“It’s a good day for gamers!” GameFly co-founder Sean Specter said of Microsoft’s Xbox One backpeddling.
Microsoft’s sudden reversal of the Xbox One’s restrictive properties has prompted plenty of varied reactions from the gaming community. Now other companies to which used games are integral to their success are weighing in. GameStop, the world’s largest gaming retailer, stated that Microsoft’s announcement was “great news” for the gaming community. Online rental service GameFly was similarly pleased, calling the reversal “a win/win for consumers.”
It’s no surprise that GameStop is so happy about Microsoft’s announcement, given that its share prices dropped following Microsoft’s Xbox One reveal in May. Though the retailer sells new games and consoles, most of its profits come from used games, and its trading and reselling policies have often resulted in ire from gamers and publishers alike. That said, there is a huge market of the gaming community that depends on being able to trade in games and buy them used. “We applaud Microsoft for understanding consumers and the importance of the pre-owned market,” GameStop’s statement added.
GameFly co-founder Sean Specter also had nothing but positive things to say about the sudden change in Xbox One features. “I always felt good about the future of GameFly, but I feel better today… I think choice is always important and now consumers have more choice.” Specter said that rental listings for the Xbox One and PS4 would start appearing on GameFly near the end of this summer.
Microsoft’s response to weeks of negative publicity was pretty much unprecedented, and love or hate the Xbox One, it’s going to be really interesting to see how this all plays out leading up to the console’s November launch. If nothing else, this round of console wars will certainly be memorable.
Source: Joystiq
