GameStop embraces PC downloads with expanded in-store code selection

GameStop says it has one of the most extensive selections of PC games available at retail, as it now allows consumers to buy over 1,500 downloadable titles at its 4,400 stores or online. This news follows other moves the retailer has made to support its digital transition and PC game downloads. Last year the company started offering downloadable PC titles on its site, and began allowing consumers to pre-order downloadable PC releases at its stores. In previous years, GameStop had difficulties stocking a big selection of packaged PC games due to limited self space; many of the chain's smaller stores had no selection of PC games at all. Now consumers can choose from a list of more than 1,500 PC games (compared to around 1,200 late last year) both new and old, and then buy a download code they can redeem at home. They can also use gift cards and trade-in credit from used games for their purchases. Last August, GameStop's VP and digital distribution VP Steve Nix told Gamasutra that the retailer hopes to increase the visibility of PC games among its 500 million annual consumers by offering downloadable titles and working with publishers to promote their PC titles. Nix said at the time, "This really gets PC out there again and lets customers know it's still a great platform to play on, and that people can buy those games from GameStop digitally or physically."