Leading video game retailer GameStop continues to make moves to bolster its digital side of the business. The industry is clearly in a transition phase right now, and GameStop knows it needs to be prepared for the future. The company recently hired a new GM for its digital business and GameStop has said multiple times that it intends to become the world's largest digital aggregator.
Today, according to Reuters [thanks Blues News], GameStop took another step in advancing its digital plans. GameStop Chief Operating Officer Paul Raines said at the BMO Capital Management Digital Entertainment conference that the retailer will begin selling digital downloads directly from within GameStop stores, with the program getting tested out early next year. "A large market for full game downloads is not imminent, (but) the add-on downloadable market will grow," said Raines.
According to Reuters, GameStop's program "will work in conjunction with online services offered by leading console makers," meaning that "a GameStop shopper who learns about a new level available for, say, a war or sports game could immediately purchase that upgrade. When the shopper arrives home, the add-on will be available to download and play."
It's not clear exactly what the program will entail. We're guessing that GameStop will simply sell you a download code, similar to points cards for Xbox Live or PSN. Of course, why anyone would actually walk into a GameStop to purchase something that they can actually buy with just a few clicks on Xbox Live or PSN without leaving the couch is beyond us.
We've pinged GameStop PR for more information/clarification. We'll be sure to update you. Update: a GameStop rep got back to us saying that he couldn't really elaborate on the details currently.
Update 2: Chris Morris at Variety has a little more detail. There will in fact be kiosks in GameStop stores next year, letting people buy digital add-ons right there so that the content will be waiting for them when they get home. And customers can use their trade-in credits to pay for the DLC if they wish. "We believe we can convert a significant portion of our in-store traffic to digital downloads for publishers,” said Raines.
3 Comments
November 12, 2009
So if everything moves to digital downloading of games, does that mean I will no longer be able to let a friend borrow my copy of the game, or trade in games that I am done with, if so, why would anyone want to limit themselves by buying a digital copy?
November 12, 2009
Tyler, you're right... there are plenty of downsides to all digital and it's those issues that the bigwigs in the industry need to sit down and talk about. The game industry has a chance to do the transition to digital right. They should learn from the music biz's implosion.
November 13, 2009
I wonder if perhaps part of Gamestop's goal with this is to appease the publishers/developers. By directing some of the money from a gamer selling a used game towards digital content rather than purchasing a different used game the publishers/developers will make more money. Which at first glance doesn't sound as profitable for Gamestop when the used physical games are pure profit for them. But I guess their thinking must be that getting a small piece of the digital sales is better than losing out on it entirely.
I'm not sure I see why people would do it though, unless there is a financial incentive such as discounted pricing at Gamestop vs. buying on their own at home.