GameStop offering downloadable PC purchases at retail
GameStop is expanding its in-store digital sales initiative, now allowing customers to use "any accepted form of payment" in order to "purchase digital PC games at their local store and access the titles immediately at launch." Exactly how this process works isn't made clear, though it would be easy enough to sell download redemption codes, similar to the way GameStop distributes DLC vouchers for console games.
The highlight of the announcement would seem to be the "any accepted form of payment" bit, meaning that players can trade games for credit toward PC downloads. It's worth noting that GameStop isn't the first company to offer such a deal. Amazon also allows users to apply trade-in credit toward PC downloads (or any product on Amazon, for that matter).
The first game to be offered by GameStop's "in-store digital purchase" program will be Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Those who purchase the digital version will also receive downloads of the original Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition and Deus Ex: Invisible War. Customers will also receive the "Explosive Mission" DLC and double PowerUp Rewards points.
Interestingly, Human Revolution is cited as the first of "many" games for the program, meaning that GameStop's current downloadable catalog doesn't apply.
Show full PR text
GameStop Launches New In-Store Digital PC Game Purchase Method
New service kicks off with exclusive offers on Square Enix's Deus Ex: Human Revolution
GRAPEVINE, Texas, Jul 28, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
GameStop (NYSE: GME), the world's largest multichannel video game retailer, is making it easier for PC gamers to get their hands on hot new releases. Exclusively at GameStop, customers can now use any accepted form of payment, including trade credit and GameStop gift cards, to purchase digital PC games at their local store and access the titles immediately at launch. Deus Ex(R): Human Revolution(TM) is the first of what will soon be many titles to support this new purchase method.
"This is a great illustration of how the digital distribution model and in-store experience really complement one another," said Steve Nix, GameStop's general manager of digital distribution. "We have seen great success selling DLC for console titles in our stores, so expanding on that model and helping customers discover digitally distributed PC games in stores is a natural fit."
In addition to immediate access to the game at launch, customers who pre-purchase the digital PC version of Deus Ex: Human Revolution at GameStop will also receive:
A digital version of Deus Ex(TM): Game of the Year Edition and Deus Ex: Invisible War(TM)
The Explosive Mission DLC Pack for in-game use in Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Double points for GameStop(R) PowerUp Rewards(TM) members
As an added bonus, PowerUp Rewards(TM) members who pre-order and purchase Deus Ex: Human Revolution will be entered to win a decked out living room in the Augment Your Living Room Sweepstakes. Visit www.poweruprewards.com/PUR/Index/Augment for complete details on the Augment Your Living Room Sweepstakes.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution, which launches Aug. 23, 2011, is available for pre-order now in GameStop stores nationwide and online at www.GameStop.com.
Deus Ex and Deus Ex: Human Revolution are registered trademarks or trademarks of Square Enix Ltd.
