GameStop: Removes Free Codes from your product
GameSpot was caught removing free codes from Deus Ex: Human Revolution. In a leaked memo, they ordered their employees to open the copies and remove the code from the packages.
It seems a little bit of a low-blow on their part and underhanded against Square Enix.
When the Intertubes blow up the story, GameStop had this to say about the incident. From Kotaku, ((Regarding the Deus Ex: Human Revolution OnLive Codes: We don't make a habit of promoting competitive services without a formal partnership. Square Enix packed the competitor's coupon with our DXHR product without our prior knowledge and we did pull these coupons. While the new products may be opened, we fully guarantee the condition of the discs to be new. If you find this to not be the case, please contact the store where the game was purchased and they will further assis))
Okay, they are competitors, but does that give you the right to remove anything from the box?
Well, Square Enix is okay with this underhanded action. (("As part of Deus Ex: Human Revolution's boxed offering on PC, Square Enix included a third party coupon", says a statement released by the publisher. "GameStop was not made aware of this inclusion and Square Enix respects the right of GameStop to have final say over the contents of products it sells and to adjust them where they see fit in accordance with their policies." ))
Something tells me SE doesn't want to piss off the only real US game retailer in the US.
Forget GS, I would probably buy it at Wal-Mart or online instead.
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4 comments:
It's fine if they want to do that, but is it still legal for them to claim the products are new? I thought there was some serious legislation regarding electronic media and that's why so many stores have such rigid return policies on CD's games movies etc.
I wish Square Enix would get more of a backbone and tell them to F off.
Yeah, once that box is opened, it is no longer officially new. Then, they weren't going to tell anyone they opened them.
I just love that SE is trying to take most of the blame. That is certainly a new PR move given they are in the right.
The second part of Square Enix's statement is a bit more cutting though if you read it in a certain way:
"Square Enix invites gamers who want to purchase the PC version of Deus Ex: Human Revolution without additional coupons to buy the game at any one of over 4000 GameStop stores in North America or purchase a digital download copy online from www.gamestop.com."
So if you want to buy the game and not get the content that, we, Square Enix are giving you for free with the game, then go ahead, buy it at Gamestop. Go ahead.
Or you know, you could buy it somewhere else and get that code. It is really your choice.
I think the reason I am seeing that second part of the statement that way is simply because GS's history with preorder codes and bonuses. So in a way, SE really is sticking it to GS in their press release.
And apparently GS has gotten such bad press from this that they are offering customers who preordered the game that was suddenly missing the coupon a 50 dollar giftcard to apologize.
Okay, now I see the interesting way they worded it give them a way to jab at GS. You work within the PR/Promotional departments in the so, I bet you've seen some of the "F' You" press releases in your time.
The other thing I forgot to write about in my post is this "Did GS even notify SE they were removing the codes?"
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