Used Games

[bombatomba]

Lately the "issue" of used games have been making the gaming news headlines again.  Though I don't think the immediate future of used games is under threat, the "issue" and its danger of becoming more of a reality is stronger than ever (and arguably getting stronger).

However, this isn't why I'm starting this topic.  While I do buy used games, I do not buy used games newer than three or four years old.  Because of this I don't have a point of reference for the Used Game discussion.  What I would like to know from the RFG community is how many of you purchase "new" games used, with "new" referring to a game that is no more than a year old.

[Crabmaster2000]

I maybe buy 1-2 games new within the year they are released. I tend to buy them new more often once they drop down to the $20 range which typically takes over a year.

I think I'll wait to see if the rumors surrounding the PS4 and Xbox 720 are true before I start getting worried about the used market getting hit.

[Izret101]

Digital distribution cannot work.
Downloads take too long, hard drives are not large enough.

Used market cannot disappear.
It has been around for 30 years. The price of new games has really not gone up. The used market has (IMO) become more expensive though. I almost never buy used. I either buy games on deep sales new or once they get to that sweet spot where a new copy is 10-20$ and a used copy is 7-20.

I really like it when i walk into a store and the new copies are cheaper than the used ones. Gotta clear out that shelf space. But have to make back the money invested into the used copies months ago.

[Sirgin]

I buy all games used, unless I can buy them new at "used" prices. As a non-working student I cannot get carried away paying €30-60 for new games or I'd only buy a handful of games a year. I buy PS3 games for €10, almost always used, unless they get priced down that far in stores (not likely).

When something is rare or when I know something will be rare, I do consider paying a bit more. I'd like to buy Xenoblade and Lost Story for €20 each. I hope they get priced down (although it's doubtful).

[Deafens Proner]

Used market cannot disappear.

Amen to that, brother

[Duke.Togo]

I rarely buy "new" games used. It seems like all I have to do these days is wait a month or two and all releases except Nintendo titles will see a big price drop. For example, the other day I bought Mass Effect 3 for $30. That's half price for a new copy only a month after release. I can't see the purpose to buying a used copy instead.

[Haoie]

Being retro invariably means you're not going to get many new games.

I've maybe bought a dozen or so new games ever in my life. As opposed to the hundreds and hundreds of used.

[Cryptid Collector]

I buy 90% of my games used. The only time I buy new is when something is clearanced or on sale for a good price.

[Seno]

I've bought quite a few wii games new as there was so little difference between new and used. I pretty much stopped buying PC games on release and wait for the GOTY edition as I don't want to get screwed over on the cost DLC.

[a_hub10]

I only buy used when something is either: A-Dirt Cheap or B-No longer in production.  I don't understand why anyone would buy a used game for $54.99 when they can buy a brand new one for $59.99.  If $5 is a huge deal to you you probably shouldn't be spending money on games in the first place.  I love how the used market was 5-10 years ago.  Now its crap.  Of course I'm only talking modern gaming here.

[FireStar]

Club nintendo points are one of the few reasons I buy Wii games new. That and for now, a used price won't be much different from the new price anywhere.

[blcklblskt]

Digital distribution cannot work.
Downloads take too long, hard drives are not large enough.

Used market cannot disappear.
It has been around for 30 years. The price of new games has really not gone up. The used market has (IMO) become more expensive though. I almost never buy used. I either buy games on deep sales new or once they get to that sweet spot where a new copy is 10-20$ and a used copy is 7-20.

I really like it when i walk into a store and the new copies are cheaper than the used ones. Gotta clear out that shelf space. But have to make back the money invested into the used copies months ago.

This.

[phoenix1967]

My new-game buying strategey is that I'll try to get Best Buy or Gamestop gift cards through Rewards programs via my bank credit card and/or filling out surveys. This allows me to buy newer games at much lower prices. That 1%-5% rewards on regular purchases you make  definitely pays off in the long run.

Alternatively, I'll also trade in games to take advantage of deals. For example, I picked up the new Star Wars 320 gb limited edition 360 console. However, I had no interest in Star Wars Kinect, but knew that I could get $30 trade value for it. I found out that Best Buy was giving an additional 40% in trade in credit on the game when purchasing The Witcher 2, so I was able to get The Witcher 2: Enhanced Edition at $30. My logic is that I could later get Star Wars Kinect when it falls to under $19.99 (if I really wanted it); and if it turns out that I never do buy it back, then I've maximized the value that I could get for it in trade, then and there, for a game I KNOW I'd be playing.

For used games, though, I ususally will wait for them to be under $19.99 and try to get them in a B2G1 deal. Rarely will I get a used game priced more than that (I'd say $29.99 would be the max).

And I'll ONLY buy sports games used. I have no intention on playing them online, so the $10 "tax" doesn't affect me. But I won't pay more than $9.99 for a used copy.

[Crabmaster2000]

Popped in the used copy of Batman Arkham City that I purchased last night and was still able to redeem the Catwoman code!! Take that new game sales!!!

[hXd]

I will buy new if it's something that I pre-ordered or from a smaller company (Atlus, NIS, stuff that typically wouldn't get released in America), but yeah I usually always get used for the triple savings (markdown, Power Up 10% off, 15% employee discount). Paying full price for everything is crazy.

I do believe in supporting the developers, because without them we wouldn't have the games in the first place