THQ's Cory Ledesma had a blunt, bitter message to give to people who buy used games: you're cheating THQ. In an interview with CVG, the director of wrestling games waged his war of words against consumers who 'cheat' THQ out of proper profit for their games:

"I don't think we really care whether used game buyers are upset because new game buyers get everything. So if used game buyers are upset they don't get the online feature set I don't really have much sympathy for them. That's a little blunt but we hope it doesn't disappoint people."

For the most part I can agree with this section of his argument - the addition of exclusives packaged with a brand new game is a good way for people who purchase a game brand new to reap the rewards of it. People who buy the game used can accept that for a cheaper price they won't get a feature or two - but no real harm done to the actual gameplay itself. While encouraging people to buy a minty-fresh new game, it doesn't really smite people who don't. It's Cory's next words that are a little off:

"We hope people understand that when the game's bought used we get cheated."

Yep. Did you buy a used game when you were a kid because you couldn't afford the one in the sealed package? You're a cheater, robbing THQ of profits. I think Cory missed the fact that at the end of the day, people are always looking to save money. People who buy used games save a solid $20-$30 off of a full priced $60 game - and not everybody can afford to constantly go out and buy full-priced games, especially in today's economy. At the end of the day, I just think that calling people who buy used games ' cheaters' isn't really going to solve anything, unless your goal was to raise a few eyebrows.

I can understand how, from a developer's perspective, used games hurt profitability. But it's the same for any market, not just videogames - it's an acceptance of business. It's been years since I myself have bought a used game - in fact, the last one I bought was when the original Mafia was new, and I hadn't the money since I was too young for a job. But from having enjoyed that game so much, I'm going to go out today and buy Mafia II on its release. Hurt profitability? Not so much.

What do you think, Ranters? Do you have an opinion about buying used games? Do you consider it cheating?

Source: CVG