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Uh oh, Gamestop was mentioned. Cue the numerous posters that will inevitably complain about how little Gamestop pays for trade-ins.
I've always agreed with this. While I don't agree with Gamestop's business practices in a lot of cases, I do agree that used games help the industry, not hurt it. I wouldn't have been able to buy 10% of the games I have bought this generation if it wasn't for my ability to trade in old games to buy new ones. Simple as that.
I worked at an EB Store a few years ago. I was in-between jobs and needed something stat. While there, I witnessed the simple fact that I wasn't alone. No matter what game it was, be it AAA or a smaller title, people were ALWAYS bringing in their old games and buying new ones. It was rare to see someone trade in old games and buy used ones.
They would trade in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 1 & 2, and use that money to buy Modern Warfare 3, for example. Rare was the time when people were trading in newer games. Most of the games traded were a year or more old. This does not hurt the industry, it helps it. Can you imagine what is going to happen when everything goes digital?
Publishers are going to artificially keep their prices raised, exactly like they do right now on Xbox Live and PSN. Whereas at retail stores prices drop pretty quickly, on Xbox Live and PSN publishers artificially keep their prices inflated for much, much longer. This is why a game like 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand still costs $60 on Xbox Live, and about $15 at actual retail stores.
So, when these publishers finally get their wish and everything goes digital, what do they think is going to happen? People are just going to be pulling money out of their asses? We will loose our ability to trade in old games to afford new ones. We will also loose our ability to buy affordable games, since they will keep prices inflated for MUCH longer than they are at retailers. They are doing this as we speak.
I've done the research, and here is a little fact for anyone who thinks I am being unreasonable. Right now, this very second, there is not a single downloadable retail game on Xbox Live or PSN that costs less than the same game at retail. In 99% of cases, the digital version of a retail game actually costs MORE on PSN and Xbox Live than the same exact game at a retailer.
If that isn't proof enough that we are going to be paying a hell of a lot more for the same games when everything goes digital, I don't know what is. And no, Steal sales don't apply here. When was the last time Xbox Live or PSN had awesome 70% sales on awesome new games that everyone wanted to play? The answer to that question is never.
I worked at an EB Store a few years ago. I was in-between jobs and needed something stat. While there, I witnessed the simple fact that I wasn't alone. No matter what game it was, be it AAA or a smaller title, people were ALWAYS bringing in their old games and buying new ones. It was rare to see someone trade in old games and buy used ones.
They would trade in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 1 & 2, and use that money to buy Modern Warfare 3, for example. Rare was the time when people were trading in newer games. Most of the games traded were a year or more old. This does not hurt the industry, it helps it. Can you imagine what is going to happen when everything goes digital?
Publishers are going to artificially keep their prices raised, exactly like they do right now on Xbox Live and PSN. Whereas at retail stores prices drop pretty quickly, on Xbox Live and PSN publishers artificially keep their prices inflated for much, much longer. This is why a game like 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand still costs $60 on Xbox Live, and about $15 at actual retail stores.
So, when these publishers finally get their wish and everything goes digital, what do they think is going to happen? People are just going to be pulling money out of their asses? We will loose our ability to trade in old games to afford new ones. We will also loose our ability to buy affordable games, since they will keep prices inflated for MUCH longer than they are at retailers. They are doing this as we speak.
I've done the research, and here is a little fact for anyone who thinks I am being unreasonable. Right now, this very second, there is not a single downloadable retail game on Xbox Live or PSN that costs less than the same game at retail. In 99% of cases, the digital version of a retail game actually costs MORE on PSN and Xbox Live than the same exact game at a retailer.
If that isn't proof enough that we are going to be paying a hell of a lot more for the same games when everything goes digital, I don't know what is. And no, Steal sales don't apply here. When was the last time Xbox Live or PSN had awesome 70% sales on awesome new games that everyone wanted to play? The answer to that question is never.
Gamestops numbers don't surprise me one bit. If I traded in my games I'd use the credit to get new games, mostly because -even though I treat my games like gold- I hate getting someone elses chewed up, shit on problem.. But.. you know.. I'd actually like to get some credits for my games, since Gamestop gives so little, so I don't trade in...
I'm sure publishers have some retort that that credit isn't real money though, and they somehow never see it because it all stays in Gamestop's hands.
""A lot of our consumers tell us that the pre-owned business has allowed them to learn more about video gaming. There's a disconnect between a lot of the blogosphere and what consumers tell us."
Err.. isn't this like he's telling you that sites like this aren't doing a great job reporting on games, or whats going on in the industry? Kind of don't get this quote at all (and being sick today doesn't help at all) and it sounds like a slap at reporting.
Either way, only way Gamestop really is evil is that they don't have nearly any sales worth investing in unless they're shilling out used games.. If they were more competitive on the MSRP front in the first place, and sold more brand new games through sales, like say Amazon does (don't see many publishers bitching about Amazon, do we?), then they wouldn't catch as much flak from everyone.. Its pretty rare that they have a decent sale in their weekly flyer, unless its some mega event (like they had this summer)
I'm sure publishers have some retort that that credit isn't real money though, and they somehow never see it because it all stays in Gamestop's hands.
""A lot of our consumers tell us that the pre-owned business has allowed them to learn more about video gaming. There's a disconnect between a lot of the blogosphere and what consumers tell us."
Err.. isn't this like he's telling you that sites like this aren't doing a great job reporting on games, or whats going on in the industry? Kind of don't get this quote at all (and being sick today doesn't help at all) and it sounds like a slap at reporting.
Either way, only way Gamestop really is evil is that they don't have nearly any sales worth investing in unless they're shilling out used games.. If they were more competitive on the MSRP front in the first place, and sold more brand new games through sales, like say Amazon does (don't see many publishers bitching about Amazon, do we?), then they wouldn't catch as much flak from everyone.. Its pretty rare that they have a decent sale in their weekly flyer, unless its some mega event (like they had this summer)
Gamestop used to be a really good service. Now with all the changes they've gone through, they have just gone crazy bad.
I enjoy keeping all my games, even bad ones. And I'd rather gift games than sell them to GameStop. Either way they're a business so they can do whatever.
I'd actually like to see them publish a couple more specific numbers, like what timeframe does that 70% refer to? What happened in a random month, a quarter, year, all time? I mean I'm not asking for all their info since protecting trade secrets is important, but a couple more specific numbers would be nice.
That said, their statement doesn't surprise me. All my Amazon credit goes to buying a new game and I can easily see myself doing the same with Gamestop if I actually did shop with them.
That said, their statement doesn't surprise me. All my Amazon credit goes to buying a new game and I can easily see myself doing the same with Gamestop if I actually did shop with them.
I bought Heavy Rain pre-owned. I wouldn't have paid full price. Now I will buy their next game on day one...
I bought Red Dead Redemption pre-owned. I wouldn't have paid full price. Now I will buy their next game on day one...
You get the idea.
I bought Red Dead Redemption pre-owned. I wouldn't have paid full price. Now I will buy their next game on day one...
You get the idea.
Gamestop has every right to sell used games publishers be damned. What irks me is "sloppy seconds" or buying a new game thats been opened and test driven. Thats disingenious and near fraudulent to call it "new" /rant
Nice figures there GS, it would make publisher who pull stats for lost sales to piracy proud.
I would suspect that more ppl just use rebuy used games
I would suspect that more ppl just use rebuy used games
Publishers speak ill of Gamestop because used games are profits that aren't going to them, if they could they would get the full amount of any 2nd hand sales, see online passes and intentionally locking content unless you buy it new as a prime example of this.
If the industry ever crashes, gamestop won't be to blame, the rampant greed and obsession with AAA and CoD numbers will.
If the industry ever crashes, gamestop won't be to blame, the rampant greed and obsession with AAA and CoD numbers will.
I can see that. I usually only trade my games in to get a price break on new releases.
@Zadobah
Yeah , They need to stop selling open "new" merch.
@Zadobah
Yeah , They need to stop selling open "new" merch.
Being an ex-employee, I knew this on Day 1 when I started in 2008, and it has been mentioned before on other sites a few times. Exactly how does this get to be news in 2012? You can ask any buyer in Gamestop what they do with trade credit and they'll say this in response. Because they want new stuff with credit, and save used sales for other times with cash/cards.
The real news is the publishers behaving like bigger dicks to make sure they get paid for new sales, instead of trying to make sure the game is WORTH the $60 you pay for it.
Why else are discounts appearing on games that sometimes are barely four months old?
The real news is the publishers behaving like bigger dicks to make sure they get paid for new sales, instead of trying to make sure the game is WORTH the $60 you pay for it.
Why else are discounts appearing on games that sometimes are barely four months old?
Duh. Anytime I've traded in games the credit has gone to a newer game. Only shit-eating greedy publishers and their fantards think otherwise. Guess what publishers, I wouldn't get half of your crap if I wasn't able to unload your previous crap onto Gamestop.
So his point is Used Games sold at Game Stop support the industry. Well I guess you could say that for anything that they sell. Sell marked up new games for a profit and buy used games for almost nothing and resell them for about the same as new ones.
well duh but why would he say this... O YEAH! Because people hate the way they handle used games in terms of fairness for the customer and the big publishers see them as a greedy middle man between them and the gamers.
It's a shitty point... it's like saying that giving rich people more money will help everybody because it will trickle down. The theory makes sense but the execution never happens after you throw more money at them.
well duh but why would he say this... O YEAH! Because people hate the way they handle used games in terms of fairness for the customer and the big publishers see them as a greedy middle man between them and the gamers.
It's a shitty point... it's like saying that giving rich people more money will help everybody because it will trickle down. The theory makes sense but the execution never happens after you throw more money at them.
I'm getting the 3DS XL from Gamestop, but I get all my games from Amazon. Isn't Gamestop going all digital soon?
The thing about trade in prices... Gamestop is a retailer taking a risk on a product. Stocking and logistics aren't cheap as it is, so expecting a company to pay you a "fair" amount on something they may Never see a return on is a little ridiculous...
Are their current rates a proper, fair balance representing this? That I don't know. But it does seem as though many expect to get $30 for something that would be resold for $34... which is far to little profit to be worth the risk. And if they kept the trade in value but only lowered the resale value, then New copy sales may be damaged and overall lower GS profits.
I dislike GS for their often sleazy practices and thieving employees... and while I disagree with some of their pricing models as a consumer, thinking logically I understand why they have things set up the way they do.
Are their current rates a proper, fair balance representing this? That I don't know. But it does seem as though many expect to get $30 for something that would be resold for $34... which is far to little profit to be worth the risk. And if they kept the trade in value but only lowered the resale value, then New copy sales may be damaged and overall lower GS profits.
I dislike GS for their often sleazy practices and thieving employees... and while I disagree with some of their pricing models as a consumer, thinking logically I understand why they have things set up the way they do.
Wouldn't if their tradeins are terrible as I am the kind of person who doesn't trade my games in. If I do buy used its because the game I'm buying is so old that finding a new copy would be even more of a hassle. Even then .... it would probably be so bargain binned that wherever I found it would probably practically pay me to take it :P
i don't doubt that either.
though im freaking piss that companies keep going for gamestop for exclusive dlc or versions.
seriously if your gonna go with a pre order DLC content, at least spread it to other retailers or eveb amazon
though im freaking piss that companies keep going for gamestop for exclusive dlc or versions.
seriously if your gonna go with a pre order DLC content, at least spread it to other retailers or eveb amazon
@EKG
I don't know how expensive it is now, but I purchased the digital Tales of Vesperia via Games on Demanda on Xbox Live for 10 dollars cheaper than I could find it at a physical/online retailer.
At the time the game was 38-45 even at sites like Glyde and Amazon and I purchased it digitally for 30. Granted this is kind of a fluke, but it was a cheaper game (at the time, not sure about the case now).
I don't know how expensive it is now, but I purchased the digital Tales of Vesperia via Games on Demanda on Xbox Live for 10 dollars cheaper than I could find it at a physical/online retailer.
At the time the game was 38-45 even at sites like Glyde and Amazon and I purchased it digitally for 30. Granted this is kind of a fluke, but it was a cheaper game (at the time, not sure about the case now).
There are certain times I will trade in to gamestop if they have major bonuses which is once and a while. I sometimes buy new and sometimes buy used with this currency. There were times I was able to trade in six games and walk out with six different games using coupons and trade in cash concurrently. Usually its not worth the cash you get to trade in there though. If I buy new I generally do that through steam or from amazon or GOG if they have a sale. I guess I spend a lot of time with Cheap ass gamer, because I like to play a lot of different things and tr out new games but them fuckers be pricey and I refuse torrent or steal them just to play.
They're trying to come across as not evil, yet they still open brand new games, take the disks out of the box, slap a sticker directly onto the box (which is hard as balls to peel off completely and cleanly) and have the audacity to sell that game as new. Nope, still evil to me.
I sold my Gamecube and four GC games and got all of $19 for it all. But since Arkham City was coming out and I was planning on getting it anyway, I had that 19 bucks put toward a preorder for AC. But I probably should have sold it all on Amazon, get $100 total, then use that to preorder Arkham City and still have $40 left over at the end.
I believe it, 100% of my trade in goes to New games.
The Cash trade in is so low only Junkies and Desperates would take it.
The Cash trade in is so low only Junkies and Desperates would take it.
Picture the most sniveling, weasly little turd you've ever met speaking whenever pr douchebags issue statements and facts.
^ A lesson to all newer members of this site. Look at this guy's profile. Check his comments. All of them are whiny and negative. Do not be like this person. You will hate your life.
I'm torn. I don't like some of gamestop's business practices, but I believe people have the right to resell their games. I guess it's on the consumer if they'll take the small payouts gamestop offers. However, i find the publisher's attempts to curb used sales via online passes much more offensive. The true test of whether or not you own something is your ability to resell it. For this reason, digital downloads disturb me. Oddly though, digital downloads have me more worried about their longevity than my ability to resell them. That is to say, my ability to play them five years from now is more of an issue than the ability for me to make a few dollars back on my investment.
I'm not even a guy who trades games in, but i do rent. Generally speaking, I judge a game's merits on the content of the disc. I refuse to take the extra content into account on my purchasing decision, because if they're willing to wall off a significant part of their game, then they've effecively sold me a tripod with two legs, with the third an "optional accessory." I refuse to support that mindset. I can't say i've lived up to this 100 percent of the time, nor am i against all dlc, but those are the guidelines i try to follow.
I'm not even a guy who trades games in, but i do rent. Generally speaking, I judge a game's merits on the content of the disc. I refuse to take the extra content into account on my purchasing decision, because if they're willing to wall off a significant part of their game, then they've effecively sold me a tripod with two legs, with the third an "optional accessory." I refuse to support that mindset. I can't say i've lived up to this 100 percent of the time, nor am i against all dlc, but those are the guidelines i try to follow.
@mike moran
It's true I usually only speak up when I have something negative to say. It's only because I care about the industry I am passionate about and many of these stories, especially Jim's, push my buttons. I should tone it down though, I guess. I don't mean to offend anyone.
It's true I usually only speak up when I have something negative to say. It's only because I care about the industry I am passionate about and many of these stories, especially Jim's, push my buttons. I should tone it down though, I guess. I don't mean to offend anyone.
These days the only issue I have with used games are retailers who aggressively offer trade-in campaigns to get games in that are not even a few weeks or a month old so they can immediately turn them around and slightly undercut the new stock/avoid reordering product. THAT hurts publishers, not some used game sale 3-6 months down the line.
"Granted, if used games did not exist, publishers could lock in every sale at top price."
Yes, but it would also mean that consumers would be less likely to try out new IPs, as they wouldn't have a chance to trade-in titles they didn't like, or purchase titles at a price they feel comfortable at. This would inpact innovation and sales in general in a negative way.
All in all I believe second hand sales are a good thing for the entire industry.
Yes, but it would also mean that consumers would be less likely to try out new IPs, as they wouldn't have a chance to trade-in titles they didn't like, or purchase titles at a price they feel comfortable at. This would inpact innovation and sales in general in a negative way.
All in all I believe second hand sales are a good thing for the entire industry.
first off.. the very fact that there are Used games means that they were once NEW.. and most of them recently.. so game devs need to STFU and stop actin' like everyone's trying to rob them.. FUCKTARDS!!
"Granted, if used games did not exist, publishers could lock in every sale at top price."
Hang on. The publisher has already locked in the sale at top price. The amount that the customer pays is NOT how much the publisher receives. They still get paid by the retailer for the stock.
Publishers don't sell to customers. They sell to retailers who then sell to customers. As soon as the retailer pays the invoice for stock supplied, game over publisher. You got your piece of pie.
Hang on. The publisher has already locked in the sale at top price. The amount that the customer pays is NOT how much the publisher receives. They still get paid by the retailer for the stock.
Publishers don't sell to customers. They sell to retailers who then sell to customers. As soon as the retailer pays the invoice for stock supplied, game over publisher. You got your piece of pie.
BUT OH MY GOD GUYS GAMESTOP IS RUINING THE INDUSTRY /trollface
Anyway. Most of my games are bought off Amazon on sale or after they drop in price. I don't have the budget to do it any differently. Games are incredibly expensive. What I finish playing and don't want to hold onto, I sell to a friend or I sell at GameStop. Yea, they do give you really shit money for stuff, even as store credit, but if it's just gonna be sitting on a shell collecting dust, I don't see much of a point.
And yea, more often than not, my trade in credit goes to buying a new game that I don't want to wait to go on sale on Amazon. I've actually got a few old games right now I wanna trade in and put towards Halo 4. Sometimes I actually use my store credit to buy download codes for DLC through their online site because I don't trust Sony or Microsoft with my credit card information, and I don't feel like buying more money in imaginary bucks than whatever I'm buying actually costs.
Anyway. Most of my games are bought off Amazon on sale or after they drop in price. I don't have the budget to do it any differently. Games are incredibly expensive. What I finish playing and don't want to hold onto, I sell to a friend or I sell at GameStop. Yea, they do give you really shit money for stuff, even as store credit, but if it's just gonna be sitting on a shell collecting dust, I don't see much of a point.
And yea, more often than not, my trade in credit goes to buying a new game that I don't want to wait to go on sale on Amazon. I've actually got a few old games right now I wanna trade in and put towards Halo 4. Sometimes I actually use my store credit to buy download codes for DLC through their online site because I don't trust Sony or Microsoft with my credit card information, and I don't feel like buying more money in imaginary bucks than whatever I'm buying actually costs.
"A lot of our consumers tell us that the pre-owned business has allowed them to learn more about video gaming."
No examples given; and I can't think of a single fucking reason how the pre-owned business helps learn about video gaming. Bullshit line.
No examples given; and I can't think of a single fucking reason how the pre-owned business helps learn about video gaming. Bullshit line.
If they were as evil as everyone said they were, I wouldn't shop there. Sometimes you can get a really good deal on games that are barely a year old. However it's irritating how much they over hype games that are at best another sequel, and at worst what Japanese call "kusai gamu". You enter the store and you're immediately bombarded with a loud blaring TV telling you what you need to buy in order to be a good customer. 99% of the time if I'm just stopping in to see what they have, I never find anything good nor something that I might be looking for. that is a direct result of their hype machine, and if someone is so full of shit that it's coming out their ears, why should I trust them with anything they claim to be positive?
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