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[brentech]

Publishers want this. They dislike used games as much as anyone and that pressure will push Sony to adopt some type of model that cuts them in. I just don't see it not happening.

The private sales and used games market as we know it today is going bye bye. One way or the other.

If anyone is going to make money on used game sales, it should be the publishers. So part of me is okay with this shift. I just don't like that the consumer is likely to get even more fucked over on used game purchases. It's hardly beneficial to buy used now.

I've bought like one used game over the past 2 years. It's often the same price to just buy it new, at a discounted price on Amazon than at GameStop anyways.

 

[eznark]

The fact that Halo 3 is up for $17 on both site means that people are paying $17 for a used Halo 3.

Consumers deserve every piece of shit that's dumped on them.

Family Guy levels of non-sequitur.

 

[Clark W. Griswold]

The more I hear about the XBox One, the more I want it to fail.
This shit is truly disgusting.

 

[yankeehater]

This really is fantastic news for devs/publishers. Hopefully this means less studios being closed going forward.

 

[Talon]

Family Guy levels of non-sequitur.

It was so depressing it had to be said.

Really can't answer that without knowing the volume of the used game market compared to the new market. Presumably Gamestop doesn't split Pre-owned and New on their financials because why would they?

The fact that Halo 3 is up for $17 on both site means that people are paying $17 for a used Halo 3.

Consumers deserve every piece of shit that's dumped on them.

.

The more I hear about the XBox One, the more I want it to fail.
This shit is truly disgusting.

All consoles will fail, and it will be glorious.

 

[bionic77]

Gamestop is fucked just like everyone else I guess.

It would be hilarious if they just all of a sudden started pushing the fuck out of the WiiU.

Speaking of GameStop do any of you bastards actually go there? I used to go and drool at NeoGeo and 16 bit games I could not afford @ EBgames when I was a kid, but I think I have gone to Gamestop like 2 times at most in the past 3 years. I always buy my shit online or from a real store like Target\Best Buy\etc. I always hated how GS would have opened my game and put some gross ass sticker on the cover.

This really is fantastic news for devs/publishers. Hopefully this means less studios being closed going forward.

You are the best.

Never change.

 

[Talon]

Speaking of GameStop do any of you bastards actually go there? I used to go and drool at NeoGeo and 16 bit games I could not afford @ EBgames when I was a kid, but I think I have gone to Gamestop like 2 times at most in the past 3 years. I always buy my shit online or from a real store like Target\Best Buy\etc. I always hated how GS would have opened my game and put some gross ass sticker on the cover.

Nope. I do all my game shopping on Amazon.

 

[Milchjon]

The more I hear about the XBox One, the more I want it to fail.
This shit is truly disgusting.

They'll have a hard time to overcome the negative first impression, but it will probably still outdo the Wii U.

 

[Clark W. Griswold]

Speaking of GameStop do any of you bastards actually go there? I used to go and drool at NeoGeo and 16 bit games I could not afford @ EBgames when I was a kid, but I think I have gone to Gamestop like 2 times at most in the past 3 years. I always buy my shit online or from a real store like Target\Best Buy\etc. I always hated how GS would have opened my game and put some gross ass sticker on the cover.

Hell no.
I get all my games on Steam, or maybe Amazon.

 

[eznark]

Talon, right now the biggest threat to GameStop is not the shift to digital but the encroachment of places like WalMart, Target and Best Buy into their used game turf. This removes the incentive for them to operate in that market and really leaves room only for specialists to play in the niche. GameStop will no longer be a massive play BUT revenue growth has already slowed from 10-12% in 2009 to 2% in 2012. They can adjust and react to digital (trade-in's for points cards, events, hardware focus, etc.) but they cannot really respond to Wal Mart. This solves that problem for them.

It's a big win for dedicated, niche game stores. It may prove to be a big win for consumers as well if Microsoft heavy hands the profit margins forcing GameStop to focus more on inventory turnover and less on profit margin.

 

[MechDX]

The more I hear about the XBox One, the more I want it to fail.
This shit is truly disgusting.

You wouldn't buy one anyway. It doesn't say "Nintendo" on it

 

[BlackGhost]

Gamestop is fucked just like everyone else I guess.

It would be hilarious if they just all of a sudden started pushing the fuck out of the WiiU.

Speaking of GameStop do any of you bastards actually go there? I used to go and drool at NeoGeo and 16 bit games I could not afford @ EBgames when I was a kid, but I think I have gone to Gamestop like 2 times at most in the past 3 years. I always buy my shit online or from a real store like TargetBest Buyetc. I always hated how GS would have opened my game and put some gross ass sticker on the cover.

I go, but usually only when I'm trying to afford a new console. I always try and take advantage of the console trade in deals. Sometimes they have some good ones.
Well maybe not anymore, since I discovered craigs list

 

[eznark]

Gamestop is fucked just like everyone else I guess.

It would be hilarious if they just all of a sudden started pushing the fuck out of the WiiU.

Speaking of GameStop do any of you bastards actually go there? I used to go and drool at NeoGeo and 16 bit games I could not afford @ EBgames when I was a kid, but I think I have gone to Gamestop like 2 times at most in the past 3 years. I always buy my shit online or from a real store like Target\Best Buy\etc. I always hated how GS would have opened my game and put some gross ass sticker on the cover.


You are the best.

Never change.

I go to GameStop because it's the only place around me that sells Steam cards and I don't want my wife to know that I just spent $20 on costumes for Dota dolls.

 

[brentech]

This really is fantastic news for devs/publishers. Hopefully this means less studios being closed going forward.

OMG, lol. You're the worst.
Only you would turn this into a exclusively positive thing.

Speaking of GameStop do any of you bastards actually go there?

I never went for the longest time. I do most my trade ins via Amazon. But when I traded my 360 and Wii in, Amazon wasn't offering much for the consoles and the 5-8 games I had for each, so I brought them in to Gamestop and to my surprise they gave much more. Was able to get my Vita and accessories with the trade in.
So now, unless Amazon is offering decent money on trade ins, I'll bring them to gamestop....otherwise I don't go there. I don't like the atmosphere. It feels creepy.

I go to GameStop because it's the only place around me that sells Steam cards and I don't want my wife to know that I just spent $20 on costumes for Dota dolls.

ROFL

 

[yankeehater]

You are the best.

Never change.

So getting a cut of used game sales isnt good news for devs and publishers? Not sure why I am surprised that you would reply with nonsense like that.

OMG, lol. You're the worst.
Only you would turn this into a exclusively positive thing.

So you are as dumb as Bionic, good to know. I have already said that this is bad for consumers. I didnt realize that things can only be 100% good, or 100% bad.

 

[bionic77]

They'll have a hard time to overcome the negative first impression, but it will probably still outdo the Wii U.

That won't be hard to do and it should easily do that.

The question will be whether or not they can maintain it.

I think they should do ok at first in the US, but this thing looks designed to fail in the rest of the world. While the US is big, the rest of the world market is still bigger (I think).

 

[Milchjon]

I go to GameStop because it's the only place around me that sells Steam cards and I don't want my wife to know that I just spent $20 on costumes for Dota dolls.

:jnc

 

[Draxal]

It's a big win for dedicated, niche game stores. It may prove to be a big win for consumers as well if Microsoft heavy hands the profit margins forcing GameStop to focus more on inventory turnover and less on profit margin.

Well, I'm not sure about that, there's some small mom and pop shops and this might be the thing that finally kills them.

And I go to the local gamestop because it's right next to where I go to lunch during my lunch break, and I actually like the employees there.

 

[Clark W. Griswold]

You wouldn't buy one anyway. It doesn't say "Nintendo" on it

I don't have any consoles at the moment, and the last one I bought was the PS2.

 

[eznark]

So getting a cut of used game sales is good news for devs and publishers? Not sure why I am surprised that you would reply with nonsense like that.

Personally I think the death of rental will be fantastically awful for the industry, especially for the types of developers who are dependent on buzz like mid-tier places, which incidentally are much more at risk of closing due to one shitty release.

Well, I'm not sure about that, there's some small mom and pop shops and this might be the thing that finally kills them.

For sure. Notice I didn't list "small" in those adjectives. It's really just a win for GameStop and its counterparts globally.

 

[Milchjon]

That won't be hard to do and it should easily do that.

The question will be whether or not they can maintain it.

I think they should do ok at first in the US, but this thing looks designed to fail in the rest of the world. While the US is big, the rest of the world market is still bigger (I think).

Spoiler

I wasn't making an actual argument

 

[Futurevoid]

I go to GameStop because it's the only place around me that sells Steam cards and I don't want my wife to know that I just spent $20 on costumes for Dota dolls.

:jnc

 

[ChanHuk]

It's time for breakfast and you mongrels are arguing about used games? What happened to telling Pats fans that they're scum of the earth?

 

[yankeehater]

Personally I think the death of rental will be fantastically awful for the industry, especially for the types of developers who are dependent on buzz like mid-tier places, which incidentally are much more at risk of closing due to one shitty release.

See that is actually a good point. People will be less inclined to try out games since they wont be able to get them as cheap. I just know that publishers have complained many times over the years about the loss of revenue associated with used games sales.

 

[bionic77]

So getting a cut of used game sales is good news for devs and publishers? Not sure why I am surprised that you would reply with nonsense like that.

The gaming market is going to shrink big time regardless of whether or not these people get a cut of the sales. It is feast or famine time right now. I am sure the big players will benefit and get richer from getting a cut of used game sales, but this shit ain't going to save Konami or Square or all of the other struggling devs. I feel like it is just going to get bloodier this gen. Hopefully I am wrong though.

And I was just referencing your amazing optimism. Whether it is the Eagles, next gen, or whatever, you are always super optimistic.

 

[Talon]

This business is becoming too much of a hits driven business like Hollywood, and it will doom the industry for a second reboot.

Talon, right now the biggest threat to GameStop is not the shift to digital but the encroachment of places like WalMart, Target and Best Buy into their used game turf. This removes the incentive for them to operate in that market and really leaves room only for specialists to play in the niche. GameStop will no longer be a massive play BUT revenue growth has already slowed from 10-12% in 2009 to 2% in 2012. They can adjust and react to digital (trade-in's for points cards, events, hardware focus, etc.) but they cannot really respond to Wal Mart. This solves that problem for them.

It's a big win for dedicated, niche game stores. It may prove to be a big win for consumers as well if Microsoft heavy hands the profit margins forcing GameStop to focus more on inventory turnover and less on profit margin.

I get your point. Used games is only a side play for the big box stores because of the margins. If the margin is lost, Walmart and Target have no reason to dabble because they were never interested in moving volume there.

I still think that if (that is an adjustment) Amazon is a part of this, GameStop is straight fucked. They can't compete with Amazon with price, even when the sales tax is applied nationally, and we're getting a younger and younger customer base that has grown up with online shopping.

Now GameFly. Poor GameFly.

 

[brentech]

It's time for breakfast and you mongrels are arguing about used games? What happened to telling Pats fans that they're scum of the earth?

I don't have to tell them for them to know.

 

[bionic77]

It's time for breakfast and you mongrels are arguing about used games? What happened to telling Pats fans that they're scum of the earth?

Its the long weekend.

I am taking it off and letting their families, pets, spouses, children and mirrors do my job this weekend.

 

[ChanHuk]

I don't have to tell them for them to know.

They require constant reminders.

 

[brentech]

even when the sales tax is applied nationally,

I WILL NEVER PAY YOUR SALES TAX!

I swear, I pay sales tax on everything when I file taxes.... >.>

 

[Elfforkusu]

I'll leave this here for you Elfforkusu, just a research prototype, but shows that distributed AI can outperform local AI at high latency levels (~1 second). Beyond that local AI begins to perform better than the distributed AI. This was tested using a modified FPS (Quake III) setup. Interesting none the less.

http://research.microsoft.com/pubs/72894/NOSSDAV2007.pdf

Quoting this so you know I saw it, and so I can look at it more later...

In general, I'm not too worried about scaling this up to support thousands of clients -- Microsoft has been working on this stuff for years

Spoiler

and so have I

. Scaling is all about picking algorithms that scale, and building the infrastructure to support it.

Sony, OTOH, will probably have major problems doing this successfully.

 

[Talon]

I WILL NEVER PAY YOUR SALES TAX!

I swear, I pay sales tax on everything when I file taxes.... >.>

Amazon wants that sales tax. Makes it harder for a new player to encroach onto the online shopping market.

Entrenched players love regulations.

 

[eznark]

This business is becoming too much of a hits driven business like Hollywood, and it will doom the industry for a second reboot.

I get your point. Used games is only a side play for the big box stores because of the margins. If the margin is lost, Walmart and Target have no reason to dabble because they were never interested in moving volume there.

I still think that if (that is an adjustment) Amazon is a part of this, GameStop is straight fucked. They can't compete with Amazon with price, even when the sales tax is applied nationally, and we're getting a younger and younger customer base that has grown up with online shopping.

Now GameFly. Poor GameFly.

The problem for Amazon, as I understand it, is that they act as a middleman for middlemen, and I'm not sure how Microsoft will treat that.

I'm by no means arguing that GameStop isn't fucked. They are selling buggy whips. But, this is literally the best outcome they could have hoped for. By removing private reselling, renting and trading they get to live a bit longer.

 

[brentech]

Amazon wants that sales tax. Makes it harder for a new player to encroach onto the online shopping market.

Entrenched players love regulations.

Wait...what?

Amazon fights tooth and nail with every state they put a warehouse in to ensure that customers don't have to pay sales tax. What you talking about?

They won't even start building until they're told they don't have to charge sales tax.

 

[Talon]

Wait...what?

Amazon fights tooth and nail with every state they put a warehouse in to ensure that customers don't have to pay sales tax. What you talking about?

They won't even start building until they're told they don't have to charge sales tax.

They did...until a few months ago.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323551004578437040452142034.html
http://allthingsd.com/20130214/amazons-love-note-to-senate-backs-sales-tax-proposal/

 

[Nemesis121]

I go to GameStop because it's the only place around me that sells Steam cards and I don't want my wife to know that I just spent $20 on costumes for Dota dolls.

Same here but not for costumes just to get a $20card, I wasted $20 on games I will never play, gonna ignore summer sale this year unless I can get MK cheaper on steam...

 

[ChanHuk]

Wait...what?

Amazon fights tooth and nail with every state they put a warehouse in to ensure that customers don't have to pay sales tax. What you talking about?

They won't even start building until they're told they don't have to charge sales tax.

California, they've opened up a couple of warehouses here now that they have to charge sales tax. Its actually probably saved them money in the long run logistically.

 

[yankeehater]

The gaming market is going to shrink big time regardless of whether or not these people get a cut of the sales. It is feast or famine time right now. I am sure the big players will benefit and get richer from getting a cut of used game sales, but this shit ain't going to save Konami or Square or all of the other struggling devs. I feel like it is just going to get bloodier this gen. Hopefully I am wrong though.

And I was just referencing your amazing optimism. Whether it is the Eagles, next gen, or whatever, you are always super optimistic.

I wasnt being optimistic at all with my post though. When this was first announced I said in this thread that it is bad news. I buy tons of games and I almost always trade them back in when I am done with them. I will have to be more selective next gen with what I buy if there is no market for trade ins. I just think that this could help publishers while it also harms consumers. I am sure that helping publishers is the resaon that MS is doing this in the first place.

Anyways someone in that thread posted this:

Update:

Quote:
Unconfirmed reports on ConsoleDeals.co.uk suggest that retail’s slice will be as little as ten per cent. That’s a significant cut from what it has become accustomed to from pre-owned sales and more in line with what they would receive from the sale of a new game – hence, the value of the pre-owned market to the retailer is effectively destroyed.

These same unconfirmed reports also suggest that the activation cost for consumers buying or borrowing pre-owned software will be £35.

UPDATE: Many readers are asking whether the £35 will be additional cost on top of the price of buying the game. No, we believe that the £35 figure – which is not our number, incidentally – would cover the entire transaction. If correct this would leave retail with a cut per sale of around £3.50.

Does anyone know how much used games go for on average this gen in the UK? I know gamestop charges $55 for used new releases. I cant imagine MS forcing them to charge $20 less, no one would buy new then.

 

[bionic77]

The problem for Amazon, as I understand it, is that they act as a middleman for middlemen, and I'm not sure how Microsoft will treat that.

I'm by no means arguing that GameStop isn't fucked. They are selling buggy whips. But, this is literally the best outcome they could have hoped for. By removing private reselling, renting and trading they get to live a bit longer.

How much of gaming age works at GameStop?

I am sure they are going to start cutting the fat pretty soon if they haven't already done so.

 

[brentech]

They did...until a few months ago.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323551004578437040452142034.html
http://allthingsd.com/20130214/amazons-love-note-to-senate-backs-sales-tax-proposal/

hrm, never saw any of this. I feel like just the other day I was reading about one of their new warehouse issues because of this stuff.

Gotta read that

 

[eznark]

Same here but not for costumes just to get a $20card for steam sales, I wasted $20 on games I will never play, gonna ignore summer sale this year unless I can get the MK cheaper on steam...

I've only actually bought one costume thing in Dota. But I do buy point cards. My wife realizes that the only check on my moronic impulse purchases is to scan the credit card bill and scold me for dumb stuff. I've done a fairly acceptable job providing slightly better than government cheese and spam for my kids yet I still get shit for a $2 purchase on Steam...because if I didn't get that shit I'd just go overboard. It's a good system!....that I have made totally meaningless by carrying cash again.

 

[Draxal]

Anyway, I hope the rumors about the new Mario 3D game being better than Galaxy 2 is true. That would sell me on the Wii U, and Tokyo EAD probably has the strongest track record of any development team in recent history.

 

[Talon]

Anyway, I hope the rumors about the new Mario 3D game being better than Galaxy 2 is true. That would sell me on the Wii U, and Tokyo EAD probably has the strongest track record of any development team in recent history.

This would make me a buy a Wii U. Love me some Galaxy.

 

[Nemesis121]

I've only actually bought one costume thing in Dota. But I do buy game cards. My wife realizes that the only check on my moronic impulse purchases is to scan the credit card bill and scold me for dumb stuff. I've done a fairly acceptable job providing slightly better than government cheese and spam for my kids yet I still get shit for a $2 purchase on Steam...because if I didn't get that shit I'd just go overboard. It's a good system!

Woot no wife to deal with....

 

[brentech]

I've only actually bought one costume thing in Dota. But I do buy point cards. My wife realizes that the only check on my moronic impulse purchases is to scan the credit card bill and scold me for dumb stuff. I've done a fairly acceptable job providing slightly better than government cheese and spam for my kids yet I still get shit for a $2 purchase on Steam...because if I didn't get that shit I'd just go overboard. It's a good system!....that I have made totally meaningless by carrying cash again.

Best system ever....my wife doesn't even see the financials outside of some long term investments. Bank account info she knows the numbers when I give them. All purchases are a go!

I'm not retarded though. I don't often just spend money to spend it. It only really helps like when I built my new computer. I just deciding on better and better parts. That added up, but I shouldn't need anything for a while.
Maybe upgrade video card a year or so from now when nVidia releases 800 series

 

[yankeehater]

Anyway, I hope the rumors about the new Mario 3D game being better than Galaxy 2 is true. That would sell me on the Wii U, and Tokyo EAD probably has the strongest track record of any development team in recent history.

I am really excited to see what they are doing with Mario on the WiiU. The Galaxy games were fantastic so topping them will be hard to do. I definitely have faith in Nintendo's first party studios though.

 

[eznark]

Best system ever....my wife doesn't even see the financials outside of some long term investments. Bank account info she knows the numbers when I give them. All purchases are a go!

Honestly, it's totally worth it to never have to see a bill. I have literally zero idea how much any of our utilities cost and have exactly that much interest in knowing.

 

[Colasante]

Never seen this before. An autograph from an old Jacksonville Jaguars tight end, Pete Mitchell. From Deadspin, "This Is How You Sign A Picture Of Ray Lewis Trying To Tackle You".

 

[Milchjon]

Source & backstory.

Edit: What is it these days. Fuck me, I'll only post about German food now.

 

[bionic77]

I've only actually bought one costume thing in Dota. But I do buy point cards. My wife realizes that the only check on my moronic impulse purchases is to scan the credit card bill and scold me for dumb stuff. I've done a fairly acceptable job providing slightly better than government cheese and spam for my kids yet I still get shit for a $2 purchase on Steam...because if I didn't get that shit I'd just go overboard. It's a good system!....that I have made totally meaningless by carrying cash again.

I don't like this story.

In my mind eznark buys what he wants and if his wife questions it then she gets some kind of horrible Sconi punishment.

It is the opposite at my house. I am usually yelling at my wife for spending too much money on a skirt or another fucking purse. How many pairs of shoes and purses does someone need?