The ScooterBlog

This past weekend, I had the chance to meet up with my friend Stephen for him to get his DSi at 11:45 PM, their version of a midnight launch. While I’ve read about how lame most of them were (this one was dead too), Stephen got into some “interesting” discussions with the manager regarding such things as differences between credit card policy in-store and the actual cardholder and merchant agreements. It’s good to have a friend who has a lawyer wife and experience in video game stores, you get to find out just how much they try and get over, where when you know your rights, that just doesn’t happen.

The current thought out there revolves around Gamestop’s checkout system and their practice (which among video game stores is common) of opening a title for a display box and still selling it as new. This GameDaily article mostly works on the concept of the game being checked out and still sold as new. I can vouch that this was indeed the case when I worked at the chain, so it comes as no shock to me. Back in 2000, I could see this as being alright, although I agree with the article that it should get some sort of shop worn discount, even if it’s like 5 percent. But, with some technologies more prevalent, I do not believe there’s as many excuses for needing to open up a copy of the game, or even check it out, outside of one. I’ll mention that in a moment.

• We’re at a point in printing where color copies and inserts cost next to nothing. I understand that it creates a slighty higher burden to make sure that you do not have a box on the floor for a sold out game, but I think Gamestop can plunge for some computer upgrades to inform the employees of this, and an hour’s worth of pay for a part time dude to do the checking. This would not be costly to do now.
• High speed internet allows for information about games to be transmitted through computers and stations allowing a customer to get more detailed information about a game than what would have ever been available before. I’m surprised that more retail stores have not gone to more of a interactive kiosk approach to offering product information that’s more customizeable. High definition video reviews and previews are now normal fare, and that allows even a small business to provide an advantage over the big box retailer. Oh yeah, that connection? $50/month, very doable.
• Some level of digital distribution would allow this problem to take care of itself. If a retail store employee c ould download a time limited version of a game (this totally offers an idea for a new post) This would require more interactivity between the content provider and the big box stores, provided companies like Sony and Microsoft and Nintendo want these stores to be around in ten years’ time. That, I’m not so sure of.  Not to mention, any kind of digital system leaves a door open to piracy, although Sony and Microsoft must be doing something right. The PS3 remains mostly hack free, and the 360’s arcade service is intact.

So what’s the advantage? The ability to demo games in-store. When I worked at Game Junkie while they existed, this was something I was very happy they did, we pushed it pretty hard too, especially since no competitive advantages were ever expected for a one-off store offering nifty features. What about our tournaments? Store copies were permamently reserved for the games, and/or used games were used most of the time, and nowadays I’d expect that to be the norm, not the exception.

So long story short? I totally get where this was needed a long time ago. I worked for stores, I enjoyed this, and I do get the customer’s concern too. But, has technology simply led this to be an unneeded thing? Tell me in the comments.