New online retailer to return percentage of used game sales to publishers

Defying industry trends, a new online retailer is planning to return ten percent of all used game sales to publishers.

The US-based retailer EKGaming explained that the decision was made to combat the growing trend of online passes, and single-use DLC content, included by publishers to diminish used game sales. By returning a share of the profits, the retailer hopes to create a healthy "circle of life" between publishers and retailers.

According to CEO Mike Kennedy, the idea is intended to promote the financial viability of innovative titles in an industry faced with rising development costs.

"This increase in dev costs is steering them in directions that don't necessarily jive with gamers, causing them to take less risks on new and potentially exciting IP's or game mechanics and sticking with tried and true properties that are more of a guarantee," Kennedy explained. "We want to share our used game revenue with them so they can continue investing in new gaming experiences without worrying about the negative effects used games could be having on their operation(s)."

EKGaming promises its used prices will be 20 to 30 percent less than its competitors.

Thanks, Eurogamer.