Is renting Lego:RB just to import unethical?

[taylorlee]

The big question to me is going to be if the songs will get marked to Downloaded, or get added to their own category on the song select screen underneath Rock Band, titled "LEGO Rock Band", with an "L" to denote it from the rest of the tracks.

I think GH had a combo of using a code, then paying for a license, so I'm pretty sure HMX will be doing something similar.

[echo4papa]

HMX is doing a service to the fans by allowing exports to begin with (for a pittance) and it kind of pisses me off that everyone is always trying to buck the system and then rationalize their bad behavior.

Disk songs are also "heavily discounted" even if you pay full price for a brand new game... if you want to see HMX succeed using a business model that is very consumer friendly (as opposed to GH's system), perhaps you should consider not doing this.

I used to think this way as well, but HMX is not doing a service to the fans by allowing exports, they are making their product more attractive to the fans to increase sales and profits. They do what they can to maximize profits, and as a consumer, short of illegal activites, I see no reason why we shouldn't do what we can to maximize our dollar.

I would agree that being able to rent a game and use a one time only code from the manual to export is something that should not be allowed, as it takes something away from that disc that is outside the scope of renting the game, that manual and code should be saved as part of the resale value of the game by the company renting it out. However, if it's set up like RB1 where you can pay a nominal fee and download the content from the internet, then I see no reason why people who are uninterested in RB:Lego should be blasted for renting the game, paying the fee, and downloading content from HMX.

If that sends the signal to HMX that RB:Lego is not a money maker, but people will pay for even more DLC/Track Packs, then that is a good thing, because that is what we want.

[Lord_Mhoram]

I would agree that being able to rent a game and use a one time only code from the manual to export is something that should not be allowed, as it takes something away from that disc that is outside the scope of renting the game, that manual and code should be saved as part of the resale value of the game by the company renting it out. However, if it's set up like RB1 where you can pay a nominal fee and download the content from the internet, then I see no reason why people who are uninterested in RB:Lego should be blasted for renting the game, paying the fee, and downloading content from HMX.

This is just a store thing at the Blockbuster I work at (primarly because of me), we cut out the codes from games that have them, and store them in the backroom. If you rent a game with manual, you don't get the code. We put it back in when we sell the thing used.

[oogabooha]

There is nothing unethical about it, you are breaking no law.

You paid the money to rent, and if it is like that, then it is, it is HMX's fault for making the system like this.

[imdwalrus05]

If that sends the signal to HMX that RB:Lego is not a money maker, but people will pay for even more DLC/Track Packs, then that is a good thing, because that is what we want.

That may be what YOU want, but judging from the continued success of Guitar Hero, that's not what a lot of people are in the market for. The DLC isn't a sustainable model in the long run anyway; as people gradually lose interest and the game leaves shelves (as it's already beginning to do - how many stores have the bundles marked down drastically?), the profits from DLC will fall off. Retail titles are necessary to keep the franchise in the public eye and to ensure that the platform lives on. Both pieces are necessary.

There is nothing unethical about it, you are breaking no law.

Ethics and laws aren't the same thing, especially if the law itself is unethical.

[Kariodude]

There is nothing unethical about it, you are breaking no law.

You paid the money to rent, and if it is like that, then it is, it is HMX's fault for making the system like this.

Unethical and illegal are completely different things.

And your last sentences just SCREAMS unethical.

[Doc_SoCal]

Thieves are usually the best rationalizers.

[DarkHeartsDie]

this is stupid asking if it's ethical or unethical, if it's an export code in the manual, i'm not buying, if it's a license you buy from the PSN store, i'll buy the license and rent the game, i'm not wasting $50 on lego rock band when i could add another $10 to that to buy call of duty modern warfare 2, if you think it's unethical, go out and buy it, if you don't care, buy the license, and export the songs, if it's a code, well then you'll just have to find a way to get the code somehow

there is no ethnically with any of this, it's just a game, do what you want, don't listen to what a bunch of idiots tell you whats right and whats wrong, decide for yourself

[californication]

It is.

But that didn't stop me from doing it with Guitar Hero Smash Hits.

[imdwalrus05]

this is stupid asking if it's ethical or unethical, if it's an export code in the manual, i'm not buying, if it's a license you buy from the PSN store, i'll buy the license and rent the game, i'm not wasting $50 on lego rock band when i could add another $10 to that to buy call of duty modern warfare 2, if you think it's unethical, go out and buy it, if you don't care, buy the license, and export the songs, if it's a code, well then you'll just have to find a way to get the code somehow

there is no ethnically with any of this, it's just a game, do what you want, don't listen to what a bunch of idiots tell you whats right and whats wrong, decide for yourself

"Ethnically?" What does this have to do with race?

I'm also a little confused as to why we're comparing a band game or a Lego title (take your pic) with Trendy New FPS. Either way, it's your loss. Of course, since I'm just part of a bunch of idiots (apparently for not agreeing with your questionable at best world view), you don't care what I say anyway...