GameStop: trade BF3 to get MW3 for £0.99

By Robert Purchese Published 20 October, 2011

Will you?

GameStop UK will sell you Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 for £0.99 if you trade-in Battlefield 3.

To enable the deal, buy Battlefield 3 before midnight on 27th October; then buy Modern Warfare 3 before midnight on 7th November; then send Battlefield 3 back so that GameStop receives it before 18th November.

If those steps are followed, your GameStop account will be refunded for MW3 minus £0.99.

That means you get around three weeks of Battlefield 3 play before you must send the game back.

Note that Activision increased the RRP of Call of Duty games to £54.99 back with Modern Warfare 2. Normal games sell for RRP £49.99, and shops usually knock at least £10 off of that.

That's why Modern Warfare 3 costs £41.97 at GameStop while Battlefield 3 costs £36.97.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds. @Clert on Twitter.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (68) Latest comment 7 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • metalangel #1 7 months ago

    NO WYA MAN BF3 IS THE MOST BEST GAME EVAR HOW CUD U SELL IT

  • geeza2020 #2 7 months ago

    This all sounds very elaborate and pointless.

  • MrChuckles #3 7 months ago

    That's nice of them then...

    Basically they are saying, don't buy Battlefield until COD comes out and you can buy it a lot cheaper 2nd hand and screw over the publisher.

  • Adamical #4 7 months ago

    Good luck with that, GameStop.

  • bobdebob #5 7 months ago

    Not too confidant in BF3 I see.
    Edited by bobdebob at 20/10/11 @ 11:30

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #6 7 months ago

    so there basically saying you can rent it for 10 days for 99p, but getting round all the licensing problems involved in renting, in a very convoluted manner.

  • Mattb90 #7 7 months ago

    As MW3 is more than 99p more expensive than BF3 then it's probably worth it for anyone wanting to get MW3 (unless you can find it cheaper than £37.96), regardless of whether they want BF3. And if you want to keep BF3 when you get MW3, pick up a second copy of BF3 to get it cheaper. They must be rather desperate to get your custom in the first place.

  • Umang #8 7 months ago

    Not in a million years!

  • arcam #9 7 months ago

    So if you play Battlefield for 3 weeks first, you get MW3 for £38. If you don't, you get MW3 for £42.

    Basically they are paying you £4 to own BF3 for 3 weeks.
    Edited by arcam at 20/10/11 @ 11:36

  • TheDudesRug #10 7 months ago

    We have GameStop in the UK?

  • Davemanz #11 7 months ago

    The profit margin they'll turn around by selling BF3 used for 5% off is what forces pubs like EA to charge an online pass fee for used copies. I'm glad EA's doing that: not to punish people who buy games used per se, but to encourage Gamestop to sell the game for $10 less.

  • arcam #12 7 months ago

    We have GameStop in the UK?

    There's a link in the article: http://www.gamestop.co.uk/mw3for99p

  • wizlon #13 7 months ago

    This is wrong, but just a little bit tempting, especially as the subsequent trade in for MW3 will be quite high for months.

  • StolenGlory #14 7 months ago

    Gah, the marketing team should get their asses collectively fired for getting this offer ass-backwards.

  • Toothball #15 7 months ago

    If I wanted Modern Warfare instead of Battlefield I'd just pay the extra £5 or whatever to get Modern Warfare. Seems like it would be much less effort involved.

    As it stands I don't really plan on getting either, although one of my friends has is getting Battlefield on PC so I might get it sometime for playing co-op. If I do, it'd be a digital copy anyway.
    Edited by Toothball at 20/10/11 @ 11:48

  • schnide #16 7 months ago

    I preordered BF3 from Zavvi and got the DKNY pants deal. Obviously BF3 hasn't been released yet, but I have to say I'm very much enjoying the pants.

  • HisDudness #17 7 months ago

    This is why there are online passes...

    All the returned copies of BF3 still have a probability of making money for EA.

  • Darren #18 7 months ago

    Will I? No. I won't be buying either game actually. :D

  • waggy79 #19 7 months ago

    Even if BF3 is abysmally bad i wouldnt trade for MW3. Plenty of other great titles in the run up to xmas.

  • DirectAim #20 7 months ago

    its tempting but I just couldn't trade in BF3, thats just wrong!

  • jonbwfc #21 7 months ago

    Do people really want to buy second hand Battlefield 3 at retail prices though? I'm assuming BF3 will have some kind of online pass, BF is pretty much an online franchise and knowing what Game(etc) charge for pre-owned, it'll end up costing you more to play a second hand copy than a new one.

    Jon

  • metroid455 #22 7 months ago

    not buying either one so it doesn't matter, but for the record Battlefield looks WAY better
    MW3 looks the same to me as any other Call Of Duty game boooring IMO

  • arcam #23 7 months ago

    All the returned copies of BF3 still have a probability of making money for EA.

    Not only that, but this will encourage lots of people who were only going to pick up CoD to also get a copy of BF3. After all it's basically free, why not? That will look very good on EA's press releases regarding the first week's/month's sales.

    Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if EA were rather happy about this deal - they may even have hand a hand in coming up with it.

  • Subdominator #24 7 months ago

    Looks like somebody ordered too many copies and is now trying desperately to find buyers.

  • thiagots85 #25 7 months ago

    and then:

    "trade your MW3 for BF3 for 0.99"

  • 32768Colours #26 7 months ago

    Gamestop: trade Generic Military Shooter 3 to get Generic Military Shooter 3 for £0.99

    /fixed ;)

    Anyway, no thanks. I'll be playing (admittedly equally generic) games that I actually want to keep; Skyrim, Saints Row the Third and Dodonpachi Resurrection Deluxe are going on pre-order as soon as I get paid!

  • Architect_z #27 7 months ago

    I'm gonna be a dousche and get MW3. BF3 is being overhyped. I always support the underdog, which sounds strange considering its a COD game, but i'm happy to insult chavs over the headset while sniping them in the face. ^_^

    Can't wait to see how many negs I get. I'm not bothered either way. Dark Souls is game of the gen, so this BF3 vs MW3 is aload of crap anyway.
    Edited by Architect_z at 20/10/11 @ 12:48

  • Colvin #28 7 months ago

    Very good deal IMO. Especially for those that aren't interested in the multiplayer.

    Still undecided on MW3, but I won't be trading BF3 in for it anyway. Both will be superb games.

  • AndyBeans #29 7 months ago

    If I had the Alienware PC to play the PC version of BF3 being touted in all the trailers I would, but as it's going to play like a lame dog on PS3 I'll stick to buying MW3 outright and use the three weeks to enjoy Arkham City and Uncharted 3 :)

  • Whizzo #30 7 months ago

    Very good deal IMO. Especially for those that aren't interested in the multiplayer.

    Anyone buying a Battlefield title that's not interested in the multiplayer shouldn't buy the bloody game in the first place.

  • Al_Swearengen #31 7 months ago

    Dear Gamestop Execs,

    Are you on Crack?

    Sincerely,
    The Internet
    Edited by Al_Swearengen at 20/10/11 @ 12:54

  • The_Weird #32 7 months ago

    I suppose it makes some sense if you only want to play the SP campaign, but I'm pretty sure you could rent it for much the same price, or just wait till it hits the bargain bin.

    That said, I played BFBC2 until the bit where the helicopter crashes into a tunnel or something - about 20 minutes in. COD:BO until the bit where you press 'X'' to glass a guy in the face, at which point I decided it was not for me...

    So I dont give a shit for either of these....

  • Colvin #33 7 months ago

    @Whizzo

    A lot of people aren't interested in MP. Don't be so ignorant.

  • Xardan #34 7 months ago

    No because that means i would have to buy BF3.

  • Caimbeul #35 7 months ago

    Will I? Nope. Cant stand Call of Duty!

    Didnt realise Gamestop were over int he UK now too.

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #36 7 months ago

    Games publisher really need to MAN THE FUCK UP and put a stop to retailers buying 2nd hand games. We all have to suffer online passes because of these greedy cunts. An individual selling games was never really a big issue, but now Gamestop and their ilk have got in on the act it's damaging the industry.

    It's probably more annoying for the developer than piracy because you can ACTUALLY SEE the consumer willingly parting with cash that you'll never get a cut of, yet at the same time shareholders of a retail company are actually PROFITING from their hard work.

    Licenses for Software forbid transferring (sale) yet they obviously don't want to annoy the retailers by enforcing it as they still get most of their profit from them.....so they fuck us instead.

    Angry SpaceMidget

    Proper cheeky I say.

    Edited by SpaceMidget75 at 20/10/11 @ 17:44

  • gandhimaster #37 7 months ago

    now THESE are the sort of tactics that publishers hate, and a huge reason for DLC and online/activation passes/codes!

    EA's game isn't even out yet and already they are seeing stores giving reasons to trade it in....

    pre emptive strike for the second hand car sales gang = this is an example that makes video games a special case regards second hand sales. :D

  • GrizzleBoy #38 7 months ago

    All this means is that people are going to be more confident in buying BF3 if they are not sure about it which means early sales for BF3 will be improved.

    Its not like BF3 is going to be a game that is going to have super high trade in numbers anyway so many people will just end up keeping it even if they did intend to trade it later for MW3.

  • Revnan #39 7 months ago

    You all rigth but please answer simple question:

    How can You give back BF3 when you receive serial which You type in origin and its on your account forever, its like Steam, or maybe im wrong.

  • arcam #40 7 months ago

    ^ This offer doesn't apply to PC. It's PS3/360 only.

  • P1GEONPOO #41 7 months ago

    @Mattb90 is a financial advisor and a very good one aswell.

  • Bravestinsane #42 7 months ago

    Would be cheaper to buy BF3 a second time then trade it right in and get MW3 for free pretty much, would end up saving a few quid rather than pay 99p lol

  • Freek #43 7 months ago

    Seems like they make so much money selling second hand games they might aswell practicly give away a copy of a brand new game and still come out on top.

  • SaintDaveUK #44 7 months ago

    @lollage, and those people are even more detrimental the game industry than pirates, because they ARE willing to go into a shop and pay money for games, but the games companies (many who are struggling these days anyway, just look how many have shut down recently) don't get a penny for their enjoyment.

  • dingo75 #45 7 months ago

    I would because I want only the single player of both games and for that combined price I would bite. Would even have 3 weeks to try the multiplayer part of BF3 as well. Sadly not for the PC and I don't live in the UK anyways.

  • geox30 #46 7 months ago

    No.

  • alan_stealth #47 7 months ago

    Anyone stupid enough to buy games second hand for £3-4 cheaper deserves everything they fucking get.
    If you're on a lower income, then just save a bit longer.
    For the sake of £3-4 pound I'd rather put it in the pocket of even a greedy publisher like EA rather than GAME.

  • Phantom_Dynamite #48 7 months ago

    No thank you.

  • FenderMaster #49 7 months ago

    So... high first week sales followed by an exponential reduction as 2nd, 3rd and 4th week buyers choose to buy second hand instead of new, thus the publisher only makes its money back in the first two weeks...

    This nis why EA invented the online pass, and why you should blame gamestop, not EA...

    I'm gonna be a dousche and get MW3. BF3 is being overhyped. I always support the underdog, which sounds strange considering its a COD game, but i'm happy to insult chavs over the headset while sniping them in the face. ^_^

    Can't wait to see how many negs I get. I'm not bothered either way. Dark Souls is game of the gen, so this BF3 vs MW3 is aload of crap anyway.

    The alternative gamer eh? Dark Souls is horrendously overrated. All these little things hardcore fans claim to love like dying, insta-death, poor signposting, not explaining fundamental mechanics, one hit kills, blindly wandering into areas you aren't strong enough to deal with and the horrendous frame rate... well thats bad game design my friend, no matter what the "challenge" loving hardcore tell themselves. Dice on the other hand make great games.

  • FireMonkey #50 7 months ago

    They are really trying to get lots of second hand stock quickly so that can make huge profits here aren't they?

  • bobdebob #51 7 months ago

    Woah -14 negs on my first comment!?

    All I said was that gamestop must not be confidant in BF3 otherwise this deal would've been the other round.
    BF fanboys must not like any negative comment about BF3 even if its not directed at the game.

  • MattRobson #52 7 months ago

    Strange offer if you ask me... however do it the other way round, go down the supermarkets pick up CoD for £25 trade in for BF3 for .99p and you've got a deal.

  • whome #53 7 months ago

    wouldn't buy another COD game, played one, played them all, and after trying the **** ugly bug ridden snipey camp fest that was the BF3 beta I wouldn't buy that either, so no.....

  • FireMonkey #54 7 months ago

    @bobdebob - I think you have it the other way around.
    I think they are confident with the sales of BF3, but know that if they can get a shit-tonne of second hand copies they can then sell them at a huge profit.
    If they were not confident in it's sales why would they want a load of second hand copies of it that they couldn't shift?

  • bobdebob #55 7 months ago

    @55
    Maybe you're right but if they get a lot of trade-ins which means people didn't like it so who would buy the 2ndhand ones?
    I think there's still alot of Medal of Honor Tier 1 copies still in the used market from that Black Ops trade-in deal.

  • metalangel #56 7 months ago

    A thought: if you're buying BF3 in this deal and just for the SP, remember to take the online pass card out before you send it back to GameStop, and sell it on Fleabay!

  • Toothball #57 7 months ago

    @lollage

    Not that I disagree with consumer rights and the opportunity to buy things cheaper, but second hand isn't the only way to achieve this. It used to be that publishers would reprint games after initial supplies had run low. Usually by that time the game in question had made its money back, and so the re-issue could be sold cheaper. There were even some publishers set up to reprint games that hadn't been around, or sometimes just as a budget title. While you still get some budget series like Xbox classics and such, games don't get reprinted nearly as often as they used to as many people end up at the second hand racks instead.

  • chrisjm #58 7 months ago

    'worse than pirates?'
    i agree this is an odd concept but how is 1 copy sold for 2 genuine players worse than 0 copies 'sold' for 2 pirates.
    Edited by chrisjm at 20/10/11 @ 17:23

  • Collymilad #59 7 months ago

    Nah, 99p is a bit steep for CoD tbh.

  • SpaceMidget75 Verified Senior Software Developer, Minerva Computer Services #60 7 months ago

    @lollage

    "So you would rather erode consumer rights? There are a lot of people out there that trade in games or buy them second hand simply cos they can't afford to buy them new."

    No. I'm saying that people can continue to sell their games at boot sales, local adverts or even ebay. The publishers would turn a blind eye to this as they always have. It's the retailers that have made them take note as it has such an impact.

    Besides you'd get more for you game selling it privately than the fleecing that CEX will give you!

    I've always argued that people should be able to sell their games but retailers shouldn't be involved. Just like Blockbuster weren't allowed to buy a retail copy of a DVD to rent out. Those rules were in place for a reason and because we don't have them in the games industry we now have £10 online codes for the consumer, loss of revenue for the publisher and short term gains/long term damage for the retailers.

  • arcam #61 7 months ago

    No. I'm saying that people can continue to sell their games at boot sales, local adverts or even ebay. The publishers would turn a blind eye to this as they always have. It's the retailers that have made them take note as it has such an impact.

    So it's the retailers that publishers have a problem with, but of course not enough of a problem to let it affect their exclusive skin preorder deals? It's a war against the retailers, but the only weapon they can think to use is one that affects the gamers directly? All the evidence suggests it's the gamers that publishers have a problem with. Publishers are not going after retailers, we they're going after people who buy and sell second hand. They are not going to be happy to let us buy and sell their games whether retailers are involved or not, and when those retailers go out of business, I bet you a million pounds they are going to place even more restrictions on what you can and can't do with your games. You are kidding yourself.

  • Hamalot97 #62 7 months ago

    Even If the game was 99p with no trade ins . i still wouldnt get it

  • freethinker101 #63 7 months ago

    I agree with geeza2020. saw the ad today and I just can't see the point! I'm still thinking and I can't see the point?

  • Climhazzard #64 7 months ago

    Hell to the no!

  • Sir_STRESSHEaD #65 7 months ago

    Hell No! Both Games will be taking pride of place on my top shelf.

    You'd be a fool to think you could get your moneys worth out of either game in the space of three weeks!

  • DAN.E.B #66 7 months ago

    its retarded shit like this thats destroying gaming with online passes and blocked content
    its like these companys want all gaming to be download only and put them all out of buisness

  • SHewHoRN #67 7 months ago

    Could always buy 2 copies of battlefield (supporting awesome dice as a developer), trade one in for COD (also supporting activision) and then hope gamestop struggles to shift all its used stock and is down £39 on the whole deal.

  • Braddock420 #68 7 months ago

    This is why 3rd party re-sellers (not 3rd party retailers) are destroying the gaming industry. "Let us buy that used copy off ya and sell it for 6 times what we paid you while getting a deal on the competitor's game so we can make money as we don't have to actually create anything in the industry. Oh, and BTW, we'll be promoting the hell out of MW3- posters, earbuds, etc. but screw BF3." Gamestop, if this is your plan... you fail. You fail like a one legged guy playing kickball.