The End Is Near for GameStop 393
kube00 writes "The rumor mill is saying the next generation of consoles might not play used games. What does this mean for retailers such as Amazon, GameStop, and Best Buy? Will gamers flock to the one console that can still play used games? GoozerNation speculates if the Mayan apocalypse draws near for used game sales."
Re:I doubt it (Score:5, Interesting)
I would imagine that people will also look at the other options before buying one of these consoles. Sony and MS (and Nintendo I guess) are no longer the only games in town. Alongside the raft of Android kit that's in the pipeline people obviously have their phones and tablets, and PCs have never been stronger (and in fact PC players buy as many games as either XBox or PS3 players, no matter what Bungie may want you to believe.)
Hopefully this will finally wake people up to the fact that consoles are NOT a good buy, unless you really don't own a PC, and want to game with your thumbs (which I consider to be as effective as playing the piano in oven gloves.)
GameStop pivot (Score:2, Interesting)
The last time I was in a GameStop (on Market St. in San Francisco) I was surprised at the near complete transition that had been made. Sure, they sold games. But right in front of the store were a ton of used iPhones, iPads, iPods, Galaxy tabs... And I got the impression they were driving more interest than anything else in the store.
Re:Prices will come down? Hah! (Score:3, Interesting)
Their argument against second hand games, is that they want to sell more copies. They will sell more copies, and at the same price.
You know what? I say, go for it. The market evolves, and it will screw them over. Take Steam's console for instance, there's a gap, and they're going to fill it. PS3 was good because it had the Wii and Xbox as competition, PS4 needs to be spectacular.
Re:Gamers tend to be... (Score:3, Interesting)
If I can't buy 2nd hand on the xbox I may seriously consider stumping up for a PS4
Dead Space 1 - Awesome
Dead Space 2 - Urgh, really?
Dead Space 3 - Gears Of War with buckets on their heads.
But I'll still buy it because sucker.
Except - SECOND HAND!!! WOO!
Contrary to European legislation (Score:4, Interesting)
Depending on how they implement the "no used games" feature, it may be contrary to European law. There was a ruling against Oracle last year saying it is perfectly fine to resell second-hand software:
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-09-16/second-hand-software-sales-set-to-soar-on-oracle-ruling [businessweek.com]
Re:Gamers tend to be... (Score:4, Interesting)
What I'm going to do about it, though, is hack that damn console and pirate each and every game. I'm done paying before I can evaluate the quality.
No need to hack things to try before you commit to purchase. There's rental services like Gamefly. Additionally, there is some controversy over whether or not game demos hurt game sales. In my experience: They do. [mtv.com] My own anecdotal experience: Same product in different distribution markets, the one without a demo = more sales; I tried again with a different product and switched the markets where the game demo was available... Less sales again in the one with the trial version, so it's probably not just the market; This even holds true for software other than games.
The problem is that we're done with demos. Demos are obsolete. [unigamesity.com] It's hard to make a demo that leaves you unsatisfied enough to buy the game, but not unsatisfied enough to think the game is crap. So, the answer is simple: Refunds. On the mobile software markets like Android If you buy a game and don't like it you can just return it. This is better because it retains more impulse buy sales, takes less time to develop (no need to make a demo version), and is just as risk free as "try before you buy". I guess folks that don't have the money won't be able to play it, but they're not going to buy it anyway, see also your "hack the planet" idea as an alternative for these folks...
The problem is that Console makers don't want to embrace the concept full refunds if you don't like the game. Even on the upcoming OUYA console (if it ever ships) they mandate that all games must at least have a demo (or be free to play) -- The full game can not be purchased from the store, it must be unlocked by in app purchases. Unfortunately their whole market revolves around free to play, so it's basically a hack to make a regular game actually have a demo version and a full version. I haven't heard whether they'll allow full refunds or not, but since they mandate game have a "free" version I don't think you'll be getting the option to refund a purchase if the game doesn't live up to the expectations set by the demo.
Not even Steam allows refunds; Apple's App Store and Canonical's Software Center do have refunds, but you have to contact them and the refunds aren't guaranteed. I wish everyone just used the model Google Play does: Full refund if requested within $INTERVAL minutes. Currently Google has that set to 15, but I wish it were at least 30, or 45 -- IMO, that's the best option.
I feel your pain, and wish there was something us game devs could do. I buy Indie games and do so directly from the game devs' websites. Most indie devs I've dealt with will refund your purchase without question if it's possible for them to do so. Even had one pay me back via Paypal transfer rather than charge back (they were incapable). They typically have demos or alphas and are much cheaper than store-bought AAA games. Full disclosure, I'm an independent software and game developer.
Re:Gamers are not idiots ... (Score:5, Interesting)
They aren't talking about being burned in the sense of watching a bad movie, they are talking about getting burned in the sense of:
1. Playing a Game for Windows Live (GFWL) game on Steam and having the GFWL fail to connect, disconnect midgame, and choke up so often as to make a fun game unfun (Dark Souls...)
2. Renting a HD movie from Amazon on a Roku box, and deciding to finish watching the movie on a bigscreen powered by a HTPC only to discover then that Amazon won't show HD content on a PC.
3. Having the multi-player servers shut down and not being given an option to run your own.
4. Forced configurations and patches for non-multiplayer games. (Opps, looks like that patch changed something you liked, or broke the game for your machine)
5. Paying again to access services you already pay for (Netflix on Xbox)
6. Online requirements for single player games
7. permanent locking of games to accounts
8....
Yeah, there are a lot ways to get burned by companies even without considering if the content is actually good.
Those I've listed above are just those that have directly impacted me, I'm quite sure the list goes on.
Oh wait, I forgot about whatever the hell that nasty DRM break your CDROM malware is. Starforce stardock? I can't even remember the name, I just remember having to spend a couple hours trying to get the damned crap off a PC a couple years back.
Re:Gamers are not idiots ... (Score:4, Interesting)
Everyone is making broad generalizations. I know that's what happens on Slashdot. Will I buy a next gen console, yes I will, will it be because I'm addicted, no. Will it be because I enjoy playing video games, yes. I'm sure lots of gamers are addicted, but I'm also sure there are lots of gamers that just enjoy playing a few times a week (like me). Will I be mad if I can't buy used games. Probably, but I don't really trade in games to buy other games. I buy games to play them. And when I'm done, they sit on a shelf, until I'm ready to play it again. Not everything has to be about freedom. Some things can be about fun, we're not all Richard Stallman. Thank God.