Gamer's Frustrating Encounter Trying to Purchase a New Game at GameStop
A disappointed gamer's attempt to purchase a discounted game labeled as new from GameStop turns sour when they receive an unsatisfactory product
Article Key Points
GameStop sells both new and pre-owned games, which led to a confusing situation for one gamer.
The gamer bought A Plague Tale: Requiem online from GameStop but received a used copy without its cover art, which made them hesitant to make future online purchases from GameStop. However, they surprisingly found humor in the situation.
A gamer attempted to purchase a new edition of A Plague Tale: Requiem from the GameStop website but received a copy that appeared to be previously used. GameStop has a history of selling pre-owned games, but it is uncommon for a new copy to resemble a used one, as in the case of A Plague Tale: Requiem.
Apart from a temporary boost during a stock exchange battle, GameStop has been facing recent unsuccessful periods. A financial report indicates that GameStop's sales have declined compared to its prime days, which could be attributed to a lack of new releases in specific seasons. A significant portion of GameStop's profits comes from selling pre-owned games that are traded in by gamers. These trades are typically brought to the retail locations, where gamers are provided with trade credit for each game. Despite the intention to purchase a new copy of A Plague Tale: Requiem, this GameStop customer received an open copy lacking its cover art.
A Reddit user, Illustrious-Chip1640, recently shared a photo of their recent purchase from the GameStop online shop. The photo showed a generic game box with a black display case, labeled as A Plague Tale: Requiem. Interestingly, the label originally labeled it as "certified pre-owned," but GameStop crossed it out and boldly wrote "new" instead. Despite the price tag indicating a cost of $59.99, the Reddit user claimed to have purchased it for only $15. The label revealed that A Plague Tale: Requiem was actually 75% off during the time, suggesting that GameStop possibly ran a promotional offer on it. Although a GameStop rewards membership could have further reduced the cost, the post indicated that the gamer would have preferred the game to come in its proper packaging.
It is worth noting that the game's case should have been green, as it is designed for Xbox Series X/S. However, the label still included a green sidebar to indicate its compatibility with the console. Additionally, the gamer could identify the console by observing the Xbox Series X controller showcased in the middle. While this condition may be acceptable for a used GameStop game without its original case, new games are generally expected to be sold in their original packaging. GameStop occasionally uses the cases of new games as display copies, but these usually feature the original box art. Although the gamer's post hinted at their reluctance to purchase new copies from GameStop online again, they did find amusement in the product.
With the potential sequel of A Plague Tale: Requiem, Illustrious-Chip1640 might be catching up on what they missed. The Reddit user explicitly mentioned that they will not be purchasing any new games from the website again, which implies that GameStop may have lost an online shopper due to this sale. Considering the gamer received a discount on A Plague Tale: Requiem, their disappointment may be lessened compared to if they had paid the full price.
A Plague Tale: Requiem
Continuing Amicia's journey from the first game, A Plague Tale: Requiem by Asobo Studio is a sequel to 2019's A Plague Tale: Innocence. In this installment, Amicia embarks on a quest to find a cure for her younger brother, Hugo, taking place in Southern France during the 14th century. A Plague Tale: Requiem, a story-driven game, encompasses elements of stealth, puzzles, and occasional combat. Available on PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. According to How Long To Beat, the game takes approximately 17 hours to complete.
Editor's P/S
As a passionate gamer, I can understand the frustration expressed by the gamer who received a used copy of A Plague Tale: Requiem when they had specifically ordered a new one from GameStop. It is disappointing to pay for a new product and receive something that is not in its original packaging or condition. The fact that the game was labeled as "certified pre-owned" but then crossed out and marked as "new" is also misleading and adds to the frustration.
However, I also find some humor in this situation. The image of a generic game box with a black display case labeled as A Plague Tale: Requiem is amusing, and it's clear that GameStop made a mistake in sending the wrong product. The fact that the gamer was able to purchase the game for a discounted price of $15 may also help to soften the blow of receiving a used copy.
Overall, I think this situation highlights the importance of being careful when purchasing games online. It's always a good idea to read reviews and check the seller's reputation before making a purchase. If you're looking for a new game, it's best to buy it from a reputable retailer that has a good return policy.
