Sony stops letting retailers sell digital game codes.

Beginning in April, Sony will no longer sell digital game codes to Gamestop, Best Buy, Amazon etc. Playstation gamers will then only be able to buy digital games through PSN. What do you guys think about this change in business model? Does it seem anti-consumer or do you even care about digital downloads?

https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2019/03/22/sony-stop-psn-digital-codes-retailers/

I always use sony's store only a fool would buy from other places

wow first post is a fraud corporate slave defending loss of options.

Sony is losing a lot of brownie points lately.

Don’t the codes come on the receipt?

That’s easy to lose especially if you’re going other places other than just one of those retailers.

I don’t think this is a big deal and more of a positive than a nagative.

@ProtossRushX: lmao, do all console gamers like to jus talk frm. Their a#@?

There will be tons of mental gymnastics in this thread saying how it’s a good thing and thank you Sony for taking away options smh

I can see why they wouldn't offer it themselves, but why go out of the way to stop everyone else?

I guess it will make PSN sales look better on Amazon...hopefully its all part of renovating the whole store.

Not good. They are doing that to be able to better control prices.

Funny coming from a Nintendo fanboy.

Sell it on epic games store. Exclusively.

I think this move can hurt Sony's game sales, because why buy an overpriced digital game when you can buy the physical game cheaper from the bargain bin at Gamestop? Is this move signalling an all digital future for PS5? Probably not, but there's a good possibility there could be disc-less versions of PS4/PS5 in the works.

It's a stupid move and I don't like it. I don't like putting my card information online regardless of platform. It's just not a smart thing to do. If you take the option to away from me and force me to do it, I just won't do it at all. The safety of my bank account is more important to me than anything on sale on PSN.

you get wallpapers and tons of goodies from sony's shop, they give you deal on games if you buy a lot through their store amazon didn't give shit

Don’t kid yourselves folks, buying physical is the only way to go on consoles. Don’t let these mega corporations trick you into thinking otherwise. The only reason they want to go all digital and streaming is because it benefits them greatly while sticking it to the consumer

I don't think it matters that much which makes me wonder why is Sony doing this. Another bad PR move from Sony.

Phony, the one and only, strikes again. :P

Why? Wouldn't Sony get the same money either way?

That's lame. How will you get digital codes when buying a console bundle with a game?

Yeah, i'm a touch confused as well.

I think it would be like buying a monetary card for the store... You don't pay tax, and the profit would be tied directly into the cost on the storefront.

The downside of this is that we'll no longer be able to present people with digital games.

But please stop the anti consumer bullshit.

@lundy86_4: true, I didn't think that through.

@xantufrog: I'm assuming they must get the same money. This just seems strange if that is the case.

@true_link: what is with you? You literally just listed a problem it poses to consumers and then demanded people shut up about anticonsumer practices.

*edit* never mind. Just another shitty ban dodge. Of course you'd be so contrarian

I just read IGN's article, and they're still selling monetary cards, but aren't providing specific game codes. So, essentially you're paying more to load your wallet, and then purchasing the game with said funds. In Canada, i'd have to buy a $100 card, and then purchase a game for $80.

What this says is that Sony really wants your credit card number tied to your account. No more making cash purchases at a brick and mortar shop if you want a digital copy.

Nope. When you buy through a store, the store gets a cut of the sale. When you buy directly from Sony, they get 100% of the sale.

@dzimm: yeah I didn't think that through - seems obvious (otherwise there's no incentive to the store)

I think they're losing money, somehow. They've been doing a lot of things in the past few months to trim the fat.

Just wanted to point out that PSN money cards are still available, so this does not force you to use your credit card on psn.

"Options? Safety? F*** you!" - Sony

(Though to be fair, I hate that how I have to buy classic XBOX and 360 content on XBL through a debit/credit card, making gift cards worthless unless it's BONE content)

I think -- think -- that if you buy a digital game from GameStop and you're a Power Up Rewards member, that digital code is also then available in a "digital locker" on the PUR website.

If you can buy the "physical game cheaper from the bargain bin," why would you have bought the digital version there even if it was available?

Related topic: has there been any research into how the money is split up on digital game purchases made at physical stores such as GameStop and Best Buy? Yes, the store gets the entire $60 purchase, but then where does it go from there since the code has to be paid for, and does Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo get a cut?

I've always found Sony's sales to be cheaper than any other store(digitally). So that's where I buy all my games, plus get Sony rewards.

Non-issue unless im missing something? You just buy PSN Money Cards and buy the game instead? PSN store has good deals also, i got a $60 card last summer n got new Uncharted, TLOU remastered, and Nioh.

I did all of this via mobile n didnt have to go in the store n get read the riot act of what else i can buy/preorder..

I buy all my digital games though psn anyway.

IIRC, this was an issue with MS not allowing real-world money purchases last-gen, and getting stuck with extra points. It essentially means you're gonna have extra funds in your wallet. That's all fine, so long as you wanna put that money to something else, but chances are you'll always be carrying some form of a balance.

Some of you will find anything to bitch about. This is seriously the biggest nonissue ever.

Same here.

It's really kinda pointless to buy a code for a digital game at a store instead of your own home. Just buy it from the console's store at home and those codes never go on sale anyways so this is hardly a big deal.

Same goes for Xbox One digital game codes.

For the players. ?

Anyway this is just a bit more of a hassle for consumers. Sure you can just buy the monetary cards still but unlike buying just the game code this always leaves you with money just sitting in your virtual wallet.

OWNT!

Seriously though, there's no harm in letting people buy codes from the store. Especially for people who aren't quite comfortable with giving Sony (or any game company) CC info. Everything's gotta be a damn storefront doubling-down these days.

Well I'm sure Sony has overhauled their network systems after the last few data breaches. Should be totally fine.

Sony is just doubling-down on limiting consumer choice. Sony knows there are too many options out there and it can be confusing.

Taking away options is more of a positive than negative? Hahahahaa dude you have problems

I don't know how it's divided up, but it stands to reason that each gets a bigger cut simply because digital purchases are inherently less costly since they don't have to be printed or shipped and don't take up shelf space.

@ProtossRushX: Only a fool would trust a company that leaked their entire customer base’s credit card information to thieves.

Yea, that happened.

I'm to lazy to sign on amazon to grab a code and input that code by using the PSN store. So i just buy it directly from PSN.

Has no effect to me, since they never sold those here. But it's interesting that they are stopping. Wonder if they can't afford it or devs and 3rd party aren't giving them any?

This won't affect me as when I do buy codes, I buy them directly from PSN. Others seem to be upset, though, so I'm curious as to the reasoning behind this move.

@Sevenizz: Maybe I'm misremembering, or maybe you're talking about something besides the 2011 network outage, but I'm not sure "leaked" is entirely accurate; they were hacked. And I'm not sure that it was all CC info, but mostly name, address, email, etc... not that it makes it ok.

Now if that makes you untrustworthy of Sony's ability to guard your information, I totally understand. They f'ed up hard. And now taking away purchasing options for people who don't want their info online seems ill advised.

They should be more transparent as to why they're doing this.