The industry vs used games

Wow - 2 gaming posts in 1 weekend! To be fair though, I need to make up for the fact that I didn't post anything last weekend.

Anyway, if you follow the gaming industry, you will know that the industry really hates second hand sales of used games. The problem being that the publisher doesn't get any cut of the profits when people buy and sell second hand games. Over the last several years, publishers have tried various methods to kill off the used games market and so far all have failed.

The latest attempt is to put in extras for the first time buyer of the game. For example, Gears of War 2 will ship with a unique one-time use code which allows you to download additional multiplayer maps. Subsequent owners of that copy of the game will not get these additional maps and the maps will not be available any other way. The idea is that this will encourage people to buy the game new rather than used.

To be honest, I'm not sure what my position is on this.

On one hand, I can understand why the publishers are doing this. From the publishers (and developer's) point of view, they really only get any money if the game is sold new. There are several obvious counter-arguments but I think a big one that the publisher may have forgotten is that second hand games are a good way to build goodwill. The buyer may not have any experience with your game or franchise. Second hand games allow people to spend a small amount of money and play the game. This could well get you a fan who will then buy your next game new.

Another argument for the publisher is that they aren't doing anything wrong. They are simply giving people who give them money an additional bonus - nothing wrong with that right? Again, the obvious danger is the slippery slope argument where developers purposefully leave out key content. However, in my opinion, this is the kind of decision that has to be made on a case by case basis. In other words, if I think your company is taking the piss, then I won't buy the game. The key is whether the game is worth the full price you are paying regardless of the additional content and as I said above, this can only be made on a case by case basis.

However, my biggest concern is what happens when my X360 dies. This isn't exactly unknown (I'm already on my second X360 as my first one died with the RROD). If my console dies, will I be able to redownload all the additional content that I am entitled to from buying the game new? Logically, you would think I would be able to get that content back. However, looking at the history of shit which some game companies pull off, I really can't be certain of this.