Epic, EA Games Fight Used Game Sales

Posted by John Manalang - Friday, October 03, 2008 7:53 AM

Sure, used game titles save us a couple bucks, not to mention paying anything less than $59.99 for a software is always a plus. However, while we greatly benefit from purchasing used titles, game developers--who actually made the damn thing we enjoy--doesn't see a single cent in profits from pre-owned title purchases.

Now, to promote the purchases of fresh new titles, Gears of War 2 developer Epic Games will include a one-time use download code into their title, as a "special gift [for] loyal fans" as said by Epic. The Gears of War 2 download code will include five additional multiplayer maps from the original Gears of War and that's the only way to acquire them--no purchases from Xbox Live Marketplace or any other methods.

EA's NBA Live 09's much hyped feature, where stats and rosters will be updated daily for PS3 and 360 users, will only be available for free via a one-time use code with purchase of the new titles. Without the code, the feature will cost $19.99. "This is a very expensive tool to use, and if you don't buy it new, then you'll have to pay for this," said by an EA rep on a forum.

Rock Band 2, published by MTV Games, will give "loyal fans" 20 free downloadable songs for PS3 and 360 users to obtain by the year's end. The recently announce AC/DC Rock Band pack will also support a one-time use code that will allow users to import the tracks off the disc to either Rock Band 1 or 2.

So folks, you dig this new strategy or not? As always, let us know what you think. Gears of War 2 will be out this November 7 for the Xbox 360. NBA Live 09 will be available this October 7 for the PS3, PS2, PSP and Xbox 360. Rock Band 2 is now available for the Xbox 360 and will come out for the PS3 this October 19. The title will come out for the Wii in November.

Source

Permalink Tags: PlayStation 3, Videogames, Xbox 360

Comment(s)

Posted by RedRingOfDeath - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:22 AM

This won't stop used games sales. Who wants 5 old maps for Gears 2 anyway. Gears 2 is alrady a rehash of the last one with nothing new and giving 5 of the old maps just proves it.

Posted by Smartguy81 - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:27 AM

A five dollar difference won't matter in my opinion..you can just cough up the extra five for a new disc...however if the difference is greater than 10...I don't care about some of the "one time use" content. That is lame.

Once again..EA screws you. That feature in the basketball game is one of its main features this time around...seems that EA will screw you 6 ways to sunday if you buy the game second hand. Yet another reason for me to boycott your product losers.

Posted by Bookshelf - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:28 AM

ehh,,, this is a bad idea. what happens when your system dies. you just never get those maps again? maybe you buy a new system down the road? can't use them on that system? will the download be tied to your system or gamertag?

Posted by RedRingOfDeath - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:30 AM

Serves you right EA. You release the same sport games every year for $60. How do you like getting screwed?

Posted by TKEmysterio - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:33 AM

Why is it that the video game industry are the only ones that complain about games getting resold used? I don't hear the music or movie industry even giving two craps about it.

Posted by Tmidiman - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:34 AM

If they want me to buy more new games they should lower the prices. Money is not a problem for me, but $120 for just two games is crazy. Some games may be worth $60, but MANY MANY more are not worth it.

Posted by Tmidiman - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:36 AM

Devil May Cry 4 special edition unopened for $25 at Best Buy. Now that's more like it.

Posted by paranoidmaskdan - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:37 AM

what a bunch of bull caca, Scam to make more money...Im 99% sure they are rich enough to not do this and cry about it! Give us fans who made you a BREAK!

P.s. why do all sequel games improve it but also removes some other cool stuff to replace it... for example splinter cell games...some cool moves where replaced by other cool moves, why not have all moves....i know its possible so dont say it was too hard cuz its not!~!! CACA

Posted by DaSaintFan - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:38 AM

I never thought it possible, but a gaming company just screwed over the entire gaming industry.

No resales? Say "NO more rentals" either!

Goodbye Blockbuster rentals,
goodbye Netflix rentals...
goodbye Gamestop,
goodbye EB, etc.

You just dried up the entire market.

Do we have to go on? John, don't fall into the "Trap" that game developers don't see the money from resales... They get their money, regardless.. if the games worth buying new, people buy, if it's not, they won't.. (maybe they'll realize they're pricing themselves right out of the market too?)

Posted by Tman88 - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:38 AM

Game companies still receive money from the stores that distribute their games. As for used games, they help gamers who want to save money. Games aren't cheap so of course gamers will be more attracted to lower prices. EA and Epic make millions each year off of games so they really shouldn't complain. Bottom line is that if they make games that gamers will want to play then the companies will receive money.

Posted by WVUrook - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:39 AM

Sounds like a good idea to me. I always buy used, but seeing as how used premier titles are typiclally only 5 bucks cheaper, I'll spring for the new copy now. At least their not being stupid and trying to sue the used sellers out of business.

Posted by Mr_Eko_73 - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:40 AM

Used game sales bring in New game sales. Pure and simple. I've been introduced to a lot of franchises from buying the game used first- Example: I purchased Saint's Row Used for $20.00 I NEVER had the intention of buying it new. But, now Saint's Row 2 is coming out and I've pre-ordered it. I would never had played, what I perceived as a GTA rip-off, New. But I played it and liked it- got the New one- I'm sure many of you have done some of the same things.

In a totally unrelated EA story
http://sports.espn.go.com/ol y/news/story?id=3623158

Posted by Ieyke - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:42 AM

My gods...is EA just ALWAYS riding the retard express?

Posted by Tman88 - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:42 AM

I don't think that used sales will be affected just because two companies have different opinion. We all know that those two companies make profits so that's that really.

Posted by RedRingOfDeath - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:42 AM

Even though they say that they won't, I bet Epic will put those old maps for Gears up for paid DLC eventually. They won't let that money slip away when they see that this lame plan to stop used game sales didn't work.

Posted by DamienHell - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:47 AM

lol fail. EA is only freaking out cause their games suck and they need the money

Posted by RedRingOfDeath - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:49 AM

I'm done with EA anyway. Madden hasn't been good since the PS2. Rock Band is the only EA game that I play. But that's it.

Posted by TheRageAgainst - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:50 AM

does it really matter. they want more money. Who doesn't. I would honestly feel jipped if i didnt get a penny for used sales. But it is true that its not going to stop used sales, and im going to still buy used games. And how can you say that gears 2 is just a rehash of the first game when you haven't even played it yet? watching videos adn playing the game are two different things. So before you go off ranting out your ass about how Gears of War 2 is just Gears 1.5, why don't you wise up.

Posted by RedRingOfDeath - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:52 AM

^^^Oh I'm sorry, it's 5 on 5 istead of 4 on 4 this time.

Posted by Platformermaniac - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:52 AM

I dont see a problem with giving a little incentive for buying the game new. Epic and Harmonix have the right idea. EA however, have once agin taken a good idea and messed the whole thing up. Denying access to one of their game's main features, under these circumstances, is simply wrong. I hope sales for NBA Live 09 suffer because of this decision. Epic and Harmonix are rewarding gamers for buying new. EA is punishing gamers for buying used. I think this story makes it clear why so many of us hate EA's business practices.

Posted by Smartguy81 - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:56 AM

Those companies don't see one red cent of used game sales. In effect when you trade in games to GameStop you are agreeing to sell them the game for the offered trade in value. This is a contract in effect. Now they own the game and can resell it if they so choose. It completely cuts out the developer/prodcuer of origin. Honestly once you buy a game you can do what you want with it..even if that is reselling the title. This is so wrong...it shouldn't matter if you are the 2nd or 5th owner of the title. All of the features that were shipped with the game should be active.

Posted by vismortis - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:57 AM

ok but what about in 3 years when i want a game or 5 it gets hard to find them new. heck its hard to find Oblivion new near me. When is EA going to figure out anoying us hurts their sails. Or figure out that people still play old games and they break and noone wants to pay $60 twice

Posted by Letters2Kay - Friday, October 03, 2008 8:58 AM

I rarely buy used, anyway. I'd say at least 90% of the games I buy are new-release titles that I've reserved. I kind of like this idea, but I don't buy EA titles much (Skate and Dead Space will be the exceptions) and I probably will pick up Gears 2 eventually- but since I could give a damn about playing multiplayer Gears on XBL, I may as well get it used if the price diference is great enough- which it rarely is anyway. A $5 discount is hardly worth getting a (possibly) scratched and mistreated copy of a game. I'd usually rather spend a tiny but more and get a brand new product, personally...

Posted by neoix - Friday, October 03, 2008 9:01 AM

this is a load of bull. Seriously, we need to start boycotting EA, that'll knock some sense into them

Posted by JDarkley - Friday, October 03, 2008 9:02 AM

I think that it's good initiative to buy the new games, but they should allow the perks to be available as DLC, and for less than $20 at least! Good Lord EA, do you think people will pay that much for stat changes? How much would that actually affect gameplay? Damn idiots.

Posted by RedRingOfDeath - Friday, October 03, 2008 9:04 AM

I think that their plan will backfire and increase used game sells. If I want to buy an old game, I'm going to buy it used. The newer games however isn't worth buying used to only save $5. Might as well buy newer games new. If I wanted to buy Assasin's Creed right now I can buy it used for $20 so why would I pay $60 for a new copy?

Posted by Tman88 - Friday, October 03, 2008 9:05 AM

The companies still get profits when their games are brand new. I don't about used but they get profits for brand new games which most people preorder and buy many games brand new.

Posted by squarewannabe - Friday, October 03, 2008 9:07 AM

I think ides of a promotion code to help sell the game new is a great idea. But I'm also for the selling of used games too.

First off, I don't care about sports games, but the idea of giving a Rock Band code for 20 free songs is well worth it. But when the Export Feature comes out [for the 360, it already has] people are just going to turn around and sell their first copy [unless you REALLY like Enter Sandman]

Nothings perfect. Nobody ever gets their way

Posted by kobebryantyanic - Friday, October 03, 2008 9:08 AM

lol, i wouldn't even buy live if it was 20 bucks, 2k9 will be so much better and i played both demos. Epic and EA are bums.

Posted by altizar - Friday, October 03, 2008 9:15 AM

If you don't want people to buy used games, I would suggest increasing REPLAYABILITY with the f*&-ing things!!!!

Posted by ash1300 - Friday, October 03, 2008 9:15 AM

This is appalling and it just goes to show how out of touch the gaming industry is.

If they want to reduce the secondary market on used games, add replay value. Don't use DRM (and a one-time activiation code is DRM) to prevent used game sales.

Can you imagine if any other industry tried this? I'm sure GM would make more money if they could make used car sales illegal. Or Random House with books. Or Burton with snowboards.

Posted by mcroce2003 - Friday, October 03, 2008 9:15 AM

i was planning on buying gears 2 new anyway- but otherwise i think this is awful and the only people who suffer are the players- what about people who rent games? are they going to get half the experience?

maybe this is telling developers to make better games that people will not want to sell after owning for a month at 60 dollars

Posted by 199ALLSTAR - Friday, October 03, 2008 9:18 AM

The main thing is here is that these companies see a nitch of the market that they are not getting any profit and they want in. Companies are always quick to post up how many copies their title sold to show their profit line. Now they realize that there a lot of gamers that refuse to pay $60 for a game that they can get used for 20 or 30 bucks less in a couple of months. I for one am one of those gamers. It it's a great 5star game sure I'll buy it new. But of the hundreds of games that companies make how many of them are 5star quality. 10% or maibe 15% of all these games are truly woth the $60 price tag. But these companies want you to pay the same price for the much inferior game. I mean why should I reward the makers of 50cent Bulletproof the same as the makers of Mass Effect, or Bioshock.

Instead of trying to bribe people to buy a crappy game for $60 new, how about making better quality games that people want to buy new for that price.

Posted by DaSaintFan - Friday, October 03, 2008 9:22 AM

I think ides of a promotion code to help sell the game new is a great idea. But I'm also for the selling of used games too.
================

Exactly! If they want to sell new games, include a one-time promotion code for some special "NON-vital" gameplay goodie (Active Rosters not available in a basketball game?)

Posted by SpotRamer - Friday, October 03, 2008 9:23 AM

Damn I didnt know they werent getting any money from used game sales. Thats kinda f'd up!!! Seriously!!! I dont care who makes the games their still making the games so they should get some profit from it I dont understand why they wouldnt......makes me dislike gamestop even more.....cuz If I sell them lets say gta4 they only buy it 30 to 35 bucks but then go sell it used for 54.99???? Their even more pimps then I thought!!!! I usually buy my games new anyways...and some used usually older ones. Damn thats really f'd up Im with EA and Epic on this one!

Oh and the 5 extra maps from the first gears is pretty kool....the more the merrier!!!!

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