Stardock to buy back games
Digital game distributor Stardock is introducing a new buy back process. The process called GOO (Game Object Obfuscation) allows gamers who purchase digital copies of games from Stardock to sell them back at a used price. It also allows gamers who are more budget conscious to buy those sold back copies at the used price. Publishers get all the money minus Stardock’s transaction fees. That’s certainly a lot more than what they’re currently getting at places like GameStop, which is currently nothing for any used games sold by the used game retailer.
If this catches on, expect other digital distribution services to quickly follow suit. Used games have been a real sore spot with publishers since selling back games have been popular with players who tire of games once they’ve played them and also a way for budget conscious gamers to get their hands on titles without paying full price. Publishers have been left out in the cold while companies like GameStop have reaped handsome profits by just acting as a middle man. Stardock’s GOO elegantly addresses the concerns for buyers, sellers and publishing houses. While this process is only viable for electronically distributed games, many games are increasingly moving to electronic distribution as the primary means of selling their games.
GameStop will continue to profit while console games still require discs or similar media; however, innovations like GOO is definitely another reason for developers to favor digital distribution over any other medium.
Via Joystiq.
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