Used video game stores - a fast dying business?

[Edge-]

Game Stop is special but they are a used game store. Special thing they do is trade-in. Buy one game for like 60$, play it and a week later or two when you finished the game trade it in and get a new game for an additional 10$ or a used game for an additional 5$. This way they have lots and lots of used new games that are sometimes only a day old and sell it for a discounted price like 55$.

That way you can play a lot of games without having lots of money if you plan to play every game only for a couple of days.

Yeah, not to mention the fact that used games/hardware are where the make the majority of their revenue from.

Digital isn't strong enough yet for consoles and not nearly widely enough accepted to be a significant threat to the used game market. Hell, we saw Microsoft having to pivot backwards away from a more digital console that potentially restricted used games because of the massive backlash.

It will eventually happen, but it will not be for many years. It will take a while for the console market to get acclimated to digital as the primary purchase method for games, and most countries still have a ton of work that needs to be done with their internet infastructures to support a mostly digital only future.

[Demindar]

I think your tinfoil hat is on too tight.... Microsoft has already tested their own version of "Gaikai" that uses Azure Server technology. Back in November they were able to stream Halo 4 to both PCs, tablets, and Windows Phones. Xbox One will have the same stuff by the end of the year too.

And if you think Sony is not capable of making changes or taking away features then "OtherOS" says Hi!

Sounds like you think Im all for PS4 > Xbone. I actually have both. I play the PS4 more, but that doesnt mean I prefer it over Xbone.
Microsoft isnt going to release their stream system anytime soon. THey are currently in a patent war with it over Sony. Sony had got the patent for it first.

This is the same reason the 360 didnt have Bluray. It had the hardware, specs, ect. It just wasnt allowed to play it due to Sony having the patent on Bluray on consoles.

As for the Sony issue; Sony never intended to stop used games, whereas Microsoft did. So its much more likely that Microsoft would go back to their original plans, then Sony would have new plans to stop used games (or having you pay a fee). The only thing Sony wanted to experiment with was the Ads in game. But honestly, that wouldnt bother me one bit. An ad on a loading screen for cheaper games? Why not?

[Icaras]

In terms of Retro games, my area is freaking HORRIBLE. Back during the late 90s, we had at least 3 retro game shops, it was great, so many options, even the normal stores had a great selection and many shelves dedicated to games. And not the just few shit ones they think parents buying new systems want (/current store rant!).

Sadly, these stores only lasted 2 or 3 years and went out of business. A few years back another store opened up in, and they dealt mostly in last gen stuff (a few Gamecube releases as well)...but they too went out of business quickly. Mind you, last store kinda deserved it: There's a reason nobody buys old sports games ITS BECAUSE THEY'RE SHIT!


As I kinda stated above, I've found department stores to be worthless for games. They stock a small selection and outside of the odd big name title, they very rare stock much else. I'm usually having to either go to an EB, or a local electronics chain called JB Hi Fi.

Kinda sad, from NES era to PSX era, I recall the various department stores had a great selection of games (It was why I always enjoyed visiting the game section of them, even when I had no console myself)...once we hit the PS2 era...well, I suppose that was the rise of stores like EB, so that's probably partly to blame

[Deleted]

We got 2 stores, in a city with population of 110k
They are doing alright I think, one of them is selling used iphones and some gaming toys/clothes as well as some rare candy/beverages.
I dont know for how long they will last, but I think they are doing fairly ok.

[Mechazod]

I am personal friends with someone who owns four game stores and hes doing fantastic business. His prices are also amazing, he usually always does at least half of what somethings online price is worth. I stop by his shop that is closest to me at least twice a week and usually end up getting like 20 games per week from him. It also helps that he tends to give me discounts, sells me stuff he never usually sells to the public and brings in personal requests for titles. I pretty much now will never buy an older title I am really interested in without first checking out what price he would do on it. He pretty much does about the same if not less then most of these download game sites prices for games from this generation as well.