GameStop Warns Blocking Used Games Will Lead to Less Sales

Two days ago there we reported on rumors that the next generation Microsoft console would require an always on internet connection to prevent used games sales. Well today GameStop has come out and warned console makers that blocking used games will hurt the industry, but also lead to less console sales overall.

GameStop spokesman Matt Hodges in an interview today said that they know that blocking used game sales would “diminish” consumers “desire” to purchase a next generation system. However, he didn’t stop there; Hodges went on to say that “limiting portability” and not having “physical games” would also limit the consumer base for next generation consoles as well.

Not to say that GameStop is a reliable source of information about this subject, considering their stocks plummeted when rumors of Microsoft blocking used games arose the other day. However, if these rumors are true, it does benefit us as consumers that GameStop is speaking out against the practice of blocking used games. Hopefully all the bad press of this rumor has had some affect on Microsoft’s final decision on whether or not to include this feature in their next generation console; but we will have to wait and see.

Source: Bloomberg

http://twitter.com/MrXBob Mr XBob

Exactly what I said when these rumours started up.

If users cannot buy preowned games, rent from services like Gamefly/LoveFilm, or even take a game round to a friends house – they will simply not buy the console.

Microsoft know this. They’re not stupid. This is why I’m 100% sure they will not block used game sales. Ever. Also there’s likely a law against it, and as we’ve seen with the Steam lawsuits lately – gamers are not afraid to hold these companies to account.

One thing that concerns me about this whole rumour though is that nobody mentions Sony. All this bad press is being heaped on Microsoft, when nobody has a clue if Sony have been thinking of such a thing too.

If Microsoft have, then Sony have too. Hell, Sony have a patent for it. But they both know that it’s far too risky and will shrink their audiences by a MASSIVE percentage if they even try to lock games to a single console or user.