GameStop is adamant that tethering games to individual consoles, effectively undercutting the profitable used game trade, is bad news for platform holders as well as retailers and consumers.
Presenting at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference, chief financial officer Rob Lloyd defended the used game trade.
“It’s really only about 4% of our used game sales that are games released in the last 60 days,” he said. “Sony has said publicly that they don’t intend to block used games on its next console. Microsoft has refused to or has not commented on the rumours.”
Lloyd said it has conducted research into the used game trade and has shared the results with platform holders.
“Consumers want the ability to play pre-owned games, they want portability in their games; they want to play physical games. And to not have those things would be a substantial reason for them not to purchase a new console,” he said.
“I think it was 60% of customers who said they wouldn’t buy a new console [if it blocks used games].”
GameStop’s stock took a tumble in the wake of recent rumours that the new Xbox console will block used games. New leaks seem compatible with the unusual system.
Elsewhere in the conference presentation, Lloyd revealed GameStop will close 250 ailing stores in 2013, but will also open between 60 and 70 elsewhere, and will acquire 40 GAME stores in France.
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