Disclaimer: This is my opinion.
An article from GameStop discusses the issue of used game sales regarding the next generation consoles.
I am a software developer by trade, but I do not work in the game industry. As a gaming enthusiast, I constantly read about how developers do not gain any money on used game sales. As a developer myself, I will always support my fellow developers because I know the tediousness of coding and they've certainly earned every penny for the game they helped create.
In my opinion, I think it is the publisher that gets the money for every game sale. If game development is anything like traditional software development, then the developer's salary was already budgeted into the project. As a result, the sale of used games does not help the developers. It will, however, harm the publisher because if the publisher doesn't make the expected profits from the game due to used game sales, then the sequel (or the next project) may not be realized. As a result, the developers are not paid to continue work on another game.
On the other hand, I think the prevention of second hand game sales hurts the gamer more than the developers. There are numerous times when I was forced to buy second hand because the game was simply not available by any other method.
The most worrisome restriction for me is the mandatory online connectivity. When I travel out of town for an extended period of time, I like to take my xbox or ps3 with me and these places usually do not have an internet connection. The end result is that I cannot play my games when and where I want.
These restrictions placed on the next generation consoles only help the console company. For all the development studios, they have my full support. For these console companies, not so much. All companies want more money. Unfortunately they're expected to repeatedly post profits and so they must find another avenues of growth. The only loser in this new business model is the gamer.
Will gamers buy the next xbox or ps3? Yes, they'll purchase them regardless of the restrictions. Should they? I don't think so. Will I get one? Probably.
In my opinion, I think it is the publisher that gets the money for every game sale. If game development is anything like traditional software development, then the developer's salary was already budgeted into the project. As a result, the sale of used games does not help the developers. It will, however, harm the publisher because if the publisher doesn't make the expected profits from the game due to used game sales, then the sequel (or the next project) may not be realized. As a result, the developers are not paid to continue work on another game.
On the other hand, I think the prevention of second hand game sales hurts the gamer more than the developers. There are numerous times when I was forced to buy second hand because the game was simply not available by any other method.
The most worrisome restriction for me is the mandatory online connectivity. When I travel out of town for an extended period of time, I like to take my xbox or ps3 with me and these places usually do not have an internet connection. The end result is that I cannot play my games when and where I want.
These restrictions placed on the next generation consoles only help the console company. For all the development studios, they have my full support. For these console companies, not so much. All companies want more money. Unfortunately they're expected to repeatedly post profits and so they must find another avenues of growth. The only loser in this new business model is the gamer.
Will gamers buy the next xbox or ps3? Yes, they'll purchase them regardless of the restrictions. Should they? I don't think so. Will I get one? Probably.
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