Sony, EA Combat Second Hand Game Sales

[Blue_Tires]

Sony and EA have launched a series of initiatives aimed at combating used game sales and software piracy.

Those who purchase SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 for PSP are now required to register the title through PlayStation Network before they’re given access to online gameplay.

While UMD copies of the title will ship with a redeemable online voucher code and digital copies will automatically register the game for online play, consumers who purchase a second hand copy will be required to buy a PSN entitlement voucher for $20 in order to take the shooter online.

SCEA director of hardware marketing, John Koller, told IGN: “Today's consumers are more tech savvy and better connected to the internet than ever before. Piracy continues to be an issue of concern for the PSP platform. SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 is a trial run for a new initiative we are exploring for the platform. We will continue to explore this as an opportunity for the platform going forward, but we have no announcements to make on future iterations at this time.”

Meanwhile, new copies of EA’s Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will include a "VIP" code enabling users to access downloadable content for the game, including free launch day DLC in the form of multiplayer maps. Second hand purchasers will be required to pay for VIP access at a price expected to be $15.

http://www.next-gen.biz/news/sony-ea-combat-second-hand-game-sales

[Mojambo]

1. This essentially removes any benefit from ever buying a used game

New game 60 bucks. Used price 45 bucks + 15 bucks to get access to all the features.

[charlie and algernon]

2. They're going to put GameStop out of business

They're main selling point is used games, you take that away, bye bye GameStop.

[Mojambo]

3. Which s a shame, because on balance Gamestop has been great for console gaming industry

But if these companies want to put them out of business and just push their merchandise in Walmart and Best Buy I guess there's no stopping them.

[Blue_Tires]

4. agreed....talk about missing the forest for the trees...

used games, especially series with really high replay values have brought more new fans and gamers in...

[charlie and algernon]

9. used games are almost all I ever get anymore

The Show 2010 is definitely a rare exception. When I had my PS2, I loved picking through the used bins and finding games for 4 or 5 bucks that worked as good any new game. They take away Gamestop, they lose a huge market and customer base for their games.

[Blue_Tires]

11. yeah...some of the obscure ones could be a lot of fun

and even if it was bad; it was like "What the fuck, it's only 4 bucks"

My introduction to the Grand Theft Auto series started with a used game...many of the succeeding titles later bought new...

[Joe the Liberal]

5. *yawn* I don't do online play so this doesn't really bother me.....

on top of that I don't really even play shooters all that much.

[lazarus]

6. Soon they won't even be selling

hard copies of games. You'll be able to buy the first third of the game for $20 download, then buy the rest of the game in installments.

I doubt "piracy" per se is killing the PSP. I don't know anyone who makes UMDs at home. They just want to stop resales. Stupid, because a lot of new games are sold with a discount because someone is trading in their old game.

[Joe the Liberal]

7. HA my thoughts exactly......

I really hate buying a game only to find out later that they have new downloadable content that you have to pay another 10 dollars for. It's like buying an incomplete puzzle, "you want the last couple pieces to finish the puzzle? then you gotta pay more". Like you said, sooner or later the only way to play any game will be to buy it online which it won't even be complete.

[lazarus]

8. They're just waiting

for the PS3/XBox360 market to get more saturated. Once there are enough of them out there, the changeover will begin.

It'll be slow, just a few games as an "experiment" to start, then the floodgates will open. I would not buy Gamestop stock at this point.

[semillama]

10. I wonder how this will effect Gamefly?

I guess you'd have to buy the voucher when you rented a game like BC2 or SOCOM - although if they keep it to online content/ game play only, that wouldn't effect me too much, since I don't do multiplayer anymore.