Since the inception of the new Xbox from Microsoft, the burning question and a favorite topic up for debate has been about Microsoft wanting its users to pay a certain fee for installing a new game.
Although the controversy started off as just a random speculation, it now seems like the Microsoft-based fee structure is actually true in a certain way, with Microsoft’s newly released policies on that matter.
However, while we are yet to see as to how this trade-in policy from Microsoft will actually work out, and how other retailers’ sales, a part of which actually depends on the sale of second hand or already used games, will see a change, the industry is already taking its stance as to what will happen due to this.
Co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of Avalanche Studios Linus Blomberg, in an interview with Gamingbolt, was ready to speak out what he thought about the fee structure for Xbox used games.
“The economies in games are changing; they have to in order to be sustainable. No one’s complaining about not being able to trade iOS games. Naturally that’s because they are much cheaper, but if second hand games contributed to the income of AAA game developers, then they could become cheaper too,” Blomberg stated.
“In the end I think it will come down to how big that fee is.”
Microsoft, only recently, revealed its licensing framework for both new and used games that will run on its upcoming Xbox One. The company, in a post on its Xbox news site, described its "platform policies and capabilities for game licensing," and this includes the right of purchasers of physical discs of titles to resell them via retailers without paying any charge as a platform fee.
“Today, some gamers choose to sell their old disc-based games back for cash and credit. We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers. Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games,” the company said.
However, Microsoft has also clarified that although gamers will have the option to sell their physical discs via retailers, game publishers themselves will also have the right to disallow reselling of their games if they choose to do so. So basically, even if we find a potential buyer for our old title, it will still depend on the publisher to give us a green light if we can go ahead with the business.
The post reads: “In our role as a game publisher, Microsoft Studios will enable you to give your games to friends or trade in your Xbox One games at participating retailers. Third party publishers may opt in or out of supporting game resale and may set up business terms or transfer fees with retailers.”
“Microsoft does not receive any compensation as part of this. In addition, third party publishers can enable you to give games to friends. Loaning or renting games won’t be available at launch, but we are exploring the possibilities with our partners.”
More details on the Xbox One is expected to arrive at this year’s forthcoming E3.
