GameStop Forcibly Removing OnLive Coupons from Deus Ex PC Copies, Because They're GameStop [UPDATED]

What assholes.

What is it going to take for the general public to stop going to Gamestop?

Send in the lawyers. Trust me, I don't say that lightly.

I already refused to buy "new" games from them if they were opened, which was typically the case. I think that should be illegal, frankly, because then it ain't new. Also, their used prices are way too inflated about 95% of the time, so I just don't shop there ever pretty much.

Finally, something Gamespot related that's actually worthy of outrage instead of just another hum-drum issue being blown out of proportion by videogame writers personally fighting the war on used sales in an attempt to keep the games industry and in turn the game journalism industry fat with cash with plenty of room for everyone's mediocrity.  
 
Oops, did I ever digress there for a minute. And run-on? Wow. 
 
Anyways, this is pretty gross. You'd think some seriously legality is on it's way.  

Now if only publishers would stop giving us mixed messages by giving Gamestop all the biggest and best pre-order bonuses...

pretty sure if someone wanted to... they could make out that email address in the print out

I don't understand why people shop at Gamestop anymore. You can get every game you ever want for much cheaper online. If you don't have a credit card, there's ways to get temporary cards to use online. If you don't have internet access, use the gas you would have wasted to go to Gamestop to go to somewhere that does. Amazon, Ebay, Newegg, anywhere is better. Amazon is more often that not cheaper and also offers coupons off you next purchase. You get release day shipping which sometimes costs extra but you don't pay tax so it evens out.

Cheapassgamer should be any gamers first stop before buying any game and that usually leads to Amazon or Steam. Also, if you're worried about someone ripping you off on Ebay, don't be. Buy from high rated sellers. I've done it for years.

Why pay corporations that do stuff like this and support these tactics? I've avoided Gamestop for years now, this isn't anything new.

GameStop, shame on you. That is why I refuse to buy anything from you. I don't buy "new" games that you already opened. I want to do it myself, and while your in the box, leave the stuff the publisher put in there.

@crow_robot said:

@Jimbo: Deus Ex 3 is a Steamworks game. It literally requires Steam, so they're already partaking in something that damages their own business. And it certainly doesn't give Gamestop the right to steal from and deceiver their customers, they could just not sell the game. Or at the very least, inform customers of what they did.

It's a bit late to worry about Steam, and I doubt GameStop would lose too much sleep about losing what little is left of the retail PC game market anyway. OnLive becoming an established alternative to retail is a much bigger potential threat to their business than Steam is.

I agree they shouldn't be deceiving their customers, though it seems likely to me that GameStop have also been deceived somewhere along the line, because I can't imagine them knowingly agreeing to take part in this. If the OnLive code is advertised on the game box and they're removing it, then I agree that those boxes should not be on their shelves - at least not as new product. If it isn't mentioned on the box or in store as a part of the product, then I don't see that the customer is really being deceived by or stolen from by GameStop. If only the non-store advertising (press release etc.) of the OnLive code has turned out to be false, then the fault for that lies with the publisher for not getting their shit together with their distribution network.

There is an argument to be made that simply removing the cellophane and opening the box is enough for the product to go from being 'new' to being 'used', but it's not an argument that I buy tbh.

@NeilRapalee said:

@Sharpshooter: You realize they do this on a daily basis anyway right?

They open brand new copies of games and put them on the shelves as "display" copies. What's odd is they have display boxes for games without final box art or even firm release dates, yet feel the need to open a brand new game and then sell it as new. This is the reason I don't hop there anymore. This incident is just a more public version of their typical day-to-day business policies.

I work in a video store we do that with game cases all the time but we are required to put everything back into the case again when it's time to sell that copy. Doesn't matter what it is, it goes right back into the case just as the publisher wanted. If I did what Gamestop is doing I'd get my ass fired.

I like how everyone's going ape shit crazy over the idea that they're opening and resealing "new" games (a practice that people have been complaining about since it's inception)
 
Why are people not more upset at the idea that they're losing actual value on their purchase by them removing a coupon the publisher secured for ALL customers who purchase the game. This wasn't retailer specific DLC or anything like that, where they would have direct control over it. They're taking away something that they don't have the right too. 
 
If they care that much about the coupon for a competing service being included in the game then the right thing to do would be to not carry the product AT ALL but of course that's tons of money that they're leaving on the table for other retailers, especially given that the game has got great reviews.

Christ, that's a new low. I worked for GameStop for years, so I've seen them pull some gross shit, but most of the stuff people go crazy about is overblown. This, however, deserves all the nerd-rage pointed at it.

I understand that removing that code is a filthy (and probably illegal) practice in itself, but, to be honest, I don't personally care about it. I'm not going to use OnLive, so I won't be missing anything by not having that code. Of course, I'm completely opposed to them doing it.

The thing that really worries me is that they are opening a sealed box, tampering with the contents and selling it as new. How do I know that game is not used and I'm being charged as if it were new? It's disgusting. That's why I stopped buying in GameStop and GAME altogether. Fuck them.

I know you guys have said it before on podcasts but it's nice to see it in print that the editorial staff are saying don't shop at gamestop.

I feel sorry for their Sales Assistants, they're going get torn apart by customers for doing what they're told to do. 
 
But really, would anyone ACTUALLY use the Onlive code? If they got one? 

@NeilRapalee said:

@Sharpshooter: You realize they do this on a daily basis anyway right?

They open brand new copies of games and put them on the shelves as "display" copies. What's odd is they have display boxes for games without final box art or even firm release dates, yet feel the need to open a brand new game and then sell it as new. This is the reason I don't hop there anymore. This incident is just a more public version of their typical day-to-day business policies.

I work in a video store we do that with game cases all the time but we are required to put everything back into the case again when it's time to sell that copy. Doesn't matter what it is, it goes right back into the case just as the publisher wanted. If I did what Gamestop is doing I'd get my ass fired.

I wish I could un-buy HR from them.

can someone clarify...buying a boxed copy of deus ex gives me two copies? a physical and a digital one? with two separate keys?

Steam is my only retail outlet now.

Yeah, so Eidos sneaks in OnLive coupons into physical copies and we get pissed at GameStop for not wanting to give away free coupons to a competing business, instead of Eidos or OnLive for trying to undercut GameStop's sales.

Glad to know you're keeping an objective view on this one, Mr. Navarro. This definitely shouldn't be considered "news", as it's dripping with anti-GameStop bias at every letter.

And yes, GameStop is a greedy, soulless mega-corporation looking to squeeze every last dollar they can out of you, just like Microsoft, Activision, Ubisoft, and EA. Yes, they often charge too much money for used games. Yes, they try to push pre-orders, rewards programs, and their magazine. But in this case it sounds like they're not the ones at fault, because it sounds like they didn't know those coupons were in there until they already had the copies of the game.

I know you guys have said it before on podcasts but it's nice to see it in print that the editorial staff are saying don't shop at gamestop.

Is this at all legal, it sounds rather illegal.

@sushisteve said:

@Sharpshooter said:

Are they even allowed to do that? Is this even legal? I cant imagine that it is. Tampering with and removing items from a sealed product. So far as I know the only thing any retailer is allowed to do under these circumstances is sell the product as provided by the supplier unless they have explicit permission to do so or not stock the product. In other words deal with it or piss off.

Also the wording of that letter just sounds like its from a soulless robot. "Our desire is to not have this coupon go to any customers". Either that or it was written by the Ferengi.

Rule of Acquisition #24: Until you have purchased the game and are at least 1 mile away from the store you are not legally considered the owner.

I was curious so I double checked exactly what Rule of Acquisition #24 is and interestingly the only reference I can find reads:

Never ask when you can take.

...

Stealing freebies from your customers as payback over not having full control over Square's retail packaging decisions? Then taping up the box and putting it back on the shelf for full price?

In an industry where morally grey, fucked up business practices are common, that right there sounds especially fucked up. Even for GameStop. Hope Square/OnLive responds.

I'm usually a staunch supporter or GameStop...but it's shit like this that makes me question that stance. Bad move Gamestop, bad move. OnLive really isn't a threat to you and you are basically removing a feature that was given out by the publisher. You can't open a brand new game, steal something out of it, and then continue to treat it like a new game. It's now a used game since the full package no longer has the original contents inside.

at least there is proof now. Cuz I swear a couple games I've bought "new" appeared to be opened. Example, bought Dead Space (new) and there was just simply a sticker closing the container. Employee even opened the box when I bought it and stuck the receipt inside of it for some reason.  Lucky for him I'm a pussy and avoid confrontation at all costs or I might of gave him a strong word or two.

As a former employee of gamestop I can say this happens more than you think. We had employees take and use EA online codes from new gutted games to use on their used game that they bought. So costumers would get a "new" game that the online code was all ready used.  

@Emmzyne: Use the code or not, value is value.   I didn't use my pc/mac code for my copy of portal 2 that i bought but i still appreciate the fact that the devs/pubs decided to included in there for added value for my 60 bucks.

A. Gamestop sells PC games? 
 
B. Stop shopping at these bullshit companies that fuck the consumer every chance they get. Works great. See Blockbuster.
 
C. Yea Gamestop, for sure not going to use Impluse now.

As someone who used to work for gamestop, I can say this is nothing new. 
 
Gamestop opens new boxes all the time to display the boxes on the wall.  Gamestop employees are then allowed to take that CD home and play it.  Once it's brought back to the store it is put back in the box and sold as a NEW copy, even though it has been played by employees.  A straight up bold faced lie. 
 
Gamestop doesn't allow returns once the wrap has been taken off a game, even if the customer who spent money on it never even played it.  So it's okay for employees to play new games for free and turn around and sell it as new to a customer, but for a customer to return a never before played game?  Not allowed. 
 
Gamestop's policies are absolute bullshit that screws over the people who made the games and the people who buy the games.  

Wow.....

And here I was at Best Buy struggling with the decision to open a game to double check the dlc code was in the box for a customer as corporate told us.

kind of surprise that they haven't gotten a Class action suit against them yet for selling used games as New... since that could be construed as fraud. 

Yeah, so Eidos sneaks in OnLive coupons into physical copies and we get pissed at GameStop for not wanting to give away free coupons to a competing business, instead of Eidos or OnLive for trying to undercut GameStop's sales.

this can't be legal. i believe they are violating the fact that if they advertise this as new, they are making false claims. I'd like to see how the suits handle this.

As someone who used to work for gamestop, I can say this is nothing new.  Gamestop opens new boxes all the time to display the boxes on the wall.  Gamestop employees are then allowed to take that CD home and play it.  Once it's brought back to the store it is put back in the box and sold as a NEW copy, even though it has been played by employees.  A straight up bold faced lie.  Gamestop doesn't allow returns once the wrap has been taken off a game, even if the customer who spent money on it never even played it.  So it's okay for employees to play new games for free and turn around and sell it as new to a customer, but for a customer to return a never before played game?  Not allowed.  Gamestop's policies are absolute bullshit that screws over the people who made the games and the people who buy the games.  

I feel sorry for their Sales Assistants, they're going get torn apart by customers for doing what they're told to do.  But really, would anyone ACTUALLY use the Onlive code? If they got one? 

@Emmzyne: It's absolutely counter intuitive and i hope they suffer from it. (probably won't though)  The messed up thing is that if this letter didn't get out and someone bought Deus Ex expecting that code and then complained to gamestop that it wasn't in there, they would probably tell them they need to contact square enix about it. SMH

I thought people were overreacting but now that I've read all the details I'm shocked.

this proves it again ... there is no comedy and no cartoon that is as hilarious as the real life ... thumbs up gamestop!

this is the very definition of anti competitive. This is the equivalent of a cable company refusing to allow netflix streaming through the internet service they provide because they offer a competing VOD service.  Good luck with this one gamestop.  Have fun when the DOJ starts regulating every move you make.

man gamestop... they... nevermind.

@Xeirus said:

@Example1013 said:

Yeah, so Eidos sneaks in OnLive coupons into physical copies and we get pissed at GameStop for not wanting to give away free coupons to a competing business, instead of Eidos or OnLive for trying to undercut GameStop's sales.

What???????? Eidos isn't sneaking shit, it's their game and they can do whatever the hell they want. Gamestop has no right to tamper with a product before it's sold and then act like it's brand new. It's flat out lying, and the fact that you even try to understand this is beyond ridiculous.

The "product" they're selling is a single-use license in physical form. The coupon included isn't a part of that license, so they can do whatever they damn well please with it, especially if they didn't know about it beforehand. You don't like it? Tough. It sounds like you don't shop there anyways, so it's really none of your concern. Stop acting like they lied to you. Or I guess it's also a problem that Eidos opened the box to put the coupon in? It's not like games are magically teleported into a shrinkwrapped copy straight out of the factory.