One of the dirty little secrets about videogaming is that the retailers hold all the cards. If you think the publishers are evil suits, you're thinking too small. The real overlords are the retailers.

So the issue of selling used games -- something publishers don't want you to do -- is pretty much settled. Retailers are more than happy to milk the used videogame market for revenue that belongs entirely to them. When you sell that copy of Dead Space you finished and no longer need, Electronic Arts won't see another dime. In fact, they'll lose the money they would have made when someone buys your used copy from Gamestop instead of the brand new $60 copy sitting on the new releases shelf.

As further evidence that used games are the wave of the future, Toys R Us and Amazon.com are getting on board. Toys R Us is tentatively buying and selling used games at a few stores. But Amazon.com seems to be going all in. You can go here to queue up the games you're selling, much like you would fill your shopping cart when you're buying. The site creates a mailing label, which you use to send in the games without having to pay postage. Once they arrive, you'll get credit for a much wider range of goods than you could buy from Gamestop or even Toys R Us.

Your move, publishers. What do you have for us? More goodies locked behind one-time authentication codes? More downloadable content? More emphasis on multiplayer longevity? Harsh language?