blkmage wrote:How exactly is this different from other markets like with books and movies?
Well with movies it's slightly different in that movies get TWO chances to gain profit, first from theater runs then from DVD sales. Books are different in that you can go read/check out books for free from libraries (though there are libraries that check out games I've heard?).
And yes, people should have the right to sell back their games if they don't like them or are done with them. I'm not saying that. And if other people want to buy these used copies, that's their business, I'm just discouraging it if it's a game they know they're going to like and want the company to make more.
I don't like GTA that much that I will be in despair if they don't make any more. I am perfectly fine with this thing that I just bought]
And I have no problem with that if you don't want more. But if you do want more, you should show some support to the guys who made it.I am saying that most people don't see games like that. They just see a new game, say cool, it is a new game that I want to play, and buy it.
Or torrent it.
But I don't think that's the problem, people not seeing games like that. I think the problem is, when you're 18 or younger (and maybe even extending to college), you may not have a job, or may be spending too much on college stuff, and 60 bucks a game is a lot of money. I've been there too, getting only one or two new games a year when I was a kid, because of how expensive they were. The rest I either bought used, or rented...I think I rented Megaman X2 so much I could've bought a brand-new copy. But five bucks a pop is cheaper than a one-time 70 or 80 dollar payment in the short run.
And like I said, when you don't have a steady job, 60 dollars can seem like a lot for a game, I admit that. And circumstances are different these days. You really only used to find out about new games from Nintendo Power or the occasional TV advertisement. Nowadays we have entire websites devoted to coverage of new games. Also, since CDs are cheaper to produce than cartridges, there's a lot more games coming out now, so there's more to want.
So I think it's not a lack of understanding of economics, I think it's just, a lack of steady funding makes these games seem like they cost more than they do.And we shouldn't feel like we are obligated to support our favourite developers to that extent; people should only do it if they want to.
See this is what doesn't make sense to me. If you like the developer so much, why would you not want to support them? If you like the game they made, you should want to show that, right?
If someone built a doghouse for you and you shoved them off your lawn without even saying "Thank you" wouldn't that seem rude? I'm failing to see how refusing to give money to the people who gave you so much enjoyment is somehow defensible. Like I said, if it's an older game, like Legend of Legaia for example, and you have no choice but to buy it used, that is a different situation.
You have a favorite developer, you like the games they make, but you don't want to say thanks? You don't want to show appreciation? There's a logical disconnect in that. I could understand that logic if we were amoral and underhanded, but this is a Christian message board, right?I feel like there are a lot of things that are oversimplified when you discourage people from buying used new games that strongly.
And again, I'm not discouraging people from buying used games. I support the used games market, and think it's good for the industry in that it helps expose people to older games no longer being produced, and helps create new fans of series...for example, someone buys the original MGS in a bargain bin, becomes a Metal Gear fan, now he's more likely to buy the new MGS games coming out.
I support used games! I can't stress that enough and I'm failing to understand how I'm looking like I hate them. I discourage them in one very specific instance, that doesn't mean I'm against them entirely. Water gun fights are fun and I love them but you shouldn't have them in the middle of a church service. That doesn't make me anti-water gun fighting, it's just saying "Don't do it in this one instance."
Saying "Don't buy a used copy if you like the developer, know you will like the game, and want to see them make more if a new copy is available" is not being anti-used game.Oh, and a sidenote Re: EA, I feel like they've gotten better over the past year or two, what with their handling of the studios they acquired and their push into original IPs.
My problem with EA is less the games they make and more on the side of their DRM practices like Securom. They also willingly lie to people, what with their whole "Sims 3 is DRM free!" schtick, only for it to be revealed that if you bought the digital distribution of Sims 3, it DID contain Securom.
Anyway, Etoh summed it up excellently. It's the whole deal about WHEN you should do it, and why. If you don't know about a game, don't feel like supporting the creators, then buy used. But if it's a game you know you will like, want the company to make more, why would you not show gratitude and support to the company who made it?
And again, if you don't know about a game, and don't feel like supporting the creators, why not RENT it? Then you can try it, figure out if you want it, and if you don't, you've only wasted like 5 dollars instead of 40 buying a used copy. And if you DO like it, then you can buy a brand new copy of the game, support the creators, and you've only spent five dollars more. I think you can give up eating out at Taco Bell for one day to find out if a game is worth your purchase.
