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GameStop: Gamers could snub new consoles without pre-owned support

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Dela @ Feb 07, 2013 21:47 | 23 comments

GameStop cites surveys of its customers.

The game retailer - which makes around half of its profits from selling pre-owned games - has warned that its customers might decide not to buy a next generation games console if it blocks playing pre-owned titles.

GameStop spokesman, Matt Hodges, pointed to surveys of members of the chain's PowerUp Rewards loyalty program, which boasts about 21 million members in the United States, that suggest they would be reluctant to spend their money on such restrictive platforms. PowerUp members were responsible for about 75 percent of all GameStop's sales in the United States last year.

"We know the desire to purchase a next-generation console would be significantly diminished if new consoles were to prohibit playing pre-owned games, limit portability or not play new physical games," Hodges told Bloomberg.

Following a report this week suggesting that Microsoft's next Xbox console would not allow pre-owned games to be played (with physical discs coming with one-time activation codes), shares of GameStop dropped 6 percent to $52.50.

Microsoft has so far refused to confirm or deny the reports about the restriction.

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Comments

Comment by: bigfamei (Feb 07, 2013 22:12)

I won't be purchasing the new 360. If I can't purchase used games or even trade for others. I'm not a big gamer anymore and even teh 60 dollar price tag on games. Made me reluctant to purchase this generation. Good luck to them. Because they aren't getting my money.

Comment by: scorpNZ (Feb 07, 2013 22:23)

No point in wasting time in threads where x is supposed to do this or have that,its nothing but a load of BS as indicated at the bottom of the article

"Microsoft has so far refused to confirm or deny the reports about the restriction"

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Comment by: Mysttic (Feb 07, 2013 23:21)

Consumers hate being told what they can and can't do with their legally purchased items. That said, MS is in for a whole lot of PR if they continue to keep silent.

Comment by: molsen (Feb 07, 2013 23:58)

Game stop to me is useless. Used games however, is a hot button for a lot of people. I will have to wait and see what the next generation consoles have to offer and limit the end user.

Comment by: chubbyInc (Feb 08, 2013 01:19)

Maybe Microsoft is waiting for Sony to announce that the PS4 won't have used game support and then when Microsoft brings out their system it can play used games, giving them the upper hand.

Comment by: Gradical (Feb 08, 2013 01:54)

I was already going to preorder the new sim city but when I read that it had always on DRM I just didn't, the same apllies here, I'll rather get a moded 360 and play all the games I missed this generation rather than getting into this bllsht

Comment by: snydeje (Feb 08, 2013 04:09)

I am sick of Microsoft thinking they can just do what they want. So many things with this article just bother me with them even considering a one time activation code. If this comes to light they will ruin the game market for them just as they ruined Windows 8.

Comment by: Bozobub (Feb 08, 2013 04:22)

I'd be willing to bet that M$ has fielded many of these rumors themselves, just to test the waters on such a move. Screw paying for focus groups, amirite?

Comment by: Frogfart (Feb 08, 2013 09:12)

MS don't give a feck about you! All they want is your money and when they get that, they'll come back and mug you again. They're also, "cupid stunts", look what they done to the Flight Sim franchise.

Comment by: Anonymous User (Feb 08, 2013 15:56)

in another words, gamestop is scared....... while i dont support the amount of BS the publishers pull, (Disc locked content you have to pay to unlock, the fact you have to be online all the time with some pc games even if you dont want to use the multiplayer functions, nintendo locking content to your hardware rather than account..... )

Comment by: Gnawnivek (Feb 08, 2013 16:16)

Of course GS is scared, used games are 50% of their blood. Like everybody else here, can't wait to find out the real deal...

Peace!

Comment by: Atom_224 (Feb 08, 2013 17:30)

I am sure MS makes more off of xbox live than they ever have selling consoles & games. Why ruin a good thing ? most people pay 5-8 bucks a month FOREVER. I believe they actually lost money on the console. And every dvd game disc the get paid a royalty. Who cares if it is me buying it or gamefly & redbox buying 50,000 copies. To me its all about control. Control of what, where and when you play. I am hoping its just a stupid rumor. If it's just meant to track or shutdown pirated copies then that's fine. I have a real job and pay for my games. And there are plenty of trial versions available.

Comment by: Atom_224 (Feb 08, 2013 17:32)

yep, reminds me of the starcraft 2 and diablo 3 games that I didn't buy because of the ridiculous drm.

Comment by: Interestx (Feb 08, 2013 17:56)

It's not the console which has the capability to do this that matters (the existing PS3 & Xbox 360 could right now) it is whether the game devs make use of the facility in the software & the requirements they impose.

Blaming Microsoft or Sony is a red herring, it's boycotting the games the games which try to force this on us which will count (and no point doing the console fanboy thing on it either, PS4 & the next Xbox - like PCs now - will all offer the ability to devs, the issue is which of them try to take it up).

Comment by: Bryan3404 (Feb 08, 2013 19:09)

Sony already filed the patent for the technology to make systems not play a game on two consoles. So unless Microsoft buys the rights from Sony or pays a fee for every game, it won't happen.

Comment by: gamemods (Feb 08, 2013 19:44)

Originally posted by Bryan3404:
Sony already filed the patent for the technology to make systems not play a game on two consoles. So unless Microsoft buys the rights from Sony or pays a fee for every game, it won't happen.

All they have to do is file another patent that is slightly different, and no they will not have to pay anybody anything, if that is how the world worked there would be no competing company's etc.

Comment by: Tarsellis (Feb 08, 2013 20:52)

Originally posted by Interestx:
It's not the console which has the capability to do this that matters (the existing PS3 & Xbox 360 could right now) it is whether the game devs make use of the facility in the software & the requirements they impose.

Blaming Microsoft or Sony is a red herring, it's boycotting the games the games which try to force this on us which will count (and no point doing the console fanboy thing on it either, PS4 & the next Xbox - like PCs now - will all offer the ability to devs, the issue is which of them try to take it up).

Not true at all. As others have mentioned, $ony has already stated this is their intention, and publicly showed their patent to such. Sort of a write once nfc tag. When that tag is read on the hardware level of the system it has the ability to block it in hardware before any developers can or not honor it in software. This IS the intent.
The likely prospect is that the hardware detected flag will initially be passed to developers who can decide what to do with it, and will be sent to all online services. However, you've seen the craziness of the DRM lovers, so it's likely they will want to use and this code and reject or resell games with this code.

And as we've seen already, if it does come optional, it can be removed later. Just like they removed OtherOS with the PS3 with a firmware update, they can, and will do the same if it doesn't come hardware enforced out of the box.

As to whether I purchase any "next generation" console, merely having this option, even if it's not yet enforced, will prevent me from purchasing it.
However, this only applies to M$. I don't support $0ny or their business practices or customer views in any way, and will not purchase their products. This patent is just another fatal strike to keep me away.

Comment by: baxter00 (Feb 08, 2013 23:33)

hhmm...I would expect MS or Sony to release their new consoles with the ability to play used games. Then, after a million or so consoles are sold, they'll do a firmware update that removes the ability to play used games without the original code. But, doesn't this no-play thing mean that the console would have to have an "always on" internet connection?

Comment by: Interestx (Feb 09, 2013 10:39)

I was pretty sure I'd read Sony had a patent for this quite early on in the PS3 'life-cycle'.

They didn't try it. I suspert there is good reason for that....but let's be serious they know the consumer - all over the world - will hate it, passionately.

That's before we get onto the people who don't go on-line and/or have slow connections.

Yes I expect in theory Microsoft & Sony (like PC game devs) could introduce this but I bet they don't.

"Gamers could snub new consoles without pre-owned support"

D'ya think?

Comment by: xboxdvl2 (Feb 10, 2013 01:51)

i think if they wanted to regain popularity they should make no activation codes and all systems backwards compatable with old systems and they will be winning.
ea games already have an online season pass for most games which you can buy online or get it with an original game brand new.

i have the big screen tv,a ps3 and 5.1 channel surround sound.car still runs smooth and computer still works but its a bit outdated.

Comment by: salsa36 (Feb 11, 2013 18:55)

If Sony does that it will be the last nail in his coffin...........

Comment by: juventini (Feb 11, 2013 19:32)

Originally posted by keithbeat:
Oh ya trade in your used game to game stop so they can give you a buck fifty for it !! game stop is just saving its own @$$ on this one Screw game stop !!

Game$top in many ways is just like Micro$oft :(

Forza Juve!!

Comment by: DADEO1 (Feb 15, 2013 15:53)

In the headline "GameStop: Gamers could snub new consoles without pre-owned support", please change the word "could" to "will".