GameStop To Sell Xbox Live Download Codes Via Website

Leading U.S. specialty video game retailer GameStop revealed that it will expand its digital initiative by selling Xbox Live download codes on GameStop.com "soon." Once the feature launches, customers will be able to purchase download codes for Xbox Live content such as Xbox Live Arcade games and supplemental DLC for games. Customers will receive a confirmation code after purchasing content, along with instructions on how to download it. Amazon.com earlier this year cancelled a similar initiative that had the online retailer selling downloadable Xbox Live codes, although the online retailer -- like GameStop -- still sells Microsoft Points that can be redeemed for Xbox Live content. GameStop, which had fiscal 2009 revenues of over $9 billion, already sells full PC digital downloads via its website, as physical shelf space for PC games in stores continues to shrink. The retailer brings in much of its profits from the sale of used disc-based video games, and gradually has been making the transition from physical to digital business models. Last year, for example, the company started selling Xbox Live downloads in select stores -- gamers can buy a piece of DLC at the store and the content would be downloaded and ready to play when the gamer gets home. And earlier this year, the retailer purchased web-based game site Kongregate.