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GameStop looking to resell digital games

Major retailer GameStop has been a leading proponent of the used game business for quite some time, and now the company's trying to find a way to move that practice online so it can resell games purchased via digital platforms.

Tom Curtis, Blogger

July 27, 2012

1 Min Read

Major retailer GameStop has been a leading proponent of the used game business for quite some time, and now the company's trying to find a way to move that practice online so it can resell games purchased via digital platforms. In a recent interview with Gamespot, company CEO Paul Raines said the firm has already begun researching a number of ways to make used digital game sales a reality. "There are some technologies out there in Europe, and we’ve looked at a couple that are involved. We’re interested; it’s not a meaningful business yet. Right now we’re not seeing that as a huge market, but I think we’re on the leading edge," Raines said. The very concept of reselling digital games is without a doubt a bit unconventional, but it just might be within the realm of possibility. Earlier this month, a European court declared that used software sales are, in fact, protected by law. If it all pans out, this market could prove a huge boon for GameStop, as used sales are an essential pillar to the company's business. During its 2011 fiscal year, for instance, used game products brought in $2.6 billion in sales, making up 27 percent of the company's overall revenue.

About the Author(s)

Tom Curtis

Blogger

Tom Curtis is Associate Content Manager for Gamasutra and the UBM TechWeb Game Network. Prior to joining Gamasutra full-time, he served as the site's editorial intern while earning a degree in Media Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.

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