14 DAY TRIAL // Large North American retailer GameStop has confirmed that it's currently in the first stages of discussion with video game developers, publishers, and platform holders about selling so-called "used" versions of downloadable content and items, effectively opening a new market for the large store chain.
GameStop has been doing really well in recent years, as its used game business, in which console owners trade in their game discs for store credit, which can then be spent on even more games, has resulted in plenty of profits.
These are all in addition to the regular game sales, and more recently, the sale of codes and vouchers for digital games, downloadable content, or credit that can be redeemed on Steam, PlayStation Network, or Xbox Live.
GameStop is now targeting the resale of digital content and items
The next major area where GameStop is thinking about expanding is actual digital content, as it wants to allow customers to trade in their DLC or items, so that they can be resold to others easily and without restrictions.
According to GameStop Executive Vice President Mike Hogan, this procedure is going to require some work, but it's already being used in some examples with great success.
"It would require a partnership between retailers and publishers, but absolutely, it could go that way," Hogan tells ArsTechnica. "We’re absolutely interested in pursuing that. There are lots of examples where people have taken digital content and made it transferable from one consumer to another. Think of World of Warcraft [and its third-party item sales]."
"There’s no fundamental or technological reason why that couldn’t happen [on other platforms]. If the consumer wants it, and it provides value, then we believe it will happen over time. The consumer will speak for that."
GameStop is already talking with other companies
GameStop Senior Vice President of its pre-owned business, Jason Cochran, confirms that the large retailer is already talking and exploring ideas with video game developers, publishers, and platform holders.
"[There's] potential to continue working with our vendor partners, publishers, and even developers on what that would mean to play in that space—how we’d continue to keep the value of digital content as tangible for our consumers, so they can continue to stay in the game, enjoy more gameplay, and actually buy more titles and more IP," Cochran says.
"The possibilities are endless as to how we could leverage our buy/sell/trade model and continue to give our customers what they want."
Cochran emphasizes that GameStop is quite confident in this new direction and treats it as a big opportunity, so it won't back down in front of any hurdles.
While GameStop has quite a bit of influence in the industry, it ultimately depends on Sony, Microsoft, or even Valve to embrace such a model in their own digital marketplaces.