Neoseeker : News : Microsoft Store allows customers to pick and print PC games

Microsoft Store allows customers to pick and print PC games
Lydia Sung - Friday, October 23rd, 2009 | 4:19PM (PT) 0 Like Favourites (0)


Buy a game, have it made in-store with disc and case

Microsoft Store allows customers to pick and print PC games Image 1

Microsoft opened their first retail store on October 22 in Scottsdale, Arizona, timed with the official release of Windows 7.  As you might expect, the new Microsoft Store sells Windows software, Zune media players, Xbox 360s, and other stuff you won't find in an Apple Store.

Oh, but in addition to Microsoft merchandise, the store lets customers print their PC game purchases in-store.  Basically you can browse the store's selection at a PC games kiosk, select a game, pay for it, and have the disc, case, insert, and instruction manual printed on the spot.  The whole process takes about four minutes and produces a retail quality game; it's definite perk for gamers who like having physical copies.

An awesome idea, and we hope it works out.  No idea how the pricing works compared to game retailers though.  If you happen to be in Scottsdale, stop by the store and send pictures!

Source: That VideoGame Blog

Section: PC Games

  • 2 thumbs!
    chautemoc since Mar 2008 | Oct 24, 09
    I'm thinking this will be the model for digital and physical distribution going forward (i.e. purchase a game at any digital outlet; if you want the physical thing, go to Microsoft Store or other retailer for printing). So cool. Kudos to them for kicking this off.
    Last edited by chautemoc :: Oct 24, 09
  • 0 thumbs!
    jdj1976 since Sep 2008 | Oct 24, 09
    i like this more than just downloading game
    i always like having a hard copy just in case
  • 0 thumbs!
    Northern49 since May 2005 | Oct 24, 09
    Couldn't you just download a copy onto your HDD, then burn the downloaded copy onto a disc?
  • 1 thumbs!
    VeGiTAX2 since Apr 2001 | Oct 24, 09
    Most games don't download in a format that can be reinstalled, often they work through devices like Steam or EADM or Impulse and so on.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Dunnyhf | Oct 24, 09
    Wow, imagine a store with physical copies of every single pc game ever made. I wonder if they make collector's editions of games too. If they did, it would defeat the purpose of them being limited.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Chaotic since Jul 2008 | Oct 24, 09
    quote Dunnyhf
    Wow, imagine a store with physical copies of every single pc game ever made. I wonder if they make collector's editions of games too. If they did, it would defeat the purpose of them being limited.
    They could just take them off the list after a certain amount of time elapses, like 3 months or something.
  • -1 thumbs!
    Northern49 since May 2005 | Oct 24, 09
    Why do people keep thumbs-downing my comment?
  • 1 thumbs!
    Xenctuary since May 2001 | Oct 24, 09
    Very cool idea, I wonder how it will work in practice.
  • 3 thumbs!
    RabidChinaGirl since Oct 2007 | Oct 24, 09
    quote Xenctuary
    Very cool idea, I wonder how it will work in practice.
    Hopefully well enough for them to open one near me.
  • 0 thumbs!
    Prince Sander since Aug 2004 | Oct 24, 09
    This is a great idea. If this works out well, while it's a long stretch it'd be amazing if companies did this with console games too at other retailers. Imagine going to a game store and not having to worry about limited shelf space and them choosing between which games to have in stock. You'd be able to choose any game you want and have it printed there and retailers would be able to make a higher profit due to them selling more games.
  • -2 thumbs!
    bruceleethree since Nov 2005 | Oct 24, 09
    Hey this is great, too bad PC games are non-existent and the good ones are either ports, delayed or never made for PC.

    viva la PC gaming.
  • 1 thumbs!
    Supernova1332 since May 2009 | Oct 24, 09
    PC games are non existent? Do you spend time on a computer at all? While there may not be as many as consoles (And in most cases thank god for that) there is still a decent selection.
    Microsoft did something awesome for once... I'm very surprised.
  • 1 thumbs!
    chautemoc since Mar 2008 | Oct 24, 09
    We're going to have two great PC game reviews (one exclusive, one PC-centric/optimized) up within the next week. I hope they change your mind some.
    Last edited by chautemoc :: Oct 24, 09
  • 0 thumbs!
    tallteen86 since Feb 2003 | Oct 24, 09
    quote Dunnyhf
    Wow, imagine a store with physical copies of every single pc game ever made. I wonder if they make collector's editions of games too. If they did, it would defeat the purpose of them being limited.
    I doubt they'll do collector's editions, namely because the CEs and LEs include special items, like figures, artbooks, etc.
  • 4 thumbs!
    Redemption since Mar 2000 | Oct 24, 09
    I like this, ALOT. This is probably one of the smartest initiatives that MS has done to "save" PC gaming. I've noticed more and more shelf space at EB and other stores is being re-allocated to console games, and often I can't even find the games I want at stores. I bet that's one reason for the success of Steam, Impulse etc (longer "shelf life" of titles).
  • 0 thumbs!
    VeGiTAX2 since Apr 2001 | Oct 24, 09
    This is extremely handy, older games are a pain to get ahold of and the few that can appear on Digital Distribution can vanish at anytime if the developer goes under. I have quite a list of classics I'd like to see physical copies of once again and even more that I know they probably do not have (OMF 2097 was awesome)
  • 0 thumbs!
    chautemoc since Mar 2008 | Oct 24, 09
    ^Publisher you mean.
    GOG takes care of the preservation of old games thing.
    Last edited by chautemoc :: Oct 24, 09
  • 0 thumbs!
    Darcshadow7 since Nov 2009 | 2 days 22 hours ago
    Holy Crap! I have to go there! I live about maybe 30 - 40 mins from there!
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