A fable 3 developer recently stated that "secondhand sales cost us more in the long run than piracy these days."
While no further explanation was given, the focus on used games has much to do with the fact that despite the best of efforts, piracy cannot be stopped. The sale of used games seems a more attractive battle to developers, one that they may actually be
able to win. While i understand the frustration surrounding the gamestop economics of selling used games for $5 less than a new one, the fight against used sales may be a bit short-sighted.
These are a few things that may be worth considering.
PAY IT FORWARD
When i was younger, used games were all that i could afford. Without this market, i would not be the gamer i am today. A gamer that spends hundreds of dollars a year on my favorite hobby. While used sales may not be good for the
individual publisher at times, it may be good for the industry as a whole. Without these bargain bin items, we may lose the youth of today to the vices of reading and physical exercise.
FREE MARKETING
A few years back, i skipped on purchasing Assassins Creed at launch as reviews from friends were less than stellar. A month before the sequel, i picked it up for cheap, and while i agreed with what was said of the game, i enjoyed it. One month later, i bought the sequel at full price, which i would not have done without that cheap used predecessor.
TRICKLE UP ECONOMICS
This one is simple. i can buy say 4 new games per year. My friend can't afford gaming as a hobby at $60 a pop (utters some incoherent rubbish about a social life). He buys my games, and i buy more new ones. Publishers are trying to apply the same logic of piracy induced lost sales to used games. In their minds, every used game represents lost income. They like to reason that every downloaded game represents lost income. The fact of the matter is, that without used sales, a lot of people would have to simply find another way to pass time. Not everyone agrees that $60 for a game is a good use for their cash. Don't let them confuse you with their reason and logic. Just run.
ITS A KEEPER
Ever notice how the games Nintendo make rarely decline much in price? Price fixing allegations aside, there are other good reasons for this. They make a quality product, something that you want to keep even though you may never play it again. Why? The same reason people collect and display books. It says something about you as a gamer, about your tastes and style. So instead of making "generic space marine shooter #55", you may want to produce something of worth. My copy of ICO is not going anywhere.
Final Fantasy VII 1997 exceeds 15.5 million units sold worldwide as of February 2026, reinforcing its legacy as the series best selling title.
NE: "We take a look at all the DLC ever released for main series Pokemon games since 2019 and rank them from worst to best."
There are over 30 ships in Star Trek Voyager: Across the Unknown, which include enemy and Borg vessels that have some fantastic on-board technologies and weaponry.
i've said this before, for everything in the world you can buy new there is a used alternative. video games should be no different.
Well said. There is a place and use for used games. Make quality games and people will keep them...
While I agree consumers should have the right to buy how and where they want, and sell items they own.
But at the same time I think an even greater crime is when developers work hard to create a game and a significant portion of people that play their game don't give them a single cent. There's something very wrong about that.
Getting rid of used game sales is probably not the way to go, developers do deserve a percentage of sales from used games. I honestly can't think of a fair solution.
I don't think the argument has been that used games are inherently wrong, but that developers/publishers don't get a cut out of them. It's an issue strictly between retailers and publishers.
If a game releases that I simply must have I'll buy it on launch day, if I'm only mildly interested I'll wait until I can get it cheaper. I buy used games all the time and I feel no guilt nor do I think I should feel guilty.
If a game is really good and has lasting appeal it won't end up on the used game section so swiftly. Therefore I feel it's the devs and pubs fault if they do end up with so many used copies of their games on the shelves.