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Gamestop Refuses To Sell Console Bundles With Digital Games

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Gamestop

Gamestop has decided it will not sell console bundles that include digital copies of games. During a company earnings call (via Giant Bomb), Gamestop executives discussed the rising trend for console bundles to include digital copies of games rather than physical ones. They outlined deals they had made with Sony and Microsoft to ensure that the console bundles they sell will only include physical copies of games.

“I think what’s interesting to us is that consumers have a pretty strong preference in this,” said Gamestop CEO Paul Raines. “And I think we’ve seen this play out in a variety of ways over the past few years. Consumers prefer those physical bundles, because they know that that disc has value in the trade-in program at GameStop . So we choose not to participate in the digital bundles.”

This strategy has already come into effect. While many other stores sold Madden NFL 16 as a digital game with their console bundles, Gamestop reached a deal with Sony and Microsoft to bundle it physically with consoles.

“We worked with both Sony, Microsoft, and EA, with all three of them, and we offered a free physical disc when you bought either a PS4 or Xbox One,” said COO Tony Bartel. But he adds that, should Sony and Microsoft refuse to offer bundle deals that include physical discs, Gamestop will look at third-party bundle deals instead. “We expect that if a game is provided as a promotional item in a hardware bundle, GameStop will see more of these physical offers than digital pack-ins on upcoming third-party releases.”

It’s worth pointing out here that digital games can’t be traded in and resold. A large portion of Gamestop’s profits come from selling second-hand games. And, of course, digital games can’t be bought directly from Gamestop, so it’s pretty obvious why they’d want to keep physical games in circulation. The more physical games there are in the world, the more there will be for Gamestop to sell second-hand.

“I think we articulated in the first quarter that we have made it clear with our publishing partners that our preference is that we sell — obviously, GameStop ‘s preference is — we sell things at full price and provide great value through our trade program and that we have physical discs,” Bartel said.

Gamestop is the parent company of a chain of game retailers around the world. While they are known as Gamestop in most countries, they also trade as EB Games in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and as Micromania in France.

Rhiannon likes video games and she likes writing, so she decided to combine them. As well as writing about video games, she also belts out the occasional science fiction or fantasy story, edits videos, and eats strawberry oreos. In that order.

Gaming

Documentary Explores the Making of the Highly Praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for PS5

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Square Enix has launched a captivating documentary series that explores the intricate process behind the creation of the highly praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. In the first episode, titled “Shaping the World,” the developer delves into the process of reimagining the expansive PS1 map of the original game into a vast sandbox for the PS5. The film includes personal stories shared by directors Naoki Hamaguchi and Tetsuya Nomura, as well as other important members of the team.

This reimagining of the all-time PlayStation classic was truly enjoyable. In our review, we praised Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for its ability to enhance the already impressive combat system of Remake. The game truly shines in its portrayal of an iconic RPG setting. If you have a deep appreciation for the original PS1 game and found enjoyment in Remake, then Rebirth’s character-focused adventure will surely captivate you from start to finish.

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Gran Turismo 7 for the PS5 and PS4 shows continuous improvement

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While Sony may not classify Gran Turismo 7 as a live-service game, the team at Polyphony Digital certainly approaches it with a similar mindset. The game continues to impress with every new update, and although v1.44 may be smaller compared to previous versions, it still manages to enhance the already extensive content of this simulation racer.

The update, now available worldwide, introduces three new cars: the Audi R8 Coupé V10 Plus ’16, the Lamborghini Urus ’18, and the Toyota GT-One (TS020) ’99. Furthermore, it introduces three fresh events to World Circuits, an extra menu to conquer in the GT Café single-player campaign, and a collection of livery stickers inspired by the upcoming Highspeed Étoile anime, set to debut next week in Japan.

If you’re not already acquainted with Highspeed Étoile, you can watch a trailer right here. “Sony has announced that a collection of 26 stickers, consisting of 8 title logos and 18 main character stickers, will be made available for a limited time,” stated Sony on the PS Blog. In addition, Fukushima will be included as a backdrop in the title’s beloved photography mode.

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Gaming

TopSpin 2K25 appears to be a standout title in the recent PS5 and PS4 gameplay showcase

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This author has consistently praised the realistic portrayal of tennis in TopSpin 4. After more than a decade, we are thrilled to witness the release of TopSpin 2K25, which expands upon the success of its renowned predecessor. This gameplay video provides a comprehensive overview of the features discussed in our recent preview while also incorporating relevant footage to enhance understanding.

The series’ swing system sets it apart from arcade-style games like Virtua Tennis, as it requires players to charge up their shots in a different way. In order to succeed, timing is crucial, and fortunately, a new meter above your player will assist you in achieving that. Surfaces have their own distinct characteristics, such as clay, where you’ll experience a noticeable amount of sliding.

The game ensures that every player has a distinct set of animations, adding a touch of individuality to each competitor. The courts, found in all Grand Slams, possess a remarkable amount of individuality and charm. It is mentioned in the video that with each in-game season, players can expect a plethora of additional content, such as animation packs. This indicates that there will be plenty to anticipate even after the game’s initial release.

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