Why can't pc games be traded in ?

H3RBSKI

H3RBSKI

H3RBSKI

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I know this is basically linked to the cd key, but what's stopping say steam from allowing you to trade the game against another game and then they block your cd and remove your install?
I have so many games on steam that I have played for a few hours and got bored. If I were on my ps3 I would have just took it back.
Never really understood why this cant be done on a pc. Somebody enlighten me?
 
What do Steam gain by allowing you to trade in your games? I would happily sell half my games on Steam but as they are a digital distributor they would gain nothing because they have unlimited stock.
 
The EU tried or is currently trying to implement a system where digital games can be sold or "traded in" (not sure what the current status is, but I don't think VALVe was particularly happy to hear about it). Some articles about it around the net such as http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming...tal-games-means-big-changes-for-steam-origin/ - I'm sure it'd cause issues if everyone suddenly wanted to sell their games back to Steam or someone else (especially if said games were bought when on a large discount and sold on for more), but I have a Steam account worth well over £1000 and there are definitely games I wouldn't mind getting rid of on there :p
 
Because you don't have any explicit rights as a consumer to be able to preown digital goods, and physcal copies that do not use a DRM platform are CD key tied and there is no way for retail outlets to know whether you deactivated to key for use on other machines or whether your pulling a fast one. Some places do it though.
 
Moothead2 said:
Because unless a very secure system that benefits both the developer and valve is put in place, why would they let you trade or sell games?
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Why should a developer have any rights over the product once it's been sold for the first time?

That was part of the EU ruling, the software developer exhausts the rights to control over individual licenses after the first sale takes place.

Developers should not be "compensated" multiple times for the same software license.
 
spoffle said:
Why should a developer have any rights over the product once it's been sold for the first time?

That was part of the EU ruling, the software developer exhausts the rights to control over individual licenses after the first sale takes place.

Developers should not be "compensated" multiple times for the same software license.
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But they also shouldn't be screwed out of sales because of third party trading of an 'identical to a new copy' used product.
 
H3RBSKI said:
Never really understood why this cant be done on a pc. Somebody enlighten me?
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Because PC owners could simply install the game, put on a no cd crack and then trade it in and continue playing it.

Console gamers can't play it when they give the disc up. PC gamers can.

Hence all the business about tieing the CD key to an account etc.. so they can track who has the CD.
 
Moothead2 said:
But they also shouldn't be screwed out of sales because of third party trading of an 'identical to a new copy' used product.
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That's the way the world works, why should the games industry be immune from it?

Second hand hard copies of games are identical too. Sure, the medium you get the game on might not be in an "as new" condition, but the actual product you receive? It's identical. The quality of a game doesn't diminish the more owners it has, the box might get a bit tatty, there may be no manual but the actual product is identical.

Think about it, these developers love to tell people that the disc you buy is just the medium the game comes on, you don't actually own the game, just a license to play, so from their perspective, the whole disc in a box with a manual is just a matter of convenience and a legacy if providing content in the only way possible at the time.

MrLOL said:
Because PC owners could simply install the game, put on a no cd crack and then trade it in and continue playing it.

Console gamers can't play it when they give the disc up. PC gamers can.

Hence all the business about tieing the CD key to an account etc.. so they can track who has the CD.
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Yes they can, and it's pretty straight forward too. People like to pretend that console piracy doesn't really exist, or at least ignore the fact that it does exist.
 
Nimdok said:
The EU tried or is currently trying to implement a system where digital games can be sold or "traded in" (not sure what the current status is, but I don't think VALVe was particularly happy to hear about it). Some articles about it around the net such as http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming...tal-games-means-big-changes-for-steam-origin/ - I'm sure it'd cause issues if everyone suddenly wanted to sell their games back to Steam or someone else (especially if said games were bought when on a large discount and sold on for more), but I have a Steam account worth well over £1000 and there are definitely games I wouldn't mind getting rid of on there :p
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They have implemented the law, and now they are starting to take action.

There is a cease & desist order out now against Valve's EULA which is now deemed to be illegal and anti-consumer in Germany. I am no way near a legal expert but according to what I read Valve have up to next week to respond with a "required declaration of failure". Not sure what that means.

It seems that the German Consumer Board do not like the fact that if you do not agree to the EULA that you can't play games previously purchased. I think Valve are in for a tough time with this new ruling of restricting ownership.
 
For the amount of piracy that goes on with Pc games/software they may as well let

them sell the games on and implament serial or hardware serial every time that game is

connected to the net.

Bit similar to how xbox does there online codes.

But to be far Pc games are a lot cheaper than console any way so the resale value

wouldn't be worth imo.
 
This is one of the reasons i don't like valve/steam. They tie you in and say you can buy or purchase the game but actually you're just renting it for an undefined period. You dont exert ownership over it and as such can't choose to sell it on. Nor can you play it without steam.
 
I just find it annoying as I have so many games that I never play but there are several games I'd love to play. But instead of being able to get rid of the ones I don't play I have to pay full price for them or wait until there is a decent sale on. I've noticed gmg allow you to trade in but there is a very limited choice in what you can trade as most of their stuff uses steam.
 
The Running Man said:
This is one of the reasons i don't like valve/steam. They tie you in and say you can buy or purchase the game but actually you're just renting it for an undefined period. You dont exert ownership over it and as such can't choose to sell it on. Nor can you play it without steam.
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And this is ultimately how it will evolve legally as well. Gaming will just become like Netflix, you pay a subscription to play, or "hire" a game for a period. Ownership of the game will die as being forced to allow trading of digital gaming media will just lead to most people not getting the game full price from the developer.
 
Moothead2 said:
But they also shouldn't be screwed out of sales because of third party trading of an 'identical to a new copy' used product.
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Why do software companies have this unique protection? I can resell my books, films, car, house, clothes. Basically anything but software.
 
MrLOL said:
Because PC owners could simply install the game, put on a no cd crack and then trade it in and continue playing it.

Console gamers can't play it when they give the disc up. PC gamers can.

Hence all the business about tieing the CD key to an account etc.. so they can track who has the CD.
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Why even bother buying and cracking to sell it?
Seems like a bit more hassle than just DLing a dodgy version :/

Steam and the recent EU ruling still haven't found a common ground have they?
 
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