I was reading some gaming news at work the other day and came across This Article regarding Gamestop wanting to break into the retro gaming market. It raises a ton of valid points on why this is a horrible idea. I thought about it and honestly, I couldn't come up with any on why it would be a good idea.
Like the article says, retro games are a big deal these days. Yes, there are other ways to play them, most notably emulators and digital downloads via home consoles. But there are lots of people that want to play them in their original state and on the actual hardware they were made for.
If you've ever heard of SNK/Neo Geo, that's all the proof you need. I'd not realized how rabid and fanatical this crowd was until Rei showed me how much some of these games go for. The original price for a Neo Geo AES (Advanced Entertainment System) cartridge was $250 to $300 and no, I didn't forget any decimal points. That was over 20 years ago, they sell for double or more on ebay, and the hardware is just as crazy.
While Gamestop isn't trying to break into that market (they'd boycott it anyway, elitists they are!) I just used it as an example as to how extreme it gets.
The main problem that the article mentions is: Where does the supply come from? Nobody is manufacturing this hardware or software anymore. But there's something I didn't see in it (if it's there, I didn't see it) and that is; How are they going to guarantee any of it? How much of it actually still works?
You're lucky to get a game that's just a few years old that is devoid of scratches, but something from 20 plus years ago? Cartridges can take a beating, I know. But they're looking at selling disc based games/consoles, too. Discs get scratched and the downfall of ANY disc based hardware is that there are moving parts involved and they wear out over time.
Add to that, there's no incentive to sell them your old games. You don't even get half of what you paid for a game that came out two weeks ago, what are they gonna give you for an NES game!?
It's a dumb idea just like when they went up against Steam or the 35 attempts at buying/selling DVDs and I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting. IF it survives the test phase, I'm sure it'll fizzle out quickly. Small, independent stores and numerous online sites have the retro market cornered and they won't be able to break it.
XOXO
♥Lacey♡
Like the article says, retro games are a big deal these days. Yes, there are other ways to play them, most notably emulators and digital downloads via home consoles. But there are lots of people that want to play them in their original state and on the actual hardware they were made for.
If you've ever heard of SNK/Neo Geo, that's all the proof you need. I'd not realized how rabid and fanatical this crowd was until Rei showed me how much some of these games go for. The original price for a Neo Geo AES (Advanced Entertainment System) cartridge was $250 to $300 and no, I didn't forget any decimal points. That was over 20 years ago, they sell for double or more on ebay, and the hardware is just as crazy.
While Gamestop isn't trying to break into that market (they'd boycott it anyway, elitists they are!) I just used it as an example as to how extreme it gets.
The main problem that the article mentions is: Where does the supply come from? Nobody is manufacturing this hardware or software anymore. But there's something I didn't see in it (if it's there, I didn't see it) and that is; How are they going to guarantee any of it? How much of it actually still works?
You're lucky to get a game that's just a few years old that is devoid of scratches, but something from 20 plus years ago? Cartridges can take a beating, I know. But they're looking at selling disc based games/consoles, too. Discs get scratched and the downfall of ANY disc based hardware is that there are moving parts involved and they wear out over time.
Add to that, there's no incentive to sell them your old games. You don't even get half of what you paid for a game that came out two weeks ago, what are they gonna give you for an NES game!?
It's a dumb idea just like when they went up against Steam or the 35 attempts at buying/selling DVDs and I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting. IF it survives the test phase, I'm sure it'll fizzle out quickly. Small, independent stores and numerous online sites have the retro market cornered and they won't be able to break it.
XOXO
♥Lacey♡
It's so true about the Neo Geo crowd... XD I have my NGP and love the stuff they make, but there are people out there that have collections valued into the tens of thousands. Considering that SNK primarily makes fighting games, that's pretty nuts...
ReplyDeleteAs for GameStop, it's a retarded idea. The article mentions them potentially having Warehouses full of old games and consoles, and I've always wondered... What do they do with all the excess shit that they just stop selling? From back when it was called Funcoland, they either had to have warehoused or destroyed the plethora of carts/discs they've amassed. Do you know how much shit I'VE sold them that doesn't work?! XD The better route to go with this would be to open a separate chain dedicated to old games. God knows they can afford it and where the hell MORE merchandise is going in most of their stores is anyones guess...
Great write-up, honey bunny! *Kisses* :3
Rei~