GameStop hates OnLive. There I said it.

Looking for your free coupon for Deus EX on the game you just bought from GameStop? Look somewhere else.

Hey there PC gamer. Did you pick up your copy of Deus Ex (PC version) from GameStop today? Did you get everything that comes in the box? Are you sure? Maybe you should double check that, according to various outlets, it appears that GameStop employees were ordered to remove a coupon that offered a free copy of Deus Ex for play on the OnLive streaming service.

For the uninitiated, OnLive is much like Steam in that it allows you to play your favorite PC games streamed over the web. No need keeping a server just for your gaming (unless of course that’s just how you roll) since you can stream all the games you could possibly want from OnLive.

A memo from GameStop’s Field Operations Manager, Josh Ivanoff asked all GameStop employees to “Please immediately remove and discard the On Live [sic] coupon from all regular PC versions of Deus Ex: Human Revolution,” he continues, “Our desire is to not have this coupon go to any customers after this announcement.” Which royally sucks for consumers and isn’t really playing nice.

Many have speculated that the removal of the coupon is an unfortunate attempt at promoting GameStop’s own video game streaming service. Earlier in the year GameStop bought Impulse, a digital distribution hub for gaming, so it is no surprise that GameStop pulled such a dick move just to keep potential customers hooked on their digital offerings. If you absolutely must buy Deus Ex from GameStop, it is being advised to check the packaging and make sure you have a sealed copy with the coupon; if for some reason it is missing be sure to ask the employee what happened to the coupon.

Source: Ars Technica

Michael Pitts

August 25, 2011 at 3:45 pm

I spoke with someone from GameStop and apparently since everyone is raising hell about having something they paid for removed from their packaging (Really? people don’t like that?0, GS is just recalling all Deus Ex: Human Revolution copies.

So instead of apologizing for the dick move, they are blaming Ion Storm for not telling them that there was a coupon inside. They are going to take back the stripped copies though. So that’s less dickish of them, I suppose.

Those of you that know me know I have a bit of a gaming addiction. I spend a lot of money at GameStop. Today marks the last day I will purchase anything from GameStop. Fuck you guys. I’d rather wait 2-3 days to get my shit from Amazon than support your asshole behavior every again.