The used game market has recently come under attack from various publishers as they attempt to regain revenue from an area of the industry that would normally cut them out of the loop. As a result, gamers who purchase their games second hand have almost been vilified by systems that not only restrict their access to certain features but also forces them to pay more money if they want to play online, for example.
For the publishers it’s a Catch 22. On one hand you risk losing customers altogether, on the other hand you want to earn money from your product.
It’s here that THQ believe they have found a middle ground which makes “everbody happy.”
Speaking with GI.biz, Danny Bilson – THQ’s executive vice president of Core Games – stated that they need to highlight the fact that “new is preminum” but didn’t want to go down the route of “locking out the used guy.”
We actually have some other programmes in the works that aren’t as punitive as locking out the used guy, that are more positive. I think we’re going to be able to announce that on a Fall product. If it works, it’s the kind of idea that GameStop likes, we like, new gamers like, used gamers like it…
THQ have already been involved in one download scheme that did lock out the used guy when UFC Undisputed 2010 shipped a few weeks ago. It now appears that they are actively seeking a more acceptable solution.
Bilson didn’t divulge the actual plans they had for their “Fall product” but speaking about next year’s shooter – Homefront – he confirmed that they will not be locking the “used guy” out of multiplayer. Instead, and he was quick to point out that this was not official, they may charge a nominal fee for access to all of the game’s map packs and content. So, in essence, a used copy’s multiplayer aspect becomes a demo, then?
Many publishers already provide various pre-order incentives to entice consumers into buying new with no real penalty for the trade-in market. Others restrict content thus directly affecting the trade-in market. Bilson’s idea seems like the only logical step between doing nothing and completely locking out purchasers of used games.
The only remaining question would be: If the likes of EA are happy with the way schemes such as Project $10 are taking shape, would THQ’s idea, if it does indeed cover the middle ground, be enough to convince them to follow suit?
cc_star
Wonder if sales of UFC were below target forcing them to change their tact?
cam the man
Almost anything will be better than what some are doing at the mo.
Hope their system works and is good for the gamers and makers.
chibber
These codes that get you exclusive content are not widely known enough to realy make much of a difference. Of the 2 used titles I’ve purchased that include them, I’ve found the code shoved in behind the instruction book, entered it and got the content. It seems thatlarge numbers of people who get the games new just never enter the content code.
Severn2j
I wonder if this sort of thing will create a ‘higher tier’ used game market, where games that havent had their online (or other) codes used will get a higher trade-in value than ones that have..
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I traded a couple of games just the other day that had DLC codes in, that I never used, so guy who buys them preowned will have a nice surprise in store.
jimmyjrg
but how would you prove it hadn’t been used?
jimmyjrg
They’ll probably just lock you out from half the multiplayer so you feel inclined to buy the extra maps. Kind of like Uncharted 2 now (but no where near as evil of course)
webby_15-0
or what about being able to sell your game back to the developer you bought it from and then they sell it off to others. everyone wins then.
Danza Di Fuoco
Why not bother THQ Mon!? alot off games aren’t even what I call fun to play or too short.
I like the used games market since you can find the rarest of games why hate?