--this is spot-on too. Xbox isn't the only thing that's changed for the worse over the past decade, as GameSpot has become this weird all-encompassing-geek-toy store rather than a dedicated game store. Kind of a pot calling the kettle black situation.I miss when GS was a GS.
It used to be all about console and PC games in the 90s. They had price matching and a 10 day refund policy. I did both of them. Then they tried out selling DVDs for a couple years. Then it changed more and more to funko toys, board games, tshirts and at one time not too long ago they supposedly tried getting into selling cellphone plans and tablets or something.
Last year or the one before, I walked by a store and they even sold Xmas sweaters in the store window.
The one shady thing I remember about GS too back in the day with the opened games refund policy is they wouldnt tell you about it or even have it printed on the receipt (like how most stores would print refund/exchange policy on the back of the receipt). You'd only know about it if you read a piece of paper on a plastic stand on the counter which said the refund policy in small font. You'd have to look close at the paper to see what it says as even just glancing at the plastic stand you'd never know what it says as it's too small.Some fun little playful shots but--
--this is spot-on too. Xbox isn't the only thing that's changed for the worse over the past decade, as GameSpot has become this weird all-encompassing-geek-toy store rather than a dedicated game store. Kind of a pot calling the kettle black situation.
Gotta go to retro game stores for that older GameStop feel now.
Selling physical games in 2025 isn't a profitable business, even with used game sales margins. If they hadn't gotten the meme stock boost, they'd have been dead years ago. They really had no choice than to try to find other niches and revenue streams. There's no cats going back into bags in the game industry, physical is (sadly) on its way out.I miss when GS was a GS.
Why, The Year of the Xbox ofc
When you seed the moral high ground to GameStop
All you gotta say is "do you have a sealed copy", or if you feel awkward "I am giving this as a gift, so I would prefer a sealed copy". I have never had any kickback by just asking... Just tell them you are OCD or something.No GameStop in my town, and I ain't driving an hour to a city to buy a "new" game from a paper sleeve put in the box that has been on the shelves with the hands of a million grubby kids on it. Or them looking at you like you all insulted when you demand an actual NEW game factory sealed.