Source (http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/08/report-gamestop-opening-deus-ex-copies-removing-free-game-code.ars)
QuoteIf you purchase your copy of Deus Ex: Human Revolution 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 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.
The memo in question:
(http://static.arstechnica.net/2011/08/24/deus-ex-letter-4e552a1-intro.jpg)
Gamestop have never been known for good business practices, so something like this doesn't surprise me. Hopefully people will see this as a means to stop buying games from them. Unfortunately, they are pretty much the biggest retailer in the US. I don't know too many stores that actually compete with them really.
Doesn't surprise me at all. When a company sells you a "New" game thats had the wrapping ripped off and content removed from the case, it tells you all you know.
Quote from: FSBlueApocalypse on August 24, 2011, 09:45:30 PM
Doesn't surprise me at all. When a company sells you a "New" game thats had the wrapping ripped off and content removed from the case, it tells you all you know.
Yeah, I've heard horror stories about how Gamestop would claim that they are selling you "new" games but in reality you're getting used games at new prices. When I bought Marvel vs. Capcom 3 I remember them having to either put the disc in this machine or the box in a machine, I don't know exactly what they were doing, but I thought it was a bit odd.
I just got back from Vegas, I looked at this and maybe I am wrong but isnt the one at fault Square Enix for not informing Gamestop about the promotion for their competitor?
Quote from: kiri2tsubasa on August 28, 2011, 11:14:36 PM
I just got back from Vegas, I looked at this and maybe I am wrong but isnt the one at fault Square Enix for not informing Gamestop about the promotion for their competitor?
SE announced they were doing that awhile ago, so Gamestop had enough time to not order the PC version. Gamestop probably didn't want to refund the preorders for the PC version.