Cousens issues pre-owned warning

Publishers must find a way to monetize sales of pre-owned software if developers are to maintain their ability to expand the potential of games – that’s the warning of Codemasters CEO Rod Cousens.

In terms of traditional publishing, the maturing formats have shown rapid decline and portable markets have been impacted by mobile phones as well as a high level of piracy,” Cousens told MCV in its analysis of the H1 2010 UK video games market.

Digital downloads should be factored in. It needs to be looked at in that context and against a backdrop of economic meltdown. The industry is in better shape than most.

What cannot be underestimated is the impact of pre-owned software, which needs to provide a participatory benefit to creators if innovation is to prevail.”

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