I have a confession to make; I almost never buy new games. Hell, I almost never buy new media of any kind. Almost all my books, DVDs and games are used. While I feel guilty about not supporting developers and publishers, I can't justify paying a full $60 for most games. Allow me to make my case:

- I Fly Solo

I don't really care at all about online multiplayer. Maybe I'm old and curmudgeonly, but I don't enjoy it. I'll play with friends on a couch. I used to play WoW when I had enough real life friends that were still playing. I just don't like playing online with strangers and most of my friends don't game online. I borrowed CoD 4 from a friend and beat it in two sittings. I tried the multiplayer once or twice and gladly gave it back. There's no way I'd get $60 out of that game, but an heavy multiplayer guy probably would. I don't care about getting in on the multiplayer right away. So I can wait.

- Game prices fall... fast.

I was able to pick up GTA IV about three months after release for less than $30. I'm a patient man. If you're willing to stay about six months behind, you can save hundreds of dollars a year... which brings me to my next point.

- The Paradox

I'm sort of a media dork. I'm a journalism and media studies student. I love digging deep and getting the most out of any medium. That includes music, graphic novels, film, and even video games. My voracious appetite for media means I want to play as many games as possible. If I buy cheaper games, I can play more of them. My love of the industry leads me to buy second hand and deny the industry money.

- Game Prices Need to be Variable

I'm actually breaking my rule for Dragon Age. I'm a huge Bioware fanboy. They have yet to disappoint me. It's easier to justify a $60 purchase when a game is all but a safe bet, especially when a single play can go up to 80+ hours and encourages multiple plays. That's worth $60, but should something like Prince of Persia or Too Human cost just as much? New DVDs go for around $20, but a season of a television show can cost several times as much. Physical media almost always costs the same at launch, regardless of quality or length. We're seeing some price variability in the online market, which is great.

- There's No Second Hand DLC

While I bought GTA IV used, I did buy The Lost and the Damned mainly because I couldn't get it any other way. While I grumbled about paying almost as much for the DLC as I did for the original game, I felt better knowing that Rockstar was finally getting some money from me. I also feel I got my money's worth out of a $15 Shadow Complex or $10 Flower. Now if only I could sell them when I'm done with them...

- Mitigating the Middle Man

While I buy used, I avoid Gamestop like the plague. They've built a whole industry out of exploiting used game buyers and the industry. I tend to stick to hunting for deals on eBay or hitting up a pretty good "mom and pop: store here in Milwaukee.

- Conclusions?

While I'm legally buying these games, I still feel guilty for denying funds to the games industry. I'm still a student. Maybe when I have a real job I'll buy new games. But when funds are tight and I never get to play everything I want anyways, it's easier to justify buying that game from last year for $30 versus the hot new shit for $60.