Xopher from Utah

Today was the release date for Blue Dragon, yet the store I had preordered it from didn't get their shipment today. That's fine, from what I've seen from other stores, nobody else local got it either. That's even better, if I'm not happy then nobody can be happy. Haha, I kid, we all suffer when we think that a game is supposed to be out and its not.

It wouldn't be much of an issue, but the store that I preordered it from was that totally awesome game retailer that we all love and hate...Gamestop. Admittedly, if you want a game thats going to be pretty hot on the first week it comes out you really don't have much choice than preordering it. OR you can do what I'm sure alot of you have had to do as well...go to Kmart, Wal-Mart, Shop-Ko, Fred Meyer, or any other store like Sears.

Say what you will about any of those stores, at least they're not in the business of used games. Look at the amount of profit that Gamestop makes off of buying used and re-selling them. A game that you trade in for 15 bucks (if you're lucky) goes back on the shelves for probably about 30, thats 100% profit people. When they sell new games, the profit margin is in the range of $10 for a game that costs $40-60. That's only a 17% to a 25% profit. It makes sense complete sense why they're so profitable. I understand because who wants to pay full price for a game that they are iffy on? I'm guilty of it, most of us are.

Truth is, yes it gets the message in the form of a game to more people, but at the same time, game companies are making less of the money back that they invested in said game. Yes some of the games that we play (usually the blockbuster hits) don't have to worry about recovering that seed money, but some of the true gems that we enjoy, ya know the sleeper hits, do have to worry.

If a studio that produces a game that is licensed to a major platform falls flat on its ass in sales, chances are the licensee won't pick up a game from them again. This is partially why we see so much recidivism with game companies, thats why there's a new Madden every year, they know that they'll make money on it.

Anyways, I'm off topic...Used games aren't to blame for the 'state of the game' we see in 2007, but if the game you want only cost 5 bucks more on a new version, get the new version and keep the money out of Gamestop's pocket. So, used games = good, new games = very good. On to the next topic.

Push selling: I really fucking hate being asked if I want something besides what I came in for...I'm sure most of you are the same exact way. No, I don't want a disc protection plan. No, I don't want a year of Game Informer. No, I don't have anything else I want to preorder. No, I don't need/want the strategy guide for my game. No, I don't need anything except for what I came in here to buy. Period.

Disc Protection Plan: another one of these game industry rackets. The 10% you pay to protect your disc (at least I think thats how much it is) doesn't actually protect dick. Most of us people here on D-Toid are way too cool to scratch up our game discs. Though I'm sure G$ was cursing their plans when the early adopters of the 360 kept coming in with discs that had curious grooves carved into them.

I don't wish bad things on Gamestop, I enjoy going to a store that caters to me. But there are a few things that I wish would change about the one I go to. First, get some Febreeze or something, the geek funk clamoring up my local store is gagging strong. Second, don't go batshit crazy over a girl gamer that is somewhat decent looking, she's not interested. Third, hurry the fuck up at the register, having to wait in a queue of 5 people when its 10:30 in the morning and all we're doing it picking up our preorders is recockulous. And finally, please for the love of god, stop push selling at the register...I don't want it!