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GameStop has been accused of deceptively misleading” a customer into believing that a pre-owned copy of Dragon Age: Origins came with all the DLC extras advertised on the box.
The BioWare RPG employs a similar model to Mass Effect 2’s Cerberus Network where new copies come with a code that can be used to download additional game content. Second hand versions do not contain the code – though of course the game’s sleeve will still advertise the content.
IGN reports that customer James Collins has taken exception to the fact that despite saving $5 on the price of buying a new game by opting for a pre-owned copy, he faced a further $15 charge to buy a code from EA to access the advertised included DLC.
He was subsequently told that he couldn’t return the game as the retailer seven-day returns period had expired.
GameStop, who makes more than 20 per cent of its revenue and nearly $2bn from the sale of used video games, is aware of this issue, and continues to fail to alert customers that this content is not available on used games,” the lawsuit reads.
As a result, GameStop tricks consumers into paying more for a used game than they would if they purchased the same game and content new.”
GameStop had previously claimed that the new trend of rewarding new purchases with free DLC will not deter sales of pre-owned titles.
