When the hype machine for next-generation consoles cranked up earlier this year, a common thread between both the Xbox 720 and PlayStation 4 was a rumor that both consoles would do away with used games in some capacity. A policy that would be great for developers and publishers, but for gamers, it would simply mean not getting to play as many games.
The modern era of video games is one where publishers attempt to monetize the used games market by implementing online-passes and other lock-out features for those that choose to by used. It’s probably not affecting the bottom-line as much as you think, hence why Crytek recently told reporters that “it would be absolutely awesome” if console makers battled used game sales instead of developers and publishers. In a recent interview with CVG, Rasmus Hojengaard had this to say:
“From a business perspective that would be absolutely awesome. It’s weird that [second-hand] is still allowed because it doesn’t work like that in any other software industries, so it would be great if they could somehow fix that issue as well.”
Today however, Hojengaard retracted that statement, and clarified that it was “not to be taken seriously” (see printed & syndicated).
It’s probably not the best marketing tactic to jokingly refer demise of the used-games market, when it would ultimately alienate alot of your fan-base. Nevertheless, Crytek is one of the few companies under the EA umbrella that opted out of an online pass with Crysis 2. Showing that they buy into the philosophy that those players who find a Crytek product via a used copy, may become converted to a faithful day-one purchaser on the next go-round.
- This article was updated on March 7th, 2018
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