GameStop And Microsoft Enter Multi-Year Partnership Ahead Of Xbox Series X Launch

The customer service experience is set to change at GameStop as the company enters a multi-year partnership with Microsoft. The deal enables the retailer to provide a "differentiated and personalized in-store customer experience" centered around more advanced tools through Microsoft assets like Dynamics 365, Surface notebooks, and Teams.

These changes will make GameStop feel more like an Apple store or Best Buy, with store associates walking around with Surface devices in hand and gaining access to customer information through Microsoft's cloud-based platforms. Both Dynamics 365 and Teams aim to enhance GameStop's productivity and collaboration tools to smooth out back-end and in-store experiences. These platforms give associates more detailed information on product availability, customer preferences and purchase history, subscriptions and prices, and upcoming or ongoing promotions.

This collaboration comes as GameStop announced payment plans for Microsoft's upcoming next-gen consoles, the Xbox Series S and Series X, earlier this week. The plans come in three different offerings--Installment, Layaway, and Rent-to-Own--and give customers plenty of time to pay the systems off. These payment plans are also available for the PlayStation 5.

In addition to the payment plans, GameStop and Microsoft teamed up for the Xbox All Access program, a 24-month payment plan for both next-gen Xbox systems that include Game Pass Ultimate. The plan costs $25 per month for the Series S and $35 per month for the Series X.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer spoke highly of GameStop in a press release, saying the company has been a "go-to-market partner" for many years and an integral part of the gaming ecosystem.

"For many years GameStop has been a strong go-to-market partner for our gaming products, and we are excited about continuing and evolving that relationship for the launch of the Xbox Series X/S," Spencer said. "GameStop's extensive store base, focus on digital transformation in an omni-channel environment and expert gamer associates remain an important part of our gaming ecosystem, and we're pleased to elevate our partnership."

GameStop has continued to struggle, especially during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In April 2020, CEO George Sherman took a 50 percent pay cut as GameStop prepared to re-open its stores over the summer. And last month the company announced plans to close between 400 and 450 stores globally. However, GameStop's stock increased following the deal, the highest it has been since early 2019. Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fis-Aime sits on GameStop's board of directors.

Microsoft's upcoming consoles, the Xbox Series S and Series X, launch on November 10 for $300 and $500, respectively. Check out our Xbox Series S/X preorder guide to learn more about where to pick one up and the accessories compatible with the new hardware.