GameStop: 60 percent of gamers would not buy console that blocks used games

If Microsoft or Sony–or both–decide to block used games with their next-generation platforms, the majority of consumers would not buy them. That’s according to GameStop chief financial officer Rob Lloyd, who defended used games today during a presentation at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference this afternoon.

“It’s really only about 4 percent of our used game sales are games that were games released in the last 60 days,” Lloyd said. “So it does not have a big impact on the sale of new product. So that’s why publishers understand how important the preowned business is to them. Sony has said publicly that they don’t intend to block used games in their next console. Microsoft has refused to or has not commented on the rumors that have hit the marketplace.”

Lloyd further noted that GameStop has conducted internal research on anticipated consumer buying behavior and shared this information with platform holders. This research has shown consumers want control over the games they purchase, he said.

“Consumers want the ability to play preowned games; they want portability in their games; they want to play physical games,” he said. “And to not have those things would be a substantial reason for them to not purchase a new console.”

Asked for a specific percentage, Lloyd said, “I think it’s approximately 60 percent of the customers who have said they wouldn’t buy a new console if it didn’t play preowned games.”

“We’ll be able to sell the new consoles that come from Microsoft and Sony regardless of what features they have or what they do or don’t allow.”

Even if next-gen platforms from Microsoft and Sony do block used games, Lloyd said GameStop will still be able to sell these consoles and adapt appropriately.

“We’ll be able to sell the new consoles that come from Microsoft and Sony regardless of what features they have or what they do or don’t allow,” he said. “We’ll have leading market share on the sale of those consoles. We’ll adapt to what it does to the preowned business. And one of the ways we’ll do that is through a continued healthy preowned business for today’s generation of consoles.”

If the majority of gamers would not be interested in a next-gen console that blocks used games, why has the rumor floated around for so long Lloyd said the preowned business is a tough one to crack; both sides have compelling arguments, he argued.

“There’s two constituencies that the publishers and the console-makers…have to consider. One is the retailer like GameStop that is moving their product through the chain. The second are the development firms that actually develop the games. Developers have historically not liked the preowned game business because they don’t participate in the revenue streams.”

“The publishers really get caught in the middle,” he added. “[The publisher] understands that, but also understands the importance of the preowned game business to the overcall ecosystem of the video game business. And so, I think that as the console makers balance those needs, they consider, ‘Is this an appropriate thing to do Would we make more money by doing this in the future’ I think what customers have told them at this point is they view it as a very unfriendly thing to do.”

YouTube app available now for the PlayStation 3

 

PlayStation 3 owners will be able to browse YouTube with an optimised app, available now as a free download for available countries.

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has partnered with YouTube to release a new application optimised for the PlayStation 3. The YouTube app allows PS3 owners to sign-in and see subscribed channels, search using new tools and control the app using a smartphone. Official music videos are also included when viewing channel subscriptions, a feature previously unavailable.

The YouTube app is available in YouTube Serviced Territories where the PlayStation Store is also available, including Australia.

PlayStation 3 owners who wish to access the app can download it free of cost via the XMB, under the TV/Video Services icon in ‘My Channels’.

Earlier this month, Sony released a 45-second teaser video suggesting the company will make a significant announcement on February 20 at 6 p.m. EDT. The “PlayStation Meeting” will be taking place in New York, according to an invite sent to GameSpot by Sony. The Wall Street Journal has speculated that the event will serve as the official unveiling of the PlayStation 4.

Australian retail games industry slips 23% in 2012

Industry organisation the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (iGEA) today announced that Australian game sales achieved A$1.161 billion during 2012. The number represents a 23 percent decline on the previous year, according to market research company NPD Group Australia.

The number is based on console hardware, game software, and game accessories sales made through Australian retailers. It does not include mobile or digital sales (Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Steam, Origin), mobile in-app micro transactions, game subscriptions, or purchases made through online retailers. In 2012, the industry suffered a 12.8 percent slide on the year prior, down to A$1.5 billion from A$1.7 billion in 2010.

iGEA CEO Ron Curry commented that while the figure paints a picture that the industry is slowing, the methods of consumer purchase and consumption habits of game content by players is changing, and is not representative of the industry’s broader health.

“As Australians consume video games across a broader range of mediums, it’s becoming harder to get a true indication of the value of the industry via a single source,” said Curry. “While there is a decline in traditional sales, the gaming industry as a whole remains buoyant as people shift towards a ‘hybrid’ model in their consumption of interactive entertainment.”

Curry also attributes declines at retail to the current console generation–the longest in history.

“Apart from the increasing move towards digital content, the figures released by NPD show a drop in physical sales due in part to the ageing gaming consoles, a trend we saw back in 2005 at the end of the last console cycle.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by analysts at technology firm Telsyte, who are forecasting 18 percent year-on-year growth for digital games, subscriptions, and virtual goods to A$730 million in 2013, up from A$620 million in 2012.

“The growth in digital gaming is driven by mobile app gaming on smartphones and tablets, which is offsetting the decline in physical purchases and even pushing the overall games market into growth,” said Sam Yip, senior research manager for Telsyte, in a statement.

Financial services company PricewaterhouseCoopers confirmed that it anticipates similar positive trends. Its four-year Australian Entertainment and Media Outlook 2012-2016 report predicts growth of the Australian interactive entertainment industry by 7.4 percent over the next four years. The company pegs it as the largest consumer spend area in the country, surpassing music, film, and pay television, and beaten only by online commerce.

Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCEA) has used the release of the industry numbers to assert its claim as the highest-selling game device for the 2012 period. According to SCEA, the PlayStation 3 achieved a 27 percent share of total hardware sales, and held the number one spot for software in the region, with its 28.9 percent share.

New Batman Arkham game confirmed for 2013

Warner Bros. has confirmed a third entry in the Batman Arkham series will launch in 2013. As part of parent company Time Warner’s latest earnings report last week, CFO John Martin said the company’s “strong” games release for the year includes a new entry in the series.

“And we also have a strong games release this year, which will include the next release in the Batman Arkham franchise,” Martin said. “So all in all, we expect Warners to post another very strong year in 2013. And with a little luck, the year should be as good or maybe even a little bit better than 2012.”

Separately, VG247 sources claim this new project is not in development at series creator Rocksteady Studios. That development house is rumored to be working on a stylized prequel that will detail the Dark Knight’s first encounter with the Joker. It is not expected until 2014 at the earliest.

Warner Bros. last month registered 15 new Batman domain names, including Arkham Universe, Arkham Legend, Arkham Origins, Arkham Rises, and others.

Batman: Arkham City is the latest entry in the series. It was developed by Rocksteady Studios and shipped for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on October 18, with a PC version following on November 22. The game received a strong critical reception and shipped 6 million units.