Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GameStop confirms the end of PS2 trade-ins, still selling games and accessories]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/gamestop-confirms-the-end-of-ps2-trade-ins-still-selling-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/gamestop-confirms-the-end-of-ps2-trade-ins-still-selling-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/gamestop-confirms-the-end-of-ps2-trade-ins-still-selling-games/#comments GameStop's corporate office has confirmed yesterday's news that all US locations will stop accepting any PlayStation 2-related trade-ins. GameStop also clarified in a statement to Engadget that PS2 games, accessories and systems will still be sold at its stores for "several months" until the remaining stock runs out. GameStop's statement reads:

"We can confirm that as of June 1st we will no longer be accepting the PS2 console or its related product for trades. We know that the 12 year old system is a popular one and for many gamers, GameStop is the only place to find a great selection of its games. We will still offer a wide selection of the PS2 hardware, accessories and games in many of our stores and online for several months, based on remaining stock from trades. We are very excited about the upcoming PS4 and are making room in our stores for it and other new platforms expected this fall."

JoystiqGameStop confirms the end of PS2 trade-ins, still selling games and accessories originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopplaystation-2ps2ps4sonytrade-inMon, 06 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop will stop taking PS2 trade-ins as of June 1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/gamestop-will-stop-taking-ps2-trade-ins-as-of-june-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/gamestop-will-stop-taking-ps2-trade-ins-as-of-june-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/05/gamestop-will-stop-taking-ps2-trade-ins-as-of-june-1/#comments GameStop will cease all PlayStation 2-related trade-ins as of June 1, according to a photo of a store display snapped by Reddit user eGORapTure, seen after the break. We contacted multiple GameStop locations and confirmed the news that all PS2 games, accessories and systems will not be accepted for trade across all US stores at that time.

Production of PS2 systems in Japan ceased in late December 2012 after nearly 13 years and 150 million units having been shipped worldwide.

Continue reading GameStop will stop taking PS2 trade-ins as of June 1

JoystiqGameStop will stop taking PS2 trade-ins as of June 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopplaystation-2ps2trade-inSun, 05 May 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop offering Halo 4 and AC3 for $40, +50% credit on in-store trade-ins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/26/gamestop-offering-halo-4-and-ac3-for-40-50-credit-on-in-stor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/26/gamestop-offering-halo-4-and-ac3-for-40-50-credit-on-in-stor/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/26/gamestop-offering-halo-4-and-ac3-for-40-50-credit-on-in-stor/#comments Gamestop offering Halo 4 and AC3 for $40, 50% credit on instore tradeinsThe stockings have come down and the gifts have been unwrapped, but GameStop hasn't stopped kicking off deals for the season. The retailer's latest deals, which run now through Saturday, have Halo 4 and Assassin's Creed 3 for $39.99 each, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 on sale for $49.99.

Far Cry 3 is also on sale for $49.99, and you can pick up Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier for $29.99, in addition to all of the other deals on recent and popular games. Finally, the company's offering a buy two, get one free sale on all used Wii and Nintendo DS games, and there's an ongoing promotion that will give you an extra 50 percent credit back whenever you trade any used games in. Just in case you didn't spend all your money on this year's previous sales, GameStop will be happy to help take the rest of it.

JoystiqGameStop offering Halo 4 and AC3 for $40, +50% credit on in-store trade-ins originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creditdealsdsgamestopholidaymicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3retailersalesseasonstoretrade-intradeswiixboxWed, 26 Dec 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop offering bonus trade-in credit toward Steam gift cards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/gamestop-offering-bonus-trade-in-credit-toward-steam-gift-cards/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/gamestop-offering-bonus-trade-in-credit-toward-steam-gift-cards/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/gamestop-offering-bonus-trade-in-credit-toward-steam-gift-cards/#comments 30% more tradein credit at GameStop for Steam gift cards during Steam's Summer SaleEven GameStop's getting in on Steam Summer Sale madness, with a deal to entice you into turning your boxed games into downloads. For the duration of the Summer Sale (through July 23), any game traded in at GameStop will get a 30% boost in value if used toward the purchase of a Steam gift card. Of course, you'd likely get more of a "bonus" for just selling your games on eBay or something, but GameStop seems to have caught on out of convenience anyway.

GameStop started carrying Steam gift cards in May. The future is a weird place. These are definitely two topics we didn't expect to intersect.

JoystiqGameStop offering bonus trade-in credit toward Steam gift cards originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopsteamsteam-summer-saletrade-inFri, 13 Jul 2012 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Gamestop to add Samsung Android devices to trade-in list]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/report-gamestop-to-add-samsung-android-devices-to-trade-in-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/report-gamestop-to-add-samsung-android-devices-to-trade-in-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/29/report-gamestop-to-add-samsung-android-devices-to-trade-in-list/#comments ImageGamestop's plodding metamorphosis from pseudo-pawn shop to actual pawn shop continues, as the massive retailer/reseller is poised to begin accepting four specific Samsung-made, Android-powered devices as trade-ins, according to a report from Gadget Experts.

In addition to the iPhones and iPads already accepted for trade-in, "select stores" will begin accepting the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, Samsung Nexus S and Samsung Infuse sometime this summer, with a nation-wide roll out expected before the 2012 holiday season, Gadget Experts writes. None of this news is particularly surprising, considering that smartphones and tablets continue to gain ground as portable gaming devices. Also, Android devices are a thing that Gamestop isn't selling you that they totally could be, which obviously must be corrected.

JoystiqReport: Gamestop to add Samsung Android devices to trade-in list originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgamestopmobilereportSamsung-Galaxy-Tab-10.1Samsung-InfuseSamsung-Nexus-Strade-inSun, 29 Apr 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop ending GameCube trade-ins on April 2]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/gamestop-ending-gamecube-trade-ins-on-april-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/gamestop-ending-gamecube-trade-ins-on-april-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/gamestop-ending-gamecube-trade-ins-on-april-2/#comments Though it's already long past the time you would have gotten any decent store credit for trading in a GameCube or games, the deal's about to get a lot worse. Starting April 2, GameStop will stop taking trade-ins of GameCube hardware, software, or accessories.

It's going to be a bit sad to see the giant stack of Donkey Konga bongo controllers in our local store dwindle without any way for the supply to renew itself. That said, if you want a cheap Donkey Konga controller, now's the time to go secure one.

JoystiqGameStop ending GameCube trade-ins on April 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamecubegamestoptrade-inFri, 23 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Gamestop now accepting iOS device trade-ins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/psa-gamestop-now-accepting-ios-device-trade-ins/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/psa-gamestop-now-accepting-ios-device-trade-ins/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/12/psa-gamestop-now-accepting-ios-device-trade-ins/#comments Are you just lousy with iPhone and iPads, but light on Maddens and Deus Exes? There's a handy way to convert your supplies of the former into the latter: One week after first revealing the initiative, Gamestop is now allowing trade-ins of iOS devices for store credit. In a statement released this morning (at the same time as their Android tablet's announcement), the company announced that its brick-and-mortar locations are now turning your iPods, iPhones and iPads into cold, hard store credit.

The amount of credit you'll get for each device varies based on which service provider you're attached to, as well as its hard drive capacity and model. The announcement menions that the credit you'll earn is "significantly higher" than the norm -- an AT&T 3G 32GB iPad 2, for instance, is worth $300 in Gamestop-bucks. Why, that's probably, like, 100 times the going rate for a mint copy of Tak and the Power of Juju!

JoystiqPSA: Gamestop now accepting iOS device trade-ins originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopiosipadiphoneipodmobiletrade-inMon, 12 Sep 2011 14:29:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop to start accepting (and reselling) iOS device trade-ins [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/report-gamestop-to-start-accepting-and-reselling-ios-device-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/report-gamestop-to-start-accepting-and-reselling-ios-device-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/06/report-gamestop-to-start-accepting-and-reselling-ios-device-t/#comments While we're sure you appreciate that iPod Nano your Nana got you for your birthday, it's not such a great gift compared to your current gen iPod Touch. Sure, you could possibly return it to Apple, but since Nana opened it first to "make sure it came with batteries," that might be a tough sell. If you're a frequenter of GameStop, however, you may be able to use that Nano to get yourself some sweet games.

According to "several sources" close to 9to5Mac, GameStop's all too eager to take your old iPod, iPhone or iPad -- and to sell it to somebody else, of course. These sources say that the announcement was made at GameStop's annual Managers Convention last week in Las Vegas.

Currently, GameStop accepts iOS devices for trade-in, but hasn't announced any plans to sell these old devices in-store or online. We've contacted the retailer for comment and will update accordingly.

Update: We called around to a few GameStops and were told by several people that GameStop will be taking trade-ins on iOS devices, though likely not for a week or two. We were also told by store employees that the plan is to re-sell the used iOS devices, but no pricing had been set. GameStop corporate has yet to comment.

JoystiqGameStop to start accepting (and reselling) iOS device trade-ins [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applegamestopipadiphoneipodmacmobiletrade-inTue, 06 Sep 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: UK retailers say PS3 trade-ins doubling due to PSN outage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/report-uk-retailers-say-ps3-trade-ins-doubling-due-to-psn-outag/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/report-uk-retailers-say-ps3-trade-ins-doubling-due-to-psn-outag/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/report-uk-retailers-say-ps3-trade-ins-doubling-due-to-psn-outag/#comments We're approaching the one-month anniversary of the PlayStation Network's deactivation due to that pesky security breach, and according to a report from Edge the downtime's starting to have an effect at UK games retailers. The report cites a number of anonymous game shop clerks, all of whom paint a fairly similar picture of the response to the outage: PlayStation 3 trade-ins have doubled in their respective stores in the past few weeks, with most shoppers exchanging their consoles for Xbox 360s or cash.

That may sound like a fairly inflammatory report, but the reasoning is sound: Almost all the retailers say these shoppers are hardcore FPS players, and are acquiring Xbox 360s to get back in their Call of Duty: Black Ops and Modern Warfare 2 routines. Furthermore, all of the retailers report an increased trade-in rate for the PS3 version of Black Ops. Trading in your gaming console sounds like a pretty drastic way to keep playing a game you love -- then again, we're no strangers to the siren call of the Killstreak.

JoystiqReport: UK retailers say PS3 trade-ins doubling due to PSN outage originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 May 2011 10:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Call-of-Duty-Black-Opscall-of-duty-modern-warfare-2microsoftplaystationps3psnpsn-outage-2011retailtrade-inukxboxThu, 12 May 2011 10:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Select Walmart stores offering $100 credit toward 3DS with old DS trade-in]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/select-walmart-stores-offering-100-credit-toward-3ds-with-old-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/select-walmart-stores-offering-100-credit-toward-3ds-with-old-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/25/select-walmart-stores-offering-100-credit-toward-3ds-with-old-d/#comments This Sunday, the 3DS launches in the US and, to celebrate the occasion, US-based megastore Walmart is offering quite the deal for anyone who lives in one of a dozen states. When purchasing the new handheld, consumers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and South Carolina will have the option of trading in their used DS for a $100 credit towards their 3DS purchase. If they've got two old DS systems laying around, both can be traded in for $200 towards a 3DS, but that's as high as Walmart's willing to go.

The trade-in program will start this Sunday with the 3DS launch and continue through April 30. This promotion is in-store only -- sorry, no online orders.

JoystiqSelect Walmart stores offering $100 credit toward 3DS with old DS trade-in originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsds-litedsidsi-xlface-raidersnintendotrade-inused-gameswalmartFri, 25 Mar 2011 19:10:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: PS3 copies of DC Universe Online tied to one-time-use codes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/ps3-copies-of-dc-universe-online-tied-to-one-time-use-codes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/ps3-copies-of-dc-universe-online-tied-to-one-time-use-codes/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/ps3-copies-of-dc-universe-online-tied-to-one-time-use-codes/#commentsIf you bought DC Universe Online on PS3 and decided not to commit to it for the usual MMO lifespan of forever, you won't be able to recoup your losses by trading it in. At least, you shouldn't trade it in, even if you find a store who will accept it, or you risk being a super-jerk. Sony Online Entertainment confirmed to Lazygamer that the serial key included with retail copies of the game is a one-time-use thing, and each disc only includes access for one account. That means that the first person to use a copy of DCUO is the only person who can use that copy.

This kind of restriction isn't exactly new to consoles, with trade-ins of every iteration of Phantasy Star Online refused by retailers due to the unique codes tied to each disc. But it's not common -- mostly because MMO-type games on consoles are so uncommon.

JoystiqPSA: PS3 copies of DC Universe Online tied to one-time-use codes originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DC-Universe-Onlinemmoplaystationps3psaretailsony-online-entertainmenttrade-inused-gamesMon, 14 Feb 2011 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon.co.uk now taking game trade-ins for credit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/11/amazon-co-uk-now-taking-game-trade-ins-for-credit/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/11/amazon-co-uk-now-taking-game-trade-ins-for-credit/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/11/amazon-co-uk-now-taking-game-trade-ins-for-credit/#comments No longer are our United Kingdom-based friends left with few gaming trade-in options other than ... whatever the British equivalent of Gamestop is (Gamestoppe?). Amazon.co.uk has begun extending the "trade your games and accessories for Amazon credit" program to its shoppers, some eighteen months after the program first arrived on the U.S. Amazon page.

Shoppers interested in hocking their ludological wares in exchange for Amazonian currency can search for eligible games on Amazon's trade-in splash page, and can then print off a shipping label for free. Provided the items are shipped off within seven days, and don't arrive covered in scratches, bodily fluids or crumpet residue, the available credit will show up when the items arrive.

JoystiqAmazon.co.uk now taking game trade-ins for credit originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 04:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon.co.ukeuroperetailtrade-inukused-gamesSat, 11 Dec 2010 04:15:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop offering 50% bonus on every trade-in]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/22/gamestop-offering-50-bonus-on-every-trade-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/22/gamestop-offering-50-bonus-on-every-trade-in/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/22/gamestop-offering-50-bonus-on-every-trade-in/#comments GameStop's TV ad proudly proclaims that it's the "biggest trade event ever." We can't really disagree. Starting today, GameStop stores will be offering an extra 50% bonus on used game trade-ins, boosting their usually-paltry offerings into the "sort of worth it" zone. Your old copy of Madden 08 won't really help you much in this promo. Instead, look to capitalize on newer game trade-ins. Using the CAG database, we discovered that Modern Warfare 2, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Dante's Inferno, and BioShock 2 will net about $35 of credit each.

The best bet right now seems to be Mass Effect 2, which will net you a whopping $52 worth of credit (and if you have an Edge card, you'll earn 10% more). Just make sure that, as with many of last year's and this quarter's games, you don't intend to stick around for all that DLC.

As much as you may sympathize with the difficulties publishers face in the used games market, the ongoing 2010 onslaught of games -- including Heavy Rain, Final Fantasy XIII, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, God of War III, Pokemon, and more -- might force your wallet to seek out as much help as it can find.

[Thanks, Alan S.]

JoystiqGameStop offering 50% bonus on every trade-in originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSgamestopMicrosoftNintendosaletrade-inused-gamesWiiXbox-360Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Goozex kicks off half-price sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/goozex-kicks-off-50-percent-off-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/goozex-kicks-off-50-percent-off-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/04/goozex-kicks-off-50-percent-off-sale/#comments For far too long, Joystiq has brought you stories of sales applicable only to certain games. But finally we can bring word of a bargain limited only by ... your imagination. That's because game trading site Goozex is offering 1000 points of its currency for just $27.50. Those of you familiar with the site know that 1,000 points is the price reserved for the newest games, meaning you'll be able to pick up nearly brand new releases for a little over $25.

Or, you can buy Another World three times. Imagination!

[Thanks, Cole]

JoystiqGoozex kicks off half-price sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goozeximaginationsaletrade-inusedThu, 04 Feb 2010 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[US citizens: want to trade at Best Buy? Head north [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/us-citizens-want-to-trade-at-best-buy-head-north/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/us-citizens-want-to-trade-at-best-buy-head-north/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/us-citizens-want-to-trade-at-best-buy-head-north/#comments Update: A representative from Best Buy Canada has told Joystiq that any decision made regarding trades in the US "will not have any impact on Canada's operations at this point." The representative went on to say the trade-in program has been "very successful" in Canada and Best Buy Canada Ltd. has no plans to discontinue it.

Original: Although reports indicate that Best Buy America's used games trade-in operations will come to an abrupt end, Best Buy Canada continues to offer the used and trade programs in its own stores. On February 1, Industry Gamers reported E-Play, the company that distributed used game and trade kiosks to Best Buy and Walmart, suspended operations. Currently, neither major retailer appears to be pursuing replacement programs in stores.

In Canada, Best Buy and Future Shop both operate under the umbrella of Best Buy Canada Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of its American parent. The company currently runs used game and trade programs within stores of both brands, where customers are given a store credit toward other purchases in the store at each location's customer service desk. The process appears to be modeled closely after GameStop's approach, and the companies even offer similar multiple trade-in promotions (such as drastically slashing the value of games immediately following release).

Joystiq has contacted Best Buy Canada Ltd. for comment on the recent news affecting its American counterparts, and whether its own operations will change as a result, but has yet to hear back as of this publishing.

[Thanks, Nathan]

JoystiqUS citizens: want to trade at Best Buy? Head north [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-buybest-buy-canadacanadafuture-shoptrade-inused-gamesWed, 03 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Walmart and Best Buy cease used games trade-in operations]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/walmart-and-best-buy-cease-used-games-trade-in-operations/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/walmart-and-best-buy-cease-used-games-trade-in-operations/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/01/walmart-and-best-buy-cease-used-games-trade-in-operations/#comments Well, that certainly didn't take long. Industry Gamers reports that Walmart's and Best Buy's stab at tapping into the lucrative used games market will soon come to an abrupt end. E-Play, the company that distributed used games kiosks to certain locations for the two retailers, suspended operations earlier today -- and as a result, said kiosks will be shut down and removed within the next three weeks. Neither Walmart nor Best Buy looks to be pursuing similar operations without E-play.

We had an inkling that the two retailers weren't seeing significant returns from dabbling in the used games market through third-party vendor E-play, but the brevity of this venture is still a little surprising. Even our "mullet and horn-rimmed glasses" phase lasted longer than eight measly months.

JoystiqWalmart and Best Buy cease used games trade-in operations originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e-playMicrosoftNintendoretailtrade-inused-gameswalmartWiiXbox-360Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Green Man Gaming exec explains how digital trade-ins work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/green-man-gaming-exec-explains-how-digital-trade-ins-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/green-man-gaming-exec-explains-how-digital-trade-ins-work/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/29/green-man-gaming-exec-explains-how-digital-trade-ins-work/#comments Ever since Green Man Gaming announced its plans for digital trade-ins last week, we've been scratching our heads and spinning the ol' think meat trying to understand how it's gonna work. Lucky for us then that GamesIndustry.biz got a couple of execs from the company to break down how it all functions in a recent interview. Allegedly, the folks at GMG have figured out an algorithm for calculating a game's worth at any given time based on a handful of (unnamed) criteria.

"We sit in the middle as a market maker and we always offer a price on the game ... we always allow people to sell it back to us," says CEO Paul Sulyok. As previously announced, the company will offer a percentage of revenue from each re-sold game to publishers -- something the company expects to get prospective partners signed up with the quickness. Suylok even puts a percentage to it, estimating that publishers will see a "194 percent" jump in "additional revenue per SKU" (in Humanspeak, that means for each individual game). Us? We're just happy to finally get some money back for that drunken purchase of Daikatana.

[Via BigDownload]

JoystiqGreen Man Gaming exec explains how digital trade-ins work originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributiongreen-man-gamingpaul-sulyoktrade-inused-gamesFri, 29 Jan 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[UK-based site 'Green Man Gaming' to allow digital trade-ins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/uk-based-site-green-man-gaming-to-allow-digital-trade-ins/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/uk-based-site-green-man-gaming-to-allow-digital-trade-ins/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/22/uk-based-site-green-man-gaming-to-allow-digital-trade-ins/#comments It seems that the yet-to-launch Green Man Gaming website has figured out a way for consumers to make back some of the money spent on digitally distributed games. According to a press release from earlier today, the company will accept digital trade-ins of used "digitally purchased and downloaded games," though nothing explicit is spelled out in terms of what exactly you'll get for your trade-in.

The company's COO (and ex-Play.com head) Gian Luzio claims in the release that publishers will receive "substantial remuneration" from Green Man Gaming (that means money, folks) and the site is planned for a "Q1 2010" launch -- it's said to open up with 400 games and grow to "over 2000" by the end of the year. We've contacted GMG for more info on how this whole thing will work and will update you when we know more.

[Via Big Download]

JoystiqUK-based site 'Green Man Gaming' to allow digital trade-ins originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital-distributiondlcgian-luziogreen-man-gamingpcplay.comtrade-inFri, 22 Jan 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PSA: Scrub your gaming console's memory before selling]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/psa-scrub-your-gaming-consoles-memory-before-selling/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/psa-scrub-your-gaming-consoles-memory-before-selling/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/21/psa-scrub-your-gaming-consoles-memory-before-selling/#comments Usually, when we label a headline as a "PSA," it's in a joking manner; say, "PSA: Bacon is delicious, good for you." However, we're pretty sure this post constitutes a legitimate public service announcement: Ars Technica recently published an article that the frequent trade-in-ers among us should probably read. In short, if you're not erasing your consoles' hard drives before trading them in, there's a pretty good chance you could be robbed blind. (Or at least robbed astigmatic.)

Seriously, if you're thinking about trading in or pawning one of your gaming consoles sometime soon, follow the helpful tips provided in the Ars piece. They'll ensure that you don't accidentally leave your credit card information in the system's memory for its next owner to exploit. You also don't want to leave your Avatar, Mii or PlayStation Home account on there, either. That's how e-stalkers get started, donchaknow.

JoystiqPSA: Scrub your gaming console's memory before selling originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fraudgamestophardwareidentity-theftmemoryMicrosoftNintendopawnpsasafetytrade-inWiiXbox-360Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toys R Us expands layaway to include consoles, adds hardware to trade-in program]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/toys-r-us-expands-layaway-to-include-consoles-adds-hardware-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/toys-r-us-expands-layaway-to-include-consoles-adds-hardware-to/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/18/toys-r-us-expands-layaway-to-include-consoles-adds-hardware-to/#comments Toys R Us announced today that its "Big Gift" layaway program will now include video game hardware. TRU CEO Jerry Storch states that it was the "number one" request from customers. For those who don't know what layaway is: it's the practice of a company holding onto a "purchased" product until the customer has paid for the item in full. For the TRU program, customers must deposit 20% of the console's total purchase, including tax, and a "$10 service charge." Payments can be made at the store in cash, check, credit card ... wait, what? If someone has a credit card, then -- nevermind. Payment must be made in full before December 6. There will also be a fee for canceled orders and the program is not available in Maryland.

The retailer is also expanding its video game trade-in program, which began in September, to include video game hardware. The program begins this Friday, November 20, and works almost the same way as the software trade-in: customers go to the "guest service desk," their items are scanned, an offer is made and they receive a gift card if all is approved. We've listed all consoles and handhelds available for trade-in after the break.

Continue reading Toys R Us expands layaway to include consoles, adds hardware to trade-in program

JoystiqToys R Us expands layaway to include consoles, adds hardware to trade-in program originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessconsumersDSlayawayMicrosoftNintendotoys-r-ustrade-inWiiXbox-360Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Pre-order Modern Warfare 2, trade it in by Dec. 13, get $40 from GameStop]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/pre-order-modern-warfare-2-trade-it-in-by-dec-13-get-40-from/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/pre-order-modern-warfare-2-trade-it-in-by-dec-13-get-40-from/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/29/pre-order-modern-warfare-2-trade-it-in-by-dec-13-get-40-from/#comments GameStop would like to rent you a copy of Modern Warfare 2, it seems, as the company has revealed a trade-in plan for the standard and Hardened editions of the game. If you pre-order the game through GameStop's site, you''ll be eligible to get $40 back should you trade it in before December 13. GameStop will email pre-orderers a coupon on November 15 to that effect, which will only work for trade-ins on the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions.

Considering this "deal" also applies to the Hardened edition, we have to wonder how the company will handle the included Call of Duty Classic. We've contacted GameStop for some additional info on that and will relay what we hear back.

[Thanks, Marques!]

JoystiqPre-order Modern Warfare 2, trade it in by Dec. 13, get $40 from GameStop originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopMicrosoftmodern-warfare-2trade-inXbox-360Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Toys R Us rolls out national game trade-in program, classic games accepted [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/10/toys-r-us-rolls-out-national-game-trade-in-program-classic-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/10/toys-r-us-rolls-out-national-game-trade-in-program-classic-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/10/toys-r-us-rolls-out-national-game-trade-in-program-classic-game/#comments Toys R Us is rolling out its video game trade-in program nationwide today, allowing customers to sell games from as far back as the (OMG!) Intellivision. Those who use the program will receive gift cards for the value of their trade-in, which can be used for any product at Toys R Us, Babies R Us or online at Toysrus.com.

Exchanging games works by going to the "guest services desk" with the merchandise, it'll be scanned and, if the value is acceptable, the customer will receive a gift card. We're honestly shocked at Toys R Us accepting trade-ins that go all the way back to systems like the Atari 2600. We're following up for some more details and will update as soon as we hear back.

Update: Toys R Us is not getting into the used games resale business, it is merely accepting the used merchandise. A representative for the company tells us the games "are taken by a third party company that refurbishes them for resale." We're still following up to find out what company that would be. We'll update again when we find out.

JoystiqToys R Us rolls out national game trade-in program, classic games accepted [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>babies-r-usDSMicrosoftNintendotoys-r-ustoysrus.comtrade-intruWiiXbox-360Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Get an extra $30 for your trade-ins at Amazon]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/get-an-extra-30-for-your-trade-ins-at-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/get-an-extra-30-for-your-trade-ins-at-amazon/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/get-an-extra-30-for-your-trade-ins-at-amazon/#commentsGame trade-ins are usually only a good deal when you factor in the convenience of not having to deal with eBay -- or when there's a special promotion. This deal from Amazon could boost the value of your trade-ins significantly, if you have a bunch of stuff to trade in.

Through the end of August (it's been available since July 19), sending $60 worth of old junk in to Amazon will earn you an extra $30 to use toward your next game purchase. Hey, something to do with those 40 copies of Rock Revolution you picked up on impulse today!

JoystiqGet an extra $30 for your trade-ins at Amazon originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonDSMicrosoftNintendotrade-inWiiXbox-360Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A look at Best Buy's new trade-in kiosk]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/a-look-at-best-buys-new-trade-in-kiosk/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/a-look-at-best-buys-new-trade-in-kiosk/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/26/a-look-at-best-buys-new-trade-in-kiosk/#commentsAfter learning that Best Buy was testing new game trade-in kiosks in some areas of Texas, we visited our local location to find that one of the new stations had just been set up right by the front door. In fact, a nearby employee informed us that we were the first to use it. Shortly after we experimented with it, we watched a group of Best Buy employees gather around the kiosk in quiet awe.

As it turns out, the kiosks aren't just for trading in games for store credit -- you can buy, trade, or even rent used games or movies from the device. The one we looked at had a tiny selection of both games and movies available (less than fifty total offerings), but that's most likely because of the early stage of the program.

We snapped some pictures of the kiosk while we were trying it out. Head into our gallery if you ever wanted to see what a game case deposit slot or a disc dispenser looks like.

Gallery: Best Buy trade-in kiosk

Continue reading A look at Best Buy's new trade-in kiosk

JoystiqA look at Best Buy's new trade-in kiosk originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-buykiosktrade-inused-gamesFri, 26 Jun 2009 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Buy tests used game trade-in kiosks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/23/best-buy-tests-used-game-trade-in-kiosks/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/23/best-buy-tests-used-game-trade-in-kiosks/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/23/best-buy-tests-used-game-trade-in-kiosks/#comments It's unclear why it's taken Best Buy nearly four years to inch its toe deeper into the lucrative used games market, but an unstable economy has a way of nudging business toward untapped reservoirs of cash. In September 2005, the big box retailer reportedly launched -- and apparently shelved -- a modest trial to buy back and resell used games. This week, Best Buy is rekindling the effort by installing trade-in kiosks in several of its Dallas and Austin locations, blogs CMO Barry Judge.

Judge explains that the kiosks scan inserted games for "functionality," and then issue vouchers that are "instantly redeemable" for Best Buy gift cards, which can be spent on any item in the store. In addition, some of the kiosks will double as rental stations for games and movies, and participating stores will also resell used games (presumably those dumped into the kiosks).

Best Buy's new initiative follows similar actions taken by Toys R Us, Amazon and Wal-Mart earlier this year, and as predicted by Lazard Capital Markets analyst Colin Sebastian. Sebastian continues to view the surge of business ventures into the used games market as an expansion of GameStop's existing foothold (though GameStop shares briefly tumbled today after the Best Buy news, as reported by WSJ) and argues to Gamasutra that software and hardware companies aren't necessarily being fleeced by the practice. "While many video game software publishers and console manufacturers view the used exchanges as cannibalizing sales, we note that consumers use a large portion of trade-in credit to purchase new products."

[Image credit: kylemac]

JoystiqBest Buy tests used game trade-in kiosks originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-buyfleecingtrade-inused-gamesTue, 23 Jun 2009 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst: Wal-Mart game trade-in kiosks are no threat to GameStop]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/analyst-wal-mart-game-trade-in-kiosks-are-no-threat-to-gamestop/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/analyst-wal-mart-game-trade-in-kiosks-are-no-threat-to-gamestop/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/analyst-wal-mart-game-trade-in-kiosks-are-no-threat-to-gamestop/#commentsSignal Hill analyst Todd Greenwald doesn't believe Wal-Mart's new automated game trade-in program will pose a threat to GameStop, calling the new kiosks "more of a traffic driver to Wal-Mart's stores ... than something that will take meaningful share from Gamestop's core consumers."

Greenwald believes that the instant-gratification factor of GameStop's trade-ins will insulate the chain from losing its market to Wal-Mart's machines. He also said that the credit offered by the kiosks "doesn't seem to be significantly higher than what GameStop is offering to pay."

He believes that these Wal-Mart kiosks are just the first of many such automated movie and game kiosks to appear in the near future, some of which, he expects, will not just buy and sell, but also trade products. Despite the oncoming competition, Greenwald calls GameStop "nearly bullet-proof," explaining that the company has several thousand copies of 50 Cent: Bulletproof. Okay, he didn't actually say that last part.

[Image via Neocrisis]

JoystiqAnalyst: Wal-Mart game trade-in kiosks are no threat to GameStop originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 May 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestoptrade-inused-gameswal-martwalmartWed, 20 May 2009 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wal-Mart wants your copy of NFL 2K1: Now accepting trade-ins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/wal-mart-wants-your-copy-of-nfl-2k1-now-accepting-trade-ins/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/wal-mart-wants-your-copy-of-nfl-2k1-now-accepting-trade-ins/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/18/wal-mart-wants-your-copy-of-nfl-2k1-now-accepting-trade-ins/#comments
Adding to the already robust list of big box retailers offering game trade-ins, Wal-Mart is apparently entering the fray with a variety of less than fantastically functioning trade-in kiosks (read as: robots). Some photos were snapped by the folks at NeoCrisis and, according to the writer's experience, GameStop probably shouldn't be too worried, as no games were actually able to be traded in.

Gamasutra spoke with Wal-Mart and has found out that the kiosks belong to E-Play, a company that specializes in game rental and trade-in kiosks that are hosted in a variety of locations. The current set of machines are part of a now running pilot program, found in only 0.02 percent of Wal-Mart's 3,656 US outlets. Good news, though! The machines are said to accept games from the Xbox and PlayStation 2 era as well, so you can finally get rid of that copy of Blinx you were really hoping would become rare some day!

Source 1 - CheapAssGamer
Source 2 - NeoCrisis
Source 3 - Gamasutra

JoystiqWal-Mart wants your copy of NFL 2K1: Now accepting trade-ins originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 May 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscheapassgamere-playeconomygamasutraneocrisistrade-inused-gameswal-martMon, 18 May 2009 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon trade-in values lag behind GameStop]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/amazon-trade-in-values-lag-behind-gamestop/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/amazon-trade-in-values-lag-behind-gamestop/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/amazon-trade-in-values-lag-behind-gamestop/#comments
According to a quick and dirty sampling done by What They Play, it looks like Amazon now offers significantly less than GameStop does for many used games. The study was conducted by looking up several popular titles for each major platform and comparing the trade-in values offered by GameStop, Amazon and Game Crazy. For many Wii and PS3 games, Amazon seems to offer much less than GameStop, while it curiously offers more for Xbox 360 games. Amazon trade-ins do have a few advantages over GameStop trades; one being that trade-in credit can be used to purchase anything on Amazon and not just games. Another advantage is that Amazon accepts trade-ins for many more platforms, going so far as to even accept NES titles.

Perhaps the biggest lesson of the study is that Game Crazy seems to offer more for used games than either GameStop or Amazon. Left 4 Dead is one of the more extreme examples, with Game Crazy offering $27.25, while Amazon and GameStop offer $20 and $17, respectively. Game Crazy isn't as big as GameStop and doesn't have as many stores, but it might be worth seeing if there's one near you.

JoystiqAmazon trade-in values lag behind GameStop originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazongame-crazygamestoptrade-intrade-in-valuesused-gamesThu, 16 Apr 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon offers extra incentive for trade-ins (limited time only)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/amazon-offers-extra-incentive-for-trade-ins-limited-time-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/amazon-offers-extra-incentive-for-trade-ins-limited-time-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/amazon-offers-extra-incentive-for-trade-ins-limited-time-only/#comments
Ever since Amazon revealed its trade-in program, GameStop has felt threatened. First, stock dropped 13% and CEO Dan DeMatteo gave Amazon a zero percent chance of succeeding, then EEDAR stepped in to get GameStop's back. It's like the Sharks vs. the Jets all over again.

Amazon isn't taking all of this lying down, however, as it just announced an extra perk for trading in games. Not only will you get an Amazon gift card for your games, but now you will also get $20 off select new releases if you trade in 4 games before April 12, 2009. Looking over the list of new games that are available, it would seem Amazon hasn't neglected any of note: Resident Evil 5, Halo Wars, Killzone 2, and MadWorld are all there.

[Via GamerDeals]

JoystiqAmazon offers extra incentive for trade-ins (limited time only) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazongamestoptrade-inThu, 26 Mar 2009 13:52:00 EST<![CDATA['Amazon is of little threat to GameStop's core business' says EEDAR]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/amazon-is-of-little-threat-to-gamestops-core-business-says-ee/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/amazon-is-of-little-threat-to-gamestops-core-business-says-ee/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/amazon-is-of-little-threat-to-gamestops-core-business-says-ee/#comments
Citing an Electronic Entertainment Design and Research (EEDAR) report released in the past week, GamesIndustry.biz is reporting today that, while the announcement of Amazon.com entering the used game trade triggered a 13% drop in GameStop stock, "Amazon is of little threat to GameStop's core business." According to EEDAR, this doesn't mean Amazon is doomed to fail, but that "Amazon and GameStop can co-exist peacefully," which sounds awfully nice to us on the consumer side of things.

How did they arrive at these rather broad conclusions, you ask? "EEDAR conducted a survey and recorded the trade-in value, used price, and new price of 79 game SKUs (57 that applied to the survey) at Amazon and GameStop." After doing so, they arrived at this, possibly shocking, revelation: "On average, GameStop offers a better value on trade-ins by over 3%." Seriously?

To round out the EEDAR report, we'll leave you with this one, astonishing truth: "Amazon's entry into the used gaming market will expand the used market into new territories and make available to new consumers rather than steal share away from GameStop's core business." So, what's the lesson here? Competition: good for consumers, (apparently) okay for retailers.

Joystiq'Amazon is of little threat to GameStop's core business' says EEDAR originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon.comanalystbusinesseconomyeedargames-industry-bizgamestopgamestop-stockmail-intrade-intrade-in-valuesused-gamesWed, 18 Mar 2009 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon vs. Toys R Us vs. GameStop: Which is the best trade-in service?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/amazon-vs-toys-r-us-vs-gamestop-which-is-the-best-trade-in-se/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/amazon-vs-toys-r-us-vs-gamestop-which-is-the-best-trade-in-se/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/10/amazon-vs-toys-r-us-vs-gamestop-which-is-the-best-trade-in-se/#commentsAmazon and Toys R Us have set their sights on some of GameStop's market with their new trade-in programs. But will they succeed? Is there any reason for customers to offload their junk with any of these new services? Cheap Ass Gamer's Shipwreck compared the three services to try to arrive at an answer.

Shipwreck examined each of the three services in terms of factors like commitment to used games, locations, ease of transactions, and, of course, price. The conclusion is a favorable one for GameStop: Shipwreck notes that GameStop has had competition before, and "Toys R Us and Amazon aren't positioned in ways that are significantly different than those who have already thrown their hats into the used game business ring."

JoystiqAmazon vs. Toys R Us vs. GameStop: Which is the best trade-in service? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazongamestoptrade-inused-gamesTue, 10 Mar 2009 14:31:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop stock drops 13% following Amazon trade-in program announcement]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/gamestop-stock-drops-13-following-amazon-trade-in-program-annou/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/gamestop-stock-drops-13-following-amazon-trade-in-program-annou/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/gamestop-stock-drops-13-following-amazon-trade-in-program-annou/#commentsEven though GameStop's CEO is confident that Amazon.com's plan to enter the used video game market won't be successful, it appears GameStop investors aren't as optimistic. Shares of the company dove 13% on Thursday, ending the trading day $3.54 lower.

Variety reports that Amazon.com's used game ambitions (and to a much lesser extent, Toys 'R' Us' plans) worried investors today, causing a huge GameStop stock sell-off. Used game sales account for 44% of GameStop's gross profit and having Amazon as a competitor in one of its most lucrative operations just doesn't bode well for its stock price. As far as we're concerned, competition among businesses is always good.

Shares of Amazon stock seem to be unaffected by today's news.

JoystiqGameStop stock drops 13% following Amazon trade-in program announcement originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon.comgamestoptrade-inThu, 05 Mar 2009 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop: Amazon trade-in program has zero percent chance of working]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/gamestop-amazon-trade-in-program-has-zero-percent-chance-of-wor/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/gamestop-amazon-trade-in-program-has-zero-percent-chance-of-wor/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/gamestop-amazon-trade-in-program-has-zero-percent-chance-of-wor/#comments
Thanks to advances in internet technology, inflammatory retorts between industry figures can now be developed and distributed at the speed of light. For instance, when Amazon announced today that it'd begun experimenting with a trade-in program for video games, GameStop CEO Dan DeMatteo formulated his response and fired it off to Edge Magazine in the blink of an eye: "I give the probability of this working at zero," he promptly declared.

DeMatteo explained that Electronics Boutique attempted to apply the same mail-in trade offer that Amazon is working with several years ago, reaping unfavorable results. "With consumers, there is an immediacy for currency when they want to buy a new game," he explained. He also stated that -- okay, listen, we'd love to finish this post, but we've got this copy of Ty the Tazmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue sitting on our bookshelf, and if we don't trade it in within the next few minutes, we are going to totally freak out.

JoystiqGameStop: Amazon trade-in program has zero percent chance of working originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonDan-dematteogamestopmail-intrade-inused-gamesThu, 05 Mar 2009 18:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon testing trade-in program]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/amazon-testing-trade-in-program/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/amazon-testing-trade-in-program/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/05/amazon-testing-trade-in-program/#commentsWe like buying games on Amazon, because we like saving money and we despise the nightmarish no man's land called "anywhere outside of our house." But sometimes we must brave the elements and go to GameStop: specifically, when we have some junk to trade in. Amazon is working to correct this issue: like Toys R Us, the retailer has started a trade-in program for video games!

To trade a game in to Amazon, all you have to do is visit the trade-in section of the site, select the games you want to trade in (at least $10 worth), print a free shipping label and send it out. You'll get a gift card in return -- plus an extra 10% if you do it before March 19. Unfortunately, the trade-in values seem roughly commensurate with GameStop's, which means they're pretty low. But sometimes eBay is such a hassle!

We wonder about GameStop's future if enough retailers band together to provide GameStop's services without requiring people to visit GameStop's stores.

[Via CAG]

JoystiqAmazon testing trade-in program originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazontrade-inused-gamesThu, 05 Mar 2009 11:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: To sport, or not to sport]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/wii-warm-up-to-sport-or-not-to-sport/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/wii-warm-up-to-sport-or-not-to-sport/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/14/wii-warm-up-to-sport-or-not-to-sport/#commentsFiled under:


Wii Sports is actually worth a bit of money. We know. We checked. Why? Well, we were thinking about how often we really play it when the idea for this Wii Warm Up came to mind.

So, what about you all? How do you feel toward Wii Sports? Have you gotten rid of your copy? Plan to now? When was the last time you played it?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: To sport, or not to sport originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>resaletrade-inwii-sportsWed, 14 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New troops charity seeks your handheld spares]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/new-troops-charity-seeks-your-handheld-spares/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/new-troops-charity-seeks-your-handheld-spares/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/new-troops-charity-seeks-your-handheld-spares/#commentsFiled under:



You should have seen us when we were fifteen. 'Orrible, we were. All sulky, zit-ridden, and full of attitude (of course, we're regular sunbeams now) as we moped around in our NAFNAF jumpers and spent most of our free time scowling at the profound injustice of the world.

We certainly weren't as impressive or as honorable as, say, young teens Peter Gallagher and Jack Wilson, who spent an inordinate amount of time and effort setting up GamesforHeroes.com, a non-profit, registered charity that aims to get handheld games and systems (DSes, Game Boys, that Sony one, N-Gages) into the mitts of the brave men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gallagher tipped our daddy site Joystiq about their project, and asked if they could shed some light on this worthy cause. They did, and now we're doing the same!

Obviously, there are similar initiatives going on elsewhere -- at least one of which we've posted about -- but you can never have enough goodwill, eh? Hit the "Read" link below to see how you can help out.

[Via Joystiq]

JoystiqNew troops charity seeks your handheld spares originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charitydonategamesforheroes.commilitarytrade-introopsWed, 09 Apr 2008 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Trade-ins]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/wii-warm-up-trade-ins/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/wii-warm-up-trade-ins/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/09/wii-warm-up-trade-ins/#commentsFiled under:



News of GameStop's trade-in offer on Mario Kart Wii may well have had some of you sifting through your collections for those barely used copies of Cabela's Big Game Hunter and Carnival Games, but is trading in your games a regular thing for you kids? This blogger has always been something of an anti-hoarder, and consequently I've become a serial trader in the last year or two, after discovering that reasonable deals could be had on the high street, if you look in the right places.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Trade-ins originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cabelas-big-game-huntercarnival-gamesgamestopmario-kartspecial-offertrade-inwwuWed, 09 Apr 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trade-ins can get you Mario Kart for $10]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/trade-ins-can-get-you-mario-kart-for-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/trade-ins-can-get-you-mario-kart-for-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/04/07/trade-ins-can-get-you-mario-kart-for-10/#commentsFiled under:

We haven't come across many deals for Mario Kart Wii, but one way that you might be able to get the game cheaply is through GameStop. By now, most of you are probably familiar with how the games retailer works (and can efficiently read post titles), so the fact that trade-ins are involved shouldn't surprise you. Specifically, though, this deal is like the recent Brawl one -- you have to trade in two games from a preset list of titles, and then you can pick up Mario Kart for ten dollars.

Just check after the break for the complete list to see if there are any two games you can part with.

Gallery: Mario Kart Wii

Continue reading Trade-ins can get you Mario Kart for $10

JoystiqTrade-ins can get you Mario Kart for $10 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gamestopmario-kartmario-kart-wiiracingspecial-offertrade-inMon, 07 Apr 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop to stop taking Game Boys]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/gamestop-to-stop-taking-game-boys/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/gamestop-to-stop-taking-game-boys/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/31/gamestop-to-stop-taking-game-boys/#commentsFiled under:

Are you looking to finally unload your Game Boy, Game Boy Color, or any accompanying games? We'd suggest doing so sooner rather than later, because in a few days it will be too late (at GameStop, at least). As it turns out, the games retailer will no longer be taking these trade-ins as of April 7th.

If you own these systems, though, there's a good chance that you either a) sold them a long time ago or b) have no plans to ever sell them, so we're sure this is a non-issue, for the most part. Still, this makes us feel old.

[Via GoNintendo]

JoystiqGameStop to stop taking Game Boys originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-boygame-boy-colorgamestoptrade-inMon, 31 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Play Haze for a week, get all your money back]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/play-haze-for-a-week-get-all-your-money-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/play-haze-for-a-week-get-all-your-money-back/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/11/play-haze-for-a-week-get-all-your-money-back/#commentsFiled under:


Canadian EB Games stores are partaking in one of the most ... intriguing trade-in offers we've ever seen. If you pre-order Haze and return it within a week, you'll get all your money back (in the form of store credit, of course). What could this possibly mean? It seems to suggest that EB Games is placing a vote of no-confidence in this PS3 exclusive. Are they expecting people to return the game so soon after picking it up?

We're imagining this might not be a closed-loop system. Imagine this, if you will: you buy Haze, get the store credit, and then buy the same used copy you sold back to the store for cheaper, and pocket the difference. Then, return the game again ...

It won't actually work that way, but it would be a humorous loophole to take advantage of. (Oh, and we highly doubt American GameStop stores will be as dumb generous.)

JoystiqPlay Haze for a week, get all your money back originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eb-gamesgamestophazetrade-inTue, 11 Mar 2008 08:30:00 EST