It is becoming a tired debate among those in the video games industry and those who converse of said industry as to who should pay the price for used video game sales. Some will justify the multiplayer or content codes that some game designers enact to combat used sales as an appropriate measure for securing profit from years of hard work. Others will argue that the game developers are greedy corporations who tax the poor by blocking off sections of a game until a code is used or a fee is paid. Unfortunately everyone can agree that it takes quite a bit of cash to produce video games for this generation. So what is to be done to satiate the industry which needs funding and the gamers who might not be willing to pay full price? I believe that Nintendo has the answer to this question.
Club Nintendo and their rewards program has quite a bit to teach an industry which is currently more occupied with locking-out sections of certain games rather than providing bonuses for gamers who buy new. As of publishing, Club Nintendo is currently offering two great downloadable titles (Kirby's Dream Land and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask), two good downloadable titles (Dr. Mario Online Rx and Dr. Mario Express) and a slew of gamer gear for their "coins" system.
Here's how it works: when you buy a new Nintendo system or game, you'll find a PIN which can be entered at the Club Nintendo homepage. After entering the PIN you'll be prompted to register if you have yet to do so. Upon registering and redeeming the PIN you will be allotted coins based on your purchase (for example: registering a system nets you more coins than a game). On top of that, upon registering a system you will be given an extra 90 days of warranty. Not content with stopping there, they also allow you to rate games and systems which yields even more coins. This reward-type system makes a consumer feel good about their purchase while providing valuable profit and game information to the developers. If you don't believe that, then it is highly recommended that you give it a try sometime!
Now, will this be enough incentive for every gamer to immediately switch from buying used to purchasing new? Of course not. However, it sure sounds nice that while buying new a gamer will earn credit towards other games and gear. Will everyone always appreciate what is given away? Again, no. This is but a single step in a much grander scheme that needs reworked by the industry of our beloved pastime.
All-in-all, Nintendo's solution is a much more pleasant experience than entering a code which unlocks content that is already in a game to begin with. Furthermore, it gives to both parties involved, which allows everyone to be content at the end of the day.
Author's note: This article was written to outline one of the many ways that the gaming industry can attempt to lure purchasers of used games to buy new. For many reasons, I believe that the used game market is important and I believe that its eradication would be at the ultimate detriment of gamers and the greater industry.
(Club Nintendo logo from Club Nintendo site.)
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