GameStop wants in on development to improve pre-order exclusives

Retailer GameStop wans to increase the amount of exclusive content it can offer customers who use it to pre-order games.

VentureBeat reports that to do this it has embarked on a strategy of buddying up with publishers and developers – ideally early on in the development process.

GamesStop indicated that software publishers are more enthusiastic about partnering with it,” Baird analyst Colin Sebastian said. For example, by offering exclusive content on each major game release, and longer term, future models may include GameStop offering exclusive gameplay.”

This apparently includes getting involved at the time of game development where there could be some content exclusive to [the retailer] included in the game”.

GameStop PR rep Jackie Smith added: We are working with our [development] partners to build in a longer lead time. And we are working with them to get both physical and digital exclusives for our customers.”

The retailer told MCV recently that it has various plans for its UK operations, chief of which is a loyalty program for its online customers.