Buy Second-Hand Games, Stifle Creativity?

Thanks to GameSpot for its 'GameSpotting' editorial discussing why buying second-hand games could have a negative effect on videogame creators. The author points out: "You know, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft must have a real love/hate relationship with stores that stock used games alongside their new games [since buying used games doesn't give] the game developers, or the game publishers a thin, red cent. Instead, the retailer is enjoying a nice, fat profit margin, where the markup is in the neighborhood of 200 to 1000 percent." He goes on to argue: "Buying used is equivalent to the game not selling at all in the eyes of developers and publishers, and when games don't sell, they don't get sequels and excellent concepts and, therefore, opportunities are lost."

Comments

Re:What, and lose a mere 5-10% of the used margin?

[sadler121]

I buy used games, but I won't buy used music.

OK, we are on /. right? You actually admit to buying NEW CD's? I know this isn't an RIAA thread, but please, you know where the money goes to if you buy new CD's right? ok, one I haven't bought any new cds in over 2 years, (mostly because everything that is out thus far is CRAP), but if/when I do, I most certianlly will NOT buy new CD's percisly because I KNOW where that money is going to. I would rather my money on an overpriced product goto a local used music shop than the DAMNED RIAA.

Re:What, and lose a mere 5-10% of the used margin?

[Anonymous Coward]

It absolutely blows my mind when people say that all the music released in the past 2 years is crap. You obviously have no taste in music whatsoever.

Why don't you check out the variety of good music that's been released in the past two years:
http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/top/2003/
h ttp://www.pitchforkmedia.com/top/2002/

IAWTP

[MORTAR_COMBAT!]

Voting Nader is obviously not voting "not Bush.".

yet another AC with a brain. nice. you might enjoy The Fork in the Road: A Political Morality Play in One Act over on K5.