Game Devs Using One-Time Bonuses to Fight Used Game Sales

[jamotto]

No need for this they already have their best weapon, digital distribution.

[gutbub]

Why does everybody keep referring to the NBA game. Maybe everybody should go back and re read it. It says that it is free to people who buy it new. If you buy it used, then you have to pay for it yourself. It does not say that you can't use it, just that you must buy it yourself. It's the same as the Rockband 20 free songs. Only those who buy it new get the 20 free songs, anybody who buys it used has to purchase the songs themselves.

What if EA didn't include the roster thing to begin with, and it was an add on, if it was DLC. Then nobody would get it free, would that make everybody feel better?

[Qmark]

If I buy a car from Ford, I'm free to sell it whenever I see fit to whomever I see fit. However, I'm he one that got the Roadside assistance and free tire rotation.

[slug349]

They've got it half right. If they want to eliminate piracy and the used game problem, simply offer the game for free. You get one level/song/etc included, to try the game first. You can then download more content/tracks/levels/songs if you like the game. This will also eliminate a lot of 'lemon' games that suck and/or encourage the developers to release higher quality games.

The only problem is how you get the free version. You can't download it and burn it because of Nintendo's protection. And retailers want to make money on sales so they aren't willing to give stuff away for no profit. Maybe embedded into the registration code is the retailer id, who then gets a cut of any future online purchases. Or maybe sell the games for like $5. Or get Nintendo to create a new channel for downloading demos.

Also, how many times have you finished a great game and wanted more? If more content/levels were available for my favorite games, I sure would be forking over more money. They can call this new licensing structure something like 'ShareWare'.

[DCRich]

Why does everybody keep referring to the NBA game. Maybe everybody should go back and re read it. It says that it is free to people who buy it new. If you buy it used, then you have to pay for it yourself. It does not say that you can't use it, just that you must buy it yourself. It's the same as the Rockband 20 free songs. Only those who buy it new get the 20 free songs, anybody who buys it used has to purchase the songs themselves.

What if EA didn't include the roster thing to begin with, and it was an add on, if it was DLC. Then nobody would get it free, would that make everybody feel better?

One thing about this though, is that rosters have been a free download for ea sports games for some time, and the consumer expects it now. To not give it would be bad PR with their fans, and possibly cause them not to buy future products, new or used.

if they don't want people to buy games used, make the more affordable. They would drastically increase their sales if games cost no more than $40. Besides, since when has buying games used been a problem to the multi-billion dollar industry??! Hello! it's bigger than its ever been. Get a clue developers!