Douchebags Are Selling DJ Hero Demo Kits on Ebay

[modeps]

http://evavhost.com/i/news/dj_herodaft_punk.jpg

The other week, there was a press event for Activision's DJ Hero. Besides getting to play the full version of the game, ActiBlizz gave out DJ Hero turntables to press as well as a three song demo disc. Now, Destructoid (http://www.destructoid.com/dj-hero-turntables-demos-hit-ebay-no-one-bids-150718.phtml) has noticed that the exact same kit is popping (http://cgi.ebay.com/DJ-Hero-turntable-controller-shoulder-bag-game-demo_W0QQitemZ170388766843QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVideo _Games_Accessories?hash=item27abf6407b&_trksid=p4999.c0.m14#ht_500wt_1182) up on Ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290353550891&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT). Destructoid is speculating that it is "retailers" doing the selling, but as Giant Bomb's Jeff Gerstmann points out via Twitter: "I realize that article guesses that retailers are selling the kit, but that's the exact group of items we received at a hands-on event, too."

That could of course be chalked up to the fact that the starting bid for one failed auction was $300... close to two hundred dollars more than what the game will sell for at retail when it hits shelves on October 27. At the time of writing, one auction has a few hours left to go, with a starting price of $142... or you can buy it for $362. Did I mention it comes with a DJ Hero shoulder bag?

The demo/controller combos were likely put on eBay by an enterprising retail worker; Activision recently sent demo kits out, intended for being demoed by customers, not for sale on eBay. Obviously.

Seriously, if you're selling this now, you should be immediately blackballed. Douchebags.

[Zetsuei]

That's a dick move right there. I thought that kind of practice was illegal. Some sort of agreement signing and such.

On another note, what is "blackballing"?

[modeps]

On another note, what is "blackballing"?

I've bold-ed my particular usage:

black·ball
tr.v. black·balled, black·ball·ing, black·balls
1. To vote against, especially to veto the admission of.
2. To shut out from social or commercial participation; ostracize or boycott.

[ldi222]

This is nothing new, remember when the press put the first 360 faceplates on ebay before the console even launched? Members of the media and retail scene have been profiting off of this kind of thing for years.

[modeps]

This is nothing new, remember when the press put the first 360 faceplates on ebay before the console even launched? Members of the media and retail scene have been profiting off of this kind of thing for years.

Just because people have been doing it for a long time, doesn't make it acceptable in any form.

[Wyrm]

This is bullshit, because there are plenty of journalists who would kill for the chance to get their hands on one just to fucking play it.

[Ulysses]

I'm failing to be angered by this.

[lockwoodx]

I'd sell one if I had it.

[pwnophobia]

I'd sell one if I had it.

Are you the same guy that trades in games he got for free?

[Johan]

If someone is happy to buy what was given away by the manufacturer of the product, why should others be offended on anyone's behalf? One party gave it away, the other party sold it. Nobody was forced to do any of that, were they?

[Froggy]

So how much are they going for?

[vherub]

on ebay people sell stuff they get for free all the time,
If you own something, you have a right to sell it unless explicitly told or prevented from doing so
I see cool gaming promo items all the time, I would happily give a person money in exchange for such items

some people on ebay sell stolen goods or they sell bootleg goods, those people are deserving of outrage and hate

[lockwoodx]

Are you the same guy that trades in games he got for free?

I'm the guy who goes to gamecrazy and trades in 3 5$ games for a new game I can go trade into gamestop for 45$ credit then get more crappy games from gamestop with the credit and take them to game crazy.... well you get the picture.

[modeps]

I'm the guy who goes to gamecrazy and trades in 3 5$ games for a new game I can go trade into gamestop for 45$ credit then get more crappy games from gamestop with the credit and take them to game crazy.... well you get the picture.

What would you think of game reviewers, who get full retail games for free, go to gamestop and trade them in once they have written about them?

[lockwoodx]

What would you think of game reviewers, who get full retail games for free, go to gamestop and trade them in once they have written about them?

The free item given out was all ready written off as an expense. What about people who win a car on the price is right then go sell it because they don't like the make or model. Free is free. If you can turn free into profit then you're doing something right.

[dirtbag]

This 'free' item was sent out for marketing purposes, to allow the public to demo the game at retail outlets. It was NOT sent out for some jerk to sell on eBay. When things like this go out, there should be an agreement with the retailer.

If an employee takes the item and sells it, that's theft. If the retailer authorizes it, it's breach of contract.

[greenapple]

When things like this go out, there should be an agreement with the retailer.

Perhaps there "should be", but was there? If not, I see nothing wrong with the practice of selling it.

And honestly, as far as the publisher goes, this makes their marketing efforts a ton more effective and drives up demand for their game. Frankly, I'm guessing the publishers aren't all that pissed.

I don't see how anyone is harmed if some people are willing to overpay for demos of something that will be out, shortly. We you harmed?

[Johan]

When things like this go out, there should be an agreement with the retailer.

And for all you know, there was...and for all you know, this doesn't violate it.

Much ado about nothing here.

[ascl]

And for all you know, there was...and for all you know, this doesn't violate it.

Much ado about nothing here.

I am a little bit shocked... but I actually agree with Johan here!

:D

[lockwoodx]

This 'free' item was sent out for marketing purposes, to allow the public to demo the game at retail outlets. It was NOT sent out for some jerk to sell on eBay. When things like this go out, there should be an agreement with the retailer.

If an employee takes the item and sells it, that's theft. If the retailer authorizes it, it's breach of contract.

This I agree with. it should big ugly print on the side of it that says "not for retail or pre-owned sale under penalty of law if they don't want people to exploit promotional material.

[DarkDaY]

In other news children are going hungry around the world...

I really don't get the hate. Buy, sell, whatever blows your hair back. If you don't want it, don't buy it and visa-versa.

[Anenome]

Promotional gear gets sold all the time. This is only notable, I guess, because it's being sold before the actual game released. Apart from that... okay?

[Chimpbot]

What would you think of game reviewers, who get full retail games for free, go to gamestop and trade them in once they have written about them?

Unless they're bound by an agreement stating they can't do this, there's really nothing wrong with it.
Hell, I'd do it in a heartbeat if I had the opportunity. It's essentially no different than trading in a title someone gave you for a birthday or Christmas; the only difference is that the publisher gave you the copy for reviewing purposes. If they don't require it to be returned or demand that you keep it for whatever purpose, it's up to you to do with it as you please.

[lockwoodx]

Promotional gear gets sold all the time. This is only notable, I guess, because it's being sold before the actual game released. Apart from that... okay?

It's a big risk. What if people buy it and think it's a piece of junk?

[Anenome]

It's a big risk. What if people buy it and think it's a piece of junk?

All three of them?

[thFOOL]

I was at the event, the same one Gerstmann was at, and he likely didn't stay for the event open to the public (ok, well, invite only I think) in promotion of the game at the same location. It's definitely possible that they gave a few of these away to non-press after the press left.

I'm keeping mine. I wanna test 2-player when I review the final version. :D

If anyone is interested in my write-up, it's here: http://www.gamingtrend.com/Articles/articles.php?artID=494

[Gaz]

If the author has written articles based upon the material they've received and the developer/publisher has cleared the goods be the author's to do what they want with them... what's wrong with this? Nothing. It'd be damn dirty if they didn't write any material off the back of recieveing it, but if you've nothing more to do with it... screw it. Basically, I agree with Chimpbot. If a developer doesn't want it to happen, then it's not going to be hard to actually... you know, say that.

[LilAbner]

As douchey as it is to sell something like this on eBay, it's even douchier to bid on it...and one of those auctions has two bids. Wow.

[modeps]

I can see that I'm in a minority here in multiple ways. As a semi-journalist & reviewer for EvilAvatar.com, it is my personal opinion that if a publisher gives you something for free BECAUSE of your particular status (ie Reviewer) it is their intention that you will use that material to provide coverage on that material... NOT to make money by selling it. If these people were giving it away (for free) because they were not going to use it for it's intention, I'd be cool with it.

The purpose of providing people with this material doesn't have to be explicitly written... it is implied. Their hope is that your coverage will promote their wares, and our hope is that it will bring traffic to the site. We also personally get the privilege of talking to some cool people, and playing some cool games (and some not so cool ones).

I feel that it is completely unethical to directly profit from this stuff.

[Johan]

I feel that it is completely unethical to directly profit from this stuff.

Send me anything you get for free, and your only profit will be my appreciation. ;)

Please?

[modeps]

Send me anything you get for free, and your only profit will be my appreciation. ;)

Please?

December. :)

[TeeCakes]

What would you think of game reviewers, who get full retail games for free, go to gamestop and trade them in once they have written about them?

Not possible since all review games given to members of the press have a big fat "NOT FOR RESALE" sign on them.

Well, "not possible" should read "not legal", but I've actually seen some of those games for sale at GameStop so what do I know.

[modeps]

Not possible since all review games given to members of the press have a big fat "NOT FOR RESALE" sign on them.

Well, "not possible" should read "not legal", but I've actually seen some of those games for sale at GameStop so what do I know.

I think you are mistaken.

[Anenome]

I can see that I'm in a minority here in multiple ways. As a semi-journalist & reviewer for EvilAvatar.com, it is my personal opinion that if a publisher gives you something for free BECAUSE of your particular status (ie Reviewer) it is their intention that you will use that material to provide coverage on that material... NOT to make money by selling it. If these people were giving it away (for free) because they were not going to use it for it's intention, I'd be cool with it.

The purpose of providing people with this material doesn't have to be explicitly written... it is implied. Their hope is that your coverage will promote their wares, and our hope is that it will bring traffic to the site. We also personally get the privilege of talking to some cool people, and playing some cool games (and some not so cool ones).

I feel that it is completely unethical to directly profit from this stuff.

No I think you have a point. The game company should really black ball the sellers from future review copies. I still think the problem is motly selling before the game even releases. Doubt anyone cares after the release. I'm pretty sure such swag is regularly hocked or given away to friends by such people, which is virtually the same thing in this context.

[thFOOL]

I think you are mistaken.

Yeah, I review a lot of games and they all look like the retail product. I generally have no problem selling off some of the the dreck after I play and review it though.

[TeeCakes]

I think you are mistaken.

*shrugs* that was my experience the one year I was working as a gaming journalist, at least. I remember after E3 2006 getting a steady stream of CDs all stamped with "NOT FOR RESALE" for the PS2, still have a few copies lying around here somewhere.

That'd be a simple fix if publishers were really sweating the press making cash off of pre-release copies, but from what it sounds like they're really don't care!

[Johan]

The thread title should be changed. How about "bags of douche" instead of "douchebags?" It sounds somehow more refined. ;)