GameStop Breaks the Rules…Again, Releases Games Early

GameStop broke the street release date for Modern Warfare 2 last week, without permission from evil publisher Activision. In defence of their actions, it was said that the top brass of GameStop gave the go-ahead and it was released early.

Now it seems they’ve done the same thing with Assassin’s Creed II and Left 4 Dead 2 this week. The release dates for these two games were broken too. So, gamers probably aren’t complaining. They can get the game early. But publishers, developers, and other retailers are likely less than impressed, or pleased.

Then again, people hate Activision and Bobby Kotick as of late anyway, and the company made loads off of Modern Warfare 2, and not to mention a big fat truckload of pocket money for “Psykotick”.

GameStop always seeks to get the competitive edge over other retailers, at perhaps at any cost. Whether it’s releasing games earlier than the set release date, or letting GameStop employees play new games before selling them, so they’re classed as second hand; stuff that’s frowned upon by others. And second hand goods are what keep the retail chain going, according to reports.

To their credit, GameStop has come around to the fact that digital distribution is the way of the future, after analysts said that the company was doomed to shut down if it didn’t adapt. It’s now broadening its online capabilities as of this year.

Now people are talking about what devs can do to stop GameStop from ruining their plans as far as
release dates are concerned. It seems as though lately, even if a game is sold by a retailer earlier than planned, games like Left 4 Dead 2 are locked, so they can’t be played before that date. But can this actually stop GameStop and other retailers from doing this? Maybe the issue will be taken to court, and perhaps there will be some sort of penalty for committing the act, or even made illegal.

Oh, by the way, payback is a b1tch: a GameStop was robbed the other day, and 100 copies of Modern Warfare 2 were nabbed.

It seems there is justice in this world after all.

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New Jersey breaks street date for AC II and L4D2
MW2 was released early without permission from Activsion
Heist Nets 100 Copies of Modern Warfare 2 [Robbery]

GameStop Breaks the Rules…Again, Releases Games Early