Developers Fight Used Game Sales

[Smooth Groove]

Good or bad?




http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/55084

After years of lamenting that they see no kickback from the extremely lucrative used game market, game makers have launched a counter-attack by packing new games with one-use codes for extra content.

New copies of Epic's Gears of War 2 (360) will include a one-use download code that will rewards with 5 additional multiplayer maps, all pulled from the original Gears of War. According to GamePro, these maps will not be available for purchase through the Xbox Live Marketplace, with Epic claiming they are "special gifts [for] our loyal fans."

EA Canada's NBA Live 09 utilizes a similar strategy. The game's much-touted 365 functionality, which brings daily roster and stat updates to the PS3 and Xbox 360 editions, will only be free for those that buy a new copy and redeem the included code. Without the code, that feature will cost $19.99.

"This information and data is very valuable and it wasn't free for us," an EA representative explained on Operation Sports. "T-Mobile is paying for it this year for all users who buy the game new. This is a very expensive tool to use, and if you don't buy it new, then you'll have to pay for this. It isn't greed at all."

Rock Band 2 and the AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack likewise sport one-off codes for exclusive content. Copies of Rock Band 2 include a code that will allow PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii owners to receive 20 free downloadable songs by the year's end, with AC/DC Live packing a similar one-use code to let buyers bring the expansion's 18 tracks into Rock Band or Rock Band 2.

Meanwhile, others seem to be taking a different approach in ensuring that gamers hold on to their purchase for a long while.

Owners of Criterion's Burnout Paradise (PS3, 360) have been serenaded with free downloadable content that have substantially expanded the game since its early 2008 release. The last major download added motorcycles and new challenges to the racing game.

[Jansen]

the EA approach seems fine since you can at least buy the shit. but what epic is doing is fucked up.

[Hollywood]

I see no problem with this, as opposed to charging for something ON the disc. Hopefully Gamestop and EB get fucked, because lets be honest, they suck anyway.

[GilloD]

Here's an idea: Stop charging so god damn fucking much for your games. Then maybe I'd buy them, retawds.

[Great Rumbler]

I really, really love the current line of thinking that's beginning to grow in the games industry of not really owning the games you buy, just renting them for a while.

[AdmiralViscen]

I have no problem with this, it's their right.

[y2kev]

I would have less of an issue if prices weren't so sticky in the game market. Criterion has done everything right-- constant support and the price is halved at six or seven months in. If prices weren't artificially kept high even when games bomba, then I'd have less of an issue.

You know that demand for Yakuza should have the price somewhere at like 2 dollars and not 20.

When you have Nintendo games retailing for full price years later, then no, I say screw that. Used games must live on!

[AdmiralViscen]

Used games are $5 cheaper. Unless you mean eBay.

[y2kev]

Right, I wasn't talking about GameStop.

[Positive Touch]

oh fuck this

Here's an idea: Stop charging so god damn fucking much for your games. Then maybe I'd buy them, retawds.

seriously. 

hey assholes: i don't have the money to buy every game i want as soon as it comes out, and even if i did i wouldn't rush out and buy a game to add to my backlog just so i get some extra content. you aren't going to get a significant sales boost, but you will fuck your fans.  stop gimping your products just so you can nickel-and-dime your consumers.  i'm fucking tired of this shit.  remember back in the day when pc developers would release extra content for free as a thank-you to all the people that play and enjoy their games?

[AdmiralViscen]

Banjo 3