Is this cause for concern? Gamestop has indicated interest in what could be a radical new direction in preorders.
In discussion with investment company R.W. Baird, Gamestop has indicated interest from game publishers about taking their partnerships to the next level. We already know that they offer exclusive content with the retailer for several high profile games, such as weapons, and immediate access to otherwise unlockable content. Of course, similar deals are also up for other major gaming retailers.
Now, they are thinking about offering exclusive gameplay, with Gamestop themselves intervening in the development process to figure out what content they can make exclusive to the retailer.
The most shocking thing about this, of course, is that the idea did not come from Gamestop, but the video game publishers themselves. It would seem that after the DRM and Xbox One fiasco, these game companies are still looking for ways to ensure higher revenue streams from gamers.
This would substantially be a different arrangement than, say, if certain games were exclusive or time exclusive to certain retailers. We don’t know just yet how far publishers and retailers intend to bring this, and how far gone these discussions are in, but it would certainly bode ill for the industry if these new preorder incentive plans became reality.