Posted 15 January 2024

GAME - no more game trade ins

eurogamer.net/uk-…say

I wonder why this is? Are we heading for a digital world or is GAME going under?
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17/01/24 15:46 email sent out mailer1.game.co.uk/pub/sf/ResponseForm?_ri_=X0Gzc2X%3DAQjkPkSTAQG2szgMkrzc75PF3zehzfn3ezeGrMUcwqhOkTAgOYS2wU7fyKlzgUrO2vMXVXMtX%3DAQjkPkSTAQG2szgMkrzc75PF3zehzfn3ezeGrJl5Md7aE8RliLj38X7ca9TS4YKu90a&_ei_
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  1. aLV426's avatar
    Of course we are heading for a digital world, however I don't think GAME is the leader here - I think they are just ensuring better profits.
    Microsoft have always wanted a fully digital world - check their original launch DRM announcement.
    It was shot down and they quickly pulled that restriction. The second hand physical market has no profit in it - the only group it benefits is the gamer. I do like the convenience of digital (and let's face you end up patching out almost the entire game when you install from disk anyway!), however I hate the fact that I can't sell or trade my digital content and I don't like the fact that it can be removed or depricated at any point. (I have lost several games, SuperBomberMan R online, OverWatch, WWE16K to name a few digital purchases, I have Ghostbusters as a physical disk, however they turned off the servers so I can't play - even off line!)
    Decoded's avatar
    Author
    It's quite scary whether it's digital or physical that they can pull the plug any time they want. Like you said a lot of physical games need patches or you have to download part of the game.

    You are also correct that the developer doesn't make any money on second hand games unless it's DLC. Only the shop or customer benefits.

    I guess the modern gamer has to realise that their collection isn't permanent anymore. (edited)
  2. Change_Me's avatar
    stop trading in with them when they removed "we'll beat it by £1" from CEX
    Decoded's avatar
    Author
    Yeah, it's a shame they stopped price matching. I took a big bag full of Xbox 360 games and bought an iPad from them. Haha
  3. choccie32's avatar
    I used to love Game 20-25 years ago. Getting n64 games. Things like this make me understand how my parents used to talk about things changing from when they were younger. I went to Game the other day and it’s just an overpriced Smyths store now. Not keen on CEX either but I went there, now just sell on Vinted then if it doesn’t go, I got to CEX.
  4. flang's avatar
    Probably just a change of business direction and very little profit.
    Given Game is owned by Sports direct a lot of stores are now opening inside sports direct shops. I see this happening more and more as most now buy online
    Decoded's avatar
    Author
    I noticed the pre-owned game shelf has got a lot smaller over time. Maybe more people are buying digital these days?
  5. Denney_Masters's avatar
    Not surprised. Cex, FB market place and Ebay can get much better deals that what Game Offer. Game hasn't been about Vidoegames in years.
  6. madoka_ayukawa's avatar
    Wonder when will the rest follows
  7. Roger_Irrelevant's avatar
    They could easily implement a digital marketplace where you can auction your digital copies but there's no incentive for them to do so unless the players revolted.
    aLV426's avatar
    It's not that simple as there are different laws governing the sale of digital media...
  8. Russ2626's avatar
    It's surprising as when I worked there, we were always told to try to sell as many pre-owned games as possible as this was where they made the most profit. I wouldn't expect Game to be around much longer due to this and as they have started selling a lot of junk in store now. It feels like the end for them
    BrownBoy_Yorkshire's avatar
    Yeah, Like they keep the profit from the pre owned games where if you buy a new product, a percentage goes to the developers etc. I have also noticed that they been selling a lot of board games and toys, You might be right, they might not be around or they could stick around and just sell all online, who knows, but still got a voucher to spend for them, so might have to buy from them very soon.
  9. chaywa's avatar
    More space to sell Funko Pops I suppose
    BrownBoy_Yorkshire's avatar
    and toys, board games and mostly importantly, PRIME
  10. nintendofan10's avatar
    Since our local Game store closed a few years back, I can't think of a time since I've stepped into a game store. Our "new" local store is in a retail park, in a sports direct (obviously) but as it's so far out and the retail park having nothing that interests me. I've never been.
    We now have Smyths toys close to big shops with easy access so it works for our family.
    I'm a physical game collector and I don't buy digital. I like having my games. I don't get to play much these days with having 2 children. So I'm not a big gamer like I was back in the day lol.
    I think with so many places you can sell/trade in your games now CEX,FB marketplace, eBay and many more. GAME trade/in has become somewhat irrelevant. (edited)
  11. turtles1's avatar
    Doesn't affect me but there are plenty of kids and people on low incomes that rely on trade ins to get newer games. Buying second hand on FB can be hit and miss as low income families/individuals are less likely to be drivers and lots of marketplace products will be literally out of their reach.
  12. Decoded's avatar
    Author
    I have noticed in CEX that they will not trade in some XBOX games if a newer collection has come out. They would not take Lego Star Wars the complete saga (360) off me. He said there are football games they won't take also.

    I tried Cash Generators who said they wouldn't buy any Xbox 360 games anymore which was worrying.

    Maybe pre-owned games are on their way out?
    turtles1's avatar
    Maybe the accountants have crunched the numbers. How much can they sell 360 games for, how much profit can be made, how much does it cost them to handle the products and manage the stock. They'll look at it on a company wide basis and decide. If they aren't shifting then it's dead stock, just concentrate on getting rid of what they have and focus on faster moving products.

    Cash Converters near me don't sell many games at all and are geared towards electrical products. Even seen Parkside drills from Aldi/Lidl in there lol.
  13. GlitchFace's avatar
    The will always be FB marketplace.
  14. User552850's avatar
    3rd bailout incoming...
    Deleted041071960810's avatar
    They're part of the Frasers/Sports Direct group - so unlikely to be bailed out.

    However, most Game branches seem to be full of plenty of non-video gaming stuff nowadays, and in places like Dundee they don't even exist any more.
  17. SUPERCOOLWILLOW's avatar
    i perfer to buy pre-owned or physical copies of the nintendo games i want i have no intrest in digital versions or copies
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