Xbox 720 News: Gamestop President Against Next-Gen Systems That Block Used Games

Tony Bartel, president of GameStop, has gone on the record concerning how he and his retail chain feel about next-gen systems potentially not allowing used games to be used on their consoles.

In an interview with Forbes, Bartel is quick to point out how important used video game sales are to the industry as a whole.

"Console manufacturers understand that recent surveys indicate 60+ per cent of video game consumers would be less likely to purchase a new console that did not play pre-owned games. Also, used games generate more than $1 billion of trade credit annually, 70 per cent of which is credited towards purchasing new games and new hardware."

While Sony has said that the PlayStation 4 will most likely play used games, it has been heavily implied that the next-gen Xbox will block used games from working on the system. Both Sony and Microsoft have said that they hope to eventually go all digital in the future, something that Bartel also has an opinion on.

"I think consumers will want to see and try this future technology before committing to purchase based solely on the streaming feature...Plus, the cost of this service is still unknown. Even with digital options potentially available, our buy-sell-trade business will continue to offer a compelling value proposition for those entry-level consumers."

Preventing users from playing used games is turning into one of the hot-button issues concerning the next-gen consoles. While there is still a long period of time before the systems come out, many are already bemoaning the fact that they will have to pay full price for every game that they buy. With the huge numbers Bartel is throwing out concerning the economics of used games, it may become a deciding factor for consumers who are not sure which console to purchase.