In a recent interview, GameStop CEO J. Paul Raines expressed a lot of enthusiasm for Microsoft’s yet to be announced next gen Xbox. The elusive hardware which is codenamed Durango and dubbed Xbox Next or Xbox 720 by fans is surrounded by many rumors. The 2 most controversial issues are it’s always-online DRM requirements and the other being that it may block used games. While this interview in no way confirms that the next Xbox will not block used games, it shows an optimistic GameStop, who previously expressed disdain at the idea of losing out on used game sales.
J. Paul Raines said, “We’ve been spending a lot of time with Microsoft, but we have to let them take the lead on this, but it will be a very hot, compelling device. They are doing some really cool stuff, and I’m eager to hear them start their announcements because I think the world is going to stand up and take notice.”
The PS4 already has 900,000 subscribers on GameStop, who’ve signed up for news on the console. Raines predicts a similar response for the next Xbox. Microsoft’s decision to make Durango block used games is something that will decide the fate of the console for many gamers. On many instances, I have walked into a GameStop and a mom with her kid are shopping. The mom says, “You can pick one game for $15 dollars.” The reason I heard this is because I was looking in that same section for old games I missed.
Would used games sway your decision to buy a next gen console?