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> rather the devices became prematurely useless

Then you have to buy a next-gen device and re-buy your games. Good for the manufacturer.

I'd love to see this happening but can't see it happening without political action directed against premature obsolescence for environmental reasons.

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But they don't always release a next gen device. And a lot of people who own a <brand> device will automatically buy next gen <brand> when it comes out. And then only a comparatively small fraction of games is typically re-sold without modification.

You think the return on the tiny percentage intersection of those conditions justifices the cost to society in terms of wasted materials and labour to do that? Does it even justify the manufacturer's development costs to create that lockout in the first place..?

> justifices the cost to society in terms of wasted materials and labour to do that?

Probably not, but ..

> Does it even justify the manufacturer's development costs to create that lockout in the first place..

I feel it must do, or they wouldn't keep doing it.

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