GameStop Will Warn Consumers About Online Fees

Games buyers visiting GameStop stores in California will soon see
signs warning them of the likelihood of additional publisher fees for
downloadable content for used games.


Today, a class settlement was reached forcing the retailer to post signs
in its California stores for the next two years. GameStop is also
required to reimburse certain consumers who paid for used games without
realizing there would be extra fees for online play.


The lawsuit was instigated in March 2010,
soon after a gamer, James Collins, bought a used copy of Dragon Age:
Origins from a GameStop store in Hayward, California. Collins paid $55
for the game, $5 less than a brand new copy, only to realize he had to
pay more to access online features which would have come as standard
with a new game.






Mark Pifko, Baron and Budd attorney and counsel in the lawsuit said, "We
are pleased that as a result of this lawsuit, we were able to obtain
complete restitution for consumers, with actual money paid out to people
who were harmed by GameStop's conduct."


He added, "The in-store and online warnings are an important benefit
under the settlement as well, because if GameStop discloses the truth to
consumers, it is unlikely that they will be able to continue selling
used copies of certain games for only $5 less than the price of a new
copy. In fact, we already know that not long after the lawsuit was
filed, GameStop lowered prices for used copies of many of the game
titles identified in the lawsuit."


IGN has contacted GameStop for comment, specifically on whether or not
the company plans to post signs in its retail outlets outside
California.