Gamestop removing PC Deus Ex contents

[tkusina]

Just came across this story for anyone who has purchased or is going to purchase Deus Ex:Human Revolution from Gamestop. You might want to think twice.

http://tinyurl.com/3ua6w7b

Just another reason to hate Gamestop more. Like there wasn't enough reasons.

[Oobgarm]

Who buys their PC games from GameStop anyways?

You should edit your thread title to note that it's only the PC versions and it's not in-game content...it's just a bonus coupon for a free digital download on a service that people aren't likely using anyways.

[exit]

Is this really that big of a deal? How many people were actually going to use the code anyway? It's kind of a dick move by Gamestop, but at the same time it's also kind of understandable. Only reason this will become an issue is because it's Gamestop, otherwise there wouldn't be much said if it were any other retailer.

[tkusina]

Why does it matter what they are removing?

The fact that they are removing anything at all that was originally intended for the customer is not only bad business but censorship because it competes with their future digital distribution system.

This is bad for customers all the way around.

[Oobgarm]

Because if they were removing DLC content or something that effects everyone, then there'd be cause for alarm.

But this is a download code for a service that isn't taking off like expected, hence the free games they're giving away to try and get adopters. This really effects very few people.

If Squeenix was supposed to give them copies of the game without those codes and did not for whatever reason, I don't blame GameStop for doing what they're doing.

You're just being sensationalist about it since you obviously have some sort of personal vendetta against GameStop.


Just another reason to hate Gamestop more. Like there wasn't enough reasons.

[wingzrow]

aren't they in DIRECT competition?

[tkusina]

You're just being sensationalist about it since you obviously have some sort of personal vendetta against GameStop.

Really?

Not going to argue with you. The post was merely for information because i think some people do care that ALL the contents, even a simple coupon, which is part of the purchase are there.

[Nate Nanjo]

Because if they were removing DLC content or something that effects everyone, then there'd be cause for alarm.

But this is a download code for a service that isn't taking off like expected, hence the free games they're giving away to try and get adopters. This really effects very few people.

If Squeenix was supposed to give them copies of the game without those codes and did not for whatever reason, I don't blame GameStop for doing what they're doing.

You're just being sensationalist about it since you obviously have some sort of personal vendetta against GameStop.

You know I've bought new games that have been gutted at Gamestop before and usually don't have a problem with it, but I would be quite mad to have something taken out of the package that should have been included.

I guess Gamestop might start doing with this Stream downloads as well?

[exit]

Really?



Just another reason to hate Gamestop more. Like there wasn't enough reasons.

Yes really. You obviously already have beef with Gamestop and you (as well as everyone else anti-Gamestop) are blowing this out of proportion. If people really want that free On-Live download, maybe they should try contacting On-Live or Square, otherwise there's no need to have the On-Live version of the game you just purchased a hardcopy of.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Because if they were removing DLC content or something that effects everyone, then there'd be cause for alarm.

But this is a download code for a service that isn't taking off like expected, hence the free games they're giving away to try and get adopters. This really effects very few people.

If Squeenix was supposed to give them copies of the game without those codes and did not for whatever reason, I don't blame GameStop for doing what they're doing.

You're just being sensationalist about it since you obviously have some sort of personal vendetta against GameStop.

... No, I'm sorry, but you're in the wrong here.

How would you like it if they sold a game that included a free Steam / Games For Windows Live / EA Origin download key and they removed them because all three are in direct competition with Impulse, which they purchased recently? Will they remove any game that can be activated or requires a Steam account to play in the future? What about EA's upcoming PC games like Battlefield 3, that require EA Origin?

Or how would you like it if they removed the online code from their new console games, or any bonus content you got with a console game (like a free PC version) because it doesn't fit in with their "competition" policy?

The package is supposed to include everything. EVERYTHING. You do not buy a box of Cracker Jacks only to find it was resealed and someone stole the toy. This code doesn't harm them in the slightest. They have no reason, legal or otherwise, to remove it. Say what you want about them selling gutted copies as new, THEY HAVE NO LEGAL RIGHT TO DO THIS. They could've returned the unopened games and requested copies without the coupon. But no, they wouldn't do that. Why?

This is going to bite them in the ass and make a lot of companies stop selling their digital distribution games on Gamestop or Impulse - and worse, this is a Square Enix game we're talking about. Let's see how they feel when they don't get any future Squeenix game shipments.

And I bet this will probably make whoever looks into shady business practices finally take a good look at Gamestop's stupid "open as new" policies.

(P.S. - I don't hate Gamestop. I hate stupid Gamestop employees, especially the ones in my local stores.)

[tkusina]

Yes really. You obviously already have beef with Gamestop and you (as well as everyone else anti-Gamestop) are blowing this out of proportion. If people really want that free On-Live download, maybe they should try contacting On-Live or Square, otherwise there's no need to have the On-Live version of the game you just purchased a hardcopy of.

Just because i don't like Gamestop for their practices, which this gave me more reason to, does not take away from the point that they are removing content from a product that was purchased. I'm not going to rehash the reasons to hate Gamestop argument.

You might not place any value on a simple coupon but for others there is a value and the expectation that the product will be complete as intended by the manufacturer.

What if Best Buy started removing coupons for free USB cables that HP put in their printers because Best Buy sells their own brand? Would that be acceptable t you? Why stop there?

What if they started doing this in consoles games?

[skaar]

With this move, they are now selling damaged goods as new.

Someone should sue 'em for fraud.

[Robocop2]

Now I'm not a GameStop hater at all and I do quite a fair amount of business there so I feel that I can comment fairly on this. Apparantly GS position is that they were not advised of the OnLive coupon. It is a competing service (though a free copy is in and of its self not competition, the possible customer base it could create is) and I can see their reluctance to promote it. If Best Buy partnered with a publisher and included gift cards inside of copies of a particular game would you think every other company would be fine with selling said copy that included the gift card? Probably not.

It is shady and does look bad for GS to be taking stuff out of the box that the manufacturer included, Though they love to sell open games as new and that is a constant irritation. its also kind of shady on Square Enix and other involved parties that they would do this without a major retailers knowledge/support.
I don't support GS removing things from retail copies but I also find problems with a publisher including freebies for a competing service to a retailer.

[Zing]

Wow. I can't believe that anyone into games enough to be posting on a video gaming forum would defend this practice in any form.

I sincerely hope this ends up having the Streisand Effect.

[Nz17]

Not just censorship - it's anti-competitive.

[skaar]

Is this where Best Buy starts pulling out Digital Copy codes from DVD/BD combo packs because it competes with their streaming services?

No.

Is this where a music store removes codes for MP3/iTunes copies of a band's album from CDs they sell?

No.

What this is - and all this is - is a dangerous precedent for the modification of goods sold at retail that are being misrepresented as new, whole, undamaged goods that takes advantage of their position as a dominant retailer.

"First they came for the promo codes, and I didn't care because I didn't need a promo code...."

Godwin's Law invoked.

[bangtango]

Terms and conditions of a sale are subject to change, man.

For example, there are numerous dvd's with release dates over the past 4-5 years still being sold on store shelves as new product which contain information for contests/sweepstakes (especially Disney), free downloads of songs or screensavers (numerous films), free digital copies (i.e. The Dark Knight), etc. inside of the dvd case inserts, all of which have a certain expiration date which applies.

Same with video games. Lots of them have filler inserts jammed in with the manual which offer little things such as free downloads, etc. that are only good (or guaranteed) until a certain date with the understanding it can be removed or discontinued on little to no notice.

[dao2]

Is this really that big of a deal? How many people were actually going to use the code anyway? It's kind of a dick move by Gamestop, but at the same time it's also kind of understandable. Only reason this will become an issue is because it's Gamestop, otherwise there wouldn't be much said if it were any other retailer.

Yes its an issue, their opening my supposedly new game and taking stuff out. Now I don't care much about the coupon, if they had their own version without the coupon or the coupons were just loose on the front I would not care. But opening up my copy and then resealing it? Big issue.

That being said I wouldn't buy a PC gamestop (and I haven't) unless I was desperate like a last minute birthday gift. They treat their PC games like shit (least the 2 stores near me). The boxes (even relatively new releases) always have a lot of wear on them and they don't have much of a selection (what they do have is crappily priced as well).

[Tupin]

Gamestop sells so few PC games now that it doesn't even matter. The comparison between the amount of PC and the amount of console games is so laughable. They're supposed to be a specialty retailer, but I can always find a better selection and deal at other places or online.

I remember in the late 90's, like a third of the store was PC games. Really shows how the market has changed...

[skaar]

Terms and conditions of a sale are subject to change, man.

For example, there are numerous dvd's with release dates over the past 4-5 years still being sold on store shelves as new product which contain information for contests/sweepstakes (especially Disney), free downloads of songs or screensavers (numerous films), free digital copies (i.e. The Dark Knight), etc. inside of the dvd case inserts, all of which have a certain expiration date which applies.

Same with video games. Lots of them have filler inserts jammed in with the manual which offer little things such as free downloads, etc. that are only good (or guaranteed) until a certain date with the understanding it can be removed or discontinued on little to no notice.

Terms and conditions are required to be posted and called out on the packaging.

[Berserker]

Bottom-line, if GameStop didn't want this promotion in their stores they should have taken the game off the shelves, and/or reached a deal with Square Enix before putting it on the shelves. What they've done here isn't "shady" - it's illegal! They're selling a product under fraudulent pretenses and using their enormous advantage in the market to crush competition.

[PapaStu]

Does the package state that it comes w/ a free OnLive copy? I've worked retail where we've pulled coupons out before. Those coupons were manufacturing mistakes and not policy 'issues', but the coupons were removed until we'd gotten in fresh product to replace the 'bad'.

I'm guessing since this hit today, the game hit yesterday, that GS doesn't want to drop sales waiting for a fresh print run (which i'm sure is in the works as we speak) to get to them a week or two from now.

There have been a handful of games over the last few years with exclusives to a retailer versions (Divinity II: Ego Dragonus springs to mind) that have gotten exclusive inserts and individual coupons for whatever bonus 'trinket DLC' each version was getting. I could see a mistake where they'd mispacked the wrong stuff inside. What would GameStops reaction to that be getting the Best Buy or Walmart 'goodie'?

[skaar]

There have been a handful of games over the last few years with exclusives to a retailer versions (Divinity II: Ego Dragonus springs to mind) that have gotten exclusive inserts and individual coupons for whatever bonus 'trinket DLC' each version was getting. I could see a mistake where they'd mispacked the wrong stuff inside. What would GameStops reaction to that be getting the Best Buy or Walmart 'goodie'?

The issue isn't with wrong goodie, and it isn't a misprint/correction. This is anti-competitive behaviour.

I'm really shocked at how this is being defended in any way as "right"

[tkusina]

I'm really shocked at how this is being defended in any way as "right"

I couldn't agree more.

This is starting to get more attention as well as the whole selling opened items as "new" issue.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/08/24/technology/gamestop_coupons/

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501465_162-20096792-501465.html

[Dobie]

This is poor form, period. If Gamestop is so offended by the codes, which were put there legitimately, then Gamestop should pull the game from their shelves and not sell it. Altering packaged product and selling it as "new" isn't their right. The company already got dinged for it once due to their policy on letting employees open and play games, then selling them as "new." This is no different, and shows that Gamestop as a company just doesn't care about laws in place regarding "new" product.

I bought a new copy of BFBC2 from Gamestop, but it was their last copy, and was open (of course), despite it only being out for two days. I got it home and found out the activation code didn't work. I took it back, demanded a refund, and bought it new on Amazon. This situation is no different.

[PapaStu]

The issue isn't with wrong goodie, and it isn't a misprint/correction. This is anti-competitive behaviour.

I'm really shocked at how this is being defended in any way as "right"


I'm not defending shit! I just posed a question as if it was a 'branded' game if it'd be any different.

Notice my first line. Is there any markings or notations on the box that says this coupon comes insinde? No one's answered that question here yet. None of the copies i'm seeing listed on eBay are anything but stock photos.

I agree completely that if GS saw this as an issue that they should have pulled the games, not open them and sell them.


I saw this when looking for a 'live pic' and chuckled. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Deus-Ex-Human-Revolution-ONLIVE-PASS-/300591975723?pt=Video_Games_Games&hash=item45fcad8d2b

[vintagegamecrazy]

This is just arrogant on their part. It's only an issue for them now because they're unveiling their new online service and don't want the other one to get more attention than theirs. Chances are that Square Enix didn't even realize that GS was launching their own service at the time of this game's printing. What gives them the right to say that Squeenix did this without their consent? That's about the most off color thing I've ever heard them say before. They're a retailer, one amongst many others selling this game, not the sole seller of the game. This is just bogus IMO and another reason for me to stay away from them even more.

With Borders gone now they really are monopolizing the media side of retail pretty badly. They're not just Gamestopoly anymore, they're Barnstopoly now!

[Purkeynator]

No there is no indication on the packaging but the cat is already out of the bag. People know it was supposed to be in the package now. Gamestop is pretty much doing whatever they can to crush competition similar to Nintendo in the NES era. More power to the players? :roll:


I'm not defending shit! I just posed a question as if it was a 'branded' game if it'd be any different.

Notice my first line. Is there any markings or notations on the box that says this coupon comes insinde? No one's answered that question here yet. None of the copies i'm seeing listed on eBay are anything but stock photos.

I agree completely that if GS saw this as an issue that they should have pulled the games, not open them and sell them.


I saw this when looking for a 'live pic' and chuckled. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Deus-Ex-Human-Revolution-ONLIVE-PASS-/300591975723?pt=Video_Games_Games&hash=item45fcad8d2b

[Berserker]

All they need to do is put a sticker or provide some sort of notification that the game has been opened and contents have been removed. The anti-competition aspect of it would still be in question, but that'd put the immediate fire out.

My feeling is that Stu is right in that there's probably some sort of shipment of games without the promotion en route, but until it arrives they need to be up-front with people about what they're changing. It's an easy fix, but it shouldn't be considered an optional one.

[skaar]

All they need to do is put a sticker or provide some sort of notification that the game has been opened and contents have been removed. The anti-competition aspect of it would still be in question, but that'd put the immediate fire out.

My feeling is that Stu is right in that there's probably some sort of shipment of games without the promotion en route, but until it arrives they need to be up-front with people about what they're changing. It's an easy fix, but it shouldn't be considered an optional one.

Uh... did I miss the part where they'd agreed to let Gamestop pull the code?

[Berserker]

Uh... did I miss the part where they'd agreed to let Gamestop pull the code?

That's their problem. I don't see any more sense in sympathizing with this company rather than that one. The pertinent issue as I see it is informing the consumer of what they're getting - and what they're missing. Either inform people that you're changing something, or don't change it.

[kainemaxwell]

Bottom-line, if GameStop didn't want this promotion in their stores they should have taken the game off the shelves, and/or reached a deal with Square Enix before putting it on the shelves. What they've done here isn't "shady" - it's illegal! They're selling a product under fraudulent pretenses and using their enormous advantage in the market to crush competition.

Couldnt have said it any better. Seems to be the general consensus across 1up and joystiq too.

[LaughingMAN.S9]

amazed it took them this long to cross the line, i've been waiting for them to start removing online passes from ea games for a while now since it directly competes with and cockblocks their own used game bussiness model ....pussies

[Zing]

According to the reports, GameStop has halted all sales of the game until they receive new copies of the game without the codes.

[RPG_Fanatic]

That's still bullshit that they are opening them up to take a code out. Even if I don't use the code I still want it so my copy is complete.

[Cornelius]

Gamestop missed a HUGE opportunity here. They should be pulling out the codes and then selling them! (at half price or something).

What could possibly be wrong with that? (or legally any different than what they are doing?)

[buzz_n64]

Gamestop got too greedy here, and now they may finally pay the price.

[goatdan]

This is bad for customers all the way around.

Just the fact that GameStop opens games and then sells them as new is bad for customers all around.

You know, people have tried suing them for that before, I wonder how the courts would feel about GameStop opening, removing and tossing a portion of the product you are paying for, and *still* selling the game for new? If I go to a auto dealer, could they sell me a car that they decided they didn't like the shifter so they opened it up and removed it before I bought it?

Having said that, maybe this was all a misunderstanding and they simply didn't want this product on the floor where people could open it and steal the coupon. But, the clarifications seem like it's GameStop being GameStop. I have all but completely stopped buying games there, so no worries for me.

[Trebuken]

Huh...glad I got the Augmented Edition. New and sealed, nothing taken out.

Ivanoff gave instructions without explanation -- the worst type of leadership IMO.

[heybtbm]

I have all but completely stopped buying games there, so no worries for me.

I haven't bought a game at Gamestop in over 3 years. Maybe it was the clerk arguing with me that this opened game in my hands = new product that I pre-ordered...or maybe it was the full retail cost + tax every time...or maybe it was only getting 3 copies of the latest JRPG with some snarky teenage clerk condescendingly shaking his head and telling me "Shoulda pre-ordered. Durrrrr". I don't remember. Anyway, it's been 100% Amazon since then and I've never looked back.

[Porksta]

What would have happened if the Onlive code was on the same insert as a DLC code? Hmmmm?????

[calthaer]

The biggest shocker here on this thread for me is not this deal about the coupon codes - it's that some people are still buying their games from Gamestop at all. Who didn't see this coming 5+ years ago when they started selling used (because the employees took the game home to play it) or opened copies as new?

[goatdan]

The biggest shocker here on this thread for me is not this deal about the coupon codes - it's that some people are still buying their games from Gamestop at all. Who didn't see this coming 5+ years ago when they started selling used (because the employees took the game home to play it) or opened copies as new?

You know what was a huge shock to me -- I listed a bunch of NES games on eBay as "new" last year because they were, you know, "new". IE unopened, unplayed, brand spanking new. I got probably 50 questions asking if I meant that they were new, or if they were unopened. A few of them explained to me that new games are opened, unplayed games, while unopened games are still sealed.

To me, that crap doesn't fly. I stop in at GameStops now probably three times a year. I did order a bunch when they cleared out their GBA games (I never got into that system, and the games I wanted were all still too pricy for me until then), and I ended up with a bunch of cartridges with either no labels, or that look like dogs ate them.

That was my final straw. Even getting games extremely cheap doesn't make up for the fact that they are gross to look at and I cannot resell them because no one wants games that were clearly in something (or someone's) mouth.

But, GameStop takes them.

Amazon for me.

[vintagegamecrazy]

http://games.yahoo.com/blogs/plugged-in/gamestop-under-fire-removing-free-coupons-deus-ex-234821510.html

This appeared on Yahoo's front page now too. Not looking good for GS. Here's the quote of the year from somewhere in the comments section.


Anyone who deals with GameStop for any reason is asking for anal sex without the gel.

[j_factor]

I'm pretty sure this is illegal. This is like a store that sells mp3 players taking out the included earbuds because they want you to buy their headphones. Gamestop is preying on consumer ignorance about what is supposed to be included in the package. Now that this has been publicized, I hope they get a flood of returns.

[Rob2600]

Gamestop is preying on consumer ignorance... Now that this has been publicized, I hope they get a flood of returns.

I hope so too, but if GameStop's shady tactics haven't hurt it in the past, I doubt it'll start now. :(

[Robocop2]

I feel that I should clarify what I was saying originally. I'm not saying that what they're doing is right in any way. More of a devil's advocate situation. Though I do somewhat blame Squenix for dropping the coupon in without notifying them it would be there. Given GameStop's track record I could see the logic behind their actions. Right? hardly but understandable given the source? Absolutely.

It certainly doesn't make me like them any more quite the contrary. Recently I've discovered that Amazon is really quite superior after actually using them a bit more frequently.

[misfits859]

How anyone defend what Gamestop has done here is a mystery to me and I buy games from them regularly so I am certainly not a Gamestop hater.

@_@

[duffmanth]

Just one more reason why I never shop there.