One of Swords Podcast 106: Lick Your Face

by Dan on February 2, 2012

“Here’s something I probably shouldn’t say” is becoming a Hugh trademark phrase — and he says it again as we tackle listener letters and the week’s news. Among the topics this time: The RADNET edition of Prototype 2, the PS Vita, the ubiquity of Watchmen, surviving NYC on NYE, Spyro history, used games and digital distribution (but not too much, don’t worry), a PC delay, Skylanders merchandise, large women in comic books, and our most anticipated games of 2012. Oh, and Call of Duty Elite content on PS3 now has a release date!

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Co-host: Hugh Sterbakov, screenwriter, comic creator, and Emmy-nominated writer/toy wrangler for Robot Chicken
Co-host: Katrin Auch, graphic designer, bassist, photographer, light gun enthusiast, videographer, worgen mage, and inventor of Headshotmas

Soundtrack: Yameen - available on iTunes, Amazon MP3, and all online music stores

Relevant show links:

  • http://twitter.com/JuanCabrera Juan Cabrera

    I agree with most of Hugh’s points.  One in particular is a very interesting observation!  I wonder if the online-pass thing is backfiring for EA.  If you think about it, by the games not having the online pass, GameStop and other game resellers discount the used game much more because it is missing the code.  When presented between buying Battlefield 3 for $60 new or $30 used, the difference is pretty high and the customer will most likely buy the used copy.  On the other hand, since Skyrim doesn’t need an online pass, the discount for the used game is much lower.  I would rather buy Skyrim for $60 if it’s $55 used because for just $5 more, I can have a new copy of Skyrim.

  • http://oneofswords.com/ Dan (OneOfSwords)

    This is an interesting point which I had not considered. Has anybody run the numbers on this — the average used prices of games that feature online pass systems vs those that do not? Is the difference really that $30 to $55 gap?

  • http://twitter.com/JuanCabrera Juan Cabrera

    Yup!  Right now, I can certainly find BF3 for around $30 but it’s $50.96 new on Amazon.  Also, Ryan on KOXM pointed out that’s it’s interesting how the two top selling games for 2011 (Skyrim and Modern Warfare 3) both didn’t have any of that online pass stuff.  I think that speaks more to the popularity or quality of the games, but still, an interesting observation.  Personally, I think the route to take is to just charge the used games retailers that fee instead of passing it on to the customer.  It’s crazy that you can buy a used game at Gamestop and then also purchase the online pass right then and there.  Why not just charge ten dollars more on every used game transaction, give that portion to the publisher, and avoid the hassle that certain games sometimes make the consumer go through (ahem… Mortal Kombat).

  • http://oneofswords.com/ Dan (OneOfSwords)

    Yeah, I’d agree that the game popularity weighs more heavily. Also, we both know my old amigo doesn’t know what he’s talking about. :)

    I can see the online pass system evolving. I think it had to be tried and it will be refined over time if it’s mostly successful. 

  • http://twitter.com/natehubes Nate

    But companies are learning.  Such as EA who while they had the “offensive” Kingdoms of Amalur online pass for SSX the pass is actually really nice.  (The user can play online they just can not spend the money they earn until they own the pass)  If more companies did it like this, well then I think it would be less offensive.

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