5 ms·

I don't think you understand my stance. I'm all for used video game retailers. GME happens to be a pretty crappy one. But they are one that has availability of

• forrestthewoods 6y ago
  > Where's the harm? Their ability to sell it for $55 is capped at the total stock they have. Dev companies can print near unlimited amounts of copies for a low price. If Sony prints and distributed TLOU2 for $5 and sells it at GameStop for $60 they make like $40 give or take. If someone plays that 30 hour masterpiece in two days they can sell it back to GameStop for like $20. GameStop can resell it for $55 and pocket every penny. GameStop has now made more money in launch week than the developer. GameStop is incentivized with every fiber of their existence to be a middleman than squeezes every dollar of profit. Game developers respond with digital, micro transactions, tack-on half-assed multiplayer, etc. GameStop is a middle-man that seeks to prevent as many dollars as possible from going to the actual content creators. Sony can print an infinite number of TLOU2 copies for almost nothing. They could let you download the game for less than a nickel. Obviously you can not make a game like TLOU2 if you only charge a nickel to play it. I would have zero issues with GameStop if they limited sales of used games to games that are 1 year old. Hell I might even be fine with six months! But selling used discs less than a week from launch is despicable and I wish them nothing but pain and suffering. GameStops entire business is predicated on being a middle man that adds zero value but extracts value for “used” sales of relatively new games. Fuck em. I used to make games so I am extremely biased. But IMHO I am not wrong!
  • monksy 6y ago
    > If Sony prints and distributed TLOU2 for $5 and sells it at GameStop for $60 they make like $40 give or take. Game dev company makes a sale. > GameStop for like $20. GameStop can resell it for $55 and pocket every penny. Gamestop and previous customer engage in a private transaction. Gamestop accepts that the game may not sell at $55 Gamestop now lists it in their supply in _used_ condition and certifies it's playablity. > Game developers respond with digital, micro transactions, tack-on half-assed multiplayer, etc. That has nothing to do with the Gamestop's business decisions after they sold the new copy. The studio is trying to milk it for more money post sale. (Also don't forget season passes/online fees etc) > GameStop is a middle-man that seeks to prevent as many dollars as possible from going to the actual content creators. They performed that original sell. I'm not sure how this is preventing content creators from making money. > Sony can print an infinite number of TLOU2 copies for almost nothing. They could let you download the game for less than a nickel. Obviously you can not make a game like TLOU2 if you only charge a nickel to play it. But they don't. They'll still charge you $60 (same as in store pricing) for the online download. (Even though it's less valuable and more risky about how they feel about you that day) I still don't understand your point here. Once the content producer/retailer makes a sale.. _you_ _do_ _not_ _own_ _that_ _copy_ _any_ _more_. That's the entire sales transaction. You can't dictate a private transaction after the fact.
    • forrestthewoods 6y ago
      _clap_ _emoji_ _doesn’t_ _improve_ _your_ _argument_ Here’s a slightly amended story: * Player A pre-orders TLOU2 for $60 from Amazon * Player A beats game, sells to GameStop for $20. * Player B buys “used” disc for $55 * $95 net player dollars have now been split $40 dev / $20 Amazon / $35 GameStop * Bonus! Player B sells game back to GameStop for $20. Who sells it to player C for $55. Repeat a few more times if you like. You are probably happy with the story. I am not. I want content creators to be rewarded. You want middle men to extract value. I know what first sale doctrine is and how it works. Thanks for the claps. > That has nothing to do with the Gamestop's business decisions after they sold the new copy. The studio is trying to milk it for more money post sale. If you would like to argue that game developers do not alter their business model in the face of used sales go ahead. Anyone who sat in meeting centered on “how can we prevent gamers from selling the disc back to GameStop in the first six months” will laugh at how wrong you are. The good news for you is that the rise of digital distribution made the debate around used sales moot. Used sales don’t matter and GameStop’s old business model is dead. I hope they fail to pivot and their whole business goes with it.