We’ve heard it before — developers and publishers whining about how they don’t make a cent off of used game sales. Valid complaint, to be sure, since retailers like GameStop are making cash hand-over-fist by with its used games racket.
Well, online videogame trading Web site SwitchGames.com is looking to change all of that. While the site currently allows users to swap games between one another, plans are in the works for an upcoming buy/sell feature. To be added in the coming months, the feature will allow members to voulentarily choose to give a percentage of the transaction proceeds to a game’s publisher and developer.
“As with everything else on SwitchGames,” says founder and CEO Jason Crawford, “the gamer is always in control and it’s up to them to decide if they would like to give back or not.”
It’s an interesting concept, and one that I’m sure will have publishers perking up at. But will gamers bite? When you sell and purchase used games, does the publisher or developer even enter your mind? Or are you simply looking for the best deal?
Published: Mar 19, 2009 10:20 am