I live in a developing nation and work to provide for myself.
The used game market exists to serve the need people like myself have. I -need- to be able to play video games affordably; it isn't so much that I have a lack of self-control in that games are a part of my monthly budget, but it's something I spend on because it makes me happy. Happiness shouldn't have to cost an arm and a leg.
[–] ex-redd 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
I like the notion of used games, but I like the idea of permanently owned re-downloadable games even better. So if they go away in replacement of an all digital library (eg. steam, playstation store etc.), I say it is a win over-all. PS. Older games prices usually fall anyway.
[–] therocktor ago
Honestly, I'm in favor of the sale of used games for reasons unrelated to whether they harm or hurt the industry. According to my (limited) understanding of the First Sale Doctrine, copyrighted material can be resold if it was originally purchased legally. I think it's a great thing because games make their way into libraries and in game stores for cheap, where more people have access to them. Yeah, it sucks that game shops get 100% of the profit for something they had no hand in creating, but that's just how the law works. The creators got the profit from their original sale, and after that, they have no say in how their product is sold. They got paid, story ends. And really, what do a lot of people do after they trade their games in to stores? They buy new ones.
[–] jasotastic ago
If people weren't allowed to trade in games, most of us (with less disposable income) would find ourselves sticking to games in the same franchise that we like. We wouldn't necessarily have the ability to take a risk on something like Shadow of the Colossus. So, we'd end up missing out on some REALLY great games. Of course, that affects the publishers by causing those smaller experimental games to take a bigger chunk out of their budget with lower ROI.
I don't mind spending money on Star Ocean and maybe not liking it if I can fall back on a GameStop, GameXchange, etc. to purchase it from me and recoup a little of my cost towards another game.
All in all, I think we, the consumer, suffer the most if trade-ins were not available in their current form.
[–] Log_In_Password ago
I guess it all depends on where you get your used games from. I liked Boogie2988's video on how places like gamestop try help me save a few dollars by pushing a used copy of a game on you because they get all the profits vs if you buy a new something like 90% of the money goes to the creator.
[–] TheKillerRabbit 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
It helps the cheaper people to access more games and thus gives the games a wider audience. If a game company explicitly banned used game sales, it will get a lot of hate.
[–] Snivy 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I love it for those less fortunate, but I usually buy mine new because I'm in a position to do so now.