Castlevania Dungeon Forums

Off Topic => Off Topic => Topic started by: Highwind Dragoon on October 14, 2010, 08:48:34 AM

Title: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Highwind Dragoon on October 14, 2010, 08:48:34 AM
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-gamestop_12bus.ART0.State.Edition1.2702a76.html (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-gamestop_12bus.ART0.State.Edition1.2702a76.html)

And used book and record stores, video rental stores, and, perhaps most significantly, public libraries. >:(
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Kale on October 14, 2010, 09:06:21 AM
Quote
"We hope people understand that when the game's bought used, we get cheated," he said.

I hope publishers understand that when they make stupid ass games, consumers get cheated.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: OmegaDL50 on October 14, 2010, 09:35:43 AM
Publishers should also realize that unless they plan to distribute hard copies of games themselves it would not be wise to potentially damage a business relationship of one their largest distributors of retail games on the market.

The public backlash would be huge if the sales of pre-owned and traded games were put to a halt. Might as well take it a step further and put pawn shops out of business or flea markets as well for selling used products, or online auction or marketplaces, or craiglist.

The Publisher already gets by far a large percentage of profit for the sales of new games, especially when you factor things such as development costs and manufacturing.

The only reason the publishers are complaining is because they don't get a cut of the profits from the price of a used titles sale.

What of the reverse scenario in which Gamestop pays it's customers money when a game is traded in. Are publishers going to take money out of their own pocket to buy back an old product no one already wants. Of course they won't.

Because of companies like Netflix and other online rental places is one of the primary reasons why Brick and Mortar video Rental Chains are going out of business, especially the quite known chain Blockbuster.

The bottom line is all about the money and these companies want to control the retail and distribution themselves and just to maximize their own cut, but they don't take into consideration of the public backlash of it's own consumers that use places like Gamestop for a majority of their game purchases.

Consider the buying and selling of used titles equivalent to recycling, rather then just throwing these products away when the original purchased "license" or "warranty" has expired and is not longer valid. At least someone can get some use out of it rather then no one at all after the original owner decides he/she no longer wants it anymore.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: crisis on October 14, 2010, 09:37:37 AM
Kale how tall are you??
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Highwind Dragoon on October 14, 2010, 12:50:03 PM
I pretty much agree with the bulk of what was said here, but Crisis, I think you're in the wrong thread.  :P
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Gunlord on October 14, 2010, 10:06:58 PM
Omega nailed it. Like I said elsewhere, if video game producers want to complain about used game sales cutting into their profits, Stephen King has a right to litigate against people selling dog-eared copies of his books to used bookstores and Ford or Honda ought to be going after the used-car biz. ~_~
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Abnormal Freak on October 14, 2010, 10:56:22 PM
I love how it's companies who release shitty games that are complaining. A THQ creative director? Fuck you, Cory Ledesma, your games don't sell because they're putrid anal grease. Who the hell buys wrestling games?

Who the hell are Autodesk?

Ya just gotta love this kind of hatred toward free market trade. The game companies may not get money on used game sales, but those selling the used games do! They have mouths to feed as well. Stupid cunts...

Argh. Out of frustration, I sent THQ a message through their website:

Quote
Dear THQ and Cory Ledesma,

In response to this article:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-gamestop_12bus.ART0.State.Edition1.2702a76.html (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-gamestop_12bus.ART0.State.Edition1.2702a76.html)

all I can say is, perhaps you ought to stop making such crummy games, and then perhaps you'll see more returns. Blaming it on used game sales? Really, now. That's pathetic!

I've rarely seen such a gross hatred toward free trade. Game companies may not see any returns on used games, but the people reselling the games do! Did Mr. Ledesma stop to think about those people and the mouths they ought to feed? I'm disgusted anyone from your company would ever make such a public statement.

Also, did he think also about out of print games before making that statement? So once a game goes out of print and stores no longer have it used, that game gets lost into oblivion? OK... So THQ's motto is to do the OPPOSITE of making a game that lasts long and leaves a legacy? Explain that to me.

I hated THQ before (every time I see that logo in a store, my gut churns, because I know that more than likely some putrid ass is sitting inside that game case), and I hate THQ twice as much now; and I'll be staring at that logo with even more disdain if such an absurd ruling is upheld, and if GameStop, eBay, Amazon Marketplace, and even people holding garage sales for crying out loud are no longer allowed to sell used games or entertainment software of any kind. What a stupid way to hurt the economy even more. (I realize it's Autodesk taking this to court, but one of your creative designers is mentioned in the article.)

A disgruntled gamer,
Chris

PS: Come on... Wrestling games??? lol! Give my middle finger regards to Cory.

May not have been the most wise thing to do, but whatever, I'm pissed! lol
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Highwind Dragoon on October 14, 2010, 11:20:04 PM
The worst that will happen is they won't respond to you.  ::)
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Abnormal Freak on October 15, 2010, 12:10:16 AM
Oh, I'm not afraid of any backlash, I'm just thinking, "Wow, that's kind of a 15-year-old rebel type message to say," or something.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Highwind Dragoon on October 15, 2010, 07:57:39 AM
It needed to be said, that is all that matters, young padawan.  8) :P
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Aridale on October 15, 2010, 10:09:27 AM
if you were serious about that autodesk question... They make 3d studio max. I dunno what that has to do with this or thq tho
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Highwind Dragoon on October 15, 2010, 11:33:22 AM
Someone from THQ was quoted in the article.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: JR on October 17, 2010, 02:52:21 AM
if you were serious about that autodesk question... They make 3d studio max. I dunno what that has to do with this or thq tho

Autodesk was involved in the court ruling, and from what I hear, the EULA for their products is nearly identical to the one used for electronic entertainment. The implications for used game sales could be huge.

Probably not, though. I don't know why publishers would want to turn on Gamestop, despite all the money they make on used games. It seems like that would be a huge blow to new game sales as well.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Jorge D. Fuentes on October 17, 2010, 06:14:30 AM
I'm not sure why exactly Autodesk is involved with this.

Autodesk makes design/drafting/modeling tool programs.  They're mostly known for 3D Studio Max, and AutoCAD (Computer-Aided Design), as well as Autodesk Inventor... so I'm not sure why they're in this at all.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Highwind Dragoon on October 17, 2010, 08:34:50 AM
Some guy was buying copies of autoCAD and selling them online (Marked up, probably).

At least, that what I think the case was about....  :-\
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: JR on October 17, 2010, 12:37:17 PM
Yeah, the case was over whether or not the guy had the right to resell the software. People are jumping to conclusions on how this will affect used game sales, but I guess it does have the potential to make them unlawful.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Kale on October 19, 2010, 09:47:21 PM
Kale how tall are you??

This is an odd question... I'm 5'7" or 5'8" .. around that. Why?

I'm not sure why exactly Autodesk is involved with this.

Autodesk makes design/drafting/modeling tool programs.  They're mostly known for 3D Studio Max, and AutoCAD (Computer-Aided Design), as well as Autodesk Inventor... so I'm not sure why they're in this at all.

Afaik, Autodesk is involved because people are reselling their old versions of max, maya, etc. And they don't want that... obviously.
Yeah, the case was over whether or not the guy had the right to resell the software. People are jumping to conclusions on how this will affect used game sales, but I guess it does have the potential to make them unlawful.
This is a reasonable conclusion. It's a case about reselling of license to programs like maya, games, movies, etc. So if this goes through for autodesk, it would naturally hit games. Besides games has been the center of cases recently, can you see it skipping on this when companies are going crazy over these things?

Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: OmegaDL50 on October 20, 2010, 01:49:25 PM
But I'm sure there is a difference between the sales of used games which are priced anywhere from $5 to $45 and the original price range being $30 to $60 compared to those costly art studio programs the Pixar guys used such as Maya which carries a price tag of $3000 to $8000 depending on features or version.

I don't think someone could second-hand sell one of those old copies of Maya for even a fraction of the original retail price and probably get away with only pawning it off if their lucky for like $200 at the most.

Still the fact such a ruling could effect the sales of pre-owned games is a matter that concerns me a great deal.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: JR on October 21, 2010, 03:30:43 AM

This is a reasonable conclusion. It's a case about reselling of license to programs like maya, games, movies, etc. So if this goes through for autodesk, it would naturally hit games. Besides games has been the center of cases recently, can you see it skipping on this when companies are going crazy over these things?



I honestly don't think that would happen, though. If you think of a place like GameStop, they make tons of money from used games, so an enforcement of this ruling could kill the chain eventually. But I don't think publishers would do this, because this would be a huge impact on their new game sales, not to mention all of the negative publicity they would get. They have to be making tons of money through GameStop with sales and pre-order sales of new games. I just seems to me that killing off used game sales completely would be suicide for publishers. Instead, I think they'll just keep nagging and preaching to consumers like they have been.

Not to say this ruling doesn't worry me, though. If used game sales would be outlawed, that would give publishers even less of an incentive to sell new games at a discounted price if they have been on the shelves for a long time. Less competition. Also, what would happen when a game finally gets removed from the shelves if it isn't also released digitally? Does this mean I can't buy the game, ever? I don't like the potential of this.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Kale on October 21, 2010, 08:13:17 AM
I honestly don't think that would happen, though. If you think of a place like GameStop, they make tons of money from used games, so an enforcement of this ruling could kill the chain eventually. But I don't think publishers would do this, because this would be a huge impact on their new game sales, not to mention all of the negative publicity they would get. They have to be making tons of money through GameStop with sales and pre-order sales of new games. I just seems to me that killing off used game sales completely would be suicide for publishers. Instead, I think they'll just keep nagging and preaching to consumers like they have been.

Not to say this ruling doesn't worry me, though. If used game sales would be outlawed, that would give publishers even less of an incentive to sell new games at a discounted price if they have been on the shelves for a long time. Less competition. Also, what would happen when a game finally gets removed from the shelves if it isn't also released digitally? Does this mean I can't buy the game, ever? I don't like the potential of this.

I doubt most publisher would care if one retail store goes away. There are plenty of retails stores left to see their games. I think the impact on their new games sales would increase somewhat. Sure, people won't have much money (the sellers), but I doubt that'll stop people from buying the games they want. And yes, they wouldn't most likely be getting negative press, but press is press. I doubt anyone who ever said I won't buy from such and such again really did stop buying from that such and such.

I think too, that it'll eventually help them die (publishers) but I doubt they'll really look that far and using that pessimistic point of view.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: JR on October 21, 2010, 01:37:42 PM
I doubt most publisher would care if one retail store goes away. There are plenty of retails stores left to see their games. I think the impact on their new games sales would increase somewhat. Sure, people won't have much money (the sellers), but I doubt that'll stop people from buying the games they want. And yes, they wouldn't most likely be getting negative press, but press is press. I doubt anyone who ever said I won't buy from such and such again really did stop buying from that such and such.

I think too, that it'll eventually help them die (publishers) but I doubt they'll really look that far and using that pessimistic point of view.

But also, GameStop is a huge retailer. Unless I'm mistaken, they also make the majority of their profits from new games and merchandise (although used sales are still a huge chunk). The deals they have with publishers for promotion, pre-orders, etc. seem to be pretty big...I mean GameStop is pretty much synonymous with the term "pre-order." You're right when you say that there are tons of stores that sell new games, and how most people would still buy games anyway. But I really believe that getting rid of used games entirely would reduce publishers' profits drastically (in the short term at the very least), especially if this killed GameStop completely. I wonder if this is a risk that these companies are willing to take.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Kale on October 21, 2010, 02:52:39 PM
I don't disagree that they're shooting themselves in the foot. Regardless of their projection on the idea. I doubt most would take it into consideration that they'll love that much in the times to come though. I mean, these are the same people who really think piracy is a lost sale, when it clearly isn't. They'll think the same of used games.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: PFG9000 on October 22, 2010, 08:37:48 AM
I could understand this ruling if we were talking strictly about software that can be installed on a hard drive and run without the actual disc, but how many programs still do that?  If you can run a game without having the disc, and then turn around and sell the disc to somebody else so that they can do the same, then that's not fair to the company.  And back in the 80s and early 90s, that was pretty common for computer games.  But now that just about every piece of software requires the disc to run, there is no difference between selling a used game and selling used clothes or toys or whatever.  You never hear Nike or Levi's complaining that garage sales are hurting their business.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Pentagram-cracker on October 29, 2010, 10:51:20 AM
Man, this sucks! I can't live without my Gamestop.  :'(
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Kale on October 29, 2010, 04:57:37 PM
I could understand this ruling if we were talking strictly about software that can be installed on a hard drive and run without the actual disc, but how many programs still do that?  If you can run a game without having the disc, and then turn around and sell the disc to somebody else so that they can do the same, then that's not fair to the company.  And back in the 80s and early 90s, that was pretty common for computer games.  But now that just about every piece of software requires the disc to run, there is no difference between selling a used game and selling used clothes or toys or whatever.  You never hear Nike or Levi's complaining that garage sales are hurting their business.

While that may be the case, I very much doubt it. Autodesk isn't butthurt that you can install and resell while still using their product. They're most likely butthurt because you can sell it off and buy the newer version. They want absolute profits, so you'll buy the new one while still having your old one that you won't ever touch again.
Title: Re: Court ruling could hurt GameStop's used-game business
Post by: Johnny on November 23, 2010, 10:27:45 AM
Ah well. Maybe people can just throw games and software out when it sucks. Of course developers would bring this humiliation upon themselves when they do stuff like this. You'll have the ET effect all over again. Its almost as if they are setting themselves up to be screwed. Less people may not even bother to buy a game if it has no demo or no used copy.