So I downloaded Stone Cold Steve Austin in Smackdown Vs. Raw 2010 today.  If I'd have bought the game frome Gamestop, I could've had him in the game months ago --when I was still playing the game.  But I didn't know I had to pre-order at Gamestop.  They didn't really advertise it.  I got screwed because I went to Wal-Mart.

So why Gamestop?  Why do developers give Gamestop such favoritism?  If anything, I figure they would say, "F**K YOU, GAMESTOP!" I mean why encourage costumers to buy a game from the same people who will sell your game used, thus cutting you out of a sale?  Why not tell consumers "Buy our game NEW at Wal-Mart (who typically only pushes new merchandise) and not from the biggest used games dealer in the world and we'll give you some free DLC"? 

I don't get it.  Who benefits (besides Gamestop) when Gamestop is the only store that offers Mass Effect 2 armor or golden Gears of War 2 guns?

It's all about the $$$. And Gamestop pays for those exclusives, hoping that the extra sales driven to their stores outweigh the cost of securing the exclusive. And, going by the way they keep doing it, I'm guessing that it is.

The Developers will benefit. The more new games that they can get people to buy from EB/Gamestop from the getgo, the better. Once they start coming in used, they will lose money.

Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.

because gamestop is the largest gaming store

So Gamestop pays for the exclusives in hopes that people will buy from them and nobody else. That's understandable. But if, like leo-j says, they're the largest gaming store, then they shouldn't have to convince people to shop there instead of Target or Best Buy. They should be synonymous with gaming. I just don't see why a WWE game would need to partner with Gamestop since it's going to sell regardless. I don't see how helping the person who's gutting your sales benefits a game company.

The only thing I can see, based on what's been posted so far is that they're hoping to sell huge numbers in pre-orders before the gamers get to buy them used. It doesn't work, though. I bought Halo 3 on day 1, used.

for traditional gamers (PS3/X360 and games like Smackdown, GTA, Halo, and so on). Walmart & ToysRus bring in much more sales for the younger kids and casual audience.

well... i dunno...

for example... WKC: IE is launching at $10 less at wal-mart then other retail stores...

and SO4: I has a bonus on amazon.com...

while gamestop has 2 exclusive playable characters for Bs2...

i'd say theres a fair balance in deals when it comes to these stores.

I think its fairly evened out nowadays between DLC. Walmart and Best Buy gets exclusive stuff Gamestop doesn't get, also.

Because Gamestop gives them, the publisher, not-so-much the developer, money.

To piss me off.