Microsoft alarmed retailers with the vagueness of their explanation regarding how trade-ins would work on their next-gen console, Xbox One. Last night they clarified their position, revealing a basic outline of how the system will work:
We designed Xbox One so game publishers can enable you to trade in your games at participating retailers. Microsoft does not charge a platform fee to retailers, publishers, or consumers for enabling transfer of these games.
Initial concerns were that the company would take a percentage of any second-hand game sold at retail, shrinking the amount received by the retailer and elevating the cost for the customer, but it seems as though this might not be the case. Individual publishers will be able to take a cut in any transaction made between customer and retailer for a pre-owned game, as explained here:
Third party publishers may opt in or out of supporting game resale and may set up business terms or transfer fees with retailers. Microsoft does not receive any compensation as part of this. In addition, third party publishers can enable you to give games to friends. Loaning or renting games won't be available at launch, but we are exploring the possibilities with our partners.
How that will impact the price of second-hand games remains to be seen, but the situation doesn't look as bad for retailers as first feared.
The post also revealed that gamers will be able to share games between themselves, but the system will have a couple of caveats that are worth noting: "You can only give them to people who have been on your friends list for at least 30 days and each game can only be given once."
Another interesting feature will see gamers able to share their library with up to ten members of their family, and concurrently on multiple consoles:
Xbox One will enable new forms of access for families. Up to ten members of your family can log in and play from your shared games library on any Xbox One. Just like today, a family member can play your copy of Forza Motorsport at a friend's house. Only now, they will see not just Forza, but all of your shared games. You can always play your games, and any one of your family members can be playing from your shared library at a given time.