OG_Monkey
07-30-2009, 03:46 PM
http://xboxevolved.e-mpire.com/article/No_Title/5666.html
People continue to buy video games – however, their approach to purchasing games has changed. In this tough economy we're gonna tell you how to get the best from your dollar.
According to a recently released report from Nielsen, consumers are buying more used games, and they are also looking for more trade-in opportunities, as they look for ways maximize the value they get for their video game dollar.
The growth of the used game and trade-in markets, and the business impact of this trend, has been discussed at length by financial and industry analysts alike, but no one is speaking directly to consumers to help them navigate this new game-buying landscape and ultimately get the most out of their video game investments. That is, until now with Gamecrazy's help:
Buying used video games and trading in older games for credit have become increasingly popular as consumers seek ways to save money. In fact, a recent Nielsen report revealed that used game purchasing has increased 16 percent since the beginning of 2009. But, do consumers really understand how to effectively navigate this new game-buying landscape? In response to this heightened demand, national video game retailer Game Crazy is revealing some little-known tips, and introducing an index of games with the top trade-in values, to help shoppers save money and maximize their video game investments.
“There has been significant discussion and online chatter about the shift to buying used games and making trades. However, there’s a huge opportunity to educate consumers and help them understand the best time to trade-in a video game so they maximize the credit they receive toward future purchases,” said Cliff Torng, chief marketing officer, Game Crazy. “We understand that our customers are more strapped for cash these days. To help them save money, our employees are always prepared to discuss buying and trading options in-store. In addition, we offer free tools, like our new Game Crazy iPhone app which provides instant access to the latest trade-in values so customers know what their current games are worth if they act quickly. ”
Beat the Game, and the System: Tips on Buying Used and Trading In
Playing video games does not have to be an expensive hobby. Trading in older games and then buying new or used ones allows consumers to enjoy gaming for less money. Game Crazy offers the following tips to help consumers get the most out of their video game dollars:
* When is the best time to trade-in a game? As soon as you’ve beaten it! Just like a car, a game’s value decreases the older it gets, so the sooner you trade games after purchase, the more value you will receive toward additional purchases. For example, the trade-in value of UFC Undisputed is $25.00 today, but it might be down to $20.00 a week from now. Therefore, Game Crazy recommends bringing it in as soon as possible, even if the consumer isn’t sure what game they want to use the credit toward, and saving the credit on a gift card.
* Which games hold their value longest? Role-playing games (e.g., Zelda and Final Fantasy), driving and flying simulation games (e.g., Mario Kart and Grand Turismo) and top-tier action games (e.g., Halo and Call of Duty) tend to hold their value the longest. On the flip side, sports games often decline in value just before the next version is released, and games based on popular cartoons, kids’ movies or toy lines typically only hold their value for as long as the characters stay popular.
* When is the best time to buy a used game? The rule of thumb: the longer a game has been out, the less expensive it will be. For example, many popular titles that released only one year ago at $59.99 are now available in the used game section for $19.99 or less.
“Although buying used games is becoming accepted by many people, there is still some hesitation that used games will not be in good condition,” said Torng. “At Game Crazy, we allow consumers to try any game before they make a purchase, ensuring that it is up to par with their expectations, and we have a 90-day quality guarantee.”
Jump on the Savings Bandwagon: Consumers Looking to Save Money
Whether consumers are hard-core gamers who beat a game within 24 hours, casual players or grandmas hoping to save money on the hottest gifts for their grandkids, they can stretch their dollars and make the most of every purchase. Here are a few examples:
The Mom: Wants to Cut Clutter and Spend Less Upfront
Scenario: The kids constantly ask for new games, even though there seem to be plenty all over the house.
Solution: Mom should make her children trade in any game they haven’t played in at least two months. Not only does she save money, but the house has never looked cleaner.
The Grandma: Wants to Make Her Grandkids Happy and Save Money
Scenario: Grandma is very involved with her grandkids and often finds video games on their wish lists at holidays, Easter and birthdays. However, she feels that new games can be costly.
Solution: Grandma should consider buying used games when possible. She saves money, while making her grandkids happy.
The Gamer: Trading for the Next Challenge
Scenario: He’s quick to buy the newest game and often “beats” it within 24 hours, leaving him wanting a new game right away. This can get expensive.
Solution: This gamer should trade-in the games he beats quickly and get credit toward the next new game on his list.
The Casual, Teenage Player: Moving on to Next Generation Technology
Scenario: This teenager is a casual player and recently upgraded to a next-generation console. However, she still has all the games for her old system, too few games for her new one and little disposable income.
Solution: She should trade in all her old games and use the credit for the titles she wants most for her new console, buying used games whenever possible.
blah blah blah at all that. But I thought this could be quite an interesting discussion and we at Xbox Evolved we're just in the middle and talks of doing an editorial about gaming in this current economy.
Me personally, I find that I am buying more and more and have bought more used games then I ever did last generation. I used to dislike of buying anything used but this gen I'm doing it a hella lot more. I was younger when I could throw away $50 of gift money for games but now looking at the bigger picture, $60 a pop is no joke and if I can wait a few months and find a game that I really wasn't dying for at $20 and below then by all means I'll do so.
Only games that I buy now at $60 are the games I'm really pumped for and it's usually day one for instance, pre-ordered ODST, Assassins Creed 2, Uncharted 2 etc; the "major" titles but the days of me buying a new need for speed or sports title each year at $60 are long over.
People continue to buy video games – however, their approach to purchasing games has changed. In this tough economy we're gonna tell you how to get the best from your dollar.
According to a recently released report from Nielsen, consumers are buying more used games, and they are also looking for more trade-in opportunities, as they look for ways maximize the value they get for their video game dollar.
The growth of the used game and trade-in markets, and the business impact of this trend, has been discussed at length by financial and industry analysts alike, but no one is speaking directly to consumers to help them navigate this new game-buying landscape and ultimately get the most out of their video game investments. That is, until now with Gamecrazy's help:
Buying used video games and trading in older games for credit have become increasingly popular as consumers seek ways to save money. In fact, a recent Nielsen report revealed that used game purchasing has increased 16 percent since the beginning of 2009. But, do consumers really understand how to effectively navigate this new game-buying landscape? In response to this heightened demand, national video game retailer Game Crazy is revealing some little-known tips, and introducing an index of games with the top trade-in values, to help shoppers save money and maximize their video game investments.
“There has been significant discussion and online chatter about the shift to buying used games and making trades. However, there’s a huge opportunity to educate consumers and help them understand the best time to trade-in a video game so they maximize the credit they receive toward future purchases,” said Cliff Torng, chief marketing officer, Game Crazy. “We understand that our customers are more strapped for cash these days. To help them save money, our employees are always prepared to discuss buying and trading options in-store. In addition, we offer free tools, like our new Game Crazy iPhone app which provides instant access to the latest trade-in values so customers know what their current games are worth if they act quickly. ”
Beat the Game, and the System: Tips on Buying Used and Trading In
Playing video games does not have to be an expensive hobby. Trading in older games and then buying new or used ones allows consumers to enjoy gaming for less money. Game Crazy offers the following tips to help consumers get the most out of their video game dollars:
* When is the best time to trade-in a game? As soon as you’ve beaten it! Just like a car, a game’s value decreases the older it gets, so the sooner you trade games after purchase, the more value you will receive toward additional purchases. For example, the trade-in value of UFC Undisputed is $25.00 today, but it might be down to $20.00 a week from now. Therefore, Game Crazy recommends bringing it in as soon as possible, even if the consumer isn’t sure what game they want to use the credit toward, and saving the credit on a gift card.
* Which games hold their value longest? Role-playing games (e.g., Zelda and Final Fantasy), driving and flying simulation games (e.g., Mario Kart and Grand Turismo) and top-tier action games (e.g., Halo and Call of Duty) tend to hold their value the longest. On the flip side, sports games often decline in value just before the next version is released, and games based on popular cartoons, kids’ movies or toy lines typically only hold their value for as long as the characters stay popular.
* When is the best time to buy a used game? The rule of thumb: the longer a game has been out, the less expensive it will be. For example, many popular titles that released only one year ago at $59.99 are now available in the used game section for $19.99 or less.
“Although buying used games is becoming accepted by many people, there is still some hesitation that used games will not be in good condition,” said Torng. “At Game Crazy, we allow consumers to try any game before they make a purchase, ensuring that it is up to par with their expectations, and we have a 90-day quality guarantee.”
Jump on the Savings Bandwagon: Consumers Looking to Save Money
Whether consumers are hard-core gamers who beat a game within 24 hours, casual players or grandmas hoping to save money on the hottest gifts for their grandkids, they can stretch their dollars and make the most of every purchase. Here are a few examples:
The Mom: Wants to Cut Clutter and Spend Less Upfront
Scenario: The kids constantly ask for new games, even though there seem to be plenty all over the house.
Solution: Mom should make her children trade in any game they haven’t played in at least two months. Not only does she save money, but the house has never looked cleaner.
The Grandma: Wants to Make Her Grandkids Happy and Save Money
Scenario: Grandma is very involved with her grandkids and often finds video games on their wish lists at holidays, Easter and birthdays. However, she feels that new games can be costly.
Solution: Grandma should consider buying used games when possible. She saves money, while making her grandkids happy.
The Gamer: Trading for the Next Challenge
Scenario: He’s quick to buy the newest game and often “beats” it within 24 hours, leaving him wanting a new game right away. This can get expensive.
Solution: This gamer should trade-in the games he beats quickly and get credit toward the next new game on his list.
The Casual, Teenage Player: Moving on to Next Generation Technology
Scenario: This teenager is a casual player and recently upgraded to a next-generation console. However, she still has all the games for her old system, too few games for her new one and little disposable income.
Solution: She should trade in all her old games and use the credit for the titles she wants most for her new console, buying used games whenever possible.
blah blah blah at all that. But I thought this could be quite an interesting discussion and we at Xbox Evolved we're just in the middle and talks of doing an editorial about gaming in this current economy.
Me personally, I find that I am buying more and more and have bought more used games then I ever did last generation. I used to dislike of buying anything used but this gen I'm doing it a hella lot more. I was younger when I could throw away $50 of gift money for games but now looking at the bigger picture, $60 a pop is no joke and if I can wait a few months and find a game that I really wasn't dying for at $20 and below then by all means I'll do so.
Only games that I buy now at $60 are the games I'm really pumped for and it's usually day one for instance, pre-ordered ODST, Assassins Creed 2, Uncharted 2 etc; the "major" titles but the days of me buying a new need for speed or sports title each year at $60 are long over.