GameStop Delcares War on Steam?
Posted 01/26/09 at 11:48:36 PM by Dan Stapleton
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Have the first shots in the long-brewing Digital Distribution vs. Retail Wars been fired? About two weeks ago, GameStop.com abruptly stopped taking pre-orders for THQ’s upcoming Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II, and scrubbed any mention of the game from its site. While no one has been able to get an official reason out of either GameStop or THQ, the speculation is that the conspicuous disappearance is connected to the use of Valve’s Steam service as copy protection—GameStop is probably peeved that in order to install DoW2, gamers will have to install Steam and be presented with an option for fabulous deals on PC games that doesn’t require hauling their asses down to the mall and digging through all the Barbie Horse Adventure games on GameStop’s depressing PC corner shelf.
One disappearance could’ve been a coincidence, but now a pattern is emerging. Both of the other current PC games that require a Steam install, THQ’s Saints Row 2 and 2K’s NBA 2K9, have also gone missing from Gamestop.com. Oddly, Sega’s Empire: Total War is still proudly offered up for pre-order despite it being widely known to heavily integrate Steam features (achievements and multiplayer matchmaking), but that could be due to a cross-promotion in which gamers who pre-order on Gamestop.com get a free download code for Rome: Total War.
Reached for comment, a THQ representative said only that Dawn of War II is available at every other retail outlet. Meanwhile, a 2K representative says that as far as they know NBA 2K09 is on sale at GameStop, and doesn't know why it's not showing up on their online store, suggesting that it may be a matter of GameStop needing to update. However, we note that the game has been out since October 21, 2008, and the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 2 versions all appear as normal, so the circumstances remain highly suspicious. This won’t remain a mystery much longer, though, as more and more PC games are turning to Steam for its relatively unintrusive anti-piracy protection, and GameStop might soon find itself in a position of having to sell Steam-requiring games or get out of the PC market entirely. Not that they’d be missed.
giddy-up!
Submitted by poipoipoi on Sat, 06/20/2009 - 6:43am
you best not be dissin' the new BARBIE HORSE ADVENTURES !!!
Steamed
Submitted by hoe on Fri, 02/13/2009 - 6:13pm
Amazed at how one bad experience can affect your impressions of steam ? Just wait till you have one. I was fine with bioshock and the license confirmation hassle, even with the unavailability of game registration servers for a period of 24hrs at one point (it was a great game !). But I have had such a hassle with orange box and splinter cell that I'm ready to call it quits and let all you game downloading folks ride that high hard one yourselves. Maybe requiring 2 hour downloads for a retail box purchase seems like only 1.75 hours if you purchase it online - look out if you lose your connection, caused these to take 3 days to complete. I don't work for Valve, so I probably shouldn't be posting here like the rest of these but.pirat.es, who seem to love steam so much they should at least file a W-4 as pmps.
Submitted by majorsuave on Tue, 02/10/2009 - 7:48am
I buy most of my games either on Steam or Direct 2 Drive, It is convenient, safe, I can install games more than thrice and the copy protection scheme is right for me.
As for the console games, I might have bought a used GBA game at GameStop but am not sure, I know I bought some used XBOX titles at EB Games which is owned by the same folks I believe. Other than that, there are other retailers around, I could buy from Wal Mart, Zellers, HMV, Toys R Us ......
What's a game stop?
Submitted by JohnP on Fri, 02/06/2009 - 7:24pm
Oh, it's a game STORE! Geez, I haven't been to a store in a long time, least not for anything but groceries... I mean, that is what Amazon and NewEgg are for!
If I don't get it from Steam
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 11:19am
If I don't get it from Steam I get my games from WalMart. I owned an XBOX360 for about 5minutes and gave it away to my best friend. I lost interest in the games but the games I did buy for it I got at Gamestop. I always had a larger PC game selection at WalMart though.
I've only bought one PC game from gamestop and that was Max Payne 2 and wait a minute actually I got that at Babages... They are part of Gamestop right? Oh well guess I never bought a PC game at Gamestop because they hate PC gamers.
Submitted by averageGrod on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 11:13am
I know that more PC Games on retail store shelves is generally a good thing but some of these stores don't even stock PC Games but will offer to order them for you if when you inquire about one. Sometimes they only sell presale pc games and one of my local gamestops really only stocks PC Games that are guaranteed movers like the Sims and WoW. There isn't much of a used PC Games market so they don't bother.
Submitted by thegamepro on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 10:31am
I will admit that I will always prefer to have the game through steam instead of gamestop because I will NEVER need the disc in the drive, the price is the same if not cheaper, I won't have to worry about the discs being scratched and unreadable.
Another thing I would like to mention is that EA's games on steam DONT have secuROM while EA's retail version DOES. I'm buying all of my PC games on steam when they are available there.
Quit hating on the barbie games, they have the games for windows packaging on them so that means that those are the games that will save PC gaming right?
Maybe if Barbie's riding a
Submitted by Jox on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 7:11pm
Maybe if Barbie's riding a sybian.
Look it up.
-Jox
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 9:04pm
Barbie doesn't need to do that she has a pony and Ken.
Submitted by Jox on Wed, 01/28/2009 - 3:02pm
The pony, perhaps... My sister's Ken doll was somewhat lacking in that area.
Submitted by DrCoolP on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 10:08am
The best part of Steam is that it keeps all your games updated and I can go anywhere and play my games...it totally adds freedom to my gaming experience...the best thing with console games is that they are automatically updated and Steam adds that ability to PC games
Submitted by schinkinatror on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 9:31am
I can understand why Gamestop wouldn't want steam on consumers computers. But for people who really wanted this game anyways they will just buy it on steam now, instead of having the option of buying it from gamestop. So now people will have steam on their computers and gamestop won't get any money from it at all; its a GREAT move. Plus if people really want it from retail due to the lack of hi-speed or the want of a hard copy they can probably go to wal-mart/bestbuy considering this is a THQ title. So bravo Gamestop you just eliminated some of your customer base.
Steam+Discounts=Great Deal
Gamestop+Discounts=wait they never have any
Why is COD4 Still 50$?
Submitted by Hg Dragon on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 9:25am
You guys get an actual corner? The GameStops I visit here in DFW all seem to only have their PC games on one side of their small 3' high floor racks.
GameStop shopping has always been a sad experience for me. "No," I don't want your warranty. "No," I don't want a subscription to your in-house magazine. "No," I don't want to buy your bundle of things that I don't really want just for one console or game. "No," I don't want to shop in your stores anymore.
I have to admit that it's
Submitted by I Jedi on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 8:28am
I have to admit that it's convient to buy games from Steam. To always be able to download games over and over again, play them as long as I want, etc. However, having a boxed copy does make me personally feel more secured and in control of my game that I purchased.
Submitted by mini6090 on Fri, 02/06/2009 - 9:03am
the very first day i bought HL2 and i was sent to steam, i hated it... after realizing what they were trying to do, i loved it...
i'm a fan of boxed copies and the manual and blah blah blah, but steam saves EVERYTHING and starting with L4D, it even saves your progress and settings elsewhere. i have 2 raptor drives in a stripe just for steam games, and i prefer to buy them from steam because it's way easy, cheaper in most cases, and SOOO conveinent, when i reinstall my OS, and i need to reinstall steam, i just point it to the old install point and EVERYTHING comes right back, no reinstalls, no updates, nothing, it just works
Gamestop is filled with a bunch of morons who can't stock shelves correctly, if you have ever been in that store, you'll know... the workers are border line retarded and they NEVER give you a correct release date, every time i have EVER went in there, they say, you can get it on the 5th, i'd go in on the 5th and they would ask if i reserved it, i say no, then i have to wait till the next day... you would say this is my fault, but i asked if i needed to reserve it to get it on that day, and they would say no... steam counts down to the release date, lets you download it the night before and unlocks that day...
Please steam... put shitstop out of business, you people do realize, IT'S FUNCOLAND!!! WHAT CRAP!
Altek
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EVGA GTX260
Fatl1ty X-Fi
Submitted by mrlhxc on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 7:03am
Sometimes it's fun to go to Gamestop and get a box copy of a game. On the other hand Steam is very convenient and i've boughten many games from it.
Wow
Submitted by maniacm0nk3y on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 6:50am
Just another reason.
I shop on Steam exclusively because they are the only place I trust my purchases. Everything else is in-store or Newegg.
Submitted by comptech08 on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 6:32am
Is it up to the game developers to require steam? If it is then isn't that a slap to the face to the DoW developers from GameStop?
Submitted by brockalee on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 5:25am
How to Unlock a Pony
Save Lucky the horse and complete the game to get a pony. Because you always wanted a pony, didn't you? You're welcome.
Submitted by momurda on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 4:49am
Honestly I prefer to buy digital from people like steam, I have bought from direct2drive but the experience with them isnt so good. Steam i can buy not have to worrie about the dreaded DRM! Plus if i want to uninstall it for awhile i can and get it back when i want without finding my CD scratched. The only thing i wish would happen is the prices for digital media to go down a bit. Companies are not having to produce/print boxes or manuals so i hope someday that this savings will be directed towards me. For now though im happy with steam and the gaming companies should be too.
Submitted by rayatwork05 on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 4:39am
Steam really has provided an increase in value and quality for gaming experience. one click downlod for any new release i want. more screen shots and videos then what i get at the store, no return policies, unlimited acess, no DRM. cant be beat. i wish more services adopted Steams system.
whoever mentioned download caps....i'd think a game should last you at least a month or two before you download your next game. Maybe consider going outside :-o
----------------------
Ray, RES Computer Services
down load caps might not
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 9:37am
down load caps might not realy last for a game, i mean really a game should last ATLEAST a month but those caps would kill me and my relationshive to Tv.nihon where i go to download Fan Subtitled Free torrents of hundreds of episodes of quality japanese Toku
Retail vs. Digital Distribution
Submitted by Vathras on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 1:11am
When I was younger (many years ago it seems) I remember digging through the local retailer's shelves for various games, eyes alit in wonder with my new acquisition. Their boxes drew the gaze with their colorful art, large size, unique shape, and were often heavy with manuals and collectors items.
Those days have been gone for quite some time now and while I still consider myself an avid gamer and collector I find myself leaning towards digital distribution - most specifically Steam. With broad band speeding things along I am just a download away from being able to play any game on my account on any computer I feel like.
With what I have personally experienced and heard about the evil corporate entity known as GameStop, I am not surprised at all if these actions are intentional. And if the actions lead to their departure from sales of PC games in general I will also state good riddance.
___________________________________________
Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day.
Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
Bigger picture
Submitted by bbies1973 on Tue, 01/27/2009 - 1:08am
The battle between download vs. disc has another front to consider, and one that might be more decisive than this. I'm talking about ISP's limiting customer's usage. If I my data per month was restricted, I certainly wouldn't want to use it up by downloading a bunch of games.
Well, if crime fighters fight crime and fire fighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight? -G. Carlin
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Mon, 01/26/2009 - 11:15pm
Hey quit hating on Barbi Horse Adventures. It's a great game and I'm on level 7. The level where Ken Joins GIJoe and joins the fight against Cobra. The RTS part of the game is just getting started..
I'd say that the company
Submitted by jcollins on Mon, 01/26/2009 - 11:10pm
I'd say that the company really doesn't care about the copy protection. They care more about the competition.
Submitted by The Relic on Mon, 01/26/2009 - 10:23pm
Call me a Luddite, but I prefer hard copies of my games. I do have Steam installed on my system, but the only games I actually bought through Steam were the four .99 titles they had on sale a few weeks ago (Doom, Doom2, Reaxxion and Heavy Weapon). Sure I can back up the games (and have), but like an actual dead-tree book as opposed to a digital copy and a vinyl record or CD as opposed to a digital download, I just prefer something I can hold in my hand.
Of course, I predict that will be a moot point as more publishers choose digital distribution as a cost-cutting move. But it don't mean I have to like it. Feh ^_^.
Submitted by Vegan on Mon, 01/26/2009 - 11:03pm
I prefer having a disc with data on it as well. You never know when some texture mod 10 years down the road will only work on the retail copy of something; I don't know. So I like a disc for fiddling around with.
That said, I have about 80 games on my Steam games list. I keep buying them because they've all been during one incredible sale or another. I've even bought Steam versions of games I already own a retail copy of, just because it was $5. I'll buy digital as long as the price is right.
The same goes for digital music. Amazon's regular $2 album sales are what it took to get me to pay for music for the first time in years.
The moral of the story is that things in general just need to be cheaper and I'll stop worrying about the risks of purchasing volatile digital content.
Submitted by MarioJP on Mon, 01/26/2009 - 9:31pm
*waves bye* and they won't be missed. well said :)
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