GameStop discarding OnLive vouchers from ‘Deus Ex: Human Revolution’
The PC version of Deus Ex: Human Revolution includes a voucher to play the game for free using the online game streaming service, OnLive. GameStop has their Steam/OnLive competitor service in the works though, and has reportedly directed employees to open up copies of Deus Ex and remove the code.
A Field Operations Manager with GameStop sent an email to stores that was then forwarded on to GameSpy by an employee of the retail chain. It included the following instructions for employees. “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.” You can see the memo in full below.
Is GameStop essentially stealing $50 from its customers?
GameStop has defended the practice by saying, “Square Enix packed the competitor’s coupon with our DXHR product without our prior knowledge and we did pull these coupons.” The company purchased streaming tech company Spawn Labs and digital distribution platform Impulse earlier this year with plans to launch an online service for consumers to purchase or stream games. However, the service is currently in closed beta testing so using its power as a retailer to prevent a not-quite-yet-competitor is an odd and dangerous move.
GameStop has been accused of opening up games for display purposes and reselling them as “new” before. Opening up a new game and physically removing content that was included by the publisher is a whole new ballgame. One that is sure to upset not just Square Enix and OnLive, but gamers as well.
Update: GameStop has released the following statement concerning the Deus Ex codes for OnLive.
Regarding the Deus Ex: Human Revolution OnLive Codes: We don’t make a habit of promoting competitive services without a formal partnership. Square Enix packed the competitor’s coupon with our DXHR product without our prior knowledge and we did pull these coupons. While the new products may be opened, we fully guarantee the condition of the discs to be new. If you find this to not be the case, please contact the store where the game was purchased and they will further assist.
We could not be in more vehement disagreement with GameStop than we are now. Opening up a sealed retail box, removing content and then selling it as a “new” product is a new ethical low.
If you plan on picking up a copy of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, we can only suggest that you look at other retailers or make sure that your copy has not been opened before walking out the store.
We’ve contacted Square Enix for comment.
[via Gamespy]
Scott is one of those “weird” over 30 gamers who’s been around since before the days of the Atari 2600 and has been pounding on controllers and keyboards ever since. Sharing his passion of gaming with his two kids and friends put him on a writing kick that he hasn’t been able to shake off.
If Gamestop didn’t want the Onlive codes in the game case then they should have sent them all back not take it upon themselfs to open them up
Square Enix never informed them of the coupons or their deal with OnLive. GS’s policy states that “we do not promote competitive services without a formal partnership.” I feel both parties have taken shady actions that could have been prevented by some communication.