New v. Used :: Benefits and Losses

It's no surprise that purchasing video games whether it be a new, sealed copy or a preowned return, comes with benefits and losses, and it's been prevalent since the beginning of gaming time. To the untrained eye, purchasing new games has its benefits such as included content and everything intact, an undamaged box/disc, and naturally, the fresh smell of unwrapping the plastic sealant. While on the other hand, when purchasing preowned games, you'll get an insert for redeemable content that's most likely already been used, a game box with some wear and tear (depending on how old the game is usually, or if the previous owner mistreated it) and the game tends to smell like whomever owned it before you...and needless to say, whiskey and cigarettes isn't always as pleasant as Lady Gaga describes it.

Over the years, I've experienced first-hand plenty of benefits of purchasing new video games, as well as an equal or mildly lesser amount of such with preowned games. I've gotten lucky with a few preowned games, where the previous owner was negligent enough to not use the included free content and I got to redeem it myself; most recently with Final Fantasy XIII, even though I found myself returning the game a day or two later for something else. All that glitters is not gold, folks. Unfortunately, I have had my fair share of preowned flops. Such include going on the hunt for a rare or underrated game that not many stores carry, only to find that last remaining copy be in an ugly GameStop preowned case, with that little rabbit fellow all over the place. I'm a collector of sorts when it comes to games; I don't like to get rid of any games once I finish them, because I enjoy walking into my bedroom and seeing the massive collection. However, I found that it doesn't hurt to take advantage of GameStop's bonus 50% towards trade-ins promotions; trade in enough games and you'll receive almost enough store credit to buy as many as you traded in, give or take a few.

To share a bit of my wisdom that I learned from that of a fellow gamer for all you preowned gamers out there; it never hurts to buy a preowned game and then contact the company that produced it and tell a little white lie that your in-game code isn't working. I honestly feel like if you take the time to actually purchase the game from a retailer, regardless of whether or not it was a sealed copy or a previously owned copy, you're entitled to whatever content the game is packaged with.

Which brings me to my next point; games that promote purchasing new. I'm not sure how preowned purchases work. Do the companies still get a fraction of what the retailer makes on a preowned purchase, opposed to a new copy? Feel free to comment on this below. Anyway, it would make sense for companies to protest the option of purchasing games preowned, that way they make more money. I will protest this, however, because preowned games are a steal. Sure, you don't get the content that a new version of the game might come with, but think of it as a trial of the game or a rental, if you will. GameStop's policy is quite amazing; as long as you return the game within 7 days of purchase, you can get a full refund and use it toward another game (new or preowned) or just take the money and run.

I'm on the fence about it, to be honest. I like to purchase preowned games when I'm unsure of whether or not I'm going to like the game, that way I can return it. Otherwise, I'm getting the same game for a lower price just because someone owned it before me. Nothing to complain about here. In-game content already redeemed? Like I said, contact the company and tell them the code isn't working.

To go back to the point I failed to cover previously; game companies that promote new game purchases. Why? What's so special about purchasing a new game? Just so the company makes more money? You'd rather us dish out an extra $20 for a game and give up the benefits of purchasing preowned games?

Basically, I find preowned games to be a better deal than new copies. Sure, you get about three different stickers plastered on the bloody box advertising that it's preowned, and you end up needing to soak the thing in lighter fluid, but so what? I find that preowned games is the way to go. Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know your standpoint on the debacle. Also, check out my previous blog about in-game codes to see another prime example of useless promotions for preordering and purchasing a new game.