GameStop must be getting antsy

By dj August 18, 2008 9 Comments

News of Burnout Paradise being available for download on the PSN store might signal the end of retailers. I've had some experience downloading some full games off of the Xbox Live Originals so I know that downloading gigs and gigs of data is not that big of a hurdle. So that means that the only obstacle in the way of digitally distributing full titles are old school retail stores.

I think that all publishers/developers are worried that without the marketing and shelf space provided by big box retailers their games will have no chance of succeeding. Burnout will be the pioneer for digitally distributing full games. If enough people buy this then perhaps others will be encouraged to follow. While I have a feeling that this will not put an end to GameStop I do hope that it begins that process. From my experience of buying video games, I can easily say that I will not miss having to go through all of the hurdles to get a game.

The other hurdle that I see is the love for having a box in hand. I too like the feeling of bringing home the box and popping it into the 360 and lining up my shelves. For most people the idea of having a digital copy of something is still a foreign thought. I have made this type of jump of music where I no longer want a CD and prefer downloading all of my music.

I hope that this begins a trend, even if this does not lead to all new games being released digitally at least they can put greatest hit titles on. It gives older games the opportunity to generate more sales instead of just dying in a bargain bin. What do you think will happen after Paradise is released? The fall of retailers? Absolutely nothing? Or perhaps something in between.

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