DLC Warning Labels Coming to California GameStops

[Musicfreak]

Isn't the big argument for brick&mortar stores that you can casually browse in them, especially since they have those sweet used games? Shouldn't they, based on this assumption and argument, have support that reminds you of this / provides you at least with basic facts like "first sale only DLC"?

Why the fuck should I go to a shitstore like GameStop or GAME after I spend time in the internet to research the product? I could simply order it online. Doesn't it render those stores utterly useless if I have to fear for a scam if I don't inform myself before purchasing anything there?

That's why the stores have employees, so if your buying a used game you can go, "Hey does this game have some kind of online pass bullshit if I buy it used?" In my experience they'll most likely know or at least be able to find out.

What about all the people who don't normally play video games? It's easy for us to sit here as gamers and go lol everybody knows about dlc but what about some young kid or parents buying games for their kids? Is it really fair to expect someone who knows next to nothing about our medium to walk up to the counter and say "hey so if I buy this game do I have to pay more money to unlock features after I take it home"?

 

[KeyMaster45]

Isn't the big argument for brick&mortar stores that you can casually browse in them, especially since they have those sweet used games? Shouldn't they, based on this assumption and argument, have support that reminds you of this / provides you at least with basic facts like "first sale only DLC"?

Why the fuck should I go to a shitstore like GameStop or GAME after I spend time in the internet to research the product? I could simply order it online. Doesn't it render those stores utterly useless if I have to fear for a scam if I don't inform myself before purchasing anything there?

That's why the stores have employees, so if your buying a used game you can go, "Hey does this game have some kind of online pass bullshit if I buy it used?" In my experience they'll most likely know or at least be able to find out.

What about all the people who don't normally play video games? It's easy for us to sit here as gamers and go lol everybody knows about dlc but what about some young kid or parents buying games for their kids? Is it really far to expect someone who knows next to nothing about our medium to walk up to the counter and say "hey so if I buy this game do I have to pay more money to unlock features after I take it home"?

It really shouldn't be GameStop's responsibility to convey that information at all. The companies that make the games should make it clear on the box from the get go that the DLC is sold separately. I'm surprised they don't already do that since their mission is to put used games on the same level as illegal downloads.

Also, we talk about the same specialised stores that opened copies of games to take out codes just to sell them as "new". Do you really expect support there?

You'll have to elaborate on that as I'm not sure what incident you're referring to. I'm sorry to hear you've had crappy experiences with the stores but we have great service in my town. The staff that works the stores cares about video games, and actually cares about their reputation. I've been buying from them since the days of the N64 and if I didn't live away at school I'd probably still be driving down to the store to buy new games for my library. Maybe I'm just lucky, I don't know, but in my 15+ years of buying from them both online and in the store I've yet to have a bad experience.

 

[Musicfreak]

Isn't the big argument for brick&mortar stores that you can casually browse in them, especially since they have those sweet used games? Shouldn't they, based on this assumption and argument, have support that reminds you of this / provides you at least with basic facts like "first sale only DLC"?

Why the fuck should I go to a shitstore like GameStop or GAME after I spend time in the internet to research the product? I could simply order it online. Doesn't it render those stores utterly useless if I have to fear for a scam if I don't inform myself before purchasing anything there?

That's why the stores have employees, so if your buying a used game you can go, "Hey does this game have some kind of online pass bullshit if I buy it used?" In my experience they'll most likely know or at least be able to find out.

What about all the people who don't normally play video games? It's easy for us to sit here as gamers and go lol everybody knows about dlc but what about some young kid or parents buying games for their kids? Is it really far to expect someone who knows next to nothing about our medium to walk up to the counter and say "hey so if I buy this game do I have to pay more money to unlock features after I take it home"?

It really shouldn't be GameStop's responsibility to convey that information at all. The companies that make the games should make it clear on the box from the get go that the DLC is sold separately. I'm surprised they don't already do that since their mission is to put used games on the same level as illegal downloads.

Also, we talk about the same specialised stores that opened copies of games to take out codes just to sell them as "new". Do you really expect support there?

You'll have to elaborate on that as I'm not sure what incident you're referring to. I'm sorry to hear you've had crappy experiences with the stores but we have great service in my town. The staff that works the stores cares about video games, and actually cares about their reputation. I've been buying from them since the days of the N64 and if I didn't live away at school I'd probably still be driving down to the store to buy new games for my library. Maybe I'm just lucky, I don't know, but in my 15+ years of buying from them both online and in the store I've yet to have a bad experience.

But in some cases the dlc isn't sold separately unless you buy used. Why would A game company waste money putting a warning on the box that only applies to sales they see no profit from?

 

[KeyMaster45]

But in some cases the dlc isn't sold separately unless you buy used. Why would A game company waste money putting a warning on the box that only applies to sales they see no profit from?

Because when people see it on a used game they'll be more inclined to buy new. Sounds like a solid marketing strategy in my opinion. Least that's how I assume the logic would work in an executive's mind. It's the equivalent of the "some assembly" required message on legos. (by which I mean if you're buying a lego set used then the "some assembly" should inform you pieces may be missing from said used lego set.)

 

[Musicfreak]

But in some cases the dlc isn't sold separately unless you buy used. Why would A game company waste money putting a warning on the box that only applies to sales they see no profit from?

Because when people see it on a used game they'll be more inclined to buy new. Sounds like a solid marketing strategy in my opinion. Least that's how I assume the logic would work in an executive's mind. It's the equivalent of the "some assembly" required message on legos. (by which I mean if you're buying a lego set used then the "some assembly" should inform you pieces may be missing from said used lego set.)

I highly doubt the amount of people turned off from these warning labels is going to offset the cost of printing them. Especially when the combined cost is generally less than buying the game new anyway and there are store clerks who are no doubt going to be told to tell customers just that.

 

[Dogstile]

Considering it has always mentioned it on the box, that's pretty ridiculous. But nope, gamestop iz teh evilz! Sueeeeeee

 

[JasonEllis66]

What really sucks is now there is going to be another sticker ruining the box art, they already had way too many.

 

[The White Hunter]

Well, my towns GameStops (2 of them) are both full of assholes.

Indeed, and this I can agree on. Our local store is staffed by fanboys and arseholes.

 

[Epona]

I think this is good. It will bring attention to the sleaziness of publishers who try to punish customers that buy used. It is sleazy and the more people that know about it (via big ugly stickers) the faster it will go away.

You guys really don't want Gamestop to pay royalties because that muddies the water for ALL used goods, even those sold at garage sales. Don't think no one will come after garage sales, greedy business' who see the potential for money will go for it. For example, I'd say an extra $1 million per year by collecting royalties from garage sales isn't out of the question.

Also, I used to buy new first and used only if I had to, I have done a 180 and now look for used first. Why? Online passes and the general hatred of consumer rights from publishers.

 

[Nurb]

Fucking gamestop, but still, the new way of doing business is what caused the rip-off suit anyway, so fuck the big publishers even more.