This is true and it’s sad. GameStop has already changed significantly from 10 or 15 years ago, but I still like having the option to go in and pick up a game (or some Pokémon cards for the kids).
Losing brick and mortar stores is not necessarily a good thing.
I feel you but I gave up console gaming and triple A games like a decade ago and everything has been digital since then. Even if you go buy a game for PC it’s just gonna have a steam code and most games that actually have a game on the disk have a horribly outdated version that won’t work without a online connection.
What if they solved this problem, and sold up to date downloads on SD card so they could be instantly playable. They could sell patches, or us know when the latest console is sold at Xmas but everyone has to update and can’t play for hours.
That would mean they would “waste” time working on the game after it was gold. It’s not a popular move these days when you can release a half finished game and update it. I don’t think selling patches would be a good idea, it would be an anti incentive to produce large well made patches.
No sorry, I mean the shop itself. They could sell bandwidth and time; so if you don’t have a good net connection or just want to play the game without hours of downloading. So they could sell the most up to date version of the game so it can just be played without the customer doing further updates. Or if there is a big update, whey could spend a few £ to get it quick and on a card instead of waiting the hours it may take to download
I agree that they are in trouble without intervention. I think there is a narrow opportunity for Gamestop to reinvent itself in the face of digital-only downloads, mainly to offer alternatives to the Steam/Microsoft/etc. store monopolies or to transition to more gaming hardware and accessories. Not everyone wants to buy before trying out the latest equipment, and sometimes you just want to browse or get expertise when the tech is so expensive or confusing for first-timers. The real estate and workforce can also be valuable assets for providing a space to explore new business models such as esport cafes, VR/AR spaces, or other in-person gamer events in the US that have been successful elsewhere or by other companies.
The entire thing hinged on that nft bockchain game selling idea but that was imo a total scam and pipe dream. I have nothing against blockchain tech in general but why would a company allow games to be easily resold? There is basically no point and the tech doesn’t offer anything since it’s just going to be centralized through gamespots hands anyway.
I mean like with enough investment or strategic partnerships Gamestop can be the primary seller for a lot of games or go the streaming route but idk if it’ll work
