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Gamers fear that the market for swapping second-hand video games — dominated by retail chain GameStop — is coming under attack.
GameStop’s $2 billion market for used video games has been a sore spot for developers who believe it eats into new-game sales. Such opposition is fueling rumors that the major console makers — namely Sony and Microsoft — will side with the developers.
Reports in recent weeks have suggested that the next PlayStation and XBox will limit the ability to play used games. Some even suggest that the Web-connected consoles could incorporate anti-used games systems — or do away with the disc drive altogether.
Analysts downplay those fears, saying it’s unlikely Sony and Microsoft would risk alienating consumers with a ban on used games. GameStop also denies living in fear of the new consoles.
“We think it is unlikely that the next generation of video game consoles will implement technology that blocks used content as it would be considered a very unfriendly consumer initiative,” the company said in a statement to The Post.
Indeed, analysts said Microsoft and Sony would risk giving the competitive edge to the other if only one came out with a anti-used game console.
“They risk charges of anti-competitive behavior if they both do it,” said Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter.
Even though there is little risk that used games will be made extinct, the industry is evolving in ways that could diminish used game sales, and the next-generation video game units could help.
Digital add-on content continues to grow as a portion of revenue for the game-makers, who typically offer players online bonus content only if they have new versions of games.
Game-makers have already experimented with the digital incentives, such as delivering one-time use codes in newly bought games that provide extra levels that can be downloaded online.