A longtime rumor that has been circulating around the game industry is the concept of disabling the play of used games on game consoles, which theoretically stops game publishers from losing money on sales of their used games and thereby forcing new purchases instead.
The latest victim to this buzz is the upcoming new Xbox. But according to a statement by GameStop today, if this happens, there will an overwhelming revolt through boycotts by gamers.
Gamer backlash
GameStop, a major retail seller of new and used video games, took up a position against used game lockouts by releasing a statement today. Matt Hodges, a spokesman for the company said:
"We know the desire to purchase a next-generation console would be significantly diminished if new consoles were to prohibit playing pre-owned games, limit portability, or not play new physical games.”
Hodges went on to confirm his viewpoint by relaying the overall dissatisfaction of its 21-million strong GameStop PowerUp Rewards members over such a strategy by Microsoft.
The concern over a used game lockout was precipitated by a story published by The Edge last week, which cited unnamed sources confirming Microsoft’s intention of the scheme for its expected new Xbox .
A vocal and involved group
The gaming community is one the most vocal and proactive groups around when it comes to making their voices and preferences known. If Microsoft, indeed, is in the midst of implementing a pre-owned game deterrent on the next Xbox, it is a certainty that angry voices will be heard and sales will plummet until the policy is retracted.
Via PCmag
via Examiner National Edition Gadgets & Tech Channel Articles http://www.examiner.com/article/gamers-will-boycott-new-xbox-if-used-games-are-locked-out-for-playing?cid=roadrunner