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Forums - Gaming Discussion - Leak Reveals Gamestop Is Basically Shutting Down

d21lewis on 05 September 2019

I've been watching Camelot's videos from the beginning up until he got fired from his more recent job because of GameStop. I just don't know how credible he is. He may be 100% accurate but it's hard to tell. I got recommended his videos months ago because I just can't resist a good "GameStop ex-employee hated working at GameStop" story.

I'm actually surprised how big he's gotten. The guy did make me chuckle before I stopped watching his stuff (not because his videos were bad. They just seemed redundant) but who knew?



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hunter_alien on 05 September 2019
Cerebralbore101 said:

vivster said:

I can do a lot more with a digital copy I bought from steam than a physical copy I bought for PS4. Digital isn't the issue, DRM is. I think it's kinda ridiculous how physical discs are somehow lauded as gaming Jesus while they're full with DRM and already are just as tightly controlled as their digital counterparts.

The protest shouldn't be against digital but against closed platforms.

So, because I can't play a PS4 game on an XB1 that's DRM? If only GoG got as many games as Steam. Sadly, most publishers want to make their own store, or put their games on the EGS where there's always online DRM that bricks the game as soon as the servers go down. 

hunter_alien said:

True, but the issue is that pretty much most digital platforms are DRM systems, to begin with. GoG is a model I fully embrace, but let's be honest, it's one that most publishers will not pursue, so it will always be a niche player in the industry.

Physical with DRM is absolutely an issue, and lately, they became downright cumbersome to use, but I think when most people say physical they refer to the old pre-7th generation distribution models. I think the Switch cartridges are still (mostly) there, but it's only a matter of time until they will go the way of the Dodo.

Still, gaming (as an industry) will get through this, and there will always be an opportunity in it that some will try to exploit, so who knows, maybe one day we will get the best of both worlds

What's the difference between pre-7th gen distribution models and today's distribution models? Most disks still come with 100% of the game on it. Sure there are day one patches, but in my experience those don't really change much about the game. Of course there are those certain types of games that are constantly being updated, and changed ala GaaS games. But I don't play those, and those games have always been like that even in 2004. They've just become more numerous and popular in the last few years. 

Day one patch, activation patch, on-disc dlc, installation disc that barely has some data on it, and probably other reasons that I am forgetting right now. The thing is, the "complete" physical game is starting to become less prelevant by the day. That is something that wasnt really a case in 2004 when you bought 99% of games for your GC/PS2/Xbox or even PC, and all the content was there, instantly playable.



Vote the Mayor for Mayor!

Cerebralbore101 on 05 September 2019
hunter_alien said:
Cerebralbore101 said:

So, because I can't play a PS4 game on an XB1 that's DRM? If only GoG got as many games as Steam. Sadly, most publishers want to make their own store, or put their games on the EGS where there's always online DRM that bricks the game as soon as the servers go down. 

What's the difference between pre-7th gen distribution models and today's distribution models? Most disks still come with 100% of the game on it. Sure there are day one patches, but in my experience those don't really change much about the game. Of course there are those certain types of games that are constantly being updated, and changed ala GaaS games. But I don't play those, and those games have always been like that even in 2004. They've just become more numerous and popular in the last few years. 

Day one patch, activation patch, on-disc dlc, installation disc that barely has some data on it, and probably other reasons that I am forgetting right now. The thing is, the "complete" physical game is starting to become less prelevant by the day. That is something that wasnt really a case in 2004 when you bought 99% of games for your GC/PS2/Xbox or even PC, and all the content was there, instantly playable.

I've played plenty of games without updating the day one patches, and they usually just kill a couple of bugs that got through at the last moment. If a game has an "activation patch" then that's just plain old always online level DRM. F that. I've never encountered a game that actually has that crap, but then again I steer clear of GaaS games. I hate GaaS with a passion. Also yes, I agree about the dumb install disk/cart that has only half the data on it. Screw that as well. 

I have over 60 PS4 games and I know nearly every one of them is 95% complete on disk. Same goes for my 30+ Switch carts. I have bought a few Switch carts with BS "download the other half of the game" nonsense. Those are a real problem on Switch lately. I'd say they only make up 5% of Switch games, but when it does happen, it sucks, and I return said game immediately. 



thismeintiel on 05 September 2019
The_Liquid_Laser said:
thismeintiel said:

You must have a bad GameStop. The one near me has the Switch section out front and it's got to be the same size as the PS4 and XBO sections. They also have a decent sized section for Amiibos. 

Of course, who knows if your store is basing their layout on regional sales or it is just poor management of that store.

@ OP

I've always had a good experience at GameStop. Well, minus the hounding about preordering. Sometimes you get a good employee, who knows people hate it, and he'll ask once quickly and be done with it. But, other times you'll get the overzealous employee who asks you, you say no, but will go through the upcoming releases to try and get you to preorder anyway. I know corporate has quotas for them, but God, they have to learn that turns people off from coming back.

I've been to several Gamestops in my area and they all have a small section for the Switch.  It is out front at least, but it is always small.  It could just be that the regional manager for my area sucks.  Interesting to know that the one in your area has the Switch section stocked a lot better.  I have to wonder if your experience is the norm or mine is (or maybe somewhere in between).

I'd imagine somewhere in between. It does suck that it isn't as uniform an experience as it should be when going into another GameStop store. 



 

Cerebralbore101 on 05 September 2019

North Carolina Cookie company is shutting down. For the most part they are the only cookie retailer in the eastern half of the U.S.A. They only sell cookies in boxes of a dozen, for $24.99, ask you to subscribe to their cookie service, and only make Oatmeal raisin cookies. There are exactly three raisins per cookie.

Industry Analyst Micheal Pachter says that "People just don't like cookies anymore!"

Dessert forum goers agree that cookies are old hat. Pop Tarts are the new rage!

Last edited by Cerebralbore101 - on 05 September 2019

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SanAndreasX on 05 September 2019
Hiku said:

I don't think Gamestop going away will have any impact on physical media for console games.
For starters, Gamestop's influence is not as big in other countries as it is in the US. In Sweden we have 41 GameStop stores across the whole country. It's not a very large country, but that's a small amount of stores regardless. If I look at any given large electronics chain, they all have significantly more stores across the country. Which leads me to my second point.

Your experience buying games at Walmart sounds strange to me. When I go to a large store like that (we don't have any Walmart here) to buy a game, the process is simple. I go to the shelf that has the games. I take the game I want. Then walk over to the register and pay for it.
That's it.
If I'm in a smaller store dedicated to videogames, I go the the person at the register, and tell them what I want. Usually I'll have a registration that I made online for the item. They go into the back to get the item for me. And I take it and leave.

Which leads me to my final point.
In neither case does any worker ever hassle me about pre-orders, or buying anything extra. And they usually don't engage in any conversation about the game or console I'm buying. And that's because most people (at least here) probably prefer it that way. That's why the workers are trained to behave that way. People just want to get their item, and go.

Last time I bought something game related at a store was my PS4 in Feb 2016. I had already paid for it online. All I had to do was show up, show my ID card, and then take it home. The workers were polite, wishing me a good day, or to enjoy the product, but that was it. And I preferred it that way.

For those such as yourself who prefer to chat with the staff about games, I can understand that, and that would be a loss for you. But shouldn't be a hindrance for you to buy games physically at a store. You having a bad experience at Walmart would though. But I don't know how prevalent that is across your country. Are there no stores that let you just pick the game you want off the shelves and then head to the register? Or reserve/pay for it online, and pick it up at the register when you get there?

I mainly buy games physically online, because they tend to have better deals. In particular Amazon. Even on Day 1, it's usually at least slightly cheaper than what I'd find in a physical store, and the shipping is free, so that's what I usually do. (A few years ago I shopped on another site that was ridiculously cheap. Brand new games would be no more than $30, and some times lower when it had a campaign going. Free shipping as well. Though unlike Amazon, delivery took a few weeks. But it was well worth the wait for that price. I bought a lot of games from there, but sadly they stopped selling games after a while. But still sell other products.)

Anyway, even if dedicated video game stores go down, large electronics chains should still carry them. I don't think Bic Camera or Yodabashi would stop selling games in Japan any time soon.

Games at Walmart are under lock and key, so you have to go and drag down an associate to get them, and Walmart customer service is complete ass. For the most part, that isn't the fault of the floor associates as Walmart stores are almost always understaffed. There is no "in and out" with Walmart. Plus, the big-box stores tend to carry a limited selection of video games compared to Gamestop.



SanAndreasX on 05 September 2019
Hiku said:
SanAndreasX said:

Games at Walmart are under lock and key, so you have to go and drag down an associate to get them, and Walmart customer service is complete ass. For the most part, that isn't the fault of the floor associates as Walmart stores are almost always understaffed. There is no "in and out" with Walmart. Plus, the big-box stores tend to carry a limited selection of video games compared to Gamestop.

Our games have a security case on them, that they can open at the register. If no one removes it, it will trigger an alarm when you leave.
Why not use a system like that? They appear quite difficult to forcefully open. Impossible without some sort of tool at least.

Are people in the US really bringing tools to the store to break them inside the store? And so frequently that it becomes a problem?
I've never even heard of anyone ever doing that here.

As for limited selection of games compared to Gamestop, that's probably the case here as well.
But if it's a new game, they'll have it. So I mentioned it since Shadow said he likes to buy them early, or day 1.

I've never heard of it, but loss prevention is a big thing with Walmart with the volume of customers they have. That's how they've pretty much always been. There are stores here that use alarm boxes. 

As for new games, the big retailers generally limit their selection to the big name games from EA, Activision, Ubisoft, Take-Two, WB, or the console makers. You'll find Final Fantasy XV pretty readily at Walmart, but Dragon Quest XI is a bit more iffy, and good luck finding a Walmart that will carry something like SNK 40th Anniversary Collection. 



numberwang on 05 September 2019

Some sale stores will remain but in combination with other outlets. Shared retail space with hardware stores, post offices, amazon delivery center etc.



vivster on 06 September 2019
hunter_alien said:
vivster said:

I can do a lot more with a digital copy I bought from steam than a physical copy I bought for PS4. Digital isn't the issue, DRM is. I think it's kinda ridiculous how physical discs are somehow lauded as gaming Jesus while they're full with DRM and already are just as tightly controlled as their digital counterparts.

The protest shouldn't be against digital but against closed platforms.

True, but the issue is that pretty much most digital platforms are DRM systems, to begin with. GoG is a model I fully embrace, but let's be honest, it's one that most publishers will not pursue, so it will always be a niche player in the industry.

Physical with DRM is absolutely an issue, and lately, they became downright cumbersome to use, but I think when most people say physical they refer to the old pre-7th generation distribution models. I think the Switch cartridges are still (mostly) there, but it's only a matter of time until they will go the way of the Dodo.

Still, gaming (as an industry) will get through this, and there will always be an opportunity in it that some will try to exploit, so who knows, maybe one day we will get the best of both worlds

It will only go down from here. Digital only gaming is inevitable. Not that it would make much difference considering that physical media is already basically useless on its own.

Cerebralbore101 said:

vivster said:

I can do a lot more with a digital copy I bought from steam than a physical copy I bought for PS4. Digital isn't the issue, DRM is. I think it's kinda ridiculous how physical discs are somehow lauded as gaming Jesus while they're full with DRM and already are just as tightly controlled as their digital counterparts.

The protest shouldn't be against digital but against closed platforms.

So, because I can't play a PS4 game on an XB1 that's DRM? If only GoG got as many games as Steam. Sadly, most publishers want to make their own store, or put their games on the EGS where there's always online DRM that bricks the game as soon as the servers go down. 

Yes that's one form of DRM. Other forms of DRM include: Not being able to backup media on your own physical storage, not being able to access content on the media, not being able to transfer digital content between consoles(offline). Physical is nothing but an illusion of freedom because they need an extremely closed platform to run on. It's kinda poetic that digital games on PC fulfill the desires of people who prefer physical much better than actual physical media on consoles.

KManX89 said:
hunter_alien said:

True, but the issue is that pretty much most digital platforms are DRM systems, to begin with. GoG is a model I fully embrace, but let's be honest, it's one that most publishers will not pursue, so it will always be a niche player in the industry.

Physical with DRM is absolutely an issue, and lately, they became downright cumbersome to use, but I think when most people say physical they refer to the old pre-7th generation distribution models. I think the Switch cartridges are still (mostly) there, but it's only a matter of time until they will go the way of the Dodo.

Still, gaming (as an industry) will get through this, and there will always be an opportunity in it that some will try to exploit, so who knows, maybe one day we will get the best of both worlds

This. 

Publishers will further push and get away with on-disc DLC as well since, you know, there will no longer be any discs. So they can get away with selling you stuff already in the game and locked in the code.

One of the primary reasons they WANT an all-digital future is so they'll no longer have to lie and cover it up.

But they're not lying about on disc DLC. They could very easily hide it, yet they don't. It's the same for installed DLC on digital copies. There you can also see if the DLC was already in the initial game. In fact it's way easier to detect those "lies" on open platforms with digital only media if they ever occur.



If you demand respect or gratitude for your volunteer work, you're doing volunteering wrong.

Cerebralbore101 on 06 September 2019
vivster said:
Cerebralbore101 said:

So, because I can't play a PS4 game on an XB1 that's DRM? If only GoG got as many games as Steam. Sadly, most publishers want to make their own store, or put their games on the EGS where there's always online DRM that bricks the game as soon as the servers go down. 

Yes that's one form of DRM. Other forms of DRM include: Not being able to backup media on your own physical storage, not being able to access content on the media, not being able to transfer digital content between consoles(offline). Physical is nothing but an illusion of freedom because they need an extremely closed platform to run on. It's kinda poetic that digital games on PC fulfill the desires of people who prefer physical much better than actual physical media on consoles.But they're not lying about on disc DLC. They could very easily hide it, yet they don't. It's the same for installed DLC on digital copies. There you can also see if the DLC was already in the initial game. In fact it's way easier to detect those "lies" on open platforms with digital only media if they ever occur.

 Not being able to play a PS4 disk on an XB1 is not a form of DRM. See the two definitions below. 

https://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/digital-rights-management

"Digital rights management (DRM) is a systematic approach to copyright protection for digital media. The purpose of DRM is to prevent unauthorized redistribution of digital media and restrict the ways consumers can copy content they've purchased. DRM products were developed in response to the rapid increase in online piracy of commercially marketed material, which proliferated through the widespread use of peer-to-peer file exchange programs. Typically DRM is implemented by embedding code that prevents copying, specifies a time period in which the content can be accessed or limits the number of devices the media can be installed on."

Although digital content is protected by copyright laws, policing the Web and catching law-breakers is very difficult. DRM technology focuses on making it impossible to steal content in the first place, a more efficient approach to the problem than the hit-and-miss strategies aimed at apprehending online poachers after the fact.

Cerebral's Note: Limiting the number of devices media can be installed on refers to putting the media on multiple computers, not multiple brands of consoles. Just an FYI. 

https://techterms.com/definition/drm

Stands for "Digital Rights Management." DRM refers to a collection of systems used to protect the copyrights of electronic media. These include digital music and movies, as well as other data that is stored and transferred digitally. For example, the Apple iTunes Music Store uses a DRM system to limit the number of computers that songs can be played on. Each audio file downloaded from the iTunes music store includes information about the owner of the file and how many times the file has been transferred. The protected files will not play on computers that have not been authorized to play the music.

Digital Rights Management is important to publishers of electronic media since it helps ensure they will receive the appropriate revenue for their products. By controlling the trading, protection, monitoring, and tracking of digital media, DRM helps publishers limit the illegal propagation of copyrighted works. This can be accomplished by using digital watermarks or proprietary file encryption on the media they distribute. Whatever method publishers choose to employ, DRM helps them make sure that their digital content is only used by those who have paid for it.