GameStop Stops Selling Deus Ex: Human Revolution After Being Caught Removing Coupons From New Copies
GameStop Stops Selling Deus Ex: Human Revolution After Being Caught Removing Coupons From New Copies
Posted 08/25/2011 at 10:24am
| by Brad Chacos
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If you’re in the market for a copy of the awesome-looking Deus Ex: Human Revolution, you might want to pick it up pretty much anywhere but GameStop. Square Enix, the publisher of the game, decided to include a coupon in the retail packaging of the PC version that allows you to play DXHR for free on Square’s OnLive gaming service. The problem is, GameStop plans on offering its own streaming gaming service soon and already doesn’t take kindly to competitors. The bigger problem is, GameStop began ripping open all the new copies of the game and yanking out the OnLive coupons.
Ars Technica reported the crappy practice yesterday and even included screenshots of an email from Josh Ivanoff, a Field Operations Manager with GameStop. In the email (shown above), Ivanoff says "Please immediately remove and discard the On Live coupon from all regular PC versions of Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Our desire is to not have this coupon go to any customers after this announcement."
When questioned by Ars, GameStop’s spokeswoman confirmed the coupon removal. The backlash across the Internet was intense and immediate. GameStop’s response? They’ve now pulled all copies of the regular PC edition of Human Revolution from the store shelves. That’s right – you can’t buy the PC version of DXHR at GameStop now. Every single copy will be sent back to Square Enix and replaced with a new, coupon-less version, freebies to customers be damned.
If you want to score a boxed copy that still includes the code for the free OnLive version – or just want to tell GameStop with your dollars that nobody likes a jerk – be sure to pick up Deus Ex: Human Revolution somewhere else.
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leahpette
November 03, 2011 at 3:25am
This holiday season, gaming retailer GameStop will start selling its own brand of Android tablets, notes the Wall Street Journal. These Android tablets will be sold alongside non-GameStop branded iPads. The re-branded Android tablets will be enhanced for gameplay. I read this here: GameStop to offer Android gaming tablet for the holidays.And I think Gamestop is having heir best efforts to serve their avid buyers and customers.
JohnP
August 25, 2011 at 4:18pm
Uhh, doesn't that mean I have to leave the house to buy a game? Between Steam and Amazon, I haven't done that in years.
DoctorX
August 25, 2011 at 3:01pm
what? they still sell pc games? the one here sells nothing but garbage. Oh well, i will just get it from steam anyways
someuid
August 25, 2011 at 2:57pm
I hope there's an attorney general somewhere licking his/her lips at the thought of a wonderful lawsuit under false advertising laws.
OnLive should be suing the crap out of Gamestop for anti-competitve practices.
Holly Golightly
August 25, 2011 at 2:44pm
Wow, GameStop is a bunch of thugs! I am glad I do not shop there often. Only purchased 1 game from them in 5 years. I better make sure my Alice: Madness returns game came with everything it was suppose to.
DasHellMutt
August 25, 2011 at 2:41pm
Who buys PC games at gamestop? Further, who buys any NEW game at gamestop? As mentioned previously, all games in the store are opened, even the new ones. I have been able to purchase a sealed xbox game there but had to specifically request it from behind the counter.
Square should have told gamestop to go fuck themselves and put out a statement saying they thought gamestop's move was anti consumer and tampering with their product. Gamestop doesn't have any rights other than to not sell the product if they have an issue with its contents.
25B.Lagerstrom
August 26, 2011 at 3:00am
Well, I still buy PC Games from GameStop. Being in the Army and stationed overseas, buying games through Steam and downloading them isn't easy due to bandwidth caps and download speeds. The main reason I still purchase from GameStop for my PC games is because they deliver to APO addresses.
mattman059
August 25, 2011 at 3:36pm
Actually yes, they do...I still get all of my PS3, Xbox360 used games from gamestop
CalDrumr
August 25, 2011 at 12:46pm
If I hadn't already decided never to purchase anything else at GameStop (I had), this would be the reason to make that decision now. They should be ashamed.
stradric
August 25, 2011 at 12:25pm
OnLive isn't really a direct competitor either. Gamestop gave themselves a major PR issue over really nothing. If you are buying Deus Ex for the PC, then your computer is likely beefy enough that you don't need OnLive's $5/month cloud gaming service anyway. But having that OnLive bonus gives you the option to play Deus Ex on your non-gaming laptop for example. It makes buying that PC version at retail a sweeter deal. Who the hell is going to buy a PC copy of Deus Ex (which requires Steam I believe) and then go and buy it again in Gamestop's Impulse digi distro service? In other words, Gamestop wouldn't be losing any money by allowing the promo to go forward. Methinks they don't understand what OnLive is.
I got a Deus Ex Steam code for free by buying a new RADEON from NewEgg. The package also included a free Dirt 3 steam code. If NewEgg had a digi distro service, would they be justified in removing those AMD promotions from the RADEON box? Of course not. They might even be subject to class action. So why is Square Enix giving gamestop a pass?
Skrýmir
August 25, 2011 at 1:41pm
Onlive is free, it's $10 a month with playpack. Unless i got some kind of bonus for being a founding member, i was under the impression that they still haven't made it a service you have to pay a monthly fee for. I know i'm only paying 9.99 for playpack and that's it.
bpstone
August 25, 2011 at 12:17pm
I've bought there before in the past. You'll never see my cash again. I would not be suprised too if some developers choose to pull their titles from their shelves.
ChatterboxChuck
August 25, 2011 at 12:03pm
Hold on, but i am confused. Forgive this persons ignorance on how games are distributed from the makers to the sellers but, how do they open a game box, remove items and close them again? Would this not break the seal? Or does the game not have a seal when sent to the stores? I'm rather curious about this. I may actually impact future purchases from stores.
strykyr
August 25, 2011 at 12:39pm
If you go into Gamestop and check out what's on the shelf, you'll notice every box in the place is empty. They keep all the games in the back to prevent shop lifting. However. It is NOT for a retailer to audit my purchases. That's a deal breaker. I'm fixin' to call my local GS and ask if they removed those coupons. If so, that's a deal breaker.
stradric
August 25, 2011 at 12:10pm
Does it really matter? They could replace the seal or they might have a shrink wrap machine in the back. The last boxed game I bought was Starcraft 2 (from Amazon btw) and I don't think it had any seal at all. So that's also a possibility. The logistics aren't really important. Gamestop has been known to tamper with game packages before, but this is solid evidence that it's corporate policy.
CalDrumr
August 25, 2011 at 12:50pm
They don't reseal them. At GameStop, you bring up an empty case, and they take the disc from behind the counter and put it in for you. All of their games are opened. Every single one.
Vernak
August 25, 2011 at 11:59am
Lamestop, for many years, has been operating on a platform of used game sales due to not having to reimburse publishers & developers. For some time, those parties just had to eat it because Gamestop had too much market share. However, two things have occured in the last few years. Digital distribution has siphoned Gamestop's market share and publishers have adapted to challenge Gamestops model by utilizing DLC, key codes for registering a games online services, or a purchasable key for unlocking it if someone buys the game used.
Now that they are finally joining the digital distribution bandwagon, they lash out against OnLive's very first tie in promotion with a retail box. I can understand Gamestop's position on this but the way they are handling the situation sounds like tortious interference to me. I can't see how it is an intelligent business decision to send the units back to Square Enix, even for vendor credit. They will lose prime time sales and have a current and future (when Gamestop's new service actually does launch) PR problem. Gamestop's only real "play" here that they seem to be utilizing is the "you should have told us" card in an attempt to increase Gamestop's bargaining power with Square Enix.
If I were an OnLive spokesperson, I would send out a press release recommending Gamestop remove "power to the players" from its logo.
lostcause64
August 25, 2011 at 11:16am
Just removed myself from GS mailing list. Frakkin' azz clowns...
aarcane
August 25, 2011 at 11:03am
SO what about all the customers who unwittingly bought their copy that included a manufacturer's coupon from gamestop, who had stolen the coupon prior to their purchase. do they then contact gamestop, or squarenix for a replacement ?
TerribleToaster
August 25, 2011 at 11:09am
Can't speak for Squarnix, but I'm sure Gamestop would be more than happy to send you a nice "Go fuck yourself" card.
Supall
August 25, 2011 at 10:52am
They don't even sell a decent selection of PC titles anyways. Just pick it up on NewEgg.
stradric
August 25, 2011 at 12:13pm
Or Amazon if you don't want to pay tax. If you're a Prime customer, you get free release-date delivery too.
TerribleToaster
August 25, 2011 at 10:34am
Gamestop screwing over developers and their customers? Who would have guessed?
Biceps
August 25, 2011 at 10:32am
Ok, well until a formal apology is offered by GameStop, please join me in boycotting the stores and their Impulse downloading service. GameStop was not only ripping off Square Enix, but also they were ripping off their customers by stealing their free OnLive coupons for a free game.
DoctorX
August 25, 2011 at 3:07pm
already have... 5 years ago.. havent been back. I did like electronics boutique though... sad
n0b0dykn0ws
August 25, 2011 at 10:30am
"Thank you for contacting Square Enix, how may I assist you?"
"Yes, this is Gamespot, we'd like to return all of our copies of Dues Ex: Human Revolution."
"I see sir. Have you opened the boxes?"
"Err, yes."
"I'm sorry sir, or refund policy specifically states no refunds on an opened copy of software. Have a nice day."
*click*
Brad Chacos
August 25, 2011 at 10:39am
Square actually issued a statement about it. I like the wording in the part that I bolded.
“As part of Deus Ex: Human Revolution’s boxed offering on PC, Square Enix included a third-party coupon,” the gamemaker said. “GameStop was not made aware of this inclusion and Square Enix respects the right of GameStop to have final say over the contents of products it sells and to adjust them where they see fit in accordance with their policies. Square Enix invites gamers who want to purchase the PC version of Deus Ex: Human Revolution without additional coupons to buy the game at any one of over 4,000 GameStop stores in North America or purchase a digital download copy online from www.gamestop.com.”
DoctorX
August 25, 2011 at 3:11pm
do they have gnads of the size of BBs? I swear... they missed a golden opportunity for increased sales. people like us would buy it even if we didnt want the game to show support for them.
CalDrumr
August 25, 2011 at 12:56pm
If Square Enix included that item in the product, it is part of what I am purchasing, and it should be my decision whether or not I use it. Are they allowed to remove the extras from a collector's edition game, or take out game booklets? This is just not right. Square Enix may not want to cause any bad blood with a big-time game retailer, which I understand, but GameStop is really screwing customers over. At the very least, they should notify each and every Deus Ex-purchasing customer that they are purchasing a less-than-complete product before the sale is made. Some people won't care; others will. But many more will care about such under-handed trickery as this.
Eoraptor
August 25, 2011 at 12:19pm
So, in other words, rather than calling Gamestop the bunch of douche nozzels they are, they're going to supprt the claim that all companies are allowed to open on-shelf products and screw with them as they see fit before passing them on to the customers?
Slippery Slope.
Skrýmir
August 25, 2011 at 1:51pm
I think they're more trying to save gamestop from a hacker backlash that i'm sure is about to happen any minute now. Square is conducting themselves responsibly.
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