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Blocking used games unfair - Saber Interactive CEO

Inversion's Matthew Karch says players should be allowed to sell games they don't want, suggests digital distribution of single-player and multiplayer components for $15 each.

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Earlier this week, a Volition developer said a console that blocked used games would be "fantastic." Now, the top man at Inversion developer Saber Interactive is saying quite the opposite.

Saber's CEO thinks games could, and should, cost less.
Saber's CEO thinks games could, and should, cost less.

In an interview with CVG, company CEO Matthew Karch said though he understands why a move to block used games would be appealing for some, he thinks gamers should not be prevented from playing, selling, and buying secondhand titles.

"As long as games are distributed on physical medium as physical goods, players should have the right to buy and sell them," he said.

Karch said the $60 price tag of most boxed games today is "a lot to pay" and noted that in the event the player does not enjoy a game, it is "just not fair" for gamers to have to hold on to the title.

"If people buy Inversion and it's not for them, then why should they be forced to turn it into a drink coaster?" he said.

Karch said he believes the $60 game can become $30, if digital distribution is used. He cited his belief that simply getting a game to retail incurs $30 in "waste." Instead, Karch suggests that a game's experience be broken in two components: multiplayer and single-player and distributed digitally for $15 each or bundled together for $30.

The rise in discussion concerning the used game business was sparked by a recent rumor that suggested Microsoft's next-generation console would block users from playing secondhand titles. Microsoft said it does not comment on rumor or speculation.

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