“Discouraging Resales Hurts The Consumer, Too”… according to GameStop.  I try to check out Gamasutra at least once a week and stumbled upon an article about how GameStop claims used game sales actually help the consumer.  While it’s obvious they would say this due to the nature of their empire, I find it hard to believe that used game sales actually benefit anyone other than GameStop.

Due to the current economy, many developers and publishers will be trying to encourage the sales of new games and discourage the sales of used games.  This is also an obvious stance for them to take.  While I do think used game sales is good for GameStop, it’s certainly no bargain for consumers or publishers.

Continue reading »

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: Bargain, Consumers, Developers, Developers And Publishers, economy, Empire, Game Day, Game Help, Game Sales, Gamestop, nature, New Games, Next Morning, Point Of View, Publishers, Sales Help, Same Game

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 was a terrible game I traded  to GameStop less than 24 hours after I picked it up.  You’ve probably been wondering if 2009 would be a better game and after several days of playing the new title, I now have an answer for you.

When it comes to wrestling, we haven’t seen a good option on Nintendo systems since the good old days of the N64. It looks like the dry days of bad wrestling on Nintendo may have finally come to an end. While the game is still better on the PS3, if Nintendo is your thing, the Wii version ia surprisingly good.

THQ Statement:

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Wii builds upon its inaugural offering by significantly expanding its match type options, giving players more ways to enjoy the platform’s unique pick-up-and-play experience. The game also takes full combat sports entertainment to the next level by giving players more Superstar control with interactive entrances and victory scenes. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 for Wii also includes a wide variety of new weapons, the debut of online gameplay and much more.

Continue reading »

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: array, Better Game, Combat Sports, Gameplay, gamer, games, Gamestop, Improvements, N64, New Additions, Next Level, Nintendo Systems, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii, Play Games, Smackdown Vs Raw 2008, Smackdown Vs Raw 2009, Sony PS3, Sony PS3, Sports Entertainment, Story Mode, Type Options, Wwe Smackdown, Wwe Smackdown Vs Raw, Wwe Smackdown Vs Raw 2008, Wwe Smackdown Vs Raw 2009

On October 16th, Resistance 2 Beta codes were sent out to a “Premiere” group.  Second wave coming next week.

The latest Resistance 2 news has left us kinda sad.  Why, you ask?  Cause we didn’t get our R2 Beta Codes.  So after some investigation I felt better.  I had a coke and a smile…  I read on blog.playstation that there are 2 waves of Beta code for Resistance 2.

Premeire Wave:
a Premiere wave which includes those that pre-ordered at GameStop, individuals who subscribed to QORE for one year and/or bought the episode featuring Resistance 2 and a recent contest from GamePro.com. Those of you in the Premiere wave should be receiving an email with a registration code between now and tomorrow afternoon.

2nd Wave & Europe:
A second wave is starting in the middle of next week, and you apply to be a part of it by going to beta.myresistance.net once the site goes live (later tonight). For those of you across the pond in Europe, the public beta will also begin next week.

Keep ya head up kid, There’s always Next Week!

written by Juan Perez \\ tags: Amp, Beta Code, coke, email, Episode 2, Europe, Gamestop, Latest News, Myresistance Net, Playstation, Premeire, Premiere Group, Public Beta, R2, Registration Code, Resistance, Second Wave, Smile, Waves

Gamestop Adventures, Dead Space, and More!

Boomp3.com (Run time: 9:16)

Jeremy and Carlos dabbled in some Gamestop stories and realized that it was one of THOSE Tuesdays. Yes, the boring ones. Still, they managed to do some rambling about a thing or two in gaming on today’s episode.

Bonus! - Weather Report 2. Now, with more Santa Ana winds!

written by Carlos Macias \\ tags: bonus, Dead Space, Episode 2, Gamestop, Kezcast, Run Time, Santa Ana Winds, Weather Report

Coming to the Nintendo Wii on October 7th, Sam and Max: Season One will retail for $29.99.  Pre-order Bonus now available at GameStop.

One of the best point-and-click adventure games from the ’90’s, TellTales games will be releasing Sam & Max: Season One to the Wii on October 7th.  I’ve always been a fan of Sam & Max since their days with LucasArts in the title Sam & Max: Hit the Road.  For me, that time was the booming era of point-and-click PC games.  Funny, witty and cleverly confusing story lines made for a great game to play.  My wish is for point-and-click adventure games to make a comeback.  We already know that “A Vampyre Story” is attempting to make their run for it.  And we support them 110%, like we do under-wire brassieres.

Specs on Bonus:

Reserve Sam and Max: Season One and receive the GameStop exclusive Bonus CD. Offer good while supplies last.

The Bonus CD Includes:

Continue reading »

written by Juan Perez \\ tags: Gamestop, Nintendo Wii, sam and max

Gamestop is trying to spice all things Guitar Hero up with a competition that involves you sending in a photo of your family, or mom in particular, to them for a chance at wining grand prizes.

We try hard here at kezins.com to present a sane point of view on gender issues in the gaming industry. Kotaku takes the whole thing in a “milf” direction and only feeds the misogyny. I’m overstating it for dramatic effect, of course, but after a few years of participating in the online gaming community one can’t help but feel that people need different perspectives on these sort of things.

This isn’t of course just concerning gaming. This is about the music industry as well, and if we were going to talk about that… well, this just wouldn’t end now would it?

So, to keep this short, think about these things from a different perspective than the normal “dude she’s a total milf”-perspective, that’s all we ask of you. No need to pick sides or anything, just try to acknowledge that these things are present in our culture.

written by Jesper Sellerberg \\ tags: Gamestop, Guitar-Hero, Kotaku, milf

Some people were under the impression that the Nintendo Wii shortage was coming to an end. Those people were obviously wrong. According to GameStop, the Wii shortage will continue through Christmas. At this point, I’d honestly have to say that the shortage is certainly intentional on Nintendo’s part. It’s an obvious marketing strategy and it’s worked so far. I have a feeling that when there are plenty of Wiis on shelves, the product will not be as appealing to the general consumer. Some credit Wii Fit for the continued shortage, but Nintendo has known about the shortage issue for how long now?

Check out the article at Gamasutra to find out more.

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: Gamestop, Nintendo, Nintendo Wii, Shortage

People have been suspicious of this for years now. Accusations are always made, but nothing has ever been done about it. Does GameStop sell used games as new? I am 100% convinced that they do in fact sell used games as new games. I was suspicious of this practice several years ago when I bought a few new games that seemed to have “used level” scratches on them. When I took them back to the store, the manager apologized and replaced the discs. I got what I wanted, so I was satisfied for the time being.

Over the years, I have questioned GameStop’s reasoning for new games coming in cases that were already open. Most of the time, you will hear that they like to keep empty cases on the shelves to prevent theft. While this makes sense, it also makes it real easy for them to pull off the shady business practice they are accused of. With the numerous complaints all over the internet concerning this activity, I am sure the corporation is aware of the complaints, yet they do nothing about it. Would it be too hard for them to just put cardboard inserts on the shelves and give you a new unopened game when you get to the counter?

Continue reading »

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: Accusations, business, fact, game, Gamestop, level, manager, New, nothing, practice, sell, shopping, State, store, time

(click on the above image for larger view)

When Assassin’s Creed came out in 2007, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the game.  Looking back on it, I’d say the complaints about AC probably fell into the “Fable problem”.  Basically that means that sometimes a game is so hyped by the media and publisher that you feel cheated once you play the game.  Fable was one of those games I waited years for and felt upset when I finally got my hands on it, even though it was still a pretty good game.  The same thing went for Assassin’s Creed.  I guess I was expecting medieval Sam Fisher assassin on crack and just got a regular medieval assassin experience with a sci-fi twist. With that said, there were still plenty of sites that gave AC praise from the jump.  I simply expected more at the time.

If you didn’t get a chance to play AC, it’s currently selling for $29.99 at GameStop which is truly a steal for what you are getting.  Forget what the critics said back in 2007 because it’s certainly worth 30 dollars now. The game (’Assassin’s Creed’ Director’s Cut) still looks and plays better on the PC, but if Xbox 360 or Sony PS3 is your platform of choice, this is the way to go. 

The great things about Assassin’s Creed:

• The graphics were awesome.  This was perhaps the most visually appealing game of 2007.
• Sound effects and music were spot on.
• Environments were huge and made you feel like you were in a real city.
• The controls were fairly fluid.
• Free running environment is great for the adventurous type.
• Missions can be completed through various methods.
• The main plot was interesting.

written by Will Snizek \\ tags: Assassin, assassin's creed, Creed, deal, Fable, fan, Fisher, game, Gamestop, hot, medieval, Microsoft Xbox 360, problem, publisher, Sam, Sony PS2-PS3, thing, trilogy, Ubisoft, wasn

Kezins.com recently asked if you thought LittleBigPlanet would impact PS3 Sales. To our surprise, many of you said “Yes, it will”. Carlos recently wrote what you’ll get with either GameStop’s or Amazon’s version of LittleBigPlanet coming October 21st.

Here is what Amazon’s deal will offer:

Amazon.com Exclusive Pre-Order Bonus
Pre-order today and receive an Amazon.com exclusive official “LittleBigPlanet Creator” MiniGuide. Instructions will be e-mailed to pre-order customers after the game has released. Offer good while supplies last. Offer limited to products shipped and sold by Amazon.com.

written by Juan Perez \\ tags: Amazon, bonus, Carlos, com, deal, Don, Gamestop, Kezins, LittleBigPlanet, Offer, Order, Pre, Pre-order, recentlty, surprise, Today, version