[quote name='youbastards']Apples and oranges, people tend to buy more than one video game every 5+ years, or however often people buy a car. A used car price is not $5 - $10 (or the equivalent percentage) less than a new car, and you don't get a flat rate on your used car trade-in regardless of condition, you get a dollar amount based on the condition of the vehicle. The shit that Gamestop tries to pass off in 'used' condition is insulting to the consumer and I am all for MS trying to find a way to get this used game money into the hands of the developers that are making the games.
Gamestop makes the majority of their profits on used game sales, but they have taken zero steps to implement any type of standards for what they take in (case/manual/game not beat to hell), or give appropriate compensation according to the condition of the item. This says that they don't have any concerns for the gamer or the industry, just their bottom line, so

them.[/QUOTE]
I like how you shoot down my analogy with "apples to oranges" and then just break into a rant about Gamestop, lol. I realize that the article mentions Gamestop specifically because they're the "big name" in the used game market, but it has been my opinion for years now that smart consumers do not buy used games at Gamestop (outside of a pricing mistake or occasional B2G1 that somehow results in a deal).
Yes, the structure that Gamestop has set up of undercutting new prices by $5 is stupid. But the people who are willing to acquire a used game for only a $5 savings are even more stupid (Little Timmy's mom says "hello"). My concern in eliminating used game sales is not Gamestop. It's Gamefly, GoHastings, Amazon Warehouse Deals, Ebay, etc. Ya know...places that actually have DEALS on used games (and most let you know exactly what you're getting too).
If publishers have a legitimate problem with Gamestop, then cut them off. Don't allow them to sell your games new, and reduce them to ONLY being a used game store. Between Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, ToysRUs, etc. there are plenty of other B&M stores to sell those games...not to mention Amazon, Buy.com and other online retailers as well. And I would say the same thing for Gamestop (though it's much less of a threat due to the stores listed above...though they still are the #1 store for stupid people to buy games). If publishers threaten to go "anti-used games", then tell them you'll stop carrying their games new. See who blinks first.
But unfortunately, the target is bigger than that. They want ALL used game sales eliminated because they have the same delusions that the RIAA had. "Getting rid of the alternative = MOAR PROFITS!!!" Except it doesn't. Just because someone can no longer obtain the product for less doesn't just automatically mean they'll be willing to pay your prices. There are very few games that I just "have to have" at $60. If that becomes my only option, I'll find a new hobby. As the saying goes, pride comes before a fall.