Be Gone! Used Games: From Rumor to Speculation to Major Possibility

Just recently, major video game industry websites posted rumors of the next generation Microsoft console of having plans to eliminate used games. At first, this seems like a greedy attempt to gain market share for total game sales, not including digitally distributed games; but what is Microsoft really trying to accomplish?

            First of all, let’s talk about the used game market. Used games, for most retailers, are the most profitable sector of its total organization; they buy games from customers at a low, sometimes fair, rate and then sells the game for anywhere between 2-10 times their purchase price. For retailers, it is a gold mine and a staple to its successful business plan. Although this benefits them immensely, this takes a huge blow towards the actual developers and studios that created the video game. The developers of the video game are usually and most likely not seeing a single cent out of that used game transaction; so they initially came up with the brilliant, but not so brilliant idea of, one time use codes.

One time use codes are an incentive to those who to decide to pre-order or purchase a game new, either from the developer themselves, or an outside retailer. Most codes offer downloadable content or an online pass that is required to play the game online. Sure this helps studios recover some lost money that in my opinion honestly belongs to them, but it also has large potential to hurt their total sales by leaving published reviews, and word of mouth to fully decide for the customer if they will purchase the game at all. Also, there is a significant market of gamers who do not have online services with their home console, nor internet at all. So why should they be subjected to the dreadful one disc, one console/profile idea?

Yes, the ability to buy a used game to demo it or to save a few bucks is great for consumers, but it seems like we might actually be hurting ourselves in the long run. If a studio were to receive all profits of a game they created, then they would have more capital to start new projects, sequels, and to keep our game selection higher (we are all tired of just 1-3 good games to pick from frequently). The number of gaming studios that closed since 2006 was well over 50 (source kotaku), and I’m not talking about small time studios, these were all reputable studios that had a least one or two games created to be proud of.  Who knows? Maybe one of those 50+ studios could have had a breakthrough last year and could have completely obliterated the Call of Duty franchise.

Now I strongly believe that there will not be used games in the future of entertainment systems. But, to have that accomplished, the vast majority of consumers must have high speed internet, not only at home but on the go. This brings up the issue of internet speeds amongst countries, and the service providers in each individual country. The steps these companies are taking appear to be going like this. Disc only > Disc with one time use code > Game download on demand and disc purchase > Games on Demand.

Microsoft is not really trying to hurt gamers, but to prepare themselves and consumers for the future of gaming/entertainment console. A few possible alternatives have been around a while and are showing up more often with better selection for demoing a game before buying it. Many studios release a small part of their game or offer a 10 minute download of its full game for consumers to try out before making the purchase.

What is Project Cafe?

Project Cafe is Nintendo’s next generation console set to be officially announced this coming week during E3. Nintendo usually throws out far fetched names like Project Dolphin (Gamecube), and Project Revolution (Wii) for their systems prior to being announced.

A few specs have been leaked for Project Cafe showing capabilities of a Bluray player, 1080p output, and backwards compatibility for both Wii and Gamecube discs. Also, the processor is said to be more powerful than the PlayStation 3, which if it really is, expect Nintendo to start tapping into the hardcore gamer market that Sony and Microsoft share.

Usually Nintendo consoles attract younger gamers and loyal fans, but expect it to start taking its share of hardcore gamers with the Project Cafe. Many of the hardcore gamers usually just play first person shooters, long in depth and detailed RPGs, and classic fighting games on their 360 and PS3 consoles because of the online competition, better overall graphics, and more mature aesthetic feeling that the Wii cannot replicate. Sure the Wii has a nice collection of games, but they usually are mildly entertaining and have low replay value for older gamers.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not bashing the Wii or indicating that it’s a boring console. The Wii has provided me with countless hours of entertainment but the majority of games are aimed at just showing off the motion controls and show casing Nintendo’s classic characters, i.e. Mario, Link, Donkey Kong, which get really repetitive, really fast.

What should you expect from Nintendo’s Project Cafe?

Nintendo will most likely not just focus on their major character games, and countless simple motion games as they did for the Wii, but will start to make Project Cafe a complete home entertainment system. Project Cafe will basically take the best parts of all current generation systems and mash’em together, offering a multitude of choices for all gamers.

Let me give you an example of how the Project Cafe will attract more types of gamers with a multi-platform game, Call of Duty.

The Call of Duty franchise is already on Nintendo consoles, but it isn’t exactly the same title released on the other systems due to it’s systems capabilities, giving their version of the game less appealing graphics and sometimes annoying controls. With the new system, expect to see future Call of Duty games, and other major releases, in full 1080p graphics, addicting online play, and the ability to play with comfort and ease with a basic controller, giving Nintendo’s versions of Call of Duty games a higher replay value than it has already, and not just a modified version of the game with a unique control scheme and cartoonish graphics. Sure Nintendo might make their version different by giving you the ability to choose if you want to play with motion controllers or a standard controller, but let’s hope it still is the same game you could have purchased for your 360 without any major changes to gameplay.

Having the ability to play the same types of games that would normally only be available to the 360 and the PS3, gives Nintendo the upper hand on game selection. The ability to play discs from the previous two Nintendo consoles keeps their loyal fans content and eager to see their favorite games remade in HD. The major possibility of hardcore games being released on Project Cafe will get more gamers excited for this system.

Here’s a list of smaller things you can expect that the Project Cafe should be able to do just as well or better than current systems.

Streaming, renting, and buying movies and t.v. series through applications, along with the ability to purchase arcade, indie, classic, and full future release games through it’s online marketplace will give more options of entertainment right at home. The ability to store all types of media files on it’s rumored 250gb sata-hard drive or being able to access files wirelessly from any device in your wireless network like pictures or any downloaded media you have stored on other devices.

All of this is already possible on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, but Nintendo isn’t stopping there. Nintendo is known for adding some sort of innovative, and creative way to also expand the way you play games. With the Project Cafe, the uniqueness continues with its controller.

Project Cafe’s controller is rumored to contain a screen on the controller itself giving a huge possibility of more in depth interaction with your games. Giving you the ability to play full games just on your controller or making it part of a games full experience. Think of playing Call of Duty with the smaller screen on your controller being your radar, or camera for when you drop a spy cam or r/c car, making the game a lot more interesting to play.

Overall, the Project Cafe seems like it will not be a huge upset if Nintendo plays it’s cards right and gets immediate support from many game developers. Personally, I’m excited to see how the new controller influences game play on future games, but they shouldn’t just concentrate on the controller or else the system overall will be a let down. Let’s see a new Mario Kart, and Super Smash Bros. game made in HD with a larger roster of characters and a huge online play backing, along with major role playing games like the Mass Effect and Dragon Age franchises. Let’s not forgot about all the action packed shooters, and sports games that the Wii watered down just because the system couldn’t hack a detailed version of it.

My guess is that the Project Cafe will be released between this years last quarter and the first two of 2012 with a price above 300 dollars easily due to its technological capabilities. Hopefully we get some official announcements during Nintendo’s E3 conference this coming week.

- Joseph Patrick De La Garza

Question: What do you think Nintendo should name Project Cafe?

Also I’d like to see what you guys think about the article, including all criticism, your thoughts on Project Cafe, and anything you thought I should have included in this blog article.

My name is Joseph De La Garza and I’m an International Business student. One of my dream careers in the future would be to work for one of the large game corporations internationally. I have around 3 years of managing and sales experience with games and I feel confident in giving my opinion and insight on the subject.

This blog is basically for my use to see what other people have to say about the subject I’m writing on and also to provide people with news and updates on the future of the gaming industry along with some free giveaways.

I wouldn’t consider myself a hardcore gamer because I spend around an hour or so actually playing games, but I do enjoy reading reviews and hearing what people have to say about games that they are playing or want to play.

I plan to post on this blog at least once or twice a week, but seeing how E3 is coming up I will start off with a higher volume of post. For those who don’t know what E3 is, it’s basically the largest gaming expo in which game developers and companies make their announcements for the upcoming releases to generate hype for gamers and also for investors.

My first official post should be out within a few days and I’m still deciding on a topic. If anyone has a suggestions on what they want me to post about or any major news please email me at Josephpatrickdlg@yahoo.com

Possibly my next post.

Project Cafe (Wii2): What Nintendo should aim for.