Video game lobby admits that killing games makes them more money

Summary

The transcript highlights a concern about the potential impact of community-supported game versions competing with official ones. The argument suggests that if older versions of games continue to function, players may not purchase newer versions, affecting video game companies' profits. The discussion also touches on the broader issue of companies wanting to control access to products (like games or hardware) to ensure continued sales. It raises the question of whether companies should care about community versions of discontinued games when they no longer generate revenue from them.

Takeaways

• 😀 Community-supported versions of games may compete with official versions, threatening the financial interests of video game companies.
• 😀 Companies may lose revenue if users choose community-supported versions instead of purchasing new official game releases.
• 😀 The ability to disable older versions of games is seen as essential for companies to maintain financial control and drive sales of newer versions.
• 😀 If players can continue using older game versions (e.g., Call of Duty 18), they might be less inclined to purchase newer versions (e.g., Call of Duty 19).
• 😀 The concept of 'planned obsolescence' in gaming is echoed, where companies push users to buy new versions by disabling older ones.
• 😀 If a game (e.g., Call of Duty 28) no longer works due to being disabled, consumers may look to community-supported versions to continue playing.
• 😀 Companies argue that disabling older versions is necessary to keep consumers from bypassing the purchase of newer games.
• 😀 The discussion touches on broader concerns about the impact of community support on corporate profits and consumer choices in the gaming industry.
• 😀 A comparison is made with hardware, such as keyboards, where companies could lose revenue if users continue using older models.
• 😀 There's an implicit concern about the potential for community-supported versions to replace the need for companies to create new official versions of games.

Q & A

What is the main concern raised in the script about community-supported versions of games?

The script highlights the concern that community-supported versions of games could compete with official versions, potentially jeopardizing the financial interests of video game companies.

How do community-supported versions of games pose a threat to the gaming industry?

These versions could undermine the sales of newer games, as players may prefer to continue using older versions of a game instead of purchasing the latest release, reducing the revenue for game companies.

What example is given to illustrate the potential competition from community-supported versions?

The example of 'Call of Duty 18' competing with 'Call of Duty 19' is used, suggesting that if 'Call of Duty 18' is still functional, players might not feel the need to buy the newer 'Call of Duty 19'.

What analogy is drawn between game companies and hardware companies in the script?

The script compares video game companies to hardware companies like Logitech, suggesting that just as Logitech would lose out if customers could continue using old products, game companies might face similar issues if old game versions continue to work without being updated.

Why does the speaker argue that companies disable old games?

The speaker argues that companies disable old games to encourage consumers to buy the latest version, thus ensuring continuous revenue generation from recurring sales.

What is the speaker’s perspective on whether community-supported versions should exist for discontinued games?

The speaker suggests that if a game is no longer being sold or updated, there shouldn't be a problem with community-supported versions, as the company is no longer making money from that specific version.

How does the script relate to the concept of planned obsolescence?

The script relates to planned obsolescence by illustrating how companies intentionally disable older products (like games) so that consumers are forced to buy newer ones, thus driving continued sales and profits.

What role does 'access control' play in the argument presented in the script?

Access control is portrayed as a key element in ensuring that companies can maintain control over the products they sell, allowing them to disable old versions of games and compel customers to purchase newer ones.

How does the speaker view the financial motivations behind disabling older games?

The speaker believes that the main motivation behind disabling older games is financial, as it drives sales for newer versions of the game by limiting access to previous ones.

What is the implied critique of this business model in the script?

The implied critique is that this model prioritizes profit over consumer choice and the preservation of older products, suggesting that it harms consumers who may want to continue using or playing older versions without being forced to upgrade.