoculates gamers to this practice and next iteration of consoles will be download only. This new generation may even reach a point where new games are download only.

3) If Sony does not have a DRM strategy such as this, it could potentially lead to more exclusives for Microsoft. Developer and software houses may stick with the console that gets them the most return on their development. With Microsoft potentially making it difficult and not worthwhile to trade / sell second games (speculative)... software houses will look at that as a huge win for them.

Edit: I hate the idea of not being able to lend or give my game to someone but lets be honest here the one that truly benefits from this most is Game Stop when they give you $10 bucks for a used game and sell it for $39.

[3-4-5]

I bought a 3DS last summer. never owned a DS. There is no way I could have found all these games I bought if it wasn't for used games and gamestop.

online is a lesser option as it takes longer. If I want a game....I want to plat it that day.

[tigertron]

I like to buy pre-owned games sometimes, especially with games I'm not sure about. This has put me off the Xbox One.

[L0YD]

NO BUY

[kma2k]

i get all my games from gamefly. No word yet if there is going to be a rental deal worked out, im assuming not. If there is no deal with Microsoft One ill be going the ps4 route.

Ive had gamefly for almost 3 years now & have played basically every major release to come out this gen & a lot of not so major ones. Dear god ive played 199 games this gen.

[thehitman]

Well I am assuming that there will be a way to still play used games/rentals BUT there will be an additional fee for each game you rent probably to activate it for your account since you are not the original owner. Price of that ? who knows but its kind of inconvenient for businesses that depend on these sales. I know Sony already does this for their first party games (for online only) starting with I think the last Resistance. Only thing I have a problem with is that the money kind of seems it will go to MS for even games they are not publishing which seems like not only are they stealing from publishers but also gamestop/gamefly and the other stores that depend on used games. Seems morally wrong and MS need to watch how its implemented.

[Number-Nine]

I like to buy used games later on in it's cycle, maybe to replay some classics that have dropped down greatly in price.

O well, I'll just stick to Sony.

[wastedcells]

No buy..... xbox done

[Enemy]

Means you can't borrow or share with a friend unless you, or they, are willing to pay the used game activation fee, which is the same price of the actual game. Doesn't mean anything else, except Microsoft are once again taking the path to self-destruction.

Xbox Done
4 > One

[Thefreeman012]

I will wait and see what MS has to say/show in the following month or 2...

I would like to stay with MS because i like there UI, Controller and simplicity more than the PS but if the used games, always online and pricy live service get in the way i might just have to go to Playstation. Personally I would like to have a kinect. not for myself but it is a good way to get my gf involved instead of her watching me play fifa or something

P.S. there are a lot of nerd rage going on, so instead of throwing your poop around why not just relax and ignore it if you dont like it

[strigoi814]

No buy

[Gamer-Z]

It means i'm not buying an Xbox One

[GribbleGrunger]

I don't think the second hand market are actually cut out of this deal. The disk can still be sold on to someone else, who will then have to pay that fee. What decides whether the second hand market is redundant is 'how much' will that fee be? If it's a fraction of the cost when new, then the second hand market would be fine, but if it's near to full price, it would kill the second hand market (for X1 titles)

If MS are smart they'll keep that fee low, because that then effectively gives them a cut of the second hand market every time someone re-buys that copy. Too high and people will just buy new and so MS loose that chance to capitalise.

[THamm]

How will that make sense? On a new title it will have to be full price, the disc means nothing, you are buying the "rights" to play a game, nothing physical. The disc is useless after install

[HurstDarkStar]

well here goes
"Xbox on"
"Xbox Ebay"
"Xbox search Ps4"
"Xbox purchase"
Xbox sell yourself.....
UPS mail!

[Lubu]

I have 2 Xbox 360s and 2 PS3s. One for me and one of each for the kids. I buy games for us to share. This will make me reconsider buying a 2nd console for the kids. And also, they have no use for all those extra TV apps.

[THamm]

Yes seems they will have to use your profile on the 2nd machine to play

[PR_FROM_OHIO]

Wait so I'm confused i thought Microsoft an gamestop said the xbox1 will play used games?? Now i'm seeing that it won't..

[Rubberlegs]

It will still play used games but its sounding like there will be a fee behind it. MS hasn't said how they will handle or if there will be even be fee to begin with, but they keep saying that it will be different compared to how you can play used games now which sounds like there will be fee.
Games have to be installed to your HDD in order to play them and this is the reason behind it. You won't need to play off the game disc anymore once its installed.

[PR_FROM_OHIO]

OK thanks!!

[swishersweets20031]

ms could show off a million games, it still doesnt change the fact they want to control the used game market. So goodbye renting games, loaning games, trading in games for other games( or for some stoners a bag a weed). So who is going to make the prices for values of this stuff? is it going to pull a gamestop buy a game for 30 give you .50 cents when you want to trade it back into them? I could rant on but i think people get the point cablebox one is not appealing right now.

[SOULJER]

They can suck it.

[Gameland]

No rentals or resale = no buy
I buy a lot of games and a good percent is junk not being able to resell a crappy or finished game and get some cash back to buy another game sucks!

[zippycup]

i wonder if this is set in stone and if gaming company's approve of it they might make Sony do the same thing or they wont release games on the ps4

[RE4PER-DE4TH]

I support buying/renting preowned games 100%. And borrowing from a friend. But it's not Microsoft's decision, they're bending to pressure. From who? From all the game developers that want to see their profits go higher.

But here it is plain and simple. This gen is going to be pricey. Gaming IS pricey. Chances are there's either going to be a raise in prices or they're going to block game sharing. I don't need to remind anyone here that we're currently paying $65 for these games new and then watch as they drop to $20. Maybe if they don't get their way we might see $75 games!

[MasterCornholio]

Heres something funny. I never buy used games because they are always more expensive than brand new copies.

Seriously i bought Dragons Dogma Dark Arisen and Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition for 20€ each and in game those games were priced 40€ each with the used copies (which lack the DLC) costing 30€ a piece.

Even though i dont buy used games i love having the option to especially for games that i dont deem worthy buying at their full retail price.

[sovietsoldier]

means after a decade of xbox i may be going to PlayStation.

[Gameland]

Limited and Collectors edition games with NO VALUE!

[Eldyraen]

I know I am in the minority here but personally what I've heard and seen doesn't really pertain to me (in regards to negative backlash). I will probably be one of those branded a "blind fanboy" that's "hurting the industry" by supporting the console (if they still have games I enjoy anyways) but sad truth is the Xbox is going in a different direction but it is still one that I can "agree" with enough to warrant me at least giving it the benefit of the doubt until the day I choose to pick one up or not. When that day comes though it will be decided by the games and not from what we have seen thus far.

Essentially MS drew a line in be dirt and those that are capable or already accepting the inevitability of digital ownership/licensing are on one side while the vast majority (especially their original audience of console gamers) are on the other. The problem is I can't deny that MS should had realized hat it is way too soon for the masses to be technically ready or fundamentally prepared for such a drastic change all at once. The future may be very similar to what they are trying to achieve yet that future is not today's reality.

Still, I would had rather they hadn't had any of the unnecessary barriers in place. Its going to be a huge hurdle for many to leap and will end up hurting all parties involved unless they have some serious balance for it come E3. By that I mean aomething huge like low price for the console and games both which I don't see happening (realistically speaking).

In the end it doesn't matter that I or others can "justify" the new console as there are still plenty of stupid problems surrounding it that should had never been there in the first place. Simply talking to gamers and not corporate partners would had made things a lot better for every consumer--not just ones like me.

As a true consumer friendly product though its failing ATM and was shown more of a niche market companion device than anything else. I can see the possibilities but also the many weaknesses it will have to overcome for mass appeal. From an actual "gamer" perspective though it was even more bleak so I hope E3 can WOW us and not just end up as lip service.

However no way it will be my only console when/if I do buy one.

[Eldyraen]

I hate replying on my phone--stupid thing jumped to new reply while editing :(

[fardan85]

It means don't buy X1.
I can't support business practice which limits what I'm entitled to. Not all games worth purchase new or used, If I ever feel the game is not for keeping then I'd sell it and invest in another game. I'm used to give my games to friends, borrow some games which I don't feel like buying, If developers/console makers will prevent me from this then guess what? I'll simply move on to different company to get what I want.

[iliimaster]

this makes my decision alot easier all these restrictions and fees for more and more halo and gears games mixed with multiplatform games? yeah ill take 1 ps4 please.....ALL ps4 has to do is play used games without any restriction like NORMAL and not be required to be online ALL THE TIME and they have won.... lets see here xbox one doesn't have to be connected ? (so how will it know i just put in a used game)? because you have to be online to play a game? obviously

[tweet75]

it means I no longer support microsoft on xbox and will not buy a xbox one. I have 2 of all consoles i own in my house in different rooms and if I cannot play games i own on both of the consoles at no extra cost i wont mess with it.

[jagstatboy]

It's a slap in the face and a kick in the nuts to consumers.

[pop-voxuli]

No second hand games = no purchase of an XBO.

[reef1017]

I had intended to buy both systems but after that info was made available looks like ps4 is the only system for me this generation.

[fegam2]

Fuck MS is all i can say. I live in central america and down here at least 40% of the gamers play only offline. So now these gamers will need to somehow access the internet to activate their games and even so they are fuck because you will need a connection every 24 hours period. Conclusion they will flock to SONY system not because they like it better but because it is their only option avalilable.
Third world countries are poor (the minimum wage in my country is $12 per day) playing videogames is a expensive luxury, here a new game is $80, so we gamers go to the second hand market in order to play a lot of games. We buy some games, we rent others and we lend games to friends to maximize our hobby. So now i have to pay a FEE to play used games, FUCK YOU MS; and phil harrison tried to wash his hands by saying "don't worry you could use the same disk in your house for different people" but failed to say the most important part: if my brother play my game that is attached to my xbox live account he will not be able to get any ACHIEVEMENTS, like he will normally do right now with any ps3 or xbox 360 disk game. So again Fuck U MS.
Xbxo one will not funtion without kinect, that is BS, I have played lots of games on my 360 and I have never been interested in kinect. What about if the kinect sensor is damage, i cannot longer play the console?.
I have been loyal to MS since the original xbox but now i feel betrayed and taking for granted. seems like MS no longer care for the hardcore gamer, the one that took MS where is today. It seems that thounsands of gamers around the world will flock to the SONY camp and they should becuase MS deserves it. sony just now have to say: you now what our ps4 does not requiere a connection to the internet to play, you can play all the used games you want, and then sat and enjoy the fall of the X1. Again FUCK U MS.
conclusion: You have all these innovation with X1: a Kinect that absolutely needs to be connected at all times, people who buy pre-owned games are probably going to get Fucked, you can’t lend games you paid for with your money to your friends, and that you do indeed have to have an Internet connection in order to play, and the rocket science name xbox one. INCREDIBLE SPECS INDEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!

[ITFGaming]

My biggest concern is the TV functionality... I am tired of seeing "This content is not available in your region".