The future of GameStop, the world’s largest videogame retailer, looks rocky thanks to the threat of digital distribution. There’s also the ugly rumor that the Xbox 720 will require an always-online internet connection, which, if true, means the console will could block used games. That would be really bad news for GameStop since used game sales are a major source of the company’s revenue.

When asked if GameStop will die, a GameStop manager said in a Reddit AMA: “I don’t think GameStop will die with this console generation, but I think it’s very possible it will with the one afterward. That, or the company will be less of a GameStop and more of an Electronics Boutique again.“

 

This reaffirms the notion that brick and mortar stores are in trouble as the videogame industry seemingly heads towards a digital future. It’s already well-documented how sales of physical disc-based games have dropped thanks to the rise in digital sales, however, GameStop has been trying to adapt by selling iOS devices and “pushing digital sales hard (most Steam titles are available through us, for example),” the GameStop manager explained.

 

He also noted that GameStop has “a solid market share on Microsoft DLC,” but acknowledged that “PC is still a little rough, in my area at least.” Moreover, it was stated that smartphone data plan service Net10 Wireless dropped GameStop’s unlimited data plan around a month ago, which has been “really painful.”

 

Source: http://beefjack.com/news/its-very-possible-gamestop-will-die-when-ps4-xbox-720-come-out-says-gamestop-manager/

Edited April 2, 201312 yr by Tails

Doesn't GameStop do what EB Games does? EB Games sells digital copies in store.

Doesn't GameStop do what EB Games does? EB Games sells digital copies in store.

Yup.

I actually hope Gamestop doesn't die and that the console will accept used games. Gamestop has actually gotten a good bit of success over used games and is one of the easiest places to find them at not online. Hopefully the rumor turns out to be false.

Digital distribution would suck, do not want.

I heard they're closing 500 stores this year

I would not be very into the idea of buying a console that only played digital games. I prefer to have my game cases siting pretty on my shelf.

Digital is for people who are lazy to go to the store to buy a game.

Doesn't GameStop do what EB Games does? EB Games sells digital copies in store.

But why would you go to a store to buy digital copies? Isn't the whole point of digital copies that you don't have to go to a store?

But why would you go to a store to buy digital copies? Isn't the whole point of digital copies that you don't have to go to a store?

 

The point of digital copies is so you don't have a physical copy. If you don't want to go in store, you can use the online store.

 

You'd go in a store to buy a digital copy so you support the business and get a digital copy of that game.

Think about it guys, it would be still possible to sell digital copies in stores. I mean, there are people who don't have means of buying everything from internet stores so game companies could sell their games with same method as for example PS store vouchers: You have that digital code inside that game cover and then you download that game with that code and you can still put that game cover to your shelf if you like to collect stuff. 

I don't see how this would be impossible

Think about it guys, it would be still possible to sell digital copies in stores. I mean, there are people who don't have means of buying everything from internet stores so game companies could sell their games with same method as for example PS store vouchers: You have that digital code inside that game cover and then you download that game with that code and you can still put that game cover to your shelf if you like to collect stuff. 

I don't see how this would be impossible

 

I was just talking about this, EB Games Australia already do this.

Selling physical copies of games is dying out? What bullshit. That's like saying that physical copies of books are "dying out" because of electronic distribution. There's always going to be the crowd who want tangible copies that you can physically hold (along with actually having resale value; the thing I hate about digital copies is if you don't like it, you're stuck with it. If you hate a game you bought on disc, you could just sell that shit online and recover at least part of the money you spent), so I'm pretty sure Gamestop isn't going anywhere.

I heard they're closing 500 stores this year

They are closing stores, I don't know that it is 500 though. And what a lot of the reports miss is that most of these stores are closing because they are moving to different locations. Some are actually closing though. Another thing not mentioned, is that they are also opening a bunch of new stores as well in new locations. So it ends up evening out fairly close.

Despite the fact that GameStop isn't a very good business, I would like them not to die out. Sure, digital copies are more popular these days, but if it isn't for the PC; I'd rather to have a physical copy that I can actually hold, and be able to bring it with me to a friend's house. Where otherwise it would be stored inside a near-inaccessible hard drive.

Also, the Xbox 720 (Or whatever it turns out to be) would really suck with an always-online connection. People started to boycott the new SimCity because of that 'feature' and if Microsoft has any sense, they aren't going to follow in EA's footsteps.

If they do close, then what would have been the point of racking up all those GameStop points?! I have yet to use a single one! Dx

Don't end GameStop

If they do close, then what would have been the point of racking up all those GameStop points?! I have yet to use a single one! Dx

My dad has like over 200,000 points and never bothered to check his account