Which hurts the game industry more? Companies like Gamestop/Best Buy or torrenting sites?
Gamestop: Built on ripping off customers, game devs, and employers; none of the money buying/selling used games goes towards developers.
Online Piracy: Takes away potential sales from everyone involved (for the most part).
I am not advocating either choice. I feel that both "harm" the game industry, but which does this more?
I suggest nothing to no one, but I have been touting this since I first heard of flash cards. Do the math with the nmber of times a person will buy, selling that one single game through Gamestop (or whoever) and that game (many, most) have gone through dozens .. all right, at least half a dozen hands. The Flash card goes through one persons hands and from what I see, many who own those F. Carts, either stop playing the game shortly after trying it, or end up purcahsing it to have the box, instructions and so forth. I realize not every f.cart user does this, but a significant number do. They BUY the game if they actually like it.
I have to believe that Nintendos move to demo the games through download has done more to take the wind out of the sales of f.carts ( if they were they actually working and viable solution at this point) than alll the blocking-through-code writing, would. I for one am in the process of buying every game I 'Demo'd through one of those gadgets, for several reasons. My consciounce (sp?) played no part in it, I'm not buying them up because I feel guilty...
I want the physical item, with cover art and original instructions. Just look on ebay and see just how many people sell just the (DS game) cover or instructions alone... many... so there IS a market, and I AM that market.
Again, before someone sees fit to trash everything I've just said (and someone certainly will) I do NOT advocate thier use.
HOWEVER, this issue.. I. M.O. goes deeper. I have been a live performance entertainer for over 30 years, professionally, it's my occupation/vocation. Years ago when the older actors and actress's were dying in old age homes (now they have alternate options) they had spent thier millions and thier relatives were bitching about the idea that they should continue to be paid for thier work.. I have no real answer hear after much consideration but now those actors recieve royalties. Are YOU paid AGAIN, each time someone wears that shirt you sold them at walmart? NO, and neither should they (the actors) once thier work is done. Remember, I fall into thier catagory occupation wose, so I'm selling MYSELF short too.
I appologise for the rant but I feel that no man (or person) should be compensated for work they've done, more than once. The rights holders, such Distribution company? Thats another story altogether.
I have much more but my computer f98cking up on me so I'll stop here for now...