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Microsoft Asks If You'd Be Happy With Selling Back Digital Xbox One Games For 10% (windowscentral.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the it's-the-thought-that-counts dept.

An anonymous reader writes: A recent survey from Microsoft has asked the community whether or not they would want a feature allowing them to sell back their digital games, just like you would a physical disc at GameStop. Unfortunately, the trade-in price for said digital content is 10-percent of what you paid at the point of purchase in store credit. While this is just a survey and doesn't mean the feature is coming to the Xbox platform, it does show Microsoft is actively pursuing the idea.

16 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. Nope... by Lumpy · · Score: 2

    I'll sell the used Discs for 50% of what I paid easily on craigslist. and I get cash and the game sold within minutes.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    1. Re:Nope... by goombah99 · · Score: 2

      I'll sell the used Discs for 50% of what I paid easily on craigslist. and I get cash and the game sold within minutes.

      Perhaps they are thinking about changing the DRM to deny second sales. If people think 10% if fair then they aren't using your method now or find it too much hassle.

      What i'd like is you pay 10% more, but get the right of second sale.

      --
      Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
    2. Re:Nope... by EvilSS · · Score: 2

      They already tried that. The XBOne was supposed to ship with just such a technology. People freaked out and they backed down. I don't see a second attempt going any better.

      --
      I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
    3. Re:Nope... by lgw · · Score: 2

      I'll sell the used Discs for 50% of what I paid easily on craigslist. and I get cash and the game sold within minutes.

      For "real" games, sure.

      For an online-only, multiplayer-only game (as so many are these days), once the server shuts down the game is worthless. Heck, once player population is sparse enough, it's nearly so.

      I'd love some system where EA got hit with the "turn in cost", even at 10%, when they shut the servers down.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
  2. Better than nothing by imidan · · Score: 3, Insightful

    As long as you're participating in this digital marketplace in which items, once purchased, have absolutely no resale value, I'd say that 'selling' them back to Microsoft for 10% of the purchase price is better than the nothing that you could otherwise get. I'm sure there are people out there who could recoup hundreds of dollars by shutting off their access to old games that they don't play anymore. I assume this would be in the form of store credit, and they could then buy access to new games with it.

    1. Re:Better than nothing by Kjella · · Score: 5, Insightful

      As long as you're participating in this digital marketplace in which items, once purchased, have absolutely no resale value, I'd say that 'selling' them back to Microsoft for 10% of the purchase price is better than the nothing that you could otherwise get. I'm sure there are people out there who could recoup hundreds of dollars by shutting off their access to old games that they don't play anymore. I assume this would be in the form of store credit, and they could then buy access to new games with it.

      Ask yourself, what's Microsoft getting from a "return" on digital goods? Nothing. Do you think Microsoft will effectively lower prices by 10%? Nah, this is just a hook to make you feel like you got a unused discount coupon except you'll never zero out the balance, like when freemium games send you freebies to get you re-hooked. If before you paid $50, soon you'll pay $55 minus your $5 "discount". And the you have another $5 discount on your next purchase, and your next, and your next.... marketing psychology 101.

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
    2. Re:Better than nothing by FlyHelicopters · · Score: 2

      That is a completely trivial expense, measured in the fractions of a penny.

      MS collected 30% when the titles were sold, they are simply considering offering 1/3 of that back in the form of store credit, to try and generate new sales.

      Nothing more or less.

  3. Nope by Snotnose · · Score: 2

    I never buy games new, I wait a couple months then buy the game off craigslist for half price. Play it, then sell it for half what I paid.

    10%? I can go to Game Stop and get really old games for that.

    That said, there are some old games I play now. Talking about MW3 (MW2-MW3 was the peak of CoD, for whatever reason Ghost/BOPS{2|3}/Modern Warfare don't hold my interest), Civilization Revolution. Every couple months I pop GTA V in just to drive around and see what I can see.

  4. Really, really depends on the game by Sowelu · · Score: 2

    Do you expect to sell a used copy of NCAA 2006 today for 50% of its original value?

    1. Re:Really, really depends on the game by Sowelu · · Score: 2

      So what I'm hearing here is "you can get a lot of money out of some games if you put in a lot of effort". This Microsoft option eliminates the potential for that level of effort, and also eliminates the benefits you can get from putting it in.

      The fact that your son can find these great deals also tells me that the vast majority of people trying to dump their old games DON'T put in that effort.

  5. They'd better not . . . by mmell · · Score: 2
    Google on "First Sale Doctrine".

    Yeah, I know. M$ hasn't exactly bent over backwards to honor that.

  6. Buy From My Friend Instead? by Bing+Tsher+E · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Hey Microsoft, can I buy used digital download Xbone games from my friend instead? Or sell them to my friend for the 10% you are offering me?

  7. Trial Balloon by dlleigh · · Score: 3, Funny

    This is just a trial balloon to see how many people will be willing to sell their Microsoft stock for ten cents on the dollar.

  8. Here's how you play this by Opportunist · · Score: 2

    Answer yes to the survey. Then, when MS has invested in the infrastructure to make it happen, give them the finger and tell them if they want you to participate they better up the offer to 50%. Then they can decide whether to call it a loss or make a sensible offer.

    It's not like you lose anything. But you can make them lose little or lots.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  9. Welcome to the future by WaffleMonster · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Where basic norms of ownership and resale no longer apply because ...um... technology...yea that's it...technology..

    As the old saying goes freedom isn't free. Either be prepared to constantly assert your rights and protest/vote with your wallet or get used to being treated like cattle. Your choice.

  10. sell back the xbox? by xeno · · Score: 2

    I misread the title at first, thinking they wanted to buy back the Xbox itself. My first thought was "No, I got 33% of the refurb/retail-used price by donating it to Goodwill and taking the tax deduction."

    And my kids grades are slightly higher. Win-Win.

    --
    I think not...(*poof*)