In a Reddit AMA, a GameStop manager had grim thoughts about the company’s future saying GameStop could be doomed during the next-gen console era.

The future of GameStop, the world’s largest videogame retailer, looks rocky thanks to the threat of digital distribution. There’s also the ugly rumor that the Xbox 720 will require an always-online internet connection, which, if true, means the console will block used games. That would be really bad news for GameStop since used game sales are a major source of the company’s revenue.

When asked if GameStop will die, a GameStop manager said in a Reddit AMA: “I don’t think GameStop will die with this console generation, but I think it’s very possible it will with the one afterward. That, or the company will be less of a GameStop and more of an Electronics Boutique again.“

This reaffirms the notion that brick and mortar stores are in trouble as the videogame industry seemingly heads towards a digital future. It’s already well-documented how sales of physical disc-based games have dropped thanks to the rise in digital sales, however, GameStop has been trying to adapt by selling iOS devices and “pushing digital sales hard (most Steam titles are available through us, for example),” the GameStop manager explained.

He also noted that GameStop has “a solid market share on Microsoft DLC,” but acknowledged that “PC is still a little rough, in my area at least.” Moreover, it was stated that smartphone data plan service Net10 Wireless dropped GameStop’s unlimited data plan around a month ago, which has been “really painful.

http://beefjack.com/news/its-very-possible-gamestop-will-die-when-ps4-xbox-720-come-out-says-gamestop-manager/

it's possible that gamestop will die,but I don't see it happening that soon.

Good.

EDIT: To clarify: Amazon, Saturn, MediaMarkt and ebay fullfill all my retail game needs. Amazon and ebay give me better prices for my used games while Amazon, Saturn and MediaMarkt all are cheaper than GameStop. I'd be sad for the employees, but GameStop as a company isn't worth a dime to me.

I would know if were going to die

We wont. In fact we now have the largest percentage of market share ever

But keep hoping for the death of the industry and consumer rights "core" gamers. You sure are making the industry proud.

Things that make me go, "Hmm..."

gamespot will pull-out a blockbuster in 7 years... maybe...

used games will NOT be blocked..

..but digital distribution is going to gain in popularity. a place like gamestop is going to have issues long term because unlike a bestbuy/walmart/target they have no diversity in products. if physical game sales drop in favor of digital that linearly, negatively impacts there revenue.

gamestop will either diversify themselves or will die in the next 10ish years.

can't wait till mom gives me a download code on a post-it note for christmas

that headline made no sense but sure, more and more digital means less physical sales. and digital  sales can increase fast if they get a push, just look how steam is growing and if sony and microsoft really want, they could increase the percentage of digital sales enormous in only a few years.

next gen will be still a lot fo physical sales, at least the first years but the gen after could be really dead for physical sales (not dead but very small)

An always on internet connection DOES NOT MEAN BLOCKED USED GAMES. It means an ALWAYS ON INTERNET CONNECTION. They are not the same thing, and I really wish morons like this guy at Beefjack would understand that.

Oh, and quote taken horribly out of context ftl.