GameStop Gets in on Digital Distribution

[vansau]

GameStop Gets in on Digital Distribution

Real-world retail is still pretty rough, so GameStop is adding digital distribution to its list of buying options.

GameStop is taking a note from services like Amazon, Steam, and Direct2Drive by adding digital distribution to its website. For the moment, gamers can buy titles and install them on one to three PCs, though GameStop gift cards/certificates don't work with the distribution service because it's being handled by a third party.

At the moment, only PC downloads are available on the site, though it advertises that service for Xbox Live is "coming soon." The download site doesn't seem to have too many big deals on it (for now, at least), though Massively notes that Final Fantasy XI's Ultimate Collection is on sale for $9.99 (which is also true for the boxed version).

While GameStop hasn't exactly been pulling a Blockbuster Video and closing down its stores to save money, the retail chain hasn't had an easy time of things over the past few years. <a href=http://www.google.com/finance?client=news&q=gamestop>Looking at how the company's stock has tumbled from over $60 a share in late 2007 to less than $20 now. It's not surprising that the company is looking for new ways to make money, though I'm not sure how successful this venture will be, seeing as how GameStop is arriving pretty late to the party. Also, not allowing customers to use store credit to buy games with the service probably won't help with the service's reception, so the company might want to look into fixing that.

Source: Massively


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[sheic99]

Wait, I thought they always had this option for PC games. Are they just updating the system to more user friendly?

 

[Not G. Ivingname]

...though I'm not sure how successful this venture will be, seeing as how GameStop is arriving pretty late to the party.

Since they are 7 years behind Steam, game developers are happy with Gamestop's used game market cutting into their profits, and gamers/developer respect for Valve service (and since more and more games are using Valve's VAC system as anti-pirate device), Gamestop is going to have a LOT of trouble getting their foot in.

 

[Swifteye]

Are you sure they've just now got into digital distribution cause there's like been stuff like manuals and some PC games that have been available to download unless I am crudly mistaken. Although I have never been on steam so I don't know what the difference is.

 

[Pielikey]

Nope, sorry. Gamestop are relatively well-known for being absolute ripoff artists, and Steam's sales every week mean they don't really have much to of a start.

 

[leeloodallasmultipass]

its okay, they are making profits in Australia, where they sell Games for $100 USD (after currency converter)

 

[Woodsey]

"For the moment, gamers can buy titles and install them on one to three PCs,"

I can install them to any once I've logged in to my Steam account (and assuming they haven't got their own stupid DRM), and my other games can be installed to as many PCs as I like if they don't use Steam (and aren't packed with their own stupid DRM).

 

[Nueemann]

Hmm, I wonder if this will actually catch on considering that Steam has a head start.

 

[Internet Kraken]

It really was only a matter of time, considering the rising popularity of digital distribution. Though like you said in the article, I'm not sure how successful this can actually be considering how late it is. At the moment I can't see myself ever using this over Steam. Why bother with the hassle of two digital stores when one of them already meets my needs? They'd have to offer more incentives to use their store over Steam, which they don't appear to be doing yet.

Still, I'll give it time to grow before dismissing it outright. I really don't hate Gamestop that much. At least, not as much as other people seem to hate it.

 

[Alumit]

Hmm, I wonder if this will actually catch on considering that Steam has a head start.

Probably not. Gamestop isn't that great to begin with, and as pretty much everyone else has said, not being able to use store credit or gift cards is REALLY gonna hurt them.

Peace ~

 

[Swaki]

Competition is always nice for the consumer, but i dont think this will ever be able to compete with steam, and i think Mike agrees since he chose new vegas (which btw just corrupted all my saves) as the flavour pic since new vegas requires steam, buying the physical copy from gamestop in store and then downloaded it to steam makes a little sense if you dont have a credit card, really slow internet, have a gift card or just want the box, but buying it online, just to go over to a bigger and better service to play and register it makes no sense.

Edit: Oh and FF XI Ultimate edition is also 9.99 on steam, and includes one month of play time, maybe GS offers that too, but they dont mention it.

 

[Swaki]

So...how do I buy used games over digital distribution?

they charge you 55$ to tell you where you can pirate it.

 

[Arcanist]

Too little, too late. Have fun having Steam run you out of business, assholes.

FANBOY, OUT!

So...how do I buy used games over digital distribution?

they charge you 55$ to tell you where you can pirate it.

Best. Post. EVER.

 

[Motiv_]

Gamestop?

The same store that takes a game that hardly works due to all the scratches, repackages it, and sells it as new for full price? THAT Gamestop?

Don't make me laugh. Even if you're one of those people that hates Steam, and would prefer GFWL, even THAT would be better as you're bound to get at least decent customer service or the occasional deal.

 

[Snotnarok]

So they charge you 60 dollars for the PC game digital, and 60 for the boxed copy...that's called getting less for your money and generally not worth it.

 

[The Austin]

I will forever rue the day that digital distribution overtakes good ol' hard copies. You know, the kinds that you can store on a shelf.

 

[viranimus]

Does anyone else see this as Gamestops big FU to the publishers who have been ranting and raving about how gamestop has been depriving them of profits for the last year or so?

Do I like gamestop? No not really. Its usually a ness. evil. But should I get upset over them pulling a trick out of the publishers playbook and taking a stab at companies that are trying to deprive them from profit and doing so by perpetuating digital distribution? No. I say Bravo. /applaud.

Maybe, just maybe if were lucky this will inadvertently hinder the prospect of digital distribution being crammed down our throats regardless of if we like it or not through a twisted example of Mutually assured Destruction.

 

[Sir-jackington]

I don't like digital distribution as it is and really hope gamestop ends up royally screwed because of this