“Five reasons a world without used games might not be so bad”
I followed the Penny Arcade Report to this “article” on Kotaku this morning. It’s the perfect example of why I removed Kotaku from GoogleReader earlier this year: Five reasons a world without used games might not be so bad
It actually annoys me that people such as Jason Schreier get such a well read soapbox to expunge their “thoughts” on subjects. Much like it annoys me that most people are more interested in what Paris Hilton/Justin Bieber/whoever thinks about world events than someone with any real insight into them.
In short, he suggests that it might* a good thing because:
- Everything’s going digital anyway.
- The future could look a lot like Steam.
- Retailers will have to offer better deals.
- Games could be significantly more affordable.
- Publishers might take more risks.
- It’s happening anyway, so it’s a good thing. You just have to admire his Panglossian outlook on the world! Everything is for the best in this, the best of all possible worlds?
- One decent digital store exists in competition with boxed retail, other digital stores & used games, therefore it’s a good thing that we completely eliminate used game sales? I think I missed the class in economics when it was explained that less competition leads to a better deal for the consumer.
- They will HAVE to. Apparently. GAME couldn’t make a profit selling used games at 200-500% markup from the trade-in value, Jason should get in touch with them and tell them their problem was that they just needed to offer better deals.
- I want some of those pills he’s on. Publishers have a proven track records of passing on savings to customers, just look at the prices of games on PSN and XBLA.. Oh, I got confused for a minute there. it’s the fucking opposite!
- Seriously, get me some of those pills.
Might?
He doesn’t even have to strength of conviction to state these are reasons it will be a good thing! Between opinion pieces like this, endless cosplay galleries (a.k.a. porn for kiddies too embarrassed to look at the real stuff) & the “isn’t Japan so crazy, right?” articles I can’t even remember the last time I read anything interesting on that site, the sad thing is I must have done once though.