MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
The market for new triple-A titles would be diminished were it not for the pre-owned sector, GAME Group CEO Ian Shepherd has claimed. "The existence of pre-owned makes the new market bigger," he said at today’s strategy briefing. "It makes it more affordable, reduces the total cost of ownership. However, …
Read More »No trade-ins for DC Universe Online
It has been confirmed that consumers who buy DC Universe Online will be unable to trade in their copies of the game. This applies to both the PS3 and PC versions of the game. "Once the PSN key has been consumed with a disk it cannot be resold/ replayed with …
Read More »The used games/used cars argument
It’s an argument often trotted out whenever anyone attacks the pre-owned market – "You don’t see Toyota demanding a cut from the sale of a second hand Corolla." But Kaos Studios, the developer behind THQ’s upcoming shooter Homefront, says that the video games market can’t be considered under the same …
Read More »OPINION: Will NGP defeat pre-owned?
Sony’s new physical format has the potential to change the face of the pre-owned market. Earlier this morning, the platform holder confirmed that the flash-based card for its upcoming Next Generation Portable will store the full software titles plus add-on game content” at the device’s big unveiling. Tying downloadable content …
Read More »GAME: Trade-in drives 60% of new game sales
More than half of GAME’s customers use trade-ins to fund purchases of new titles, the firm has told MCV. CEO Ian Shepherd revealed the specialist retail giant’s pre-owned offer was a key driver in all sales over the competitive Christmas period. He highlighted trade-in as a real point of difference” …
Read More »THQ expects Homefront to trump WWE
Publisher THQ has predicted that upcoming triple-A shooter Homefront will make more money than either of the company’s big fighting franchises, WWE or UFC. "I don’t think [WWE and UFC] make more money than I expect Homefront to make," core games executive vice president Danny Bilson stated in an interview …
Read More »Can pre-owned prosper online?
Selling previously played titles online may open businesses up to a nationwide – or even worldwide – customer base, and provide an extra opportunity for making margins. However, the practice of trading games online doesn’t come without its challenges, specifically the postal aspect of such a service. There is always …
Read More »‘Games lose value quicker than cars’
"Brand new video games can lose as much value in percentage terms in just three days as a car would over three years" – that’s the eye-catching introduction to a report into the pre-owned games market by leading consumer watchdog Which? It claims that a Ford Focus loses around 60 …
Read More »GameStop: Publishers are starting to accept pre-owned
After a year spent adding new ways to monetise game trade-ins, publishers have learned to accept second-hand sales. That’s according to GameStop’s international boss Mike Mauler, who has told MCV that the chain has seen no negative impact from the introduction of second-user charges that pre-owned games players must pay …
Read More »HMV considering online pre-owned move
HMV wants to be the next retailer to offer pre-owned games online following Amazon UK’s entry into the market. Last week, Amazon.co.uk began buying and selling second-hand titles. Customers can buy pre-owned games from the retailer, check prices using an online calculator and post old games in exchange for gift …
Read More »