Gamestop: 'Pre-owned good for the industry, doesn't harm developers'

Gamestop has revealed new figures regarding its American pre-owned sales, stating that they are worth $1.8 billion a year, but remains adamant that used sales don't impact new, and that developers simply don't understand how pre-owned works. Set phasers to angry.

In a Gamasutra interview, Gamestop president Paul Raines said, "We are not ashamed of the pre-owned business and in fact we believe that it's good for the industry."

Raines' statement comes despite many game developers slamming the used sale methods of retailers, and the way they eat into new sales. With used sales, none of the profit made goes back to developers, and only the initial new sales makes them money.

Regardless, Raines stands his ground on the subject, "We have not been successful in communicating to developers how this business really helps. Now, if I'm a developer, I know that [used games] give me heartburn, to see a game..."

It's here Gamasutra reports that Raines tailed off before he continued:

"We're really not cannibalizing new game sales," Raines proceeded, "That's a common misconception. So my answer to developers is that we are driving growth in a category that needs to grow."

Raines concluded, "We think there's a real lack of awareness as far as how it's good for the industry. The transparency you're seeing from us is because we want people to know about it, helping people understand what we're trying to do for the industry."

What do you think of pre-owned's impact on game developers? Speak you brains below.