Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz, Electronic Arts Europe Vice President Jens Uwe Intat shook off the idea that the used video games market could ever be compared to that of used cars or books. Said Intat:

We are actually giving away the rights to play… and if you just pass it on, pass it on, pass it on, that is not comparable to second-hand sales in the normal physical goods area where you have physical wear-out.

Thankfully, Intat gave a somewhat vague statement about possible solutions, saying in part “we’re going to solve it with better, more interesting and online offerings going forward.”

One theory: Console DRM. I wouldn’t put it past EA to pull some bullshit like that.

It’s also interesting to note that GameStop, the video game retail chain that may or may not be a vessel for the return of the dark lord Mephisto, makes a good chunk of their change off of used game sales. It would be interesting to see how GameStop would react to the games industry trying to thwart the sale of used games.

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