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Report: No fee to play used Xbox One games, Skype powers voice chat

Danny Cowan — Fri, 24 May 2013 20:10:00 EST

Citing "sources familiar with the system," Polygon reports that the Xbox One will not require a fee to play used games. Instead, the console will perform regular online checks to verify disc authenticity and ownership.

Polygon's sources note that used game sales will continue, as Xbox One game ownership is determined by an on-disc encryption code. Once a game has been sold, traded, or otherwise activated by another console, access to the previous owner's installed content is revoked and transferred to its new owner.

Microsoft's Major Nelson addressed recent speculation regarding the upcoming console's ability to play used games in a statement released earlier today. "Xbox One is designed to support the trade in and resale of games," Major Nelson said. "Reports about our policies for trade in and resale are inaccurate and incomplete. We will disclose more information in the near future."

Polygon additionally reports that Xbox One voice chat and party chat will be powered by Skype, according to an unnamed Microsoft representative. Recent rumors suggest that Skype will also enable remote play sessions.

"Skype technologies are used in Xbox One which improves voice quality during multiplayer game sessions," Microsoft's representative wrote in a statement to Polygon. "Skype can also be used to call any of your Skype contacts for voice or video chat exclusively or while playing a game. Additionally, we have improved the Kinect hardware, from microphone configuration to dedicated audio processing, which contributes to providing a high-quality voice experience whether you are chatting in a game or through Skype."

Report: No fee to play used Xbox One games, Skype powers voice chat originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 May 2013 20:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gamestop: 'Xbox has said that they do support' used games market

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 23 May 2013 20:00:00 EST

Gamestop's approach to the Xbox One's nebulous pre-owned game policies - which may include charging players a fee for booting up a used game - involves emphasis on digital adaptation, and letting Microsoft do the talking.

"I figured that question would come up," Gamestop President Tony Bartel said during a financial call's Q&A segment. "Definitely Xbox has said that they do support the trade-in/resale games at retail and that they want to handle communication from this point forward on that. I think what is important to note is that all three of the consoles that have launched have now come back and they say, 'I realize the value of the buy-sell-trade model,' and they have built that into their new consoles moving forward. We anticipate that we are going to be able to leverage that, like we leverage it on the consoles today."

Microsoft has yet to clear up its used-game policy with the Xbox One, including whether it will charge a fee for pre-owned playtime. Gamestop generates the majority of its profit from used game and hardware sales, and following Microsoft's Xbox One event, Gamestop's stock fell five percent.

Responding to another Xbox One question, Gamestop executives noted that its stores have systems for selling digital content, and they've sold digital products in the past.

"Digital content can be easily discovered," Bartel said. "We will actually work with Microsoft and we will work with Sony as they come out with - I guess what you would call 'non-gaming entertainment properties.' We'll be selling those in our store." Customers will be able to pay for this content with trade-in currency, other executives said.

In the previous generation transition, Gamestop saw people trade in all of their old games and systems to start fresh, and said it expected customers to do the same this time around. In the first 48 hours after the Xbox One's reveal, 250,000 people signed up for Gamestop's first-to-know list.

"There's lots of rumors out there," Bartel said. He later continued, "I, for one, am very interested in what they're going to say at E3."

Aren't we all?

Gamestop: 'Xbox has said that they do support' used games market originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xbox One will definitely be in used games market, details still blurry

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:00:00 EST

Microsoft isn't prepared to share how used games on Xbox One will be handled - which had adverse effects on retailer GameStop's stock price yesterday - but the company is definitely going to be in the market.

"We understand the secondary market is incredibly important today in the current generation. It will be incredibly important in the next generation," Phil Spencer, Microsoft Corporate VP of Microsoft Studios, said in an interview with us. "I love the fact that my identity, my saves and my content can go with me to any console I move to. The ability to have me and my content save in the cloud who I am, and I can move around, that obviously requires some capability to know what content you own, associated with you and how you move."

He also danced around the always-online issue, something that already caused one public firing at Microsoft.

"We also understand that sometime people's internet goes down and I shouldn't stop watching a movie or stop playing a single-player game when that happens. We'll support a tolerance where we can," he noted, but we were seeking specifics on how long the console could be offline. "You asked about the boundaries, how long will that work? I'll just tell you we don't know yet. We'll tell you when we have the answer and we can tell everybody. But we understand that secondary market is important to the ecosystem, no doubt."

Asked about the game trading that Microsoft previously mentioned, Spencer said, "Yeah, these are some of the specifics... honestly, I'm not really dodging, I just don't want to tell you something we haven't fully baked yet.

"We basically set this reveal up so we could show the hardware, announce the name, talk about worldwide launch this year, show EA and Activision on our stage during our announce - which I think was a pretty compelling point to have both - with their biggest franchises in FIFA and Call of Duty," he concluded the topic. "Then we're gonna use E3 to game, game, game."

Xbox One will definitely be in used games market, details still blurry originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 May 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NPD: Digital game sales growing year-over-year 33 percent

Mike Suszek — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 19:30:00 EST

Digital games and downloadable content sales are growing at a rate of 33 percent year over year in the US and Europe, according to data presented by NPD, iResearch and Digi-Capital analysts at GDC. The speakers at the digital games sales talk noted that sales in China are expected to grow over 10 percent every year for the next three years.

According to GamesIndustry International, NPD analyst Liam Callahan told attendees that digital game content sales in 2012 reached $5.9 billion in the United States. Sales in the UK reached $1.7 billion, followed by Germany with $1.4 billion and France with $1 billion. Callahan also said that digital content composes 40 percent of the United States' total spend on games, an increase from 28 percent in 2010.

NPD estimated that 48 percent ($7.1 billion) of the $14.8 billion spent on games in the US in 2012 came from purchases on brand new games at retail. The other 51 percent was from digital games and downloadable content ($2.22 billion), mobile game sales ($2.11 billion), used game sales ($1.59 billion), subscriptions ($1.05 billion), social network gaming ($544 million) and rentals ($198 million). The NPD also reported a drop in used game sales from 2011 by 17.1 percent.

NPD: Digital game sales growing year-over-year 33 percent originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 30 Mar 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop reminds console makers that used games matter at market

Jessica Conditt — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST

Used games are an essential part of the video game marketplace, generating more than $700 million in trade credit toward new games each year, GameStop President Tony Bartel told Forbes. Bartel defended the importance of used games in next-gen systems, noting that "recent surveys" suggested 60 percent of game customers would be less likely to purchase a console that couldn't play used games.

Bartel wouldn't want to see the pre-owned business evaporate, since used game sales have been known to represent almost a quarter of GameStop's annual revenue. Bartel noted that regardless of next-gen capabilities, there were 100 million current-gen consoles in the US, so that market wouldn't disappear any time soon.

GameStop has been banging this drum for years, noting in 2009 that 75 percent of trade-in credit applied directly to the purchase of a new game. Bartel told Forbes that 70 percent of trade-ins went toward new games and hardware per year, of more than $1 billion total trade-in credit.

The PlayStation 4 will be able to play used games, Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida confirmed.

GameStop reminds console makers that used games matter at market originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony patents tech to tie discs to user IDs

JC Fletcher — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST

A new patent application by Sony, if developed into a real-world product, will make it impossible for game discs to be sold, shared, or traded, by tying each disc to a console or user account. The patented technology works by embedding an RFID tag in the disc, which a reader in the console can log against a user ID. "When the game is to be played, the reproduction device conveys the disk ID and a player ID to the use permission tag," which then determines whether it is permissible for the game to run.

Diagrams included with the patent application show "temporary use information," showing that the system can be built to permit limited use of a disc, even if flagged. "The number of temporary uses is within the limits?" reads one of the checks.

This is just a patent application, and may never make it into the real world. Therefore, we're not getting irritated about the erosion of rights ... yet.

Sony patents tech to tie discs to user IDs originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EU court rules it's legal to resell digital games, software

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST

Buying and reselling any form of digital software is perfectly legal, the Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled. Software authors - or in the gaming world, publishers - can not stop customers from reselling their games, even if the publisher attaches an End User License Agreement prohibiting resale.

"The exclusive right of distribution of a copy of a computer program covered by such a licence is exhausted on its first sale," the court has found.

This ruling covers customers in European Union member states, and games bought through services such as Steam or Origin. The initial purchaser is now entitled to sell the license of a game and allow someone else to download it directly from the publisher's website. The tricky part now is selling the actual license, since there is no system in place for any such transaction. The initial buyer would need a code for a game's license and upon selling it, he would no longer be able to access that game on his account.

The ruling applies to the broader scope of software, covering items such as Windows and Adobe downloads. There is no word yet on whether game distributors will change policies or services to enable a license-selling process, but that would make Steam sales much more interesting in the EU.

EU court rules it's legal to resell digital games, software originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wii U tech won't circumvent used-game sales; first-party titles in 1080p

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 18:30:00 EST

Nintendo hasn't incorporated any features in the Wii U to discourage used-game sales. Nintendo's Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, Scott Moffitt, told Gamespot at E3 that Nintendo isn't overtly concerned with combating used-game sales: "I don't know if we have a formal position on used-game sales. It is a reality in the marketplace," Moffitt said. "We're not trying to circumvent that." He didn't mention any specifics about online passes or DLC in Nintendo titles.

The Wii U's online strategy begins with the Miiverse, as Moffitt describes it, and Nintendo is focused on using its online capabilities to enhance social features, gameplay and "the connectedness gamers feel with one another."

Online multiplayer is a part of Nintendo's online strategy for Wii U, but not its entire focus. "Online multiplayer is one part of it, and certainly Wii U will enable the same online multiplayer features that have become popular in some of the competing consoles, but that's really one piece of the online gaming network," Moffitt said. "Our vision is broader."

Apparently Nintendo's vision isn't broad enough to include online multiplayer for Pikmin 3 - though perhaps that's a case of not seeing the forest for the Pikmin.

The Wii U's output ranges from 480i to 1080p, and Moffitt said he thinks Nintendo's first-party titles will run at 1080p.

Wii U tech won't circumvent used-game sales; first-party titles in 1080p originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pocket Gamer: How to get Trophies in used Vita games

Jessica Conditt — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:00:00 EST

We've seen Sony's own tips and tricks for the Vita, but as the device ages (six days old already!) more and more will appear, as Pocket Gamer shows with its tutorial that explains how to renew trophy-earning functionality in used Vita games.

Upon booting up a pre-owned Vita title, players will get a screen that reads, "You cannot earn trophies in this application. Only the first player to use an application can earn trophies. To earn trophies, you must link the Sony Entertainment Network account of the first player to use this application with the PS Vita system." Pocket Gamer says the following steps will render that warning useless:

Go to the main menu and hold down the screen for two seconds, until little bubbles appear on the upper-right side of each game's icon. Hit the bubble you want and click "Delete."
A screen reading "All data related to this application will be deleted" will pop up. Hit "OK."
Load the game and you should be good to go.

This process won't delete the previous player's trophies, Pocket Gamer adds.

Pocket Gamer: How to get Trophies in used Vita games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop sees majority of digital sales from cash; won't pursue used PC game sales

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:45:00 EST

GameStop is building its digital distribution business, having seen a 158 percent growth year-over-year in the third quarter, with strong returns thanks to customers who don't use credit cards.

"70 percent of our sales for DLC is non credit card. So that's a customer either paying with cash, GameStop gift card or trade credit," Steve Nix, manager of PC digital distribution for GameStop told us at DICE 2012. "Think about all those Call of Duty Elite subscriptions and all those customers who aren't using a credit card to purchase them."

"We're actually growing [the downloadable content] market, because about half our DLC customers never purchased DLC previously. So, for game developers that want to sell more DLC, we're introducing gamers to DLC for the first time in our stores."

Nix recognized that it may seem odd the retail chain's brick and mortar stores are so successful selling digital content. It's clearly servicing customers who don't have credit cards or don't want to use credit cards, but still wish to extend their favorite games. He "absolutely" feels this same situation is what's pushing their in-store PC full game sales, despite PC gamers having so many online purchasing options.

Since Gamestop purchased Stardock's Impulse digital distribution store, we wanted to know if it would continue to pursue Goo, which would have essentially created a "used PC games market."

Nixing the idea, he said "We don't see a lot of interest in that model from our publishing partners." He recognizes customers would be interested, but is not really seeing publisher support for such a model.

GameStop sees majority of digital sales from cash; won't pursue used PC game sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Canadian EB Games stores merging used and new game shelves

JC Fletcher — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST

Employees of Canadian EB Games stores wrote in to Kotaku to alert the site to an alleged new policy that will make your attempts to shop there even more difficult. According to the tipsters, Canadian EB's will no longer have dedicated areas for used and new games. For each platform, the two will share the exact same wall space.

In addition, used games will be marked with white price stickers, just like new games. To make matters worse, one employee said that new games are to be buried behind the used ones.

Another Canadian EB employee told Kotaku that these claims aren't accurate, and we have yet to see anything official from EB/GameStop, so don't start boycotting EB just yet -- at least not just in response to this issue.

Rumor: Canadian EB Games stores merging used and new game shelves originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Used and digital sales make up 35% of total console spending in the US

Jordan Mallory — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST

American gamers buy more used and digitally distributed games than their European doppelgangers, according to a study released by market analysis firm NewZoo. The organization's statistical findings show that 23 percent of console games purchased in the U.S. are used; slightly more than the European market where used games account for 20 percent of total console sales.

Digitally distributed titles rank lower in both regions, taking up 12 percent of the console market in America and 9 percent in Europe. That 12 percent, by the way, represents approximately $960 million, on account of 54 percent of American console owners reportedly spending an average of $49 a year on console downloads.

American PC gaming culture appears to have adopted the idea of digital distribution much faster than the console market, as an estimated 58 percent of all PC gaming dollars are spent on digitally distributed games or DLC. Now, we're no market analysts, but we think the disparity between PC and console download shares has a lot to do with PC gaming's readily available plethora of hats.

Report: Used and digital sales make up 35% of total console spending in the US originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Uncharted 3 will use PSN Pass to combat piracy, make money on used games

Jessica Conditt — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST

Uncharted 3 will use Sony's online pass system, much like we saw with Resistance 3, Sony España Software Manager Juan Jiménez told The Vault. Sony's PSN Pass features a one-time-use code for accessing content on PSN; the code can later be bought for $10 in used games. Jiménez said the pass system is a buffer against piracy, although we bet the added revenue from previously barren used-game sales doesn't exactly make Sony's decision harder.

Uncharted 3 is the second Sony title to use the PSN Pass, but we expect to see it in all of Sony's future mainstream releases, as does Jiménez.

Uncharted 3 will use PSN Pass to combat piracy, make money on used games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions save files are permanent, unable to be reset or erased

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:58:00 EST

When Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D dropped earlier this summer without the ability to reset save files, gamers were justifiably mad. And though it's been over a month since that story broke, it seems that another Japanese publisher didn't pick up on the resulting backlash. Namco's latest 3DS title, Pac-Man and Galaga Dimensions regrettably contains that exact issue.

According to Wired's Game|Life blog, there is simply no way to erase a save after it's been written to the cartridge. "I've looked all over, even going so far as to ask a Namco Bandai representative, and it doesn't seem like there's a way to erase the game data," the post reads, noting that this design doesn't just affect the earned in-game awards (which can't be deleted), but also high scores. That means the most recent high score is the only one that the game records -- bizarre!

As Capcom's version of the save file issue sparked reaction from both retail and consumers (and, eventually, Capcom), we've reached out to GameStop for comment about Namco's own misdeeds.

Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions save files are permanent, unable to be reset or erased originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Game retailers go back and forth on Resident Evil: Mercenaries 3D sales policies

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:40:00 EST

Used games retailers across the globe have adopted a number of uncharacteristic policies regarding sales and trade-ins of Capcom's one-save-only title, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D. When news of the game's unrestartability first surfaced, North American Gamestops announced they would not accept the game as a trade-in -- a policy which reversed today.

Speaking to IGN, a Gamestop rep explained, "GameStop did ask the U.S. store base to stop accepting trades on Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D as we evaluated the save system for the game." The representative added, "Upon further review of the process with our publisher partner, Capcom, GameStop will resume taking trades on the game effective Wednesday, June 29."

Overseas, British retailer HMV has ceased taking trades for the title -- and EB Games Australia has apparently stopped stocking the game altogether. A representative on the EB Games Facebook group explained, "If you would like to purchase it with us then of course we will sell it to you, it will be a case of an order with our store." They added, "We made the tough decision to remove it from sale because we have everybody's best interests in mind, and don't feel its fair that you guys would be paying $60 for what is essentially a one use game."

Game retailers go back and forth on Resident Evil: Mercenaries 3D sales policies originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Warner Bros. joining 'online pass' camp with Mortal Kombat

Randy Nelson — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST

Warner Bros. may be following in the (very large) footsteps of Electronic Arts and THQ when it comes to discouraging -- or at least profiting from -- the sale of used games. Joystiq has learned from a tipster that when Mortal Kombat hits shelves on April 19, its box will include an "online pass" token that must be redeemed before playing online. At present, WBIE evidently intends to do the same for its high-profile releases F.E.A.R. 3 and Batman: Arkham City. Since the latter won't feature multiplayer, though, the token would have to unlock some other (equally attractive) content.

According to an email obtained from our source, which appears intended for retailers, WBIE won't be promoting the pass -- in fact, no reference to it will appear on the game's packaging. Instead, it is apparently providing retailers with details on the pass, including how to purchase a new one if you're buying a used copy of the game. Unsurprisingly, a new pass will run 800 Microsoft Points / $10 for Xbox 360 and PS3, respectively. As with EA's titles, there will be a free two-day "trial period" before players are prompted to either enter the code or purchase a pass. We've contacted WBIE for comment on this information. You can find an excerpt from the retailer email past the break.

Continue reading Rumor: Warner Bros. joining 'online pass' camp with Mortal Kombat

Rumor: Warner Bros. joining 'online pass' camp with Mortal Kombat originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Select Walmart stores offering $100 credit toward 3DS with old DS trade-in

David Hinkle — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:10:00 EST

This Sunday, the 3DS launches in the US and, to celebrate the occasion, US-based megastore Walmart is offering quite the deal for anyone who lives in one of a dozen states. When purchasing the new handheld, consumers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and South Carolina will have the option of trading in their used DS for a $100 credit towards their 3DS purchase. If they've got two old DS systems laying around, both can be traded in for $200 towards a 3DS, but that's as high as Walmart's willing to go.

The trade-in program will start this Sunday with the 3DS launch and continue through April 30. This promotion is in-store only -- sorry, no online orders.

Select Walmart stores offering $100 credit toward 3DS with old DS trade-in originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: PS3 copies of DC Universe Online tied to one-time-use codes

JC Fletcher — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:00:00 EST

If you bought DC Universe Online on PS3 and decided not to commit to it for the usual MMO lifespan of forever, you won't be able to recoup your losses by trading it in. At least, you shouldn't trade it in, even if you find a store who will accept it, or you risk being a super-jerk. Sony Online Entertainment confirmed to Lazygamer that the serial key included with retail copies of the game is a one-time-use thing, and each disc only includes access for one account. That means that the first person to use a copy of DCUO is the only person who can use that copy.

This kind of restriction isn't exactly new to consoles, with trade-ins of every iteration of Phantasy Star Online refused by retailers due to the unique codes tied to each disc. But it's not common -- mostly because MMO-type games on consoles are so uncommon.

PSA: PS3 copies of DC Universe Online tied to one-time-use codes originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameFly's year-end sale deals up used games on the cheap

Mike Schramm — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:00:00 EST

GameFly has begun its annual year-end sale and some of the prices on used games are just insane. We can tell you right now that you'll probably want to pick up Splinter Cell: Conviction on Xbox 360 for $9.99, Wet on PS3 for a buck more or MadWorld on the Wii for just $8.99 if you haven't played any of those yet. Unfortunately, some of the games on the list are already sold out but, if you hunt through it, there are bargains to find.

With prices this low, we worry that the kids of GameFly employees will have to go without Christmas presents this year -- just so we can finally play The Saboteur for under 12 bucks.

GameFly's year-end sale deals up used games on the cheap originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon.co.uk now taking game trade-ins for credit

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 04:15:00 EST

No longer are our United Kingdom-based friends left with few gaming trade-in options other than ... whatever the British equivalent of Gamestop is (Gamestoppe?). Amazon.co.uk has begun extending the "trade your games and accessories for Amazon credit" program to its shoppers, some eighteen months after the program first arrived on the U.S. Amazon page.

Shoppers interested in hocking their ludological wares in exchange for Amazonian currency can search for eligible games on Amazon's trade-in splash page, and can then print off a shipping label for free. Provided the items are shipped off within seven days, and don't arrive covered in scratches, bodily fluids or crumpet residue, the available credit will show up when the items arrive.

Amazon.co.uk now taking game trade-ins for credit originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 04:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analyst: Walmart could 'expand' used game market

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 02:00:00 EST

According to a recent report from Lazard Capital Markets' Colin Sebastian, the firm's "industry checks" have revealed that Walmart has begun selling used games in over 500 of its stores. We decided to perform our own industry check, and the very first Walmart we called (in Tulsa, Oklahoma) was indeed stocking used games. The clerk we spoke to said that the store "just started carrying them." Further investigation revealed that used titles are also available on Walmart's website.

The company revealed plans to begin a used game program earlier this year, and Sebastian believes Walmart will "focus on the deep-value end of the market (e.g., games under $20 ASP)," potentially preventing "overlap" with used game juggernaut GameStop. Cheaper, older games do seem to dominate Walmart's used inventory, although we did spot Rock Band 3 for $50. Assuming Walmart maintains this focus on cheaper games, Sebastian believes the program could "ultimately expand the market for used games."

Sebastian notes that getting into the used game business isn't easy, requiring extensive inventory tracking, refurbishment and restocking. He concludes that it's unlikely for other used game distributors to be as "tightly integrated" as GameStop. We've certainly seen big names try and fail at the used game racket before ... Walmart included.

Analyst: Walmart could 'expand' used game market originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New NPD report to factor in digital, used, mobile and rental sales

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:30:00 EST

Changes to the NPD Group's reporting practices sent a few waves through the game industry earlier this month. Now, NPD's Anita Frazier has explained some of the reasoning behind the change. Frazier notes that NPD has "long acknowledged" that its coverage of only "new physical sales of hardware, software and accessories" doesn't accurately represent consumer spending in the game industry. Furthermore, with new physical sales dwindling this year, Frazier notes that the old NPD reporting practices "caused unnecessary angst" for many industry followers.

In other words, sales of physical game copies simply don't account for all the money pumped into the industry anymore. As such, the NPD will soon release the debut issue of its new report, Games Industry: Total Consumer Spend. While the report still includes data on sales of new games, accessories and hardware, it will also feature data on "used games, rentals, mobile apps, social network games, and digitally acquired content in the U.S."

NPD has had plans to track downloadable sales for over a year now, though this marks the first time we've heard of plans to track so many other forms of spending. Depending on how comprehensive the report is, it could have hefty ramifications for anyone looking to follow industry trends.

New NPD report to factor in digital, used, mobile and rental sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gamestop's Buy 2, Get 1 Free on pre-owned goods offer is back on

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:40:00 EST

Every couple of months or so, GameStop gets bored with its usual routine of selling all of its used games and accessories, so it goes on weekend-long tears where it starts giving them away with the purchase of two other items. Fortunately for all of us, this is one of those weekends.

Continue reading Gamestop's Buy 2, Get 1 Free on pre-owned goods offer is back on

Gamestop's Buy 2, Get 1 Free on pre-owned goods offer is back on originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toys R Us to start selling used games at 500 of its stores

David Hinkle — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Toys R Us is looking to get in on the used game biz. We know -- back in September, Toys R Us said the opposite, but it would appear that was all a ruse. (That's the last time we let The Giraffes trick us!)

The retailer will sell these used games at 500 of its 850 stores in the US, GameSpot reports. The games -- which are handed over to a third-party company for testing before being sent back to be resold -- will go for no more than $30 each. Those trading in games can do so at an in-store kiosk for gift cards redeemable at any Toys R Us location and through its online store.

Toys R Us to start selling used games at 500 of its stores originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Best Buy begins used game trade-in program

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:39:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

It looks like the "opportunity" Best Buy saw in the used game market has become "reality," as the company is now accepting used game trade-ins at nearly 600 stores in the US (with more stores on the way). Those who trade in games at Best Buy will receive a Best Buy gift card of equivalent value that can be used on anything in the store. Before long, Best Buy will begin selling used titles as well.

Don't bother looking for some fancy, computerized trade-in kiosk either. In most stores, trades are accepted at the customer service desk, while "select locations" have a "dedicated Trade-In desk" inside the games department. If all that human contact is a bit much, you can also trade in games online at Best Buy's pre-owned games site. Gift cards will be mailed within two weeks. ~~Also, "select titles" are eligible for an extra $20 credit~~. Update: Best Buy has issued a correction: This Sunday, August 29, the store will be offering a $20 gift card for select titles, not a $20 gift card in addition to a title's trade-in value.

The website has a handy estimator to calculate the value of your used games. We're not quite sure what the basis is for trade-in value though, considering Alpha Protocol clocks in at $27 while Mass Effect 2 snags you just $8. If any of you out there take advantage of Best Buy's new program, be sure to let us know about the experience in the comments.

Best Buy begins used game trade-in program originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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THQ not worried about upsetting used game buyers with new game bonuses

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Poor pre-owned game purchasers -- you've been having a really rough time of it this past year, haven't you? Most of the major companies have battled your particular method of shopping tooth and nail by packaging DLC vouchers in with copies of their new games. Cory Ledesma, creative director for WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 (new versions of which offered free DLC and online multiplayer access), recently told CVG, "I don't think we really care whether used game buyers are upset because new game buyers get everything."

Ledesma explained, "We hope people understand that when the game's bought used we get cheated," later adding, "I don't think anyone wants that so in order for us to make strong, high-quality WWE games we need loyal fans that are interested in purchasing the game. We want to award those fans with additional content." That does it -- from now on, we buy all our WWE games new. Not for the DLC, mind you, but because we've got a strict policy against upsetting companies that are in constant contact with professional wrestlers.

THQ not worried about upsetting used game buyers with new game bonuses originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony 'exploring' idea of Online Pass style system for its titles

Randy Nelson — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:50:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, SCE Europe boss Andrew House has suggested that the company is taking a serious look at implementing something similar to EA's Online Pass -- which requires those who buy its titles used to pay $10 to play them online -- with its first-party games. "On the principle of making online portions of the game available or unlocked from the disc-based release for a fee, we're broadly supportive of that," House said. "And we're exploring actively the same option for our own content."

House admitted that such a system could be perceived as contradictory to Sony's long-running pitch of PlayStation Network's free online play model. "In terms of just a charge for basic online play, that's something that we have to talk about a lot more," he said. "We struggle with [that] a little bit because we feel very vindicated and base a lot of the success of PSN today -- a 70 percent connection rate across consoles -- on the fact that we've removed that major initial barrier to entry."

Still, Sony has already dabbled with charging to enable online play for used (or, in the following instance, likely pirated) PSP titles like SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3. In this case, the game included an online activation code which, if already used or otherwise non-existent, could be replaced for a $20 fee.

Sony 'exploring' idea of Online Pass style system for its titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop misses earnings target, used games make up biggest profits

Mike Schramm — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

[Image by moe_ on Flickr]

Despite 99 new stores, continued strong used game sales and better performance than the rest of the retail video game industry, GameStop reported less-than-expected earnings for this year's second quarter, and delivered a fall forecast lower than analysts expected. Analysts were looking for $1.82 billion in sales this past quarter, but apparently the $1.8 billion GameStop earned in actual sales (31.4 percent of which came from used game sales) just wasn't good enough.

Additionally, GameStop executives tried to convince analysts that they'd actually be saving money by spending $10 on a membership card and subscription to Game Informer, but analysts weren't interested, claiming that "all they wanted was to play Red Dead Redemption." Further attempts to sell the card also failed, despite assurances of 10 percent off used game purchases in the future.

GameStop misses earnings target, used games make up biggest profits originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gamestop offering buy two, get one free sale on used games

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:45:00 EST

If your video gaming archive possesses a few shameful gaps, you might want to turn your attention to a promotion Gamestop's running from today until Saturday. Both online and in-store shoppers who purchase two used games or accessories can grab a third used item of equal or lesser value for free.

Continue reading Gamestop offering buy two, get one free sale on used games

Gamestop offering buy two, get one free sale on used games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Walmart trying used games market again

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:03:00 EST

Walmart is taking another pass at the used games market after it appeared to bow out months ago. IndustryGamers reports that Walmart - the international mega conglomerate that likely sold you your hamper - informed the site in a statement that it's "currently working with Game Trade, a start-up services provider, in a lease agreement to test their Game Trade stores in five Walmart locations."

According to Walmart, the locations will offer "previously-owned" games, movies and entertainment hardware for "store credit or cash." Considering any monkey reading a spreadsheet can see the monumental amounts of cash GameStop reaps from used games, it's no wonder that even a mega-corp like Walmart wants a piece. We also hear Weyland-Yutani is interested in the used games market to fund some special projects.

Walmart trying used games market again originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 May 2010 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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7-Eleven to begin selling used games for $20 and below

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:30:00 EST

[Flickr user Emples]

Beloved Slurpee vendor 7-Eleven plans to nab a share of the video game re-sale market by soon offering budget-priced pre-owned titles as part of a partnership with Game Trading Technologies, which announced the program today. The new initiative, excitedly dubbed "GREAT GAMES BELOW $20," is currently being introduced into more than 3,000 U.S. 7-Elevens (or roughly 50 percent of all franchises), with plans to eventually extend the service to most locations. "The program is available to all 7-Eleven U.S. franchisees, and we hope to have most U.S. stores on board by September," said GTT president Todd Hays.

The partnership will have GTT providing 7-Elevens with a "broad selection" of used games for "various" platforms at price points of $19.99 and below. If the selections are actually decent, we fear for how costly our surprisingly frequent late-night hot dog runs might soon become.

7-Eleven to begin selling used games for $20 and below originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop: Used game buyers uninterested in free DLC

Justin McElroy — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST

We're usually pretty competent parsers of corporate quotes, but we may need some help on this one. Referencing the publisher practice of putting free DLC in new copies of games, GameStop boss Dan DeMatteo said on an investor call today that "we have learned that the second-hand user is a value-oriented consumer ... we don't believe that a $10 add-on piece of DLC is compelling to a used game buyer." So, they care about getting the biggest bang for their buck, but they just don't care about missing out on free things?

Here's another one: "Publishers can participate in our used business by offering add-on content for the most popular used titles, creating a win-win situation for publishers, retailers and consumers," he said, according to Gamasutra. Wouldn't the win for publishers and developers be to make money every time someone bought the game they made?

It may be that the statements are unclear, but it's also possible that we're just so unfamiliar with GameStop trying to be a team player that our primitive minds can't process it. Hard to say.

GameStop: Used game buyers uninterested in free DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop offering 50% bonus on every trade-in

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST

GameStop's TV ad proudly proclaims that it's the "biggest trade event ever." We can't really disagree. Starting today, GameStop stores will be offering an extra 50% bonus on used game trade-ins, boosting their usually-paltry offerings into the "sort of worth it" zone. Your old copy of Madden 08 won't really help you much in this promo. Instead, look to capitalize on newer game trade-ins. Using the CAG database, we discovered that Modern Warfare 2, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Dante's Inferno, and BioShock 2 will net about $35 of credit each.

The best bet right now seems to be Mass Effect 2, which will net you a whopping $52 worth of credit (and if you have an Edge card, you'll earn 10% more). Just make sure that, as with many of last year's and this quarter's games, you don't intend to stick around for all that DLC.

As much as you may sympathize with the difficulties publishers face in the used games market, the ongoing 2010 onslaught of games -- including Heavy Rain, Final Fantasy XIII, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, God of War III, Pokemon, and more -- might force your wallet to seek out as much help as it can find.

[Thanks, Alan S.]

GameStop offering 50% bonus on every trade-in originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Used game retailers respond to 'Project Ten Dollar'

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST

It's unsurprising that most game retailers who dabble in the pre-owned market feel jilted by an initiative EA CEO John Riccitiello calls "Project Ten Dollar" -- after all, it was designed to reclaim some of the revenues earned by secondhand sellers. A number of representatives from used game retailers recently spoke to GamesIndustry (login required) about the perils EA faces by bundling DLC redemption codes with new copies of the publisher's games.

Chipsworld exec Don McCabe said consumers won't prosper under this new system, as copies of the game will lose their resale value, but retailers will "just readjust [the price] bearing in mind you have to buy the voucher." Marc Day, CEO of SwapGame, says diminished resale value will do more harm than good to the publisher's bottom line, as "customers who trade in for cash or credit do so to acquire new games they could otherwise not afford."

Check out GamesIndustry's full article for more retailer opinions on EA's new DLC strategy. It's an interesting read on what might turn out to be a pretty vicious cycle.

Used game retailers respond to 'Project Ten Dollar' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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US citizens: want to trade at Best Buy? Head north [update]

Xav de Matos — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST

Update: A representative from Best Buy Canada has told Joystiq that any decision made regarding trades in the US "will not have any impact on Canada's operations at this point." The representative went on to say the trade-in program has been "very successful" in Canada and Best Buy Canada Ltd. has no plans to discontinue it.

Original: Although reports indicate that Best Buy America's used games trade-in operations will come to an abrupt end, Best Buy Canada continues to offer the used and trade programs in its own stores. On February 1, Industry Gamers reported E-Play, the company that distributed used game and trade kiosks to Best Buy and Walmart, suspended operations. Currently, neither major retailer appears to be pursuing replacement programs in stores.

In Canada, Best Buy and Future Shop both operate under the umbrella of Best Buy Canada Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of its American parent. The company currently runs used game and trade programs within stores of both brands, where customers are given a store credit toward other purchases in the store at each location's customer service desk. The process appears to be modeled closely after GameStop's approach, and the companies even offer similar multiple trade-in promotions (such as drastically slashing the value of games immediately following release).

Joystiq has contacted Best Buy Canada Ltd. for comment on the recent news affecting its American counterparts, and whether its own operations will change as a result, but has yet to hear back as of this publishing.

[Thanks, Nathan]

US citizens: want to trade at Best Buy? Head north [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Walmart and Best Buy cease used games trade-in operations

Griffin McElroy — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:59:00 EST

Well, that certainly didn't take long. Industry Gamers reports that Walmart's and Best Buy's stab at tapping into the lucrative used games market will soon come to an abrupt end. E-Play, the company that distributed used games kiosks to certain locations for the two retailers, suspended operations earlier today -- and as a result, said kiosks will be shut down and removed within the next three weeks. Neither Walmart nor Best Buy looks to be pursuing similar operations without E-play.

We had an inkling that the two retailers weren't seeing significant returns from dabbling in the used games market through third-party vendor E-play, but the brevity of this venture is still a little surprising. Even our "mullet and horn-rimmed glasses" phase lasted longer than eight measly months.

Walmart and Best Buy cease used games trade-in operations originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Green Man Gaming exec explains how digital trade-ins work

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST

Ever since Green Man Gaming announced its plans for digital trade-ins last week, we've been scratching our heads and spinning the ol' think meat trying to understand how it's gonna work. Lucky for us then that GamesIndustry.biz got a couple of execs from the company to break down how it all functions in a recent interview. Allegedly, the folks at GMG have figured out an algorithm for calculating a game's worth at any given time based on a handful of (unnamed) criteria.

"We sit in the middle as a market maker and we always offer a price on the game ... we always allow people to sell it back to us," says CEO Paul Sulyok. As previously announced, the company will offer a percentage of revenue from each re-sold game to publishers -- something the company expects to get prospective partners signed up with the quickness. Suylok even puts a percentage to it, estimating that publishers will see a "194 percent" jump in "additional revenue per SKU" (in Humanspeak, that means for each individual game). Us? We're just happy to finally get some money back for that drunken purchase of Daikatana.

[Via BigDownload]

Green Man Gaming exec explains how digital trade-ins work originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: UK new game boxed sales down 18% in 2009

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:15:00 EST

Chart-Track/ELSPA reveal that new boxed game sales declined 18 percent in the UK during 2009, which is likely due to an amalgam of digital distribution and global financial issues (to put it lightly). As noted by GI.biz, the report does not include any sales information on used sales, Steam or other digital distribution networks. Thus, the 26 percent decline in boxed PC game sales during 2009 (a 22 percent decline in revenue) sounds tragic; however, considering the rapid adoption of digital distribution by PC users, it hardly gives the "full picture."

Boxed console games fared better with Xbox 360 and PS3 sales up a healthy 14 and 9 percent in unit sales, along with an increase of two and four percent in revenue, respectively. The year wasn't as kind to Wii games, with a drop of 10 percent in units sold and an 18 percent decline in revenue. Of course, as with PC, none of these sales include each console's digital distribution network, which certainly adds a couple extra pounds, especially after the holidays.

Report: UK new game boxed sales down 18% in 2009 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop 'Buy 2, Get 1 Free' used game sale starts tomorrow

Justin McElroy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST

You've probably got a ton of brand new games you want to purchase, but with Christmas just around the corner, the available funds to buy things for yourself are likely dwindling. Tomorrow through Sunday, GameStop's got a helpful solution: A Buy 2, Get 1 Free sale on all used games. The sale is both in-store and online, though you'll need to use code B2G1FREE, along with SAVER to get free shipping on $25-plus orders.

Just so there's no confusion, we're not suggesting that you buy used games for yourself to save money, far from it. We just can't help but think how much extra cash you'd have left for Assassin's Creed 2 if you got everyone on your list a second-hand copy of Wheelman.

[Via CheapCollegeGamers]

Check out Joystiq's Black Friday Game Deals Hub or jump to a retailer guide below:

For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals, Cyber Monday Sales,
And other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com

GameStop 'Buy 2, Get 1 Free' used game sale starts tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Goozex temporarily drops trading fees for students

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:40:00 EST

Goozex, the online game trading service, has announced a special promotion for its student members. Starting now and running through January 31, 2010, Goozex members that are enrolled in college will be able to trade their games without paying any trading fee whatsoever. Granted, the trading fee is normally only $1, but every little bit helps these days, especially with the holiday shopping season currently preparing its first major assault.

Now, technically, the deal applies to anyone using Goozex under a .edu email address, so we suppose the less scrupulous folks out there could game the system. Then again, so long as it gets people using the service, we're not sure Goozex will mind all that much.

Goozex temporarily drops trading fees for students originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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