GameStop opening Deus Ex boxes, removing free game code

[radio667]

from arstechnica.com ............ If you purchase your copy of Deus Ex: Human Revolution (http://arstechnica.com/gaming/reviews/2011/08/the-future-begins-with-you-ars-review-deus-ex-human-revolution.ars) at a retail store, you're supposed to receive a code that allows you to play the game for free using the online gaming service OnLive. It's a neat giveaway, and it certainly gives gamers an incentive to try the service, but a leaked memo seems to show GameStop's fear of digital delivery: employees are allegedly being asked to open every game and remove the coupon.

The e-mail came from Josh Ivanoff, a Field Operations Manager with GameStop. "Please immediately remove and discard the On Live [sic] coupon from all regular PC versions of Deus Ex: Human Revolution," the memo states. "Our desire is to not have this coupon go to any customers after this announcement." Here's a copy of the letter, with Mr. Ivanoff's contact information removed.

We contacted Ivanoff on his business line and e-mail, and he refused to comment on the memo, instead asking us to take the issue up with public relations. GameStop spokesperson Beth Sharum confirmed the practice, telling Ars that "Square Enix packed the competitor’s coupon with our DXHR product without our prior knowledge and we did pull these coupons."

Some customers are reporting that they've bought the game at GameStop and received the coupon, while others are saying the coupon was missing. A comment on Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com/profile/3910612/) alleged that the reasoning behind this move was to avoid sending customers to OnLive, as GameStop is making a strong push into the digital market itself.

If true, this is bad news for customers: GameStop employees would have to open every new copy of this game and throw away a free copy of the game that was meant for customers to be in compliance. For now, if you absolutely must buy the game from a GameStop location, either make sure the game is sealed, or check for the coupon before leaving the location.

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[JoystickMonkey]

So slimy. I haven't shopped at gamestop since they were super lame to me when I tried to buy alien hominid.

[Kel]

How much you wanna bet most of those free codes aren't ending up in the trash?

[widowmaker]

Theft is theft. I am no lawyer but there has to be something that can be used to lock up some of these slimeballs. This kind of BS sickens me.

[Superchaz]

True story: I once went to purchase an Xbox 360 at a Gamestop, and a mega Xbox fanboy ranted and talked about how the PS3 fell short in comparison (which we have established, is not true in terms of hardware at all), and eventually badgered me out of the store. I then went to a different store, and purchased about $700 worth of stuff.

Knowing that Gamestops are franchises, and that every single store is affected by purchases, this guy cost his store $700 just to state an opinion that I did not care to hear. I was even super polite.

[Kel]

Knowing that Gamestops are franchises, and that every single store is affected by purchases, this guy cost his store $700 just to state an opinion that I did not care to hear. I was even super polite.Should have taken the reciept over to that Gamestop and told the guy he cost the store $700 in sales by not shutting up

[DeadMeatGF]

If they've removed anything from the box for any reason it is also illegal to sell it as a new game - it would have to be classed as second hand or, at best, a factory repack.

[Superchaz]

If they've removed anything from the box for any reason it is also illegal to sell it as a new game - it would have to be classed as second hand or, at best, a factory repack.

I agree. They should have to sell them for $5-10 off, just like all other used games that I new releases.

And as for my post above, I meant that I was buying a PS3, not a 360. I had already purchased a 360, was forced to sell it, and didn't want to venture down that unreliable road again.

[DeadMeatGF]

I agree. They should have to sell them for $5-10 off, just like all other used games that I new releases.

And as for my post above, I meant that I was buying a PS3, not a 360. I had already purchased a 360, was forced to sell it, and didn't want to venture down that unreliable road again.

At the very least a $5-$10 discount - but I personally believe it's theft, especially as they're not telling the customer.

I don't know if it's a country-based thing, but all my mates (including me) have had reliable xBox and faulty PS3 experiences!

[Manticore]

If they've removed anything from the box for any reason it is also illegal to sell it as a new game - it would have to be classed as second hand or, at best, a factory repack.
Good point.

Here the publisher may be liable for misrepresenting the product because of Gamestop's actions (misleading advertising).

We don't have Gamestop here; we have Electronics Boutique.......

[Dorkorama]

We don't have Gamestop here; we have Electronics Boutique.......Same company. They merged in 2005. Around here all EB stores became GameStops.

[Manticore]

Same company. They merged in 2005. Around here all EB stores became GameStops.

Thanks for the heads up.............

[Superchaz]

Oddly enough, at a nearby mall (which is actually not that large), there are two Gamestops. But what's odd is the EB store is the one where I was argued about buying a PS3, and is full of the intolerably obese, "let me tell you something" nerds. The one that has always been Gamestop is filled with reliable, helpful, intelligent workers.

And, just to throw it in, I once went to a Gamefly that was right next to my college after not noticing it for about three years. I went in, told them that I saw they were going out of business (which is why I was there... to be a vulture), and they acted snobby and said, "Well, OUR store isn't going out of business." Literally three months later they were out of business.

Oh, and I've always found there to be much much much hotter women working at Gamestop. Dear god.

And as for the Xbox 360 vs PS3 reliability issue: that truly is odd. I know that the PS3 is around a 10-12% failure rate and the 360 varies from 35-56%, but perhaps it's just an anomaly. You and your friends should play the lotto, because you're incredibly lucky to have working 360s.

[Manticore]

But what's odd is the EB store is the one where I was argued about buying a PS3, and is full of the intolerably obese, "let me tell you something" nerds.

I just go in and rifle through their discount bins.:)