When we passed along word of reports that Microsoft's next console would use an Internet-connected account to stop used game sales earlier this week, the vast majority of commenters were heavily against the idea. It turns out they have an ally in a major game retailer that doesn't often get much love from the Internet throngs.
GameStop is taking to the press to try to highlight just how damaging a used-game-free system would be to a hardware maker's brand. Speaking to Bloomberg, GameStop spokesman Matt Hodges said the company's surveys of customers show that they would be much less likely to purchase a console that didn't let them buy or sell their used games.
“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 said.
Though GameStop hasn't released specific numbers from the survey, Hodge's statement definitely gels with the reaction that the used-game blocking idea received from online forums and writers. Then again, GameStop isn't exactly an uninterested, neutral observer in this matter. The company makes roughly half of its profits by reselling used games for much more than it pays for them, and GameStop stock dropped about 6 percent immediately following the Edge report (though it has mostly recovered since then).
Still, gamers committed to the idea that physical games should be theirs to buy and sell should take the PR help wherever they can get it. If Microsoft hasn't completely finalized this rumored design decision yet, the public reaction to the mere hint of it should have the company thinking twice.
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