Used Games - Win the battle. Lose the war?

A fable 3 developer recently stated that "secondhand sales cost us more in the long run than piracy these days."

While no further explanation was given, the focus on used games has much to do with the fact that despite the best of efforts, piracy cannot be stopped. The sale of used games seems a more attractive battle to developers, one that they may actually be
able to win. While i understand the frustration surrounding the gamestop economics of selling used games for $5 less than a new one, the fight against used sales may be a bit short-sighted.

These are a few things that may be worth considering.

PAY IT FORWARD
When i was younger, used games were all that i could afford. Without this market, i would not be the gamer i am today. A gamer that spends hundreds of dollars a year on my favorite hobby. While used sales may not be good for the
individual publisher at times, it may be good for the industry as a whole. Without these bargain bin items, we may lose the youth of today to the vices of reading and physical exercise.

FREE MARKETING
A few years back, i skipped on purchasing Assassins Creed at launch as reviews from friends were less than stellar. A month before the sequel, i picked it up for cheap, and while i agreed with what was said of the game, i enjoyed it. One month later, i bought the sequel at full price, which i would not have done without that cheap used predecessor.

TRICKLE UP ECONOMICS
This one is simple. i can buy say 4 new games per year. My friend can't afford gaming as a hobby at $60 a pop (utters some incoherent rubbish about a social life). He buys my games, and i buy more new ones. Publishers are trying to apply the same logic of piracy induced lost sales to used games. In their minds, every used game represents lost income. They like to reason that every downloaded game represents lost income. The fact of the matter is, that without used sales, a lot of people would have to simply find another way to pass time. Not everyone agrees that $60 for a game is a good use for their cash. Don't let them confuse you with their reason and logic. Just run.

ITS A KEEPER
Ever notice how the games Nintendo make rarely decline much in price? Price fixing allegations aside, there are other good reasons for this. They make a quality product, something that you want to keep even though you may never play it again. Why? The same reason people collect and display books. It says something about you as a gamer, about your tastes and style. So instead of making "generic space marine shooter #55", you may want to produce something of worth. My copy of ICO is not going anywhere.