GameStop has already conducted a study to examine the possible impact of the emergence of the digital game format; now, they may want to do another one to counter a big move by Best Buy.
This isn't official but the evidence is plain, and when we can contact a few stores in the area (they're all closed now), we might be able to clarify and confirm the situation. According to Kotaku , Best Buy is looking to take a chunk out of GameStop and Game Crazy's pre-owned games business. As most of you know, a huge amount of GameStop's revenue is generated by those millions of pre-owned titles that change hands every single day. After all, the publisher and developer don't see a dime of a pre-owned purchase; it's 100% profit for the retailer, and furthermore, a used game often costs only $5 less than a new one. But hey, people love to save money so it's a tough situation, despite the fact that game creators everywhere really despise the whole "pre-owned" game idea. And no wonder…
Well, they may have found a new best friend in Best Buy. The picture you see here comes from a store in West Jordan, Utah, and clearly states that they will "price match NEW video games at USED prices from GameStop or Game Crazy." Now, we imagine there are rules and restrictions in this matching deal, but although we aren't aware of them just yet, it seems fairly self-explanatory. And if this is a nationwide thing – which it should turn out to be – GameStop and Game Crazy may have to rethink their used game policy. There is one downside to this, though: Best Buy still won't take games in trade, and as the other two retailers in question won't give you cash for your trade-in, you can't very well go to Best Buy for all your needs. Then again, if you don't wish to trade in anything and you simply want a cheaper price for a game, this could be awesome.
We'll see what we can find out.
hells yeah
I love Best Buy……I'm gonna put a ring on them.
Wow!
Thats a pretty awesome plan, but since I have an Edge card, and in the wake of hearing what game Stop is planning, I'll stick with them. Still not bad.
Hah, forgot about the edge card! but are u seriously gonna worry about maybe 2 bucks? Srsly u should be buying the game new and therefore helping contribute to the gameing industry, why do u think everyones going digital? they're all losing money from used games, if u have to download the game, u can't buy it used now can u.
thats like siding with Germany during the end of WWII…oh damn…forgot they lost…
Yo, ThePearlJamer, Im German, and I really take offense to that remark. Yes, I know Germany lost WWII. But that's no reason to make cracks at my ancestors, is it? What if I went around talking badly about the US? Wouldn't be nice would it?
And coldbore, what if a used game is around 50 bucks? The edge card takes 10% off any used game or accessory. Thats what I was going on about. But you said it yourself in a later post: people go for the cheapest. Sometimes a few bucks can make all the difference.
@reccaman18
I'm not American, even though I live in America I was born in the U.K. and moved when I was 13 so I consider myself English. And the U.S. lost the Vietnam war and pretty much both Gulf wars so feel free to crack a comment on it's behalf…
@ ThePearlJammer,
The US completely dominated the first gulf war. The second one however, is a different story.
Last edited by Jed on 8/8/2009 12:06:15 AM
The problem with the second war was that there was no clear objective in the first place, and therefore no way to really 'win' it…
But boy are we getting off topic.
@ThePeralJamer
You mentioned the war, but i think you got away with it….points for the reference…
Last edited by TheHighlander on 8/8/2009 2:03:08 AM
@ThePearlJammer,
Just curious, since you have been living in the U.S. since you were 13, are you a U.S. citizen?
Technically yes and no, only one of my parents, my mother was born in the United States and met my father when he was on a buisness trip from England. Sererval years later I was born and moved to America when I was 13 in 2003. By law I think I might be because of a process called birth abroad, I mean I never really thought much about it, though I do have a drivers license…so i suppose I am
Last edited by ThePearlJamer on 8/8/2009 5:52:56 PM
If your mother is an American citizen, then you are an American citizen. You have dual citizenship.
I hate to break it to you bro, but you ARE an American.
Why are people so cheap?
It's amaxzing and really sad
For that just rent the damn thing
Last edited by Scarecrow on 8/7/2009 9:44:01 PM
Realistically, if u were looking for something, and 2 stores had the exact same product but one had it cheaper, where would u go? your probobly gonna take your buisness to whoever had the product cheaper, therefore whoever your buying the product from is the one making the money. Ya I geuss people are cheap but hey, how can u complain about something like this?
But is it only 'bout ONESELF?
Can't people stop and think, these devs poured their hearts and countless months/years into this game.
And then you go ahead and instead of rewardinng them, you go ahead and just buy the game for cheaper. Not supporting these devs at all.
Gamestop is garbage by the way
It's just sad that Best Buy is going through the same thing. Now more stores are sure to follow.
PS: That's why you see less experimenting in gaming. Compared to all the rpgs and amazing experimentation that went on during the 1990s, this generation is lacking. Yes there have been some amazing games.
But there's been a lot of gun gun gun
FPS FPS FPS
Guns guns guns
FPS FPS FPS
PS: Devs are scared of losing money these days. These practices of selling pre-owned games don't help one bit. V-gaming could dull out right before our eyes
I dont get why some people throw a fit about used games. Ford works hard ot make their vehicles, should i never buy one used? Authors spend a lot of time writing books, should i not buy those 2nd hand? Actors spend a lot of time on set working hard to make a movie, am i not allowed to buy them at a yard sale?
I'm all for supporting the developers, but when times get tough my wallet is a bit more important than theirs.
Thank you.
People should rent (or download a demo) before buying if they aren't sure about a game.
I won't buy another used game from a retailer of any kind (I've only ever bought two anyway).
Best Buy get's my vote with this move.
Why do people want to save money? It's pretty simple, really. Remember. MSRP is a suggested price. This isn't a law that items have to sell at that price. People like to save money so that they can use their savings and invest in their future plans whether they be a vacation or retirement. The more you can save, the more you can "stretch" it out and achieve the things that you want out of life. I will probably be looked down upon because when I got my last vehicle new, I saved almost eight thousand dollars. I guess I am cheap. I should have just paid the sticker price and carried on.
well im sorry if were not on multi million dollar salary's like you are.
i only make 230 bucks a week, 150 goes to board.
so if i can save 10 bucks on a game i will.
just because your made of money does not mean others are.
Who's on a multi-million salary? I took a deep pay cut, I'm the sole earner for my family, and I'm damned glad to still be working. I manage my pennies well, I don't drink or smoke.
The thing is, as someone else mentioned, although we'd all like games to be cheaper – of course – the game makers have to make money on games or they go out of business. Devs must make money or they stop developing. Devs and publishers don't see any money from used game sales, so if I save $5 by purchasing a used game, I'm only hurting the possibility of the developer and publisher making another game.
I'm not directing this at anyone in particular, but…<rant mode> Sorry if it's not popular, but I come from an age when if you couldn't afford something you didn't whine and moan, you shut up, started saving and counted the days until you had the money. Too many people believe that they are entitled to free everything, an want impossibly cheap prices. That's not realistic. Everything we buy is made by someone else. People won't work for nothing, so products can't become ever cheaper. People need to grow up and lose the sense of entitlement. People have to learn that life is not fair, some people have more than others, and there are a lot of things that we cannot afford to buy.
</rant>
Last edited by TheHighlander on 8/8/2009 4:26:50 AM
@Scarecrow:
I am in complete agreement with you about rewarding devs for making good games. People seemed to think I was an idiot for saying I try to buy CE disks to throw extra money at good developers in the AC2 thread but I was being dead serious.
@NoSmokingBandit:
You should never buy a Ford new or used.
well im sorry for buying a game 2nd hand but i dont work because of the recession as much as i would like to, so if i can get the same product at a cheeper price i will!! and you seam to forget the developers must get a weekly or monthly wage while making the game from their company or publisher who have resorces at their disposal to keep the pennies rolling in and when the game if finished they sell it and regroup their expencises and make profit, so when the game is first sold they make their money and when the game is resold its fair game to who sells it!
end rant
I have no reason to complain, success best buy is succesful, I shall now call it beast buy
Ive never liked the used games market and dont think Ive ever bought a used game, the reason is GAME give you a rubbish price in trade-in and sell for a high price and the developer suffers. If a dev has produced a quality title and Im spending my hard-earned cash, I'd rather it go to the developer and not the retailer
Thank you!
Please find out if this is the same in Canada!
Let's hope so, though it won't help me since the nearest Best Buy is across a body of water.
Buy a boat! Lol!
That would kind of defeat the purpose of saving a few dollars per game, which is why I also won't be taking the ferry. ¦ P
This article should be called "THE DEATH OF THE USED GAMEF*CKERS A.K.A. GAMESTOP"
all gamestop would have to do is sell all of their used games for 5 dollars for a week and i guarantee best buy would not do this anymore.
GameStop in all their slobbering greed, would never do that. Do you know how much money THEY would lose?
Wanna bet that one of the conditions that Best Buy places on the offer is that temporary price reductions (aka sales and promotional offers) are not included?
not really that much considering its ALL profit. do it for one week and the competition will quit. Best Buy cannot sell brand new games that cheap. They won't do that i'm just saying one week of that and Best Buy would quit.
I just called 3 in my area(O.C. California) and none of them have heard of this.
It's only 830 here my post time is never correct.
Last edited by mk ultra on 8/7/2009 10:27:20 PM
IM LIKEIN THIS WHOLE IDEA BETTER FOR US GAMERS
How can they even do this? I mean, Best Buy has to be biting the sales on this. Stores make near to no money off of new games. but selling them at used prices must mean they are selling them at a loss.
They may be thinking you might purchase other items while you're there.
Best Buy slaps GameStop and Game Crazy right in the face ! Sweeeet ! I could not be happier that a major retailer is FINALLY calling out these idiots for their rip off tactics.
I support my favorite devs and I also support my favorite retailers. BB FTW !
If I can buy a dvd of a movie made ten years ago, why can't I buy Psyconauts new as well? The only time I shop for used games is to look for games that are no longer made. I would buy new old games if I had the chance.
Indeed!
Unless you have an anal obsession and a ritual in opening the plastic around the game cd case I see no difference, used games are just as good. Unless you can just walk inside best buy the day something came out and say hey I seen this on the shelve at "westbubblefucck" in New Jersey for 30 dollars and they give it to you then sign me up.
Especially with ps3 games. Nearly every ps3 game trade in I see is in great condition.
Blu-ray discs FTW.
It's like this.
Get a new game –> pay money –> retailer margin –> publisher get's royalties –> Developer get's royalties
OR
Get a used game –> pay money –> retailer runs to bank, smiling. Developers and publishers get nothing.
Since the developers actually make the game and the publisher promotes the game and often works as the producer of the game as well, it seems only fair that they should get something from a game sale. But used game sales solely benefit the retailer. Even the poor sap that traded the game got shafted since GameStop pays a pretty poor value for most games, even though they turn around and sell them for $5 off the retail price. Since PS3 discs so rarely scratch, it's not like they do much of anything before putting the game on the shelf with a sticker price.
Lot's of people here seem oblivious to the fact that purchasing used games is effectively biting the hand that feeds us.
@ a1_ – If you don't see the difference between buying used at GS over buying new at BB then I suggest getting new glasses.
The ONLY thing that IS the same now is the price.
But the developers have already earned their money for the game from the people who bought it new. I don't understand why people have no problem when someone buys music or a movie used, but suddenly when it comes to videogames the developers are being robbed of money?
@a1
So, you are completely against supporting the creators of our beloved passtime?
@livid
Movies have more means of making revenue. They begin in theater, go for purchase/rental and end up on t.v.
Musicians are getting raped by pirates but they still have live performances to supplement their loses.
Games only have the first month or so before they start getting recycled at $5 less and tagged USED, to enjoy NONE of the earnings.
Last edited by Wage SLAVES on 8/9/2009 4:07:22 AM