GameStop offering PC digital downloads in-store

GameStop is kicking off digital PC game sales inside its retail stores, starting with Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Using this purchase method nets you some nifty extras to boot.

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Retail giant GameStop announced today that it will begin selling digital PC games at its retail locations, starting with Deus Ex: Human Revolution. While it might seem counter-intuitive to sell downloads at a brick-and-mortar store (all the download times with none of the at-home convenience!), GameStop is aiming to make it pay off with some smart benefits.

The move seems like a natural extension of the company's other in-store downloadable pushes, including the ability to buy Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network games, downloadable content, and the expansion of its digital storefront and purchase of Impulse.

Pre-purchases of the digital Deus Ex: Human Revolution kickoff, for example, will come with digital versions of Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition and Invisible War, the Explosive Mission DLC pack for Human Revolution, double PowerUp Rewards points, and entry in the Augment Your Living Room sweepstakes. GameStop didn't promise that all of its in-store digital offerings will pack so many goodies, but it's starting off on the right foot.

Plus, if you're a tinfoil hat wearer who prefers to stay "off the grid" and goes without credit cards, this means you can purchase digital downloads using cash or trade-in credit. You know, for the computer that the government is definitely using to track you right now.

"This is a great illustration of how the digital distrubtion model and in-store experience really complement one another," said GameStop digital distribution manager Steve Nix. "We have seen great success selling DLC for console titles in our stores, so expanding on that model and helping customers discover digitally distributed PC games in stores is a natural fit."

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  • reply
    July 28, 2011 4:45 PM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, GameStop offering PC digital downloads in-store.

    GameStop is kicking off digital PC game sales inside its retail stores, starting with Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Using this purchase method nets you some nifty extras to boot.

    • reply
      July 28, 2011 4:54 PM

      Wait so all you buy is a digital key in store that you take home to DL the game?

    • reply
      July 28, 2011 5:11 PM

      What I can't understand is why anyone who is already at a store, that you know, has boxed copies of the game you want to play on a shelf, would you pay, then go home and download it.

      Retail games (where I live anyway) aren't much, if any, more expensive than a digital download. This makes little to no sense, imo.

      • reply
        July 28, 2011 5:20 PM

        PC games on the shelf at a GameStop?

        I went to my local one last month and their PC section consisted of a little stand in one corner with 3 shelves of World o' Warcraft and expansions, then one row filled with 1 copy each of some random trash.

        I mean, I didn't go there to pick up PC games (and if I wanted to buy something from Impulse I'd just go to the website), but if they do want a PC section, sticking their new Impulse catalog in their stores in some manner makes a hell of a lot more sense than that sad little stand. :P

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          July 28, 2011 5:49 PM

          I can't even set foot in the local GameStops; they're always full of high-school aged 'bros who look like the "My New Haircut" guy ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JMOh-cul6M ).

          Even the clerk at the store was a 'bro. I just glanced through the open door, and then walked away; didn't even set foot in the store itself. Went to the Best Buy instead.

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            July 28, 2011 6:02 PM

            I picked up Catherine the other day and there was an OK looking college age girl working there. Apparently a Persona fan. She was wearing a white bodice like top. Unfortunately she had a grill like a horse. A couple a grand in dental work and she'd be good to go. She does get points for being friendly/personalble and a persona fan.

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        July 28, 2011 7:29 PM

        Absolutely! It makes dumb sense! Only moronic people would do this if they are already in the store.

      • reply
        July 29, 2011 4:17 AM

        Eh, it lets people who don't have credit cards get in on digital games. Also, use gift cards, reward points etc. It makes downloadable games accessible to more folks in the end.

        Also, now Grandma can buy Little Jimmy a downloadable game for Christmas/Birthday/Whatever.

        I don't think we (the Shack community) are really the target for this. We're already hooked up and live online anyway.

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        July 29, 2011 3:04 PM

        WHAT IF GameStop, through impulse, could sell used games using DD at lower prices? You could sell back your license and then GameStop sells that key again in its store.

    • reply
      July 29, 2011 12:00 PM

      Suprisingly Impulse offer this title worldwide. That usualy never happens on a major title.

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