Hasta La Gadget!

When the PlayStation 4 was announced, we’re sure a good majority of you went out the following day to your local GameStop to try to pre-order the console, even though no retailer has announced they’re officially taking pre-orders for it. But GameStop’s President revealed in an earnings call yesterday “nearly 900,000 members have already signed up for the PlayStation 4 First to Know List” which helps keep its customers informed on the upcoming console and it also serves as a pretty strong indicator of many people are considering pre-ordering it.

If the nearly 900,000 members is any indication, Bartel is already predicting demand for the PlayStation 4 will outpace GameStop’s supply. “Although we have been given no official numbers by Sony, we do believe that demand will far outpace the supply of this product during the launch window.” (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Leisure Suit Larry HD Remake Arriving This May, GTA 5 Box Art To Be Unveiled Soon?,

Let me say this loud and clear: any game console that tries to block used games will fail. And I, along with other gamers, will be happy to see it.

Over the last year or so, we’ve been hearing rumors that Microsoft’s next console, currently codenamed Durango, could ban used games. Microsoft, of course, hasn’t said anything on the matter, deciding instead to keep its plans close to the vest until it finally has the chance to unveil the device to the world. But the steady drumbeat of claims that the console won’t support used games is concerning.

The video game industry can’t stand used games. Gamers run out to buy a new title and before long, turn around and sell it back to their local game retailer, like Gamestop, to get back some of their cash. In many cases, those gamers then put the credit towards another game.

For gamers and Gamestop, it’s a great model that works exceedingly well. But the game developers have a real issue with used titles.

See, after a game is sold back to a company like Gamestop, there’s no way for the developers to generate cash off the secondary sale. That means that all of their hard work can’t be profited on, and retailers can double-dip on the games they’re investing in.

“I’ll be the first to admit that I think the system is flawed.”

I’ll be the first to admit that I think the system is flawed. I know of several developers that can’t stand the thought of used-game sales and I totally understand why they have those feelings. Revenue sharing on used-game sales really is unfair. And it’s something that the industry should not – and perhaps, cannot – overlook; it needs to be fixed.

That said, used games have a place in today’s console space. Used games are cheaper, which makes it easier for gamers to enjoy the entertainment they so desire. For many people around the world, spending $60 on a video game is impossible when bills need to be paid and kids need to be fed. But buying a title for, say, half the price, isn’t such a bad deal.

Used games, let’s not forget, have also done wonders for the online services Sony and Microsoft offer. The more used games that customers buy, the more people playing titles online. And thus, revenue across the industry goes up. It’s a win-win.

And yet, the steady drumbeat of claims that Microsoft might do away with used-game playing in the next Xbox grows louder by the day. If it’s true – and let’s be clear, we’re not sure if it is – that would mean Microsoft’s console would be the only next-generation hardware to not allow for used titles. What’s worse, it would be the first console in history to not support such a key part of the game-buying experience.

“if Microsoft does not support used games in its next console, I will not buy the hardware.”

I can say unequivocally that if Microsoft does not support used games in its next console, I will not buy the hardware. And I have a feeling there are thousands, if not millions, of gamers who will stand alongside me.

Look, I’m all for giving developers the proper compensation for what they’ve created. And I, too, think the used-game market is hurting developers. But not allowing used games isn’t the answer; stopping retailers from taking advantage of gamers and developers is.

Banning Used Games Is A Deal-Breaker is written by Don Reisinger & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Sony head of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida is a gregarious, smart, talkative interviewee. And that’s exactly why it was so weird that he fully waffled when we asked him to address whether or not the newly unveiled PlayStation 4 will play used games. “That’s my expectation, that PS4 games will work on [the] hardware. That’s my expectation,” he told us in an interview this morning. When we pushed to clarify what he meant, Yoshida stuttered. “Ummm … yeah. We have to really name our system services to explain more about it,” he added.

That’s a similar answer to what he told Eurogamer last night at Sony’s big PlayStation 4 announcement event, vagueness and all. Yes, used games “can play on PS4,” but does it require a license repurchase? Perhaps you have to belong to an as-yet-unidentified PS4 online network? It’s not entirely clear, but there seems to be a caveat to the statement, “Used games work on PS4.” Sony, however, isn’t saying what that caveat is just yet. Of course, current-gen consoles all support buying any used, physical copies of games and playing them on their corresponding game consoles

Yoshida also confirmed that games will launch at retail as well as digital, but, well, you probably already guessed that from the included Blu-ray disc drive.

Filed under: Gaming, Software, HD, Sony

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GameStop has conducted research into used game trade and has found that 60% customers are not willing to buy a console that will block used games.  This comes at a time when rumors of the new Xbox not allowing used games are surfacing.  Obviously, GameStop would tend to lose money if the rumors were true, so the study can’t be seen as impartial, but its conclusions are yet interesting to discuss. “Consumers want the ability to play pre-owned games, they want portability in their games; they want to play physical games,” he said. “And to not have those things would be a substantial reason for them not to purchase a new console.” chief financial officer Rob Lloyd of GamesStop said to VG247.

“It’s really only about 4% of our used game sales that are games released in the last 60 days,” he said. “Sony has said publicly that they don’t intend to block used games on its next console. Microsoft has refused to or has not commented on the rumors.” Blocking used games would significantly change the market of the new Xbox, as more people will likely shift to consoles that allow used games. As we said before, such a decision would change the future of GameStop.  With its shares already falling in reaction to the possibility that it may happen.  GameStop needs to find a strategy to keep shoppers coming back to their stores.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Nintendo 64 Remastered, Revolution DLC For Call of Duty: Black Ops II Released,

Whether you missed out on the OUYA console’s initial Kickstarter frenzy, (and still open pre-order window) or are just waiting around to see what kind of games are available on the Android box this spring, it should still be easy to find one very soon. The company has announced that it will be available at retailers including Amazon, GameStop, Target and Best Buy for $99.99 this June, with pre-orders opening up later today. CEO Julie Uhrman informed the Wall Street Journal‘s Digits blog that additional controllers would be priced at $49.99 alongside the consoles at its official launch in June, with a “large suite” of gaming titles. She declined to reveal the exact number of systems already ordered, but proudly pointed to the OUYA as a box that will inventive and creative content that has never before been seen on television.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: Wall Street Journal