California GameStops must put warnings on used games with DLC

[richardginn]

http://games.yahoo.com/blogs/plugged...215524690.html

[Snakespy]

Good. All gamestops should do this.

[ImaNihilist]

California, the land of laws.

[LiquidCrash]

People are lazy. Does there really have to be a law for this? It takes less than 2 minutes of Google searching to see if a game needs an online pass. It's not like the developers [edit: correction, publishers] try to hide it.

[Timman_24]

People are lazy. Does there really have to be a law for this? It takes less than 2 minutes of Google searching to see if a game needs an online pass. It's not like the developers [edit: correction, publishers] try to hide it.

FWIW, the limitations of buying a used game should be expressed at the point of sale. Gamestop frequently asks people checking out with a new game if they would like to buy the preowned version instead, as if it is a direct substitute, without telling them the difference.

[PowerCreep]

I think this is a good idea. It's easy to dismiss people as being lazy, but remember that the people who buy games aren't necessarily "gamers". Parents, Little Billy, etc. may buy a used game thinking they are getting a good deal, when in fact they'll end up paying more than the new version if they want all of the content. This, of course, thanks to Gamestop's awesome $5 off new game price for a used game. Should it be a law? Should court time have been tied up with this? Of course not. You'd like to think companies would be honest and up front with thier customers. As we know, this isn't the case. Good move, IMO, and one that Gamestop and ANY retailer who sells used games should be doing.

[Snakespy]

^^That and not to mention this online pass thing is fairly new. I wouldn't expect most gamers even knowing about it until they get screwed.

[LiquidCrash]

^^That and not to mention this online pass thing is fairly new. I wouldn't expect most gamers even knowing about it until they get screwed.

No offense or anything, but if you call yourself a "gamer" and you're paying $5 bucks less for a used copy over a new, then you deserve to get screwed.

[fastitocalon]

Being a "gamer" is in the eye of the beholder. Also, I wouldn't say anyone deserves to be ripped off because they are trying to save some money. Personally I buy most of my games new, however I understand financial difficulties and don't begrudge someone hoping to save some cash.

[LiquidCrash]

Being a "gamer" is in the eye of the beholder. Also, I wouldn't say anyone deserves to be ripped off because they are trying to save some money. Personally I buy most of my games new, however I understand financial difficulties and don't begrudge someone hoping to save some cash.

Sales are awesome.

[Snakespy]

No offense or anything, but if you call yourself a "gamer" and you're paying $5 bucks less for a used copy over a new, then you deserve to get screwed.

What about renting games? There is no way if I rented a game I would pay $10 for a stupid online pass just to play it online. I don't rent games, I buy them usually at full price, just making a point.

[LiquidCrash]

There is no way if I rented a game I would pay $10 for a stupid online pass just to play it online.

Me neither. What I'm saying is, just do the research before you blindly buy something. How hard is that? Amazon usually has good prices on new games.

Speaking of rentals, I'm guessing this law doesn't apply to Gamefly, lol. I'm not a Gamestop shopper, but it's funny they're being singled out. Does Best Buy give info out as well? I hear they're starting to get into the used games thing.

[Timman_24]

Me neither. What I'm saying is, just do the research before you blindly buy something. How hard is that? Amazon usually has good prices on new games.

Speaking of rentals, I'm guessing this law doesn't apply to Gamefly, lol. I'm not a Gamestop shopper, but it's funny they're being singled out. Does Best Buy give info out as well? I hear they're starting to get into the used games thing.

IMO the problem with gamestop is not that they offer used games, but that they actively try to get people to buy used rather than a new copy. Best Buy doesn't ask you if you want a used copy instead of a new copy when you go to purchase a new game. Gamestop heckles you at checkout as if the used copy is a direct substitute.

I believe that is why they are being singled out. I wouldn't be surprised if other retail outlets put up disclaimers in their used games sections though.

[Snakespy]

Me neither. What I'm saying is, just do the research before you blindly buy something. How hard is that? Amazon usually has good prices on new games.

Speaking of rentals, I'm guessing this law doesn't apply to Gamefly, lol. I'm not a Gamestop shopper, but it's funny they're being singled out. Does Best Buy give info out as well? I hear they're starting to get into the used games thing.

No, it doesn't apply to gamefly yet. In the next month or so I guarantee it will. But again, after 20 years of renting games (There are a LOT of people that rent games and have for a very long time), those same people are going to at one point unknowingly run into this issue. Pretty frustrating to rent something you can't play IMO. I understand it will happen once and then they will pay attention to never rent anything from EA again after they get screwed once then do their homework on games in the future.

[LiquidCrash]

IMO the problem with gamestop is not that they offer used games, but that they actively try to get people to buy used rather than a new copy. Best Buy doesn't ask you if you want a used copy instead of a new copy when you go to purchase a new game. Gamestop heckles you at checkout as if the used copy is a direct substitute.

I believe that is why they are being singled out. I wouldn't be surprised if other retail outlets put up disclaimers in their used games sections though.

Ah. The only time I've shopped at Gamestop, the manager asked me about three or four times if I wanted to place a pre-order. I don't think I've been back since, lol. It didn't help that he seemed genuinely upset with me that I didn't commit to his store before the game even came out, lol (Red Dead Redemption).