ARTICLE

USA

The Business of Reprints

By Spencer . January 16, 2006 . 8:02am

Ever wondered how brand new copies of Rez, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, Gitaroo Man, Persona 2 and Resident Evil 3 for Gamecube just popped up out of nowhere? The story starts with a company called Game Quest Direct. Originally, Game Quest Direct had a chain of video game stores nationwide, but they consolidated their retail locations just in Southern California. Instead of just being another video game store and try to compete with the likes of Best Buy, Gamestop and Walmart Game Quest Direct decided to restructure their company. Aim for the hardcore gamer and use the internet as way to reach them. Their online inventory began with the usual offerings, new copies of Grand Theft Auto and the latest releases at slim discounts.

Obviously this wasn’t distinguishing GQD from any other retailer or the hordes of eBay sellers. They had to carve a niche for themselves. While they unloaded some of their inventory over eBay they noticed that eBay prices for hard to find games skyrocketed way over retail value. Resident Evil 2 and 3 for Gamecube were printed in limited quantity, which made the games sought after by collectors. Game Quest Direct decided to capitalize on the opportunity. They directly contacted Capcom and arranged a deal to reprint the games, but Game Quest Direct would have to front all of the money. They paid a lofty sum and took a heavy risk. Each reprint costs Game Quest Direct nearly $100,000 to do. But instead of getting a low profit margin that retail stores struggle with, Game Quest Direct would get 50% of the profits on each sale. The gamble paid off and GQD made a sizeable profit.

Quickly after Capcom agreed to do reprints Game Quest Direct was hot on the next set of titles to release and what better place to look than Atlus USA. Atlus titles are known to be “rare” in the world of game collectors. Typically they’re printed in low numbers and don’t have the same store exposure as Super Mario Sunshine. You’re just not going to find a copy of Persona 2 at Wal-Mart. Unlucky gamers who couldn’t score a classic on the first round would be forced to shell out loads of dough to by a used copy on eBay. Disgaea: Hour of Darkness was one of Atlus’ most critically acclaimed titles, but after it was showered with praise it was nowhere to be found. Prices for a used copy could fetch over a hundred dollars for a copy before the reprint. Game Quest Direct reprinted Persona 2, Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure and later on Disgaea: Hour of Darkness in 2005. All of these games sold like hotcakes, even the PS1 titles Persona 2 and Rhapsody. It’s not really a huge surprise since Game Quest Direct was selling new copies of the game way below the price of a used copy.

However, hardcore video game collectors were irked. Reprints could not be distinguished from the originals, which brought the value down of their collection. That $85 copy of Persona 2 purchased used, dropped nearly 50% in price. Speculators who snagged up copies of Disgaea couldn’t profit from eBay sales. Especially proud collectors weren’t perturbed by the economics, but more that they lost exclusivity of being the only one on the block with these a rare game. In a way Game Quest Direct angered the audience they were searching for. On the other hand a bunch of gamers were happy with the situation. More gamers got to try out Disgaea and at a reasonable price.

In between these titles Game Quest Direct were hashing out the final details for two major reprints: Gitaroo-Man a quirky Japanese music game created by Inix (who also recently did Ouendan for the Nintendo DS) and the psychedelic music shooter Rez from Sega. Unlike the speedy process with Atlus and Capcom these reprints took months to work out. Negotiating prices, filing paperwork and waiting for Sony to officially press these games was a long waiting process. Like the other reprints each of these cost over a hundred thousand for each and Game Quest Direct had to give all of the finical security to bring these niche titles back into the marketplace. When Gitaroo Man appeared and Rez trickled in, eBay prices bottomed out since new copies could be picked up for a mere $50. Once again successful Game Quest Direct profits from the reprint and a new group of gamers gets to play these rarities.

But if Game Quest Direct really is controlling the flow of these imports by acting as a pseudo-publisher how are they appearing at Gamestop? Simple, Game Quest Direct is selling them directly to Gamestop. A representative spokesperson has said that they decided to unload a sizeable amount of inventory to Gamestop at a bulk price. However since Gamestop sells used copies of these games at a higher price they’ve taken the liberty of unsealing and selling the brand new game as a used copy. Game Quest Direct is happy to sell a bulk lot to any distributor or even eBay seller if the price is right. Even though they may be the masterminds behind many reprints gamers shouldn’t be surprised to see copies appear at other video game specialty stores.

What’s next in 2006 for the publisher/retailer? Recently they purchased the now defunct Working Designs’ remaining inventory. Copies of Growlanser: Generations Deluxe Edition, and Silhouette Mirage can be picked up. What’s really surprising is a number of extremely rare titles like Sega Ages for the Saturn, Exile, and Cosmic Fantasy 2 for Turbo Graphix 16. They’re currently in talks with Square-Enix, Atari and Konami for more reprints. It’s possible that reprints of Valkyrie Profile, Ikaruga and Suikoden II may pop up eventually. Collectors take note, Game Quest Direct said that they would try to reprint any game that goes on eBay for over $100. On the bright side a second chance to check out gaming glory benefits a large number of gamers out there.

Do you think Game Quest direct is doing a service or a disservice to the gaming community? Leave your thoughts in a comment.

TAGS: Disgaea, Gaming Culture, Interviews, News

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MrCHUPON

An absolute service. Though, yes, it takes away from the high of collecting, great games should make it into the hands of the people who want to play them. It certainly beats tainting the industry with pirates who create illegal copies of rare games.

coldacid

These guys are providing legit copies of rare Atlus and WD games? I now officially love them with all my heart!

Sri Lumpa

Yes, definitely a service.

Of course those that collect games for the sake of having things others don't have won't be happy but apart from these snobs everybody else profits.

Anyway, it is simple capitalism, the low supply makes the prices go up, giving an incentive to give a bigger supply, which makes the prices go down.

Kurt

Yeah, this is a great idea. They're still a little bit expensive but they're much better than eBay by far. Any collectors who are annoyed by this are really just selfish elitists.

Duncan Stibbard Hawkes

Very definite service. Apart from real collectors, and those unlucky people who bought the game just before the reprint, everyone else benefits.

Ed Oscuro

What irks me, as the article said, is that GameStop slashes open the games to resell them. I got a Breath of Fire 4 and Super Puzzle Fighter II recently, somewhat suspecting something was out of whack, but the slashed seals threw me off. The worst part that they sell them for so much - want Persona 2? Pay $30 or more - and on top of that the game case may be damaged.

It's great to find old games, though.

Put me in the "it'd be nice if there were a reprint symbol, like Japanese OSTs" group.

Mr Waffle

Definiately a fan of this. I always wondered how I managed to get a brand new copy of Rez...

They should probably add that they're reissues on the case or something, though.

roushimsx

I love these guys and I love their stance on expensive ebay games. From now on, I'm going to directly order everything straight from them instead of scouring Gamestops for pre-opened copies. So far I've only bought Rez from them, but I'll gladly buy Valkyrie Profile and Suikoden II from them if they do those.

Hardcore ebay collectors be damned, I love these guys. They're making sure people that want to play these games are able to, and anyone who thinks that's a bad thing should not be in the gaming hobby.

NegativeZero

I wish someone would do this with some of the PAL titles. Down here in Australia, games like Disgaea are out of print. All of the NIS games to get a PAL release so far (Disgaea, La Pucelle, Phantom Brave, Makai Kingdom) were released in such limited quantities in Australia that most stores didn't even get a single copy, and those that did pretty much universally had them preordered by those 'in the know'. What's worse is that they discontinue them almost straight away, which makes the games a lot harder to track down as specialty stores like EB will not order items that are not in their Database. You're usually forced to order from the UK and cross your fingers that they even have any copies over there.

Of course, this rant doesn't even touch on the plethora of games which PAL gamers have been deemed unworthy of recieving at all.

MightySlacker

I used to think this was a service, but GQDs perpetual lying and gouging of the consumer pretty easily changed my mind. They price gouge on ebay before people realize what's going on, and then when people figure it out they pawn off the leftovers to gamestop. I find it hard to believe that they wanted gamers to be able to play Rhapsody when they were selling them at 80-90 bucks a pop before the price bottomed.

Not to mention they FLAT LIED to their consumers. On a website called Chaepassgamer.com, they claimed to know NOTHING of any reprint and that Atlus found some leftover stock, which was later to be 100% false.

HomerCIDAL

I think it is a great idea that allows for a disservice to the customer.

The reprints are a great idea...no doubt about that. I can't tell you how many times I have looked for that rare game only to be turned away everywhere I look. Many times I only want it so I can experience it...not to collect it and shelve it away forever. This is a good idea, but GQD should make some changes.

Change the cover art...add a print or version lot number on the disc itself. Something to authenticate the fact it is not a rare first run print of the game but rather a second edition. Maybe something similar to Sony's line of "GH" titles where you have the game, but you know it is not a first run copy. This would allow for consumers who only want the game for play to get a copy while retaining the value of the first run copies for collector's purposes.

I can't stress enough how distasteful it is to hear that a major retailer like Gamestop would stoop to such a low level to make a few extra bucks, but they have slipped in customer service over the years and maybe it will take something like this to wake up consumers and urge them to move on.

In short, I am behind GQD's idea 100% if they can show a difference between original prints and the reprints of the software. I'd gladly purchase some of those hard to find titles.

Marizu

It would be handy if they could license these as region free so that us PAL gamers could also benefit. This would offset their risk by having a larger market and also let the deiscerning/snob (you choose) tell the difference between an original issue and a reprint.

M

chris reynolds

You know what? I think this is a great idea! As a video gamer for the past 24 years I can honestly say, screw anyone who treats video games as a collectible. This isn't Barbie, G.I. Joe, or even comic books. It's medium just as ovies are, albeit a much more enjoyable one I might add.... look don't get me wrong, I myself own 2300 video games, and own all the systems released since 1976, but, I bought them when they came out, and I don't believe in owning a trash game just because it's rare. Can these so called collectors truly say they have played AND beaten all these fantastic titles they prodly bolster that they own? I for one can say I have.... get a better hobby people or just enjoy the games you own, i for one will be picking up reprints of the ones I couldn't afford beacause I was unemployed, but when you eat ramen for 2 weeks just so you can buy 2 games that come out back to back then you will be more understanding of the addiction that is video gaming....later people

Brinstar

But those were marketed re-releases by the publisher. These are reprints from a third party.

I support making hard-to-find games available again, though I think that the year printed on the manuals and discs should be updated to show that these are not the originals.

MiD

I am 100% for this idea and wish someone had done this sooner. I love collecting games, more so, love playing them. There is a lot out there that I'd like to own and can't always afford (Radiant Silvergun).

As far as hardcore gamers being angered, it's understandable, but you got to look at it like "that was then and this is now". I've paid a lot for rare games too. I personally have no regrets dropping cash on what I wanted, even in light of this. Now there's another way to get what we want, and the games are legit. It shouldn't take much effort to continue hunting down originals while being informed on what reprints are going to be available.

I'd say don't alter the artwork unless it's necessary, as in US game packaging being completely awful compared to their Japanese and European counterparts. They should put a "Game Quest" logo identifiably (but not obtrusive) on the packaging, instruction manual, and most importantly on the disc face. As long as stores aren't unsealing the shrink wrap, side spines, top spines, and stickers can be used to identify the reprinted edition.

As far as Gamestop unsealing new Game Quest games and selling them a higher used prices, that's lame. Maybe they should spend more time making their stores look organized and presentable instead of taking advantage of their customers.

Jim

good idea!

kap

# SamuraiSmurfette said:

In any other collector hobby, this would be an uproar. Can you imagine someone re-minting coins, or reproducing antiques without specifically mentioning that they are? Take comic books for example. They’re clearly marked with first printing, second printing, etc. That way, they retaing the collector’s value (the ‘elitists’ you speak of), and still allow anyone else just looking to read it, to find it at a reasonable price range. It’s a shady underhanded practice if you ask me, and only serves to rip-off the uninformed.

The recent Serenity comics published by Dark Horse went through multiple reprints without any indication of print run. Nobody gave a rats ass.

Phil

I'm all for this. I really don't care if the collectors are upset. A REAL collector collects games because of how fun, original, and special they are. Yes, I have hunted down copies of games like Rez, Dragon Force, Guardian Heroes, Ikaruga and the Suikodens. I never bought these games for their monetary value or so that I could brag to others, but because I knew that they were special, and I have no problem getting a rare game used if it costs me less. Games are meant to be played so I don't need something to be sealed and unopened. Honestly, I wish every great game was readily availabe and that there were no rare games at all. Better for all gamers everywhere.

bornku

if they're gouging prices on ebay, that's definitely uncool. but making these games available to people that want to play them? only a shmuck would have a problem with that. i wish they had been doing this back in the day, i might've been able to afford a copy of intelligent qube.

Jordan Lund

Any problem on the collectors market can be solved by marking the reprints "2nd. Printing". Happens in the book world all the time. 1st printings get to keep their value, 2nd printings and on for the mass market. I don't have a problem with that.

Mobius

Finally, after years of looking for Rez, god appears disguised as Game Quest Direct.
Now the only thing left is that the deal with Konami takes shape.

Xtreme

Ben Schuermann said:This is crap!!! Why not alter the cover or the disc a little bit so people can still play it yet collector’s can have copies that still keep their value. What a load of junk game quest direct is.

Bargona said: Umm, this is an absolute disservice. What Gamequest Direct is doing is destroying any value these once highly valued games hold. I for one play most of my rare games, but I also take pride in knowing I’m in the minority of people who own it. How am I to feel special about my collection if everyother person owns it, and better yet, how do I feel when I present my collection to others, only to get a “I already own all of those games, you have nothing special in particular,”?

Hey guys, quit whining! You 2 are the only 2 whining "oh i cant rip anyone off now if i sell them an underprint game and steal someones soul". I am 110% behind the reprint of uncommon games. I've played alot of uncommon games, and if and when they make a reprint of these games, I will buy them. I enjoy rpgs, as well as collecting them. Yes, i did buy a first print copy of disgaea, Arc Collection, and Rhapsody, and I have no problem with the reprints. And why you ask? I like the fact that others can enjoy the same gaming expericene that I have had with these reprinted games. They're fun and should be made available to everyone. I like this concept. For all those people who dont like it, the hell with you guys! You are the ones on the internet paying small prices for the games, and turning around and selling them for outrageous amounts, also known as price gouging! You collectors are no better than Wal Mart. I support GQD (irony GOD=GQD lol) because they are making these games and so that everyone can equally enjoy them.

In short, they should mark the packages with something that says “reprint,” or change the credits on the box to say that they somehow had something to do with the reprint, or anything.

Fuyukaze

As a game player first, and a colector second I love the idea of reprints for old hard to find games. Yes, I see how it's hurting the value of my copies of such, but I just dont care. I didn't get into games because I wanted to have some uberrare ultra expensive game that was all too valuable to play from fear of getting it dirty. I wanted a game I enjoyed playing that I thought was fun. Giving people the chance to play games like Persona 2 or Rez for cheaper prices then ebay is great. Forcing someone to pay $500.00 for a sealed copy of Raident Silvergun realy sucks. It would be very interesting if they chose to re-release that.

GQD Management

Thank you to all of you for your support to Game Quest and GameQuestDirect.com. We do appreciate all the positive and encouragement to continue our effort to bring the reprint games to the gamers. As we learn from your feedback and our learning, we promise to bring more exciting games from the vaults of many publishers to you.

Please use the coupon code "gqthank1116" for FREE UPS Ground Residential/Commerical Shipping on any item purchase over $44.99 at the checkout Coupon.

Omega_Black

Too darn bad, elitists. You can't make ridiculous asking prices of people on eBay anymore.
And to all you braggarts out there who are upset about your rare game no longer being rare, get over it.
At any time, Sega, Capcom, Atlus, or any other company could have reprinted these games without GQD's backing. Would you have been so quick to cry foul then?

Just accept the fact that capitalism exists in this country and deal. I have, making my new copy of Rez all the more enjoyable.

lordofthunder

Wow, dame you sneaky Game Quest. You found a way to make money that no other game company could think of. I have no problem with re-issuing PS2 games, they're only a couple years old, but, stay away from anything PS1 and earlier. PS1 games are out of print, and should stay that way. Same goes for Super Nes, Genesis, Sega Saturn, and all other vintage systems.

Does everybody see where this is leading? What if they decide to re-issue Super Nes and Nes games, even complete with box? And other systems? People could see their entire game collections depreciate in value. Now that would venture into the realm of piracy. They are already talking of re-issuing two of the rarest PS1 games, Suikoden II, and Valkyrie Profile. I have seen these games steadily increase in value over the past few years. They used to sell under $30.00. They have become collector's items. Their value would drop overnight if Game Quest re-issued them. Is that right? What about all the people who paid money and bought the game before it came out?

Do you know how many rare and sought after PS1 games there are? Imagine Game Quest re-issuing game after game after game, to make money, and every game you have in your own collection will start depreciating. Open your eyes all you buffoons who don't see what's happening here. What's to stop Game Quest from re-issuing the who's who of Sega Saturn? Take for example Dragon Force, Guardian Heroes, Panzer Saga, god forbid, and all the rest, and putting them all on one collection? Or re-issuing each game new for let's say, $25.00. Game collectors who paid hundreds and even thousands of dollars to collect these games will see their entire collection, worth a fraction over night. In fact, this would destroy the game collecting phenomenon. You wouldn't have to look for or find anything, everything would be the same price and readily available. Then look at the potential of re-issuing all the rare Snes, Nes, Sega Genesis, and so on.

Yes, I can see why this would be appetizing to someone who is just starting to collect games, or someone who just wants to play games, but these people are not real game players. There are people who go out every week, looking for these games, scour the internet for countless hours, spend every last dollar they have, that's what all you uninformed people don't understand. You think Game Quest is doing you a service by bringing you a rare game for a good deal, but some day your own collection could go down in value. This needs to be stopped.

They are also very sneaky about re-issuing the games as well. Nobody knows about it until they show up on eBay. The game will suddenly drop in value overnight, and all the dozens of people who just purchased the game on eBay the week before, now see it for $25.00 new. And all the people who planned on selling a copy, now were screwed. Imagine this happening to a coin collector or antique dealer, like someone mentioned earlier. They are already starting with the PS1's, so they have no qualms about re-issuing out of print games. So that means that all classic game systems are in jeopardy of having their rare titles re-issued. Games that are 10, 15 years old could suddenly start showing up in Gamestop. These games could possibly be put on a compilation disc, or imagine if they started making cartridge based games with reprinted boxes and manuals, jesus that would destroy the retro video gaming marketplace. Companies will start licensing their rare games, companies like Game Quest will jump on board, and anybody who either buys or sells video games would be the losers. We all would eventually.

And after these games are readily available, all the morons who want them so bad, who aren't really collectors, probably won't even want them anymore. So keep it up losers, whenever you buy these re-issued games you are contributing to Game Quest and their "Quest" to destroy the fun, mystique, and dedication of classic game collecting.

All you morons who don't understand retro gaming or game collecting, save your money, and buy yourself a PSP. GAME QUEST SHAME ON YOU! DON'T START DESTROYING A HOBBY THAT SLOWLY HAS GAINED POPULARITY OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS! STICK TO PS2 AND NEWER CONSOLES STAY AWAY FROM PS1 AND EARLIER! IF YOU CAN'T PROFIT FROM SELLING GAMES HONESTLY LIKE OTHER GAME COMPANIES DON'T RESORT TO "LEGAL PIRACY" TO KEEP YOUR WORTHLESS COMPANY AFLOAT. FILE BANKRUPTCY AND DO ALL THE REAL GAMERS A FAVOR!

Juan

Game availability is what matters. Making a game available for those who want to play it is a meaningful service, while "collecting" things to gather dust is a disease.

Art is alive, not something you store away.

I look forward to more and more games being reissued.

Kent

Add me to the list of people wanting a small "2nd Printing" or other icon on the packaging. That's the fair thing to do.

Cauchy

As someone who got Rez when it first came out for the Playstation 2, I can say that I am not troubled at all by identical copies of the game I own being put into the marketplace. Even when someone told me that Rez was a very rare game, I never thought about it in terms of "hey, now I have a valuable game on my hands." No, the first thing I did was ask that person if they wanted to borrow my copy and play through it. I see no reason to mark the packaging of these games with some sort of reminder that the new player doesn't have the original; games should be about playing, not collecting.

lordofthunder

I have no problem with GameQuest making money. But underhandedly using the eBay game collecting marketplace to do that is wrong. They are appealing to collectors, while stabbing them in the back at the same time. And where is it going to stop? They are already planning on re-issuing any game on eBay that sells for over $100.00. They are not doing gamers a service, they are doing themselves a service. What does this mean? That anybody who collects classic video games needs to suddenly start selling their collection? There are tons of people who buy retro games. People pay hundreds of dollars for old Atari carts, Nes games, Super Nes, Genesis, turbo duo, and more. Is the value of all these games threatened?

Game quest has re-issued almost all of the rare PS1's, without making any attempt to make it known to anybody. So these re-issues show up out of nowhere without anybody knowing where they came from. Game Quest doesn't care about the value of the games, collectors, eBay or any of that. They just destroy the value of a rare game that has slowly appreciated over several years, virtually overnight, just for the sake of profit. Nobody sees anything wrong with that? I'm referring to PS1's, because it's a classic system. I could care less if they re-issue PS2 games, because PS2 is only a few years old.

But those PS1 games, are 5-10 years old. Once they get done with all these rare PS1's, hopefully that will be the end of this re-issue business. Go to IGn.com, just look at the people who list their classic game collections, and how much they're worth. Those people spent thousands of dollars, and spent countless hours, to amass those collections. And there are many rare and sought after PS1 games. Game Quest one by one, is going through all the rare PS1 games, re-issuing them, permantently destroying any collector or monetary value they have, and filtering them through to eBay, Gamestop, and other places, never attempting to make the public aware of what they're doing, and making money from it. And they have no plans of stopping, and who knows what else they plan on doing.

Anybody who collects video games from any classic system needs to be aware of what's happening here. Game Quest is a threat to the entire classic gaming community. And the million dollar eBay retro gaming community. Game Quest has thought of a sneaky way to use that environment to it's advantage. While still presenting itself as a respectable retailer.

And I'll rant if I want to. I spent years collecting classic games, including PS1's which now is a classic system, and should remain untampered with. My entire collection is worth a lot of money. I don't want Game Quest messing with the value of my collection. They better be careful where they go with this re-issuing crap. Because there is a huge classic gaming community out there, backed by millions of eBay users, and they will generate the backlash of all those people.

And to those morons who say "Games are for people to play", well let me make an example of something. Four or five years ago, Suikoden 2 and Valkyrie Profile were only worth about $20 each. Now that the prices of those games on eBay have gone over $100.00, there are a bunch of people who now want the game, simply due to the price that it's getting. Now, Game Quest plans on re-issuing those titles, and how much are they going to sell them for? Fifty? 75? More?? All you idiots who wanted the game due to it's value, are going to still pay fifty and even more for these re-issues. Do you think Game Quest is going to sell these re-issues for $20.00? No, their going to sell them for $100.00 if they can, without doing any of you any favors, and pocketing big time for each copy they sell. So, Game Quest doing anybody favors is bullcrap. They are doing nobody favors but themselves and pissing off a bunch of people in the process. Boycott GameQuest!

Ttora

Lordofthunder stop using the word "moron" please.
I don't know you but you look like an elitist trashing the young gamers...
-PS1 is a classic system since how long? 3 years? So you probably haven't spent that much money on your collection.
-How many PS1 games are that expensive? Except for japanese games, 5 % are really expensive and nobody buy jap games (I mean most common gamers don't).
Personnally I own many games available on Gamequest that I've bought when they were released (Guardian Heroes, Persona 2, Valkirie Profile...) that is to say I've brought them 40 $. I don't really care if they are reprinted.
What is really valuable to me is SFC, FC and SMS games. These are real classic games because they are a lot harder to find. PS1 has just become a classic.
Anyway I'm not crazy about collecting I just don't sell my old games because they are full of memory and not because they are supposed to cost 100 $.

SaraAB87

I dont have a problem with the reprints, since i never owned any of these games in the first place.

However what i have a problem with is certain used game retailers and their unscrupulous practices to make a few extra bucks. I sincerly hope that gamestop dies a horrible death in a huge lawsuit someday for what they are doing by their used game selling practices. Opening a game and selling it as used is not moral especially when you are selling it to unsuspecting customers who think they are getting an insanely rare game at a fair price.

Even though there was a lawsuit for gamestop/ebgames selling used games as new i know they still do it and i have witnessed several incidents of them still doing this myself recently. The problem stems from the fact that employees of these stores often open up a game to play it themselves or they take it home for a few days to play it.

My biggest beef with Gamestop though is that they sell PIRATED GBA games as the original thing, BUYERS BE WARNED DO NOT BUY USED GBA GAMES FROM GAMESTOP/EB GAMES. They are probably pirated copies, i am not saying all games are but i have witnessed several pirated copies in the used case at several gamestop stores first hand. The thing is they will sell these games to unsuspecting customers, be especially wary if you are female or have children as those are the types of people they try to pull the most crap on. I have also confronted the manager of gamestop about the pirated games and the only response i got was "its ok". Despite laws in the USA that prohibit stores from selling counterfeit merchandise i was told "its ok".

The only games you have to worry about this with is the USED GBA GAMES though, since bootlegs/counterfeits are incredibly common. Also do not order a USED GBA game from ebgames.com or gamestop.com as you are likely to recieve a bootleg game. New GBA games should be fine, i would certaintly hope they do not try to pass off bootlegs as new games!

TreyTable

They are doing a good service to gamers, just like Majesco before them, what's wrong with a reprint of a game that I didn't know about of the 2000 or so PS2 games in the last 5 years? But if I read the article correctly, GQD isn't reprinting games, they are betting the farm on trying to get these games reprinted, and to tell the truth, I'd rather buy a new re-issue of a game than some scratched up crap listed on eBay as (like brand new).

What GameStop is doing, that's sickening me, but GameStop sickens me in the first place.

James Montagna

Wow, this really explains A LOT of what's going on. I recently purchased a copy of Rez, new and sealed, for my girlfriend as a present. It was expensive, though slightly less expensive than I would have expected for this. I was shocked to find it as it was (sealed), as most copies that don't even include the packaging could fetch around 80 bucks.

After this, my local EB Games has 6 or 7 used copies of Rhapsody for the PSX; a game I have been searching for... (for about 5 or 6 years now?) I was shocked, and all of the copies were brand new -- but being sold as used. I, of course, bought a copy of it.

As far as my personal opinion is concerned... I'm really on the fence about this. I'm psyched I was able to get ahold of these games, but I really feel for those collectors who previously paid top dollar to get their hands on a copy of an elusive game, only to have it's value shattered. This is a really controversial topic, but a very interesting one (seeing as how it has affected me and my purchases so much).

Let's give these folks a bit more time, and see what else they manage to bring over to the printing press. I'll decide how I feel about them later.

lordofthunder

Hey everybody it's me again, did you check my article out? Thanks again to Siliconera. Well I'm still looking for Panzer Dragoon Saga, still waiting for the day when a thousand factory sealed copies all show up on eBay at the same time, what's taking so long GameQuest? I'm just kidding, as you should know by now I'm 110% against game reprints.

It's funny when people say, that we collectors just collect games for the monetary value. It's not the main reason I collect games, it's because I am a gamer, especially an old-school gamer. What is the main reason GameQuest is re-issuing rare games? Because they want people to play them and experience them? No, because they want your money. GameQuest are the ones who see dollar signs.

Anyone against GameQuest needs to go to their site and email them. I did, and got no response, but I'm sure they got my message. I asked them how they feel about the thousands of people who bought these games before GameQuest re-issued them, and how they feel about bottoming out prices for rare games. They gave no response. You'd think that they would at least have a stance on this issue. They don't. Their stance is, we're making money, we could care less about gamers, or collectors.

It's because of eBay that we're even seeing re-releases of Valkyrie Profile and Suikoden I&II on PSP. It's because of the dollar signs that those games bring on eBay, and if they want to re-issue those games on PSP then I guess they have the right to do that. Does this mean that GameQuest is not going to re-issue them on the PS1? Did the publishers get wise to GameQuest? Are they now making their own re-release for PSP, without the involvement of GameQuest? This is interesting. I wonder if we'll still see a re-issue of them on PS1, like are they going to release them on PSP, and then re-issue them for PS1 through GameQuest 6 months later?

The publishers realized that they should be making money, and not GameQuest. Hopefully we will not see a re-release of Valkyrie Profile and Suikoden II on the actual PS1 itself. How will the PSP re-releases affect sales of the PS1 versions on eBay? Just something interesting to think about. Does this mean that Sega is going to make a Panzer Dragoon Trilogy for PSP? I personally wouldn't buy it, but then again PSP is not my thing. I guess PSP re-releases of rare games, is better than PS1 re-issues by GameQuest. But what I want to know is, are they going to do a re-issue on the PS1 after the PSP re-issue? Can somebody find this out from Konami and Square-Enix? Or do they want us to know?

FredSeton

(cross-posted in repsonse to lordofthunder's article.)

I have been both in my time: a collector and a gamer.
I was one of the few that snapped up a Saturn as it dwindled to $20 (packaged with NiGHTS) and several import games that my local Electronics Boutique was selling. In one fell swopp I snagged Radiant Silvergun and D&D Collection.
Those were/are excellent games.
I continued snatching up any import I could find and made a little shrine for them in my entertainment center; something to charge the imagination and jealousy of my friends.
A few years later I went back to college.
New York University is not cheap and although I commuted for 4 years from outside of Philadelphia it still took a hefty toll on my wallet.
Eventually I had to hop on eBay and part with these games. I always held out hope, however, that once college was over and I had a job that I would reclaim my Saturn collection.
Fast forward 4 years and I found a job. It was now time to recapture the past.
I hopped on eBay, entered "Radiant Silvergun" into the engine and...F*** ME.
Same with the the US Guardian Heroes.
Same with D&D Collection.
F*** ME.

I really just wanted to play those games on my ill-fated 2D powerhouse. Whatever special pride I may feel by having those games that countless others did not was eclipsed by the joy of actually playing them.
That said, I decided I'd just steal the little bastards back. But the copy protection on the Saturn is a stunning thing and I refused to "disc swap" or get a mod chip.

Now I hear rumors that GQD may in fact reprint some of these games, with the help of SEGA or whoever, and I rejoice.

Video game collectors are a sorry lot. Not because of their temprament or their penchant to call others "moron." No. They are a sorry lot because of the items they collect and the industry that spawns them.
Unlike Wizards Of The Coast with their Magic cards or comic book publishers with their, well, comic books, the publishers of video games make no money off the secondary market. Were Wizards to reprint the Black Lotus and Juzam Djinn tomorrow, the backlash would be extraordinary. Card shops that hold Wizards-sanctioned events would stop paying their fees, players that enter tourneys in hopes of winning one of those ultra rare cards would feel no need to submit their $50 entry fee, collectors would go on murderous rampages, etc.
Wizards has an obligation to their collectors because the cards, after all is said and done, are labeled a "COLLECTIBLE Trading Card Game." Indeed, Wizards and similar companies financial futures depend on not re-issuing.
This is not true of the video game industry.
The industry in general and their publishers in particular depend solely on making money. As retro-gaming becomes more and more popular as a subculture it only stands to reason that these companies will feel a buck can be made. (*NOTE* The video game industry dwarfs the collectible card market in revenue. They couldn't give a crap what happens to the little eBayers.)

Don't blame GQD for they are only part of what you feel is "the problem." Sega is a partner of theirs. Whoever owns the Atlus catalog is a partner of theirs. Sony is a partner of theirs. And why?
To make a buck.
Make no mistake, the joy that have-not gamers and the rage that hard-core collectors feel is purely incidental.
It's all about the money.

And I for one, happen to think that's a great thing.
Especially if it means I can play Panzer Dragoon Saga without selling my sister into white slavery.

Ben

GQD are nothing but crooks. It would be very very very easy to have some sort of mark to tell between a 1st print and 2nd print. It seems most people want this and wouldn't mind. Since this is just to get the game out for people to play then who cares.

You know why they won't?

BECAUSE THERE WHOLE BUSINESS IS TO TRICK PEOPLE INTO THINKING THEY ARE GETTING A RARE GAME!!! That is how they are making such a profit. Unloading these games to people who think they are getting the original "rare" version. Come to find out a bit later they were nothing but reprints.

It's a joke. They aren't honest at all.

Look at Rez on their website:

Limited Time Special my butt. The price has dropped from before. How limited can it be. They are putting that to make you think they only have a small number of copies, thus tricking you into thinking it is still rare. They have tons and so will gamestop and eb soon. IT's a joke if you think this company is doing it for gamers to play games. They are doing it to make a profit on people who don't know the truth.

Angry

I think this is cool, and not cool at the same time. After searching for Suikoden 2 for two or so years, going to every game shop, every website, etc. etc. I finally gave up in trying to find it for a reasonable price. I will not download ISOs and emulate or buy pirated copies. So, I saved up my money, grabbed my **** and forked over the cash...a lot of it. I am not a collector, although I have tons of rare RPGs for SNES and PS1. I buy games to play. But having just heard about a reprint of Suikoden 2 makes me sort of sick to my stomach... So I don't really know if this is a good idea or not. If GQD continues this practice with publishers, they really should, as a service to their customers put a 2nd edition label or something. It would be poor ethic not to.

Matthew

lol this is funny.
People are whining about their "rare" games getting reprinted
What about EA they just released Command and Conquer the first Decade.

The gaming community is funny because they think that because they collected and paid daft prices that they have a right to keep the monetary value of a certain game high.

Some games aren't even that good yet they fetch substantial amounts of money just because they are rare. Makes me laugh because its another over reaction.

I'd rather pay for an official copy than have to resort to piracy and I sure is hell won't be paying silly prices for a gameplay experience that was originally priced at 39.99 besides the people making money these days are just resellers.
At least now the original developers will make some money from their old works even if it is because they are licencing the reprints

Malcolm X

Well, for one thing, if people don't know about the reprints (these stores & company are mostly in Southern California), and once the reprints are sold out, I think over time, the games will re-accumulate value. Oh, and I heard that some "reprints" may be sold for just as much as a 1st Edition print, so whether you have a 1st Edition or Reprint, your game would be worth a lot either way, correct? It just would take time, I believe.

But on the side note, I think adding a Reprint label like "2nd Edition" or "Greatest Hits" (as done for some PS1 games) MUST BE necessary. Remember, the games are being reprinting now in 2006 or whenever, not back then in the 90s. It would be a bit deceptive to keep the old years there. If people just want to play the games, they wouldn't mind having a reprint, so long as the game is legit and it works, right? Other types of media works the same way.

Second, do these reprinted games have Game Quest Direct label on them, since they are really re-"published" by Game Quest, kinda like how Working Designs "Republished" games imported from Japan, but only as English Translations (hence why WD put Working Designs labels on the box, and inside had the names of companies that earn credit for making the games in the 1st place).

Malcolm X

Oh, and one more thing. concerning the Saturn and systems before them, I don't think many reprints of Saturn, SNES, N64, Genesis, etc. (games for the Saturn and systems before them) would be reprinted. Not many people have those systems, and it would be a little more difficult to find people to purchase many games for systems that current young gamers don't have. As for PS1 games (and games for the PS1 to the present day systems), games would be reprinted, as the Playstation family has newer systems that are backwards compatible (same goes with Xbox). Don't know much about the Game Cube though.

gokirokir

yes

Bungiefan

Remember, the games are being reprinting now in 2006 or whenever, not back then in the 90s. It would be a bit deceptive to keep the old years there.

The thing is, the date on the games is the copyright year, the year the content was developed and released publicly. If none of the content of the product changes then you can't update the copyright date (copyrights only last so long and you can't artificially extend them just by changing the date by making the exact same product again) if you're selling the same product in the same packaging at a later date. GQD doesn't technically publish the games, so they don't have to put their name on the packaging, they just hire the original publisher to republish the game again and sell them every single copy that is republished.

Notice games with multiple copyright dates? Those different dates are there because different components of the product have different copyright dates, but they won't specifically tell you which. Look at the PS1 Final Fantasy updates. For 1 and 2, the graphics and music are updated, the basic story is the same but with an updated script, and the FMVs are completely new. For 4, 5, and 6, the music and graphics are the same, and the script, but there are new menus and new FMVs, so those components get the newer copyright, while the old components keep their original copyright date.

The only way GQD could be justified in putting a modern copyright date on the games is if they actually changed or added content that is new and not in the first run, most likely just changing the disc and case art, and they have no reason to do so.

mightyquinn

I just started collecting survival horror games for ps1 and ps2. I buy them on e-bay because i can't find them anywhere else. I was hoping to possibly profit on my collection in the future. This news bugs me but I am still fond of my collection.

Paula

I will not shed a single tear for eBay price scalpers, and those who use their game collections as ego-boosters. Games are meant to be played, not to be collected to sit on a shelf and wait for prices to go up.

Game classics deserve to be preserved and played by new people. Imagine if classic movies or books would only have one print run, and then the only people who would be able to own them would be rich collectors. Want to read 'War and Peace'? Too bad, not available. 'Gone With the Wind' on DVD? Sure, if you´ll pay 1.200 bucks for a used copy.

Doesn´t make any sense!

Os

This is both refreshing and disappointing. Recently, I found myself searching for a couple of hard to find games and being infuriated by the prices people were asking. I couldn't understand how games weren't being reprinted like this.

That got me thinking about investing my own savings into doing exactly what Game Quest has done! I found this article by researching the topic.

On one hand, I'm glad someone is doing these reprints. One the other hand, they beat me to it !

I own a number of rare titles, two of which GQ has apparently already reprinted (Disgaea, Persona 2) and it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I might be a little bothered if I'd ever patronized the over-priced resellers but I haven't and won't on principle.

Carmen

Ok, can we make a distinction? Is GQD actually reprinting these, or is it the original American publisher reprinting that GQD is negotitating with? Obviously if GQD was making the games themselves, that would be bollocks, but if the original publisher is making it, even with GQD's lobbying, I don't see the issue as long as the quality of the whole set is as good or better then the original...

Silent_Edge

Well... there does appear to be some sort of a difference between the Disgaea Hour of Darkness cover art. One of them has Larharl on the bottom left side corner of the cover, and another has a succubus. Which of these is the original, I don't know, but a little bit some clarification would help a lot.

Jobb

"or someone who just wants to play games, but these people are not real game players."

LOL... yeah the real game players are the ones who put their sealed games in a locked box and stare at them. Right

Rich

This happens with EVERY type of collectible at some point, although generally there is something to differentiate the re-issue. When Uni-Five re-released the Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger Jumbos a few years back they used the original box art, but with a UNI-Five logo. I am fine with that. It made a rare toy available to a wider audience, and didn't diminish the original value very much.

GQD selling these on Ebay without stating that it's a new pressing is shady as hell.

I'm all for stuff being re-printed, but not in the case where it's being mis-represented as old store stock or something.

That said, you take a gamble collecting anything. The value can go up or down, and it's not any company's responsibility to make sure your copy of Magik Defenders of Evil 2: The Eviling retains it's secondary market value.

Iori Branford

If the reprints are identical to the originals, technically they're just continuing the first printing.

Besides, these will go out of stock too at some point. You can go back to charging an arm and a left nut then.