GameStop's Preorder Plans Sound Like Bad News

[xg4bx]

 

GamesBeat asked him to clarify what exactly that "future model" meant, and Sebastian added the retailer is thinking about "getting involved at the time of game development where there could be some content exclusive to [the retailer] included in the game."

So if you thought it was stupid that peripheral content like skins and maps was split up between retailers, just wait until GameStop can offer actual parts of a game you can't get anywhere else. Then wait for Walmart and Best Buy and Amazon to catch on. It'll be great.

http://kotaku.com/gamestops-preorder-plans-sound-like-bad-news-1601428457

[Andromeda Stardust]

Uggg; I only use them for preorders...

[Rex Dart]

I'm not sure that article actually says anything. What is it referring to, specifically? How are maps, characters, levels not "part of the game"?

[cimerians]

It's retailer-exclusive gameplay.

 

They are throwing money at publishers to get "gamestop content" put in during development.

 

Of course they are throwing nonsense around like "we won't step on the creative process".

[Reaperman]

What's a gamestop?

Is that what grandad still uses instad of Steam?

 

Wouldn't worry too much about them. There's one of those on every block, and their buggy whips have been out of style for a while. Anybody have a bet on how long it takes them to 'blockbuster'? 2 more years?

Edited July 11, 2014 by Reaperman

[Mendon]

GameStop just got exclusive content to Aliens: Isolation as Sega announced that everyone who pre-orders would get the DLC pack "Crew Expendable" (featuring voices from the cast of the original movie) but if you pre-order from GameStop you also get the exclusive "Last Survivor" DLC (again featuring the original cast).

 

Picking & choosing which retailer you purchase from to obtain trinkets (posters, toys, a sticker set, etc) is one thing and I really don't have a problem with that. But parts of a game????

 

I was very, very interested in this game and have been following its development as I'm a big Alien's fan. But if Sega is going to go down this road of forcing me purchase from a particular retailer in order to play everything I want to play within the game, I won't purchase the game at all.

 

Yeah, I'll cut off my nose to spite my face by doing so, but I refuse to add my money to fund something I oppose.

 

I'll go back to my previous-generation systems to get my Alien fix.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Mendon

[cimerians]

I'll go back to my previous-generation systems to get my Alien fix.

 

The Aliens announcement is what inspired my last status update

 

I wish someday (which will never happen) everyone waits for the GOTY edition just to slap these publishers silly on launch day.

 

I'm all for collectors editions but bonus DLC ONLY if you pre-order is really getting out of hand lately.

[+save2600]

Or just wait for the greatest hits game of the year edition, which might include all that exclusive preorder BS.

[Mord]

What's a gamestop?

Is that what grandad still uses instad of Steam?

 

Wouldn't worry too much about them. There's one of those on every block, and their buggy whips have been out of style for a while. Anybody have a bet on how long it takes them to 'blockbuster'? 2 more years?

 

Why do you think they're looking at throwing money at the publishers to include exclusive gameplay that you won't be able to get on Steam?

 

Besides, I don't see too many gamers buying their console games on Steam.

[Mord]

Or just wait for the greatest hits game of the year edition, which might include all that exclusive preorder BS.

 

A shame that only a relatively small percentage of games ever get a game of the year edition - if they sell well. So if too many people follow that logic (as sound as it is) the less likely a GotY edition will be released.

[+save2600]

 

A shame that only a relatively small percentage of games ever get a game of the year edition - if they sell well. So if too many people follow that logic (as sound as it is) the less likely a GotY edition will be released.

Quite right!

[+Gemintronic]

There are enough sheeple that will accept over-priced games that require buying DLC to feel complete. I prefer to buy at my price after the herd has passed.

[Rex Dart]

It's retailer-exclusive gameplay.

 

They are throwing money at publishers to get "gamestop content" put in during development.

 

Alright, but how often is DLC anything other than held-back or locked content in the first place? I'm thinking of MK9 here.

[Reaperman]

 

Why do you think they're looking at throwing money at the publishers to include exclusive gameplay that you won't be able to get on Steam?

 

Besides, I don't see too many gamers buying their console games on Steam.

 

Yeah, speaking of buggy whips, consoles had pretty well better watch their backs too

Their extra exclusivity will probably keep them alive longer than gamestop (not saying much), so it's no wonder gamestop wants as much of that pie as they can get.

It's not going to help gamestop any, IMO. They have to try, but I'm guessing the golden parachutes are at the ready.

[cimerians]

Alright, but how often is DLC anything other than held-back or locked content in the first place? I'm thinking of MK9 here.

 

Yeah but my fear is more like Batman Arkham City, where parts of the main story are locked away unless you pay for it....in this case locked unless you buy it from Gamestop.

 

I know what you mean but this sounds something worse cause I won't buy anything from them.

[Rex Dart]

Points in favor of cracking the PC versions just keep piling up, huh?

[godslabrat]

I can't imagine how anyone can keep supporting GameStop. I haven't set foot in one in years.

 

Between Best Buy, Target, and Amazon, my current-gen needs are completely covered.

Edited July 12, 2014 by godslabrat

[cybercylon]

I can't imagine how anyone can keep supporting GameStop. I haven't set foot in one in years.

 

Between Best Buy, Target, and Amazon, my current-gen needs are completely covered.

On occasion though, there are niche games (generally rpgs that won't have a high print run) that don't always make it to Best Buy, Target, etc.... so unfortunately, that may mean a stop (and preorder-ugh) to GS.

[moycon]

I remember when the new Mortal Kombat came out depending on where you bought the game from you got an "exclusive" character. Of course later all the characters were available to everyone. Are these really exclusives, or exclusive for a period of time? I guess I've never really paid attention to add-ons much, I've always just assumed they would eventually be available to all. Hasn't this been going on for years now?

[godslabrat]

I think the implication is that previously, the extras were either dlc or quick add-ins that could me whipped up after the game was ready. What GameStop wants is to be involved in the process at an earlier stage, so a substantial part of the game is exclusive to them.

 

Cybercylon's point about RPGs is well taken. I don't play a lot of those kinds of games.

[Mord]

 

Yeah, speaking of buggy whips, consoles had pretty well better watch their backs too

Their extra exclusivity will probably keep them alive longer than gamestop (not saying much), so it's no wonder gamestop wants as much of that pie as they can get.

It's not going to help gamestop any, IMO. They have to try, but I'm guessing the golden parachutes are at the ready.

 

Their golden parachutes have been ready for years. Why do you think they branched out into selling ipods and crap?

 

As for consoles I will agree. The more they try to mimic the PC industry while offering weaker hardware at a rising cost, it's going to eventually take it's toll. Not everyone's going to jump to PC, but whether enough will continue to bother with consoles to make them financially feasible is another thing altogether.

 

As for godslabrat's comment about the major chains, I still frequent Gamestop/Ebgames myself since the majority of the titles I tend to buy are the niche ones. I don't preorder them, which would be a way to keep me out of Gamestop, since I always wait to see what level of DLC crap they've shoved into the final product on launch day and make a choice of if I want it or not after considering that. Then again Gamestop loses about half of the potential business I'd give them or more since I still refuse to buy gutted "new" games. And since I rarely order online, this ultimately means the publishers and developers are the ones losing a sale in the end.

 

Not that they care of course.

[cybercylon]

I hate that trick GS plays with that gutted "new" games crap.

[HammR25]

I'm definitely happy with my decision to go back to PC gaming a couple of years ago.

[Austin]

 

Yeah but my fear is more like Batman Arkham City, where parts of the main story are locked away unless you pay for it....in this case locked unless you buy it from Gamestop.

 

I know what you mean but this sounds something worse cause I won't buy anything from them.

 

I watched a video earlier and in it the individual brought up a good point: If GameStop can pay money to get in on the development process for exclusive pre-order incentives, what's to say Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, etc., won't?

[Rex Dart]

 

I watched a video earlier and in it the individual brought up a good point: If GameStop can pay money to get in on the development process for exclusive pre-order incentives, what's to say Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, etc., won't?

 

Again, happened, Mortal Kombat. Eventually the dev decides they don't want to limit their profits and everybody gets the "DLC". Just going to have to wait and see if this is any different than the past six years or so.