Could downloadable games put Gamestop out of business?
Full-fledged downloadable games on the home consoles are starting to catch on. Capcom has proven that there is a definite market for downloadable games with the highly successful release of Bionic Commando Rearmed. However, full fledged games have yet to be tested in the online market place. If successful, this could spell trouble for retailers, such as Gamestop.
There is a difference between offering a bite-sized $10 game online versus a full fledged $40 – $60 game online. Sony may have dabbled a bit more on the PS3 than any of the other consoles, in regards to full-fledged games. Earlier this year, Sony released Siren Blood Curse, which clocks in at a massive 10GB download from the PSN store.
Due to the new distribution method over the PSN store, Sony was able to offer Siren Blood Curse for $39.99. With reduced overhead, Sony was able to discount $20 from the game when compared to a normal $60 Blu-ray PS3 game.
Digital video game ownership is scary thing when you think about it. If your PS3 dies or the hard drive blows up, you could lose everything. Luckily, Sony implemented a DRM system where you can re-download the same game up to a set number of times.
According to Edge, EA recently announced that the publisher’s first full-fledged downloadable game, Burnout Paradise, managed to shift 20,000 copies on the PSN in three weeks. It does seem a bit low in comparison to its physical counter part, which moved close to two million units.
However, considering it is EA’s first foray into direct-to-customer distribution, it looks very promising. If this new business model catches on, Gamestop and other retailers may have another wrinkle to worry about.
Don’t expect Gamestop to take it lying down though, as the company has started looking towards the future. Currently, Gamestop offers full-fledged downloadable games for the PC via the Gamestop website. From the looks of things, the major video game retailer may have a contingency plan to shift everything from brick and mortar to online.
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5 Responses to “Could downloadable games put Gamestop out of business?”
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November 1st, 2008
Too few people, even serious gamers, are prepared to download whole games from the internet, and it has everything to do with the spread of fast, reliable internet.
A very small section of the world has internet good enough to download a full game in a reasonable amount of time.
10 GB is such a small amount. In fact, I would be willing to bet many 360 fanboys will point out that Sony loyalists have siad DVD is too small, and 10 GB is only ever so slightly larger than a DVD, meaning the Sony boys on here should claim 10 GB isn’t a real test.
In fact, I find it hard to believe a 10 GB game on a BR disc would go for $60, considering a 50 GB game on BR disc would go for $60. There’s just flat out not as much time put into a 10 GB game.
If, in the near future, we could see high speed internet in all corners of the world, games could be downloaded, in a full form, without the need for the physical media (but that is a huge if, it would require most of the governments of the world to work together), we would have to be willing to take a step back in order to take a step forward.
20% of what is possible isn’t much.
And certainly there will be some resistance from consumers that wish to have the physical media in their hands. On the up side for downloadable games, though, it should be easier to copy the games to a physical medium of your choice.
November 1st, 2008
I rather buy games on Blu-ray Disc like i did with Warhawk. And i would never buy anything from Gamestop those idiots. But if digital download takes off Sony is gonna do great with all the full games they have like…
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation
Warhawk
Gran Turismo: Prolouge
Siren: Blood Curse
Burnout: Paradise
And many more.
November 2nd, 2008
Not %100.
But people like myself would prefer DD for everything.
I don’t EVER buy pc games from stores anymore. Always steam or direct to drive. Don’t really give a fuck about resale, AND as an added bonus, no sucky CD/DVD checks to deal with.
I wish companies publishing for PS3/360 would do more in the way of DD.
But yep, people still like a product they can just ‘tray and play’ to steal an MS thingy that never really worked out
But one day, who knows 
November 3rd, 2008
I like the physical form, I like holding the disc and having the case, user manual, and artwork, but that is me
November 4th, 2008
I agree Branden.
No way I will DL at $60 a game.
I prefer to have the disk.